Is it the natural elements that have granted you power, or have you granted power to the elements?

This question lingered in Ethan's mind for a long time. When he wanted to pull the earth element aside for more clarification, the little yellow potato had already burrowed into the ground, dragging the wind element off to play somewhere.

Ethan fell into deep thought.

He wandered aimlessly along the cemetery of Ximu Town, a place perpetually shrouded in mist. Unconsciously, he wandered into a deep, narrow path.

Thinking back, every time he ascended with the elements, it coincided with some crucial timing, and the Elemental Elf responded to his inner thoughts during these significant moments.

Later, during his interactions with McCarthy Delin and his return to the academy, his Elemental Magic was indeed regarded as an anomaly. High-level Elemental Shapers could comprehend huge fireballs, ice arrows, and chains of lightning, explained by an overabundance of Magic Power, but they couldn't comprehend the powers brought by element ascension.

That was not Elemental Magic, at least not until Lindong wrote "The Magic Mechanics of Fireballs and Ice Arrows." No Elemental Shaper had reached the same realm, and the current headmaster always believed that Lindong's "Saint Ascension Plan" seemed to turn Elemental Shapers into something he had never seen before and couldn't explain.

Of course, this was a tactful way of putting it.

From the old headmaster's hesitant expression and his furrowed brow, it wasn't hard to see what he truly thought—he was always in doubt whether the ascended Lindong remained within the realm of humanity.

So naturally, Ethan also became a subject of suspicion.

Especially after he resolved the golden radiation crisis at the academy, the headmaster gripped his wrist with his rough hand, conducting a thorough examination, at times thoughtful, at times surprised, but ultimately bewildered.

A question was emerging.

Why was he able to grant powers to the natural elements?

Was it because he thoroughly read "The Magic Mechanics of Fireballs and Ice Arrows," or was he inherently capable?

When doubts arose in Ethan's heart, the crucial timing appeared once again—the King of Gold descended upon this realm, and within almost three days, with a Divine Artifact named "Gospel" and golden radiation, he transformed territories beyond the Empire and Ophira into lands he ruled.

Citizens wearing gold masks became laboring tools, working tirelessly day and night, providing value to the Golden Kingdom.

But from another perspective, this also meant he was getting closer to the magic net.

Cynthia believed the King of Gold was a creator of destiny, for every prophecy he uttered eventually became reality. Yet Ethan realized there seemed to be a higher shadow prevailing over the King of Gold and the entire Guild—they were searching for the whereabouts of the "Goddess," and the first batch of Guild members came for that reason.

The timing of the "abnormality" appearing coinciding with the emergence of the "Future Lindong" was so coincidental that Ethan had to connect the two identities. Compared to the King of Gold's brainwashing ability and his many Divine Artifacts, "time" was closer to what Ethan envisioned of destiny.

Ethan looked back.

Unwittingly, he had walked far; the mist of the cemetery and the golden woven veil split the world in his eyes in two, creating a strange beauty, and he had already made a judgment in his heart.

He should continue forward.

Verifying the earth element's hint was actually simple.

Just like now, his heart told him he needed a power that could bypass the "world interferer," something that could bypass "game mechanics," which could only be another game mechanic.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Ximu Town.

"Found it!"

The little yellow potato exclaimed with joy, proving that Ethan wasn't very good at hiding things. She easily found the apartment where Ethan once lived, based on the townspeople's chatter. No one had been there for a while. She followed the street to the fourth tree at the street's entrance, where a box was buried.

The box contained seventy-five colorful Magic Potions, but she couldn't figure out their effects at that moment.

Ethan had promised her that these Magic Potions were one of a kind in the world, and she chose to believe him.

Because the wind element had a high opinion of him, saying her friend was introverted and didn't like interacting with humans. She had never seen the wind element get so close to anyone, not even with the "Ancestor."

The two little potatoes pulled the box full of Magic Potions into the soil, taking the spoils back to the Gopher Squad's temporary base in Ximu Town—a small cabin a few kilometers outside the town.

This place had a magical ambiance, suggesting it was once used for numerous practices.

"Tell me about Ethan, what kind of person is he?"

After moving the spoils into the warehouse, the little yellow potato asked curiously.

"Very reliable, very kind, and his palms are warm, comfortably so."

The little green potato looked down as she spoke about Ethan's good qualities, but it's hard to explain with words. She liked the feeling of being with Ethan, whether quietly reading together or going out for a ride—it all suited her idea of fun.

But lately, Ethan was facing significant challenges, not fitting for engaging in frivolous activities, so under the suggestion of the other two elements, she decided not to disturb Ethan and came out to play with her friend.