Surpassing, transcending, divine, enlightened.

At least ten years ago, no one dared to say such a thing, nor did anyone dare to believe it, until—Ruan Qing'an appeared. She was high above, despised the gods, and crushed divine power.

The crowd, who had been waiting quietly, looked at Ruan Qing'an with longing eyes. Ruan Qing'an was now even more powerful than a god.

In the dead silence, only Ruan Qing'an's voice remained.

"For thousands of years, the path to advancement for mages and warriors has always led to demigods, and then to gods."

"But do we really want to become gods? No, we just want to have the power of gods, but having the power of gods doesn't mean we have to become gods."

As Ruan Qing'an spoke, she raised her hand, and what appeared in her palm was a leaping, red fire element, which quickly condensed into the shape of a flying sprite in full view of everyone.

However, compared to ten years ago, the fire element is now undoubtedly closer to Ruan Qing'an. Even without her consciously perceiving it, her body can attract more and more elements to gather around her.

Moreover, her aura and presence have become significantly stronger, to the point that they are impossible to fathom. Facing her is like facing a god, unfathomable!

Upon realizing this, everyone's respect for Ruan Qing'an grew even stronger, and they all stared intently at Ruan Qing'an's every move, not daring to even blink.

The fire elements in the surrounding environment quickly gathered together, and countless fiery red sprites flew out, circling the group again and again before exploding with a deafening roar—

The overwhelming aura swept in almost instantly, turning into a storm that startled everyone into instinctively going on the defensive. But this was just a small trick by Ruan Qing'an, almost like a magic trick...

"As expected of Lady Dolores, she is truly amazing."

"Yeah, it's so bad it doesn't even inspire any desire for a challenge. After just one exchange, I felt like I was going to lose..."

Immediately, everyone was discussing it. Only by personally facing Nguyen Thanh An's power could they truly understand the gap between them and what an insurmountable chasm it was.

After the demonstration, Ruan Qing'an closed her palms, and a large amount of fire element surged towards her and then disappeared into her palms, as if she were playing with a toy that she could control at will.

“You are all magicians, so your perception of the elements should be the best. You should be able to sense how I manipulated the elements just now.”

Ruan Qingan paused: "Compared to before, when magicians borrowed elements through spells and magic circles, I directly control the elements. The principle behind this is to have a very strong understanding and affinity for the elements."

"Borrowing and manipulating represent two fundamentally different methods of use. When a mage reaches the end of their path, that is, after becoming a Grand Magister—"

"In fact, in theory, we have already studied it to an extremely advanced level. According to the previous path of advancement, one should become a demigod by relying on the power of the gods."

"But in fact, we examine ourselves internally and change the use of power through theory. That is to say, before being promoted to Grand Magister, we are familiar with the elements, and after that, we control the elements."

Ruan Qing'an spoke lightly, but her theory was groundbreaking, and her abilities proved that it was a completely feasible approach.

This is about exploring and using power more deeply, step by step. But in the past, no one dared to believe that they could become the controllers of the elements like the gods.

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up. They were all outstanding among mortals, and their research on elements was never weak. It was as if a new way of thinking had suddenly been opened up for them.

After the public address ended, Nguyen Thanh An put away her rose scepter and leisurely left her seat. The guests who had received her guidance all stood up and bowed to her, forming a magnificent line.

But...

On this unprecedented path, she deserves to be called "teacher" by everyone.

...

Soon, the servants would come to clean up the mess in the back garden, and Ruan Qingan returned to the manor, where a tall man was already waiting at the entrance.

A soft, luxurious shawl draped over his strong arms, Aldridge wore a fitted vest that accentuated his physique, exuding an invisible sense of pressure and aggression.

But around his neck was a leather collar inlaid with dark red gemstones, making him look like a vicious dog, ready to devour anyone at any moment.

Just as footsteps approached, Aldridge's gaze fell upon Nguyen Thanh An—

In that instant, it softened, like snow falling on branches, sprouting new buds in spring, the tender green carrying hope and beauty.

And in his eyes as he looked at her, there was such a warm feeling, which, with the passage of time, would forever remain like a new bud, never withering, but forever growing.

"Owner."

"You still call me that."

Upon hearing this, Aldridge simply smiled, draped his shawl over Nguyen Thanh An's shoulders, and offered no further explanation.

After Lucas's death, Aldrich took over as the Lancaster family's butler, but everyone knew his true identity; in reality, he was not much different from the master of the house.

The only difference is that... the "male host" is not as effective as the female host when he speaks.

Accompanying Ruan Qing'an to the manor's library, Aldrich took out a new document and said, "Master, what you just told them was essentially about becoming the master of the elements, right?"

"However, although the mortal realm and the divine realm have been separated, in essence, different gods still have control over the elements, just like the God of Light, whose control over the element of light is unmatched by others."

Aldrich paused: "Geniuses like you, whose talent is so great that they can even snatch control of the fire element from the hands of the god of fire, are extremely rare."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Qingan took the documents Aldrich handed him and chuckled, "Aldrich, as a former god, can you tell me if gods truly possess control?"

"Um?"

I don't think so.

Ruan Qingan looked at him seriously: "Do you think you have mastered the element of light? Aldrich, the God of Light was born from the element of light. I believe that the element of light should have existed first, and then the God of Light."

"You were born from the element of light, but can you control what makes you? I think you don't realize this."

"Remember Camus? In your duel with him, your manipulation of your own elements tended to be more about unleashing power, didn't it?"

"You do not control the elements, but because you were born here, you are most compatible with the elements, which is why the elements do not reject your use at all, just as you can directly control them."

Aldridge remained silent, offering no reply, but a thoughtful expression flickered in his eyes; this was indeed something he had never considered before.

Ruan Qingan continued, "Therefore, why can't we fight for this control?"

"As for how many people can do that, there's even less to worry about, Aldrich, because not everyone can reach the top, just like a pyramid."

"What I want is not how many people can stand at the top, but that they have a path to advancement, a way to continue on."

"Instead of becoming a Grand Magister and then having to rely on the power of the gods, becoming a so-called, laughable 'demigod,' forever bound by the gods."

As the girl spoke, she turned and stared at Aldrich. Her hands, which were holding the documents, were behind her back, and the arc of her dark red lace skirt as it flew through the air resembled the curve of a rose petal.

Behind her were tall, lattice windows carved with patterns in wood, from which the almost gilded sunlight shone, draped over her shoulders, and fell to the ground.

Those leaden gray eyes seemed to be burning with clusters of flames, capable of igniting the heart at a glance.

She said earnestly, "Aldrich, what I want is not how many people succeed, but to give the weapon that can pierce the heart of the gods to all those who are qualified to receive it."

"What I want..."

"It is the end of all the gods, it is Ragnarok."

Ruan Qing'an's light words seemed to destroy everything that existed. What she wanted was never to sever ties with the divine realm and live in seclusion, but to overthrow the entire pantheon of gods who enslaved mortals!

When he met her eyes, Aldridge understood what she hadn't said and realized her ambition, yet—he loved her just the way she was.

He willingly became her subservient hound, a sharp blade in his palm, a stepping stone to her ambitions.

"May your supreme glory bring victory."

"My master."

The former god lowered his eyes, bent down, and kissed her fingertips.

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