Chapter 266: The Witness
Famar began to explain to Chen Ran the problems he would face in obtaining the transformation spell.
For most elves, possessing the ability to transform also required a certain amount of talent. Not every elf had the ability to become a druid. It also depended on talent and opportunity.
Even among the Elf Clan, only 40% had the aptitude for transformation spells, and most of them were ordinary docile herbivores, such as fawns and antelopes. Combat-type transformation creatures accounted for at most 20% of the Elf Clan, and most of them could transform into bears, black panthers, and falcons. Only those who possessed more than two transformation spells could have the title of Druid.
Just like Famar himself, as an elder of the Elf Clan, he even possessed five transformation spells: giant bear, falcon, black panther, pangolin, and great white shark. With these transformations, there was no place in the sky, underground, or in the sea that he couldn’t go.
However, not all elves needed to learn transformation spells. This was related to faith. For example, their leader, the Priestess of the Moon, did not need to learn this ability.
As for the transformation spell Chen Ran wanted to learn, he could learn at most one. Because, according to the tradition of the Elf Clan, every time one attempted a transformation, regardless of success or failure, the next attempt would have to wait until a hundred years later. The further one went, the harder it was to comprehend. Five transformation spells were already the most for the Elf Clan, and even so, it would take at least 500 years.
Chen Ran only had one chance to obtain the transformation spell. It was almost impossible for him to wait another 100 years, so success or failure depended on this one attempt.
Before that, Chen Ran also needed to collect some spiritual materials in the Elf Clan, mix them into a medicinal soup, and drink it to increase his sensing ability. This process could not be done by others. It must be completed by himself. The dosage had no absolute proportion, and was related to his constitution and evolutionary direction. The spirit of the wild would not let a person who was indifferent or greedy for this ability possess such a “noble” ability as the transformation spell.
At this, Chen Ran asked Famar how he had obtained so many transformation spells and if there were any good tricks. The old elf smiled and honestly shared some of his summarized experiences.
The prepared spiritual medicinal soup must be the freshest and most effective, activating the spiritual energy in the body and increasing the success rate of transformation. The higher the purity and the stronger the energy, the higher the probability of successful transformation, and even obtaining the power of elite transformation. Just like Famar, his giant bear transformation was an elite transformation, which appeared with a smaller probability, but was much stronger than an ordinary giant bear.
What should be noted in the comprehension was that the transformation spell was not something you could transform into whatever you wanted. It depended entirely on your own nature, and any creature was possible.
Non-warrior elves were pure and kind by nature. Even if they possessed transformation spells, they were mostly docile animals like white birds and deer. But at the level of elf rangers, they longed for stronger power to protect their homeland. Evolving from their nature into giant bears, black panthers, war eagles, and the like, pursuing practical combat effects.
After listening to such a long speech, Chen Ran understood the steps and precautions needed to possess the transformation spell.
And since he had promised Chen Ran to complete the transformation spell, the trustworthy Famar would naturally not go back on his word. Because all of this required Chen Ran to do it himself, and he also trusted Chen Ran’s character very much, he took the initiative to cast a spell to unlock the two Spirit-Binding Bracelets for Chen Ran, and gave the rough recipe of the potion to Chen Ran, letting him collect the required plants himself tomorrow.
As for Chen Ran’s identity in the Elf Clan, Famar could bail him out for a period of time, but in order not to attract the attention of the elves, he’d better wear a cloak to hide his identity. As long as he covered himself with a cloak and couldn’t see his ears and eyes clearly, at least his human identity would not be so conspicuous.
Chen Ran nodded repeatedly, thanking Elder Famar for some tips.
“Thank you so much. By the way, I was so busy chatting about the details just now that I almost forgot the gift I brought for you, Elder.”
Chen Ran began to take out the gifts he had specially selected from his storage ring.
Top-quality red wine with age, special royal jelly, royal fruit pulp, rich chocolate, etc., were all delicious things Chen Ran had specially brought.
When Chen Ran took out these things, Elder Famar’s eyes widened, and his nostrils flared. He was obviously surprised by these big gifts from Chen Ran, but looking at that gaze, he was definitely moved…
When Chen Ran filled a whole table, Elder Famar’s fingers kept opening and closing.
“This… young man, you are too polite…”
Chen Ran chuckled and said, “Not at all, just some small gifts, but they are all specialties from various places. I hope they suit your taste, Elder.”
“Enough, enough,” Famar nodded. “It’s embarrassing. This old man has no other hobbies, just loves to eat, drink, sleep, and study knowledge. I haven’t been to the human kingdom for a while recently, and it’s the specialties of the distant Turin Empire. I’ve been missing the food there. I didn’t expect you to send it.”
Famar patted Chen Ran’s shoulder with relief and said generously, “In the coming days, you can stay with me with peace of mind. The only warning I can give you is that you must really do the next thing with your heart. You only have one chance, and you are a human. The probability of being recognized by the spirit of the wild is much smaller. Be very careful. Once you can get the recognition of the spirit of the wild, you are a friend of the Elf Clan. Because those who are recognized are at least kind to the Elf Clan. This recognition is very important for most stubborn elves.”
Chen Ran bowed respectfully. “I will work hard.”
“That’s good,” Famar nodded. “You stay in the house first. Try not to go out today. I’ll go out to vouch for you and explain some situations to the Elf Guard to guarantee your actions in the Elf Clan. In the meantime, you can sit in my study first and read some books to pass the time.”
“Thank you for your trouble,” Chen Ran nodded, indicating that there was no problem at all.
After Famar finished speaking, he entered the room, changed into formal clothes, and went out.
Chen Ran breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the elf elder who trusted him so much, he was also a little embarrassed. He would try his best to complete the transformation and surprise him.
Chen Ran climbed to the second floor and entered Elder Famar’s study.
It had to be said that this old man had quite a collection…
A whole floor of bookshelves, densely arranged in a ring, dazzling to look at. Those who didn’t know would think they had entered a small library.
On a special bookshelf, Chen Ran randomly picked out a few books. After reading the contents, he gradually became a little surprised.
Only the books on this bookshelf were handwritten, all by the same person. It seemed that it should be the owner of this room. The contents included history, art, culture, geography, combat, and military, all with unique insights.
Perhaps elves were not as smart as humans, but their lives were long enough. The long years allowed them to learn a lot. Famar had spent most of his life traveling, so he knew more than most elves. He was a true explorer.
Out of interest, Chen Ran even found the forest where he first arrived in a special geographical travelogue, as well as Redleaf Town, Xilan City, the City of Dawn, the Amazon female warrior tribe, etc., all with corresponding annotations and analyses. He had to admire the road this old elf had traveled, which definitely covered the entire continent, not to mention the Ikadan Alliance, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and other places that Chen Ran hadn’t learned about yet. These books also detailed some wars that broke out among humans, vividly describing the history of nearly a thousand years.
In this understanding, Chen Ran also gradually realized Famar’s greatness. Such a seemingly gluttonous old elf was actually a witness to history for nearly a thousand years, witnessing the rise and fall of countless dynasties and species.
Even the book described the reason for the disappearance of the ancient dragon race very well. They crossed westward and never returned. At least it proved that in the distant west, there must be an environment suitable for living beings. Famar had gone to explore, but because it was too far, he had never found the new continent, and finally gave up halfway and returned to his home.
Looking at so many travel notes and insights, Chen Ran was deeply moved. Sitting on the floor reading, time passed quickly without him realizing it. Until Elder Famar patted Chen Ran on the shoulder and dangled a bunch of crystal grapes in front of Chen Ran’s eyes, Chen Ran gradually came back to his senses.
“Kid, aren’t you hungry?”
Chen Ran was stunned, looking out the open window.
At this time, it was near dusk. The afterglow of the setting sun fell, plating a layer of gorgeous gold on those moon pools.
Only then did Chen Ran realize that he had been reading for so long. He scratched his head.
“Um, I was too engrossed. Seeing that these books were all written by you, Master, I feel that you are really amazing.”
Chen Ran’s address to Famar unknowingly changed from Elder to Master. He called this title sincerely.
“It’s okay,” Famar blew his beard. He seemed quite happy to hear Chen Ran’s address. “The Elf Clan is not good at anything else, but we have a lot of time. Even though I have lived for nearly a thousand years, this body can probably live for another hundred years. I can only find something to do. With so much time, of course I have to do something meaningful. Out of boredom, I have these things.”
Famar smiled and continued, “As long as you like it. But these things can be read at any time. Don’t let your stomach go hungry first. The Elf Clan prefers vegetarian food and mostly eats light fruits. You who are used to big fish and meat may not be used to it. Try to make do.”
“Not at all.” Looking at the delicious sweet smell emanating from the air, it stimulated Chen Ran’s taste buds. Famar brought Chen Ran a fruit platter unique to the Elf Clan. The Elf Clan believed in the power of nature, and the fruits they grew were larger and sweeter than those of humans. This was something humans could not achieve.
Famar and Chen Ran set up a table of food, mostly the gifts Chen Ran brought today and the special fruits of the Elf Clan that Famar got. They shared the feast on their respective tables. During the meal, the old and the young, two friends despite the age gap, chatted happily and unknowingly got drunk.
Fortunately, Chen Ran had a god-like sobering technique. Finally, he helped the drunk Master into his room to rest, and then he also went to the small wooden house prepared by the Master for him to rest on his own.
