Chapter 122: Advancing to the Legendary Knight

Chapter 122: Advancing to the Legendary Knight



"Kill him!"

Karl's voice was calm, almost indifferent, as if he was casually ordering Ana to do a trivial task.

It was precisely this nonchalant attitude that ignited a flame of fury within Joseph.

Who did he think he was?

Joseph, the Divine Blood Warrior!

The Legendary Knight of the City of Death!

A formidable figure who made ordinary people tremble at his mere presence, yet now, he was being ignored by this 'Karl'.

Aside from His Highness, no one dared to underestimate him...

"You're asking for death!"

Beneath the wolf-headed mask, Joseph's expression contorted, his eyes gleaming with cold intent. He was about to strike with his spear.

He would teach this 'Karl' a lesson for his insolence.

Hmm?

Suddenly!

A sharp killing intent caused Joseph to halt his action, and his battle-hardened body instinctively assumed a defensive stance.

"Swish!"

At Karl's command, Ana charged forward with a massive sword in her hand, her blade slicing through the air with deadly precision.

Seventeen consecutive strikes!

The sword technique, passed down from the Divine Realm, was enigmatic and fierce.

And with the body of a Demon God's flesh and blood, she possessed a power that even surprised the Divine Blood Warriors.

"Ding..."

"Ding, ding, ding!"

The clashing of blades was as rapid as a torrential downpour.

Ana, with her petite and graceful figure, wielded a sword that seemed disproportionately large for her frame, launching a ferocious assault.

Her eyes turned pitch black and eerie, and strands of pale white aura seeped out from within her.

The terrifying strength she possessed made her sword incredibly lethal.

"Clang!"

The two clashed once more.

Joseph's warhorse lightly jumped, landing several meters away, and he stared intently.

"A Blasphemy Knight from the Temple?"

"Karl, the pharmacist from Rapids City, so you're a Holy Knight!"

Of course, he was well aware of the Blasphemy Knights, those nauseating 'creatures', and the Temple had been suppressed by the Dukes for this very reason.

And only a Holy Knight of high standing within the Temple could command these Blasphemy Knights.

However...

Did the Temple also need the Great Divine Blessing? In his impression, the Great Divine Blessing was only useful for enhancing 'divine power', and it was exclusive to those with ducal bloodlines.

The Temple had no use for it.

His questions were interrupted by a storm of attacks, a tempest of blades.

Slash!

Combat Technique - Wrath of the Wind God!

Ana flipped in mid-air, her sword enveloped in a whirlwind, slicing her opponent and sending them flying several meters away.

Combat Technique - Phantom!

Her figure flickered, and she stepped forward, her sword swiftly slashing down, her attacks relentless.

Karl stood at the back, his eyes flashing.

'Ana, despite her small stature, possesses incredible physical strength, but her combat skills fall short compared to her opponent.'

'Divine Blood Warriors live for over two hundred years, and this Joseph is likely in his middle age, around eighty or ninety. The decades of extra experience are enough to bridge the gap in physical prowess, and his horse gives him an advantage in mobility.'

'Without outside interference, judging by the skills they've shown so far, the battle between them is likely to be a close call, with the highest probability of both sides suffering heavy injuries.'

'However...'

'Regardless of who they are, their strength surpasses Bob's, indicating that the gap between Legendary Knights is also significant.'

This was to be expected.

Bob had only recently advanced to the Legendary rank, and he couldn't compare to Legendary Knights who had lived for decades or even centuries.

"Ana."

Karl spoke:

"Attack the horse first!"

The warhorse beneath Joseph seemed to be a phantom, lightly tapping its hooves to move in any direction silently and swiftly, capable of deflecting most attacks aimed at the rider.

Riding on its back, Joseph had more room to maneuver and dodge.

Moreover, Karl suspected that his advanced enchanted item, the Super-Grade Seal, would be ineffective against this horse.

The warhorse's hooves barely touched the ground, and it could even leap in mid-air, its agility was beyond comprehension.

"Hmm."

Ana, hearing this, shifted her gaze, and her sword slightly pressed down, redirecting her attacks towards the warhorse.

Combat Technique - Savage Charge!

"Boom!"

"Hiss..."

The warhorse stomped its hooves, letting out a strange cry, and a deep wound appeared below its neck.

But instead of blood, a gray mist escaped from the wound.

"Damn it!"

Joseph clenched his teeth, his gaze towards Ana filled with apprehension, and towards Karl, it was pure anger.

"Go!"

He gently squeezed the horse's belly.

The warhorse beneath him leaped, its figure turning into a phantom, reappearing near Karl.

Combat Technique - Ghost Charge!

"Swish!"

The spear flashed forward like lightning.

With extreme speed and terrifying power, Joseph was confident he could break through even a city gate.

Not to mention a mere human.

Whether a knight or a peak knight, in the eyes of a Legendary, they were all ordinary people.

"Oof..."

The air in front of the spear rippled, emitting a deep, eerie howl, and Karl blocked the attack with his twin swords.

"Boom!"

A peculiar collision sound made Joseph's eyebrows twitch.

What was going on?

In his perception, Karl suddenly turned ethereal, just like the phantom horse beneath Joseph.

And the spear he thrust out didn't seem to hit anything solid, with most of its power dissipating into thin air.

Phantom Amulet!

Ethereal!

Using an advanced enchanted item to block the attack, Karl quickly activated his rune.

Rune - Gravity Field!

Instantly, within a radius of several dozen meters, gravity increased tenfold.

The all-encompassing pressure forced both Joseph and his warhorse towards the ground.

Before they could steady themselves, Karl, now a giant over six meters tall, swung his sword down with immense force.

Combat Technique - Holy Judgment!

"Boom!"

The ground caved in, dust and smoke filled the air, and the man and his horse were knocked down.

This won't do!

Karl's expression turned grave.

The Divine Blood Warrior's spell resistance was astonishing; the petrification spell on the broadsword was completely ineffective.

Even with the gravity field suppressing him, Karl was at a disadvantage, and he could only narrow the gap between them.

It was far from enough to gain the upper hand.

Karl's eyes flickered, and he quickly retreated, activating another seal.

Seal - Chain Fireballs.

A giant fireball, a full meter in diameter, appeared out of thin air, carrying extreme heat as it rushed towards the man and his horse.

Like a falling meteor, it landed on the man and horse, and then exploded with a loud bang.

The fireballs didn't stop at one.

They came one after another.

A total of six!

"Boom!"

"Boom, boom, boom..."

As the six fireballs exploded in succession, a black hole was blasted into the ground, and a battered figure stood in the field.

As for the warhorse beneath him?

It had been torn to shreds by the explosion and intense heat.

Eighty magic stones, a lifetime's savings for an intermediate wizard apprentice, could achieve such an effect.

"Continue."

Karl took a step back and signaled to Ana:

"Kill him!"

Although Joseph seemed severely injured and his strength greatly reduced, Karl wasn't taking any chances.

What if he had a deadly move up his sleeve?

Karl, after all, was just a Grand Knight, and it was safer to let Ana take the lead.

Ana's eyes flickered with uncertainty.

She never imagined that the Divine Blood Warrior, who had fought her to a standstill, would be reduced to this state in such a short time.

This Guardian...

Was he really just a Grand Knight?

How could he have so many tricks up his sleeve?

Despite her doubts, Ana didn't hesitate. She brandished her greatsword and charged at Joseph.

"Clang!"

"Pfft!"

After a few clashes, Joseph, already gravely injured, couldn't hold on. He coughed up blood and staggered back.

Fear filled his eyes as he realized his impending death. Suddenly, a red glow appeared on his body.

Secret Technique - Blood Sacrifice!

Escape!

"Pfft!"

Blood mist erupted from Joseph's body, causing it to shrivel, and his speed increased significantly.

He was even faster than when he was on horseback.

Swish!

Joseph's figure flickered as he blocked Ana with his long whip, then turned to flee.

Just then, a wave of panic washed over him.

"Thump!"

"Thump!"

His heart began to race, and the intense fear made his eyes widen, slowing his movements.

Fear Aura!

Karl, appearing from nowhere, held two broadswords and slashed at Joseph.

"Pfft!"

The swords cut through Joseph's throat and pierced his heart.

A surge of essence flowed into Joseph's body.

Essence!

0.2

But Karl didn't linger. With Merfolk nearby, he quickly searched Joseph's body.

Great Divine Blessing!

Fifteen of them!

Karl's eyes lit up, and his breath quickened.

He hit the jackpot!

This guy had kept all the Great Divine Blessings he collected on himself.

...

City of Death.

A city of a million residents, where prosperity and decay coexist.

In the Duke's territory, no other city boasted such a large population.

Similarly,

No other city had such a low average lifespan.

All this stemmed from a unique rule in the City of Death: residents must die once they reach a certain age.

This rule was known as the Mandatory Death Law.

Two hundred years ago,

The age limit was seventy-five, and most people were indifferent.

A hundred years ago,

The age limit was sixty-five, and some protested. The protesters were quickly suppressed and executed.

Now,

The age limit is fifty-three.

In a world where life is fleeting, living to fifty-three is a dream come true for many.

It's rumored

That next year, the age limit will be raised to fifty.

North of the city.

Once a month, a public sacrifice takes place.

A massive stone gate stands tall on the ground.

Elders over fifty are herded by the city guards through the gate to the 'graveyard,' stopping at their chosen graves.

Some elders, covered in wounds, look terrified, having been beaten by the guards for trying to escape.

The City of Death's rule is clear: anyone living in the city for over a year must obey the death law.

Except for Divine Blood Warriors.

Outside the towering stone gate,

Scattered cries echo; inside, elders stand at their graves, awaiting execution.

This has been the way for centuries.

"Bury them!"

A young city guard roars and slashes down with his weapon, standing behind the elders.

Even if their relatives stand before them, they show no mercy.

"Pfft!"

"Pfft! Pfft!"

Elders' heads are chopped off, falling into bottomless graves.

Some scream, some wail, while others accept their fate with stoic faces.

Deep in the dark underground.

Bodies fall into a pile of bones, making eerie noises.

Amidst the corpses, a bone throne stands, and on it, a maiden slumps.

Her closed eyes tremble slightly, then slowly open.

Her voice is crisp, like a bird's chirp, but here, it sounds terrifying.

"A vassal has died."

"Is it you?"

"My dear brother, Sodan!"

The girl shook her head and closed her eyes once more.

Just an insignificant vassal, able to awaken from slumber—that was the greatest blessing she could hope for.

Chapter 6◇9◇Book◇End

...

A fragment of the divine realm.

Perched atop a stone pedestal, Karl pondered deeply.

Before him, a data panel hovered silently.

Name: Karl

Constitution: 5.01

Mental Power: 4

Source Quality: 2.66 (Original source quality, plus fifteen Great Morning Sun Lord and kills from Divine Blood Warriors.)



Level: Peak Knight, Advanced Wizard Apprentice

Abyssal Bloodline Fusion: 9%

2.66 Source Quality—an unprecedented accumulation. Even with absolute rationality, one couldn't help but feel excited.

According to his own thoughts, compared to before, the panel now displayed an additional Abyssal Bloodline Fusion percentage.

9%

The progress wasn't slow.

Based on Karl's estimation, reaching 30% should be sufficient to advance to Archwizard, and 100% would be enough for a Second Circle Wizard.

"In other words, before becoming a Second Circle Wizard, I won't have to worry about any bottlenecks in my cultivation."

A thought flashed through his mind.

Mental Power and Source Quality values fluctuated simultaneously.

Mental Power: 5

Source Quality: 1.66

Mental Sea.

The Mental Power that was once beyond his control was now completely under his command.

The powerful Mental Power surged in his mind, seemingly on the verge of overflowing.

Hmm...

A smile graced Karl's face.

"Typically, for an Advanced Wizard Apprentice, the limit of Mental Power is around five points. But my Mental Sea is different; my limit is 6.12."

"Then..."

"If I continue to increase my Source Quality, will it be a 2:1 or 4:1 ratio?"

Let's try!

Mental Power: 5.01

Source Quality: 1.64

2:1!

Karl's face lit up with a smile.

"It seems that as long as I refine the Mental Power within my Mental Sea, the consumption of Source Quality is at a 2:1 ratio."

"There's no change even when the value exceeds five."

"In that case..."

Mental Power: 5.83

Source Quality: 0

"Ouch!"

Karl's neck tensed, and a hint of pain flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly suppressed by his absolute rationality.

The sudden surge of Mental Power made even Karl, within the divine realm fragment, feel a bit overwhelmed.

Minor Mage Field!

With a thought, everything within a ten-meter radius was suspended in mid-air.

Minor Mage's Hand!

A finely crafted steel armor crumpled under the pressure of an invisible force, reduced to a ball of iron.

Fire Seal!

A basin-sized flame appeared out of thin air.

Although not as large as the First Circle Wizard's Fireball Chain, it was quick to activate and could be used multiple times in succession.

"With just my own wizardry, without relying on enchanted items, I can easily take down a Peak Knight."

"When facing a Legendary Knight, even if I have to act hastily, I still have a high chance of a successful kill."

Karl's gaze shifted, and he focused:

"Next..."

"Legendary!"

Am I blessing myself?

As the divine realm fragment contracted, Karl felt a strange force within him.

Now wasn't the time for contemplation.

"Crack!"

The 'lock' that once restrained life and prevented advancement was forcefully opened by an invisible force.

The surging life force became active.

Every hair, every strand of hair, every bone marrow, every blood vessel—places that were once difficult to reach were now accessible.

"Boom!"

Karl's body trembled, and the roaring life force poured out through his pores, resonating with the outside world.

In that moment, it was as if a third eye had opened.

The other side of the world appeared in his perception.

So...

In the eyes of a Legendary Knight, this world was fundamentally different from that of ordinary people.

Many colors, tastes, and sensations that were once indistinguishable were now crystal clear.

Divine Perception?

Karl blinked, adjusting to his new body.

'The life force of a Legendary Knight not only affects their physical body but also extends outward, resonating with the outside world.'

'The Mental Power of an Archwizard is also no longer limited to the Mental Sea; it can sense the Star Realm.'

'These two distinct cultivation systems, to a certain extent, are surprisingly similar.'

Karl stood up and stretched his limbs.

Constitution: 5.3

Realm: Legendary Knight!

In his normal state, Karl's data panel appeared as follows:

Name: Karl

Constitution: 5.3

Mental Power: 5.85 (A slight increase after advancing to Legendary Knight.)



Source Quality: 0

Level: Legendary Knight, Advanced Wizard Apprentice

Abyssal Bloodline Fusion: 9%

If Karl activated the secret technique of the Giant Spirit Breath while in his giant form, his data panel would change as follows:

Name: Karl

Constitution: 7.1 (Height: 7 meters, Life Force rapidly depleting, with increased strength, defense, and speed.)



Mental Power: 5.85

Source Quality: 0

Level: Legendary Knight, Advanced Wizard Apprentice

Abyssal Bloodline Fusion: 9%

If Karl further activated his Abyssal Bloodline while in his giant form, his data panel would become:

Name: Karl

Constitution: 7.5 (Increased strength, defense, and speed, with low-level physical regeneration, low-level life drain, and low-level spell immunity.)



Mental Power: 6.1 (Terror Aura with willpower boost.)



Source Quality: 0

Level: Legendary Knight, Advanced Wizard Apprentice

Abyssal Bloodline Fusion: 9%

Three situations, three levels of strength.

Chapter: The Gathering Storm

"Yvonne."

Karl stretched his body amidst the ruins, glancing at the girl by his side. He noticed her hair and commented, "Your hair seems to have turned white."

Yvonne, originally a blonde, now had a layer of white frost on her golden locks.

The white frost did not diminish her natural charm but added a chilling aura to her cold and reticent demeanor.

"The bloodline within me is from a fallen god named Pale Wing. He was once a sacred angel but became a fallen god after slaying a deity. The more my body merges with this bloodline, the more my physical appearance will change."

A rare occurrence.

Yvonne spoke of the divine bloodline within her, and it seemed she had only now truly acknowledged Karl as her Guardian.

"White hair and darker eyes are one of the signs."

"So, in other words..." Karl nodded, "...your strength is much greater than before."

"Yes."

Yvonne nodded, her expression turning solemn. "By your side, I need even greater strength."

Unlike before, when she relied on faith to enhance her power, she was now actively unleashing the fallen god's power within her.

This increased the chances of mutation and reduced her lifespan, but it also enhanced her strength.

"..." Karl shook his head, "Alright!"

"Let's leave this place first."

The Great God Oma had already been collected, and staying any longer would serve little purpose.

Although slaying the Red-Eyed Merfolk would also grant Source Essence, they were hidden among the regular Merfolk and hard to find. Without someone else to draw their attention, it would be easy to fall into danger.

"Hmm?"

Just as Karl started to walk away, his eyes flickered, and he turned back to look at a wall behind them.

"Conn."

"What a coincidence?"

...

"What a coincidence?" Karl's voice echoed.

Conn, hiding among the ruins, slowly stood up and nodded to a man and a woman not far away.

He wasn't surprised that Karl was still alive.

"Elder Karl, it seems the situation is almost resolved. Why don't we travel together and head back to Rapids City?"

"Elder Karl!" Hiding in the ruins were not only Conn but also six disheveled companions.

One of them, with wide eyes, exclaimed angrily, "As a Guild Elder, you've been hiding here, watching as the Dragon King Chamber of Commerce members die?"

"You..."

"Despicable!"

The others also wore angry expressions.

They had assumed Karl was dead and even lamented that he had sacrificed himself to save others.

But now,

Karl was unharmed, clearly indicating that the previous act was a ploy to create an opportunity for escape.

"Just self-preservation." Karl shook his head, "Moreover, even if I had stayed, what could I have done?"

"If you had stayed, at least the chances of others surviving would have been greater." Among the group, a woman spoke up, "Even someone like Knight Quincy, who is so dedicated, you've disappointed us, Elder Karl!"

"Is that so?" Karl's expression remained unchanged, "Then, where is Quincy now?"

The group's faces froze.

Quincy was dead!

Killed by the Merfolk.

"Elder Karl." Conn spoke softly, "The Death Knight's goal is to enter the City Lord's Mansion. Once John obtains what he wants, he will return to Rapids City to take over as the acting City Lord."

"Do you think he will spare us?"

Karl's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

If John truly went to Rapids City to become the acting City Lord, it wouldn't be a matter of sparing them but of everyone becoming his slaves.

The people from the City of Death seemed to view enslaving others as a given and didn't value human life.

Could it be...

That they had to leave Rapids City?

"So what?"

Karl sighed helplessly, "You don't think that just the few of us can stop three hundred Death Knights, do you?"

Not to mention three hundred Death Knights.

Even just John alone, and they wouldn't be a match.

Karl's advancement to Legendary status didn't make him arrogant or overconfident.

On the contrary, after becoming Legendary, he was even more aware of John's strength.

If Legendary Knights were divided into early, middle, and late stages, Bob and Karl at this moment were in the early stage.

Yvonne and Joseph were in the middle stage.

And John...

Was in the late stage of Legendary Knights!

Even an Archwizard might not be John's match, and Karl, together with Yvonne, faced similarly slim odds.

"We don't need to stop them."

Conn spoke up, "Here, we just need to lure the Merfolk away at the critical moment, and that will be enough."

Karl didn't respond.

"I know Elder Karl has been collecting things related to Great God Oma and the deities. I know of a place with many Great God Oma and deity-related items, and I know that some places in the Endless Sea are connected to the deities." As Conn spoke, his eyes flickered, "This matter also involves President Hawk, who knows about some places in the Endless Sea that are not well-known. If Elder Karl is willing to take action, we can..."

"Oh!" Karl smiled faintly, "Is that so?"

"Elder Karl, do you think I'm lying to you?" Conn noticed the distrust in Karl's eyes and spoke up, "You've forgotten."

"In the Endless Sea, there's an island where pirates gather, hidden in a secluded location."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end