Chapter 148: The Templar Knight

Chapter 148: The Templar Knight



When Essence is infused into one's psyche, it is difficult to significantly enhance their strength in a short period.

Instead, it is more effective to channel the psychic power into sorcery.

Currently, Karl only possesses the First Rank Spell of Tidal Force and an incomplete Thunder's Wrath.

Even simpler spells like the Blink Spell, which doesn't require constructing complex spell models, have not been practiced.

However, enhancing one's Constitution can quickly translate into increased strength.

Moreover, surpassing the 10-point threshold in a single attribute results in a First Rank Mid-Stage cultivation, significantly boosting one's capabilities.

As Essence surged into Karl's body, his flesh, membranes, organs, and blood vessels underwent a simultaneous transformation.

Instantly, the chaotic and perilous scene became navigable in Karl's perception.

The swirling Illusion Bubbles, various sorcery attacks, and the surrounding chaos were all registered through the stimulation of his skin and flesh, feeding into his 'Perception.'

Six flying arrows were about to strike within half a breath, two fireballs were set to explode nearby in one breath, and a Negative Energy Wave, accompanied by other onslaughts, was about to create a path right before him...

Amidst the chaos, a glimmer of hope remained.

To the side and below!

"Swish!"

Karl's body twisted, and he darted forward like a fish swimming in water, propelled by the air.

"Boom!"

"Rumble, rumble..."

A series of explosions erupted behind him, and Karl's figure weaved through the flames, rolling to dodge several streams of arrows.

He looked up.

A wizard clad in fiery red robes held a flaming circle, relentlessly shooting fireballs downward.

A First Rank Late-Stage Fire Wizard!

The battlefield was filled with powerful auras, but most wizards would instinctively avoid harming ordinary people when engaging in combat.

While they couldn't entirely prevent collateral damage, they would exercise caution.

Only this individual showed no restraint, showering the ground with flames like a torrential rain.

In just a dozen breaths, countless lives had been claimed on this street.

"Hmm!"

Karl grunted, realizing there was no escape. With a mighty leap, he punched towards a cluster of flames.

Break!

The battle aura, enhanced by Holy Breath, had a potent anti-magic effect, tearing the flames apart at the fist's edge.

"Get out of my way!"

Karl's expression turned grave. He spread his hands, and as he knocked the flames aside, he also freed himself from the attack circle.

Even though his Constitution had just surpassed 10, reaching the First Rank Mid-Stage, he could still resist the attacks of a Late-Stage wizard, at least against weakened area-of-effect spells.

"Ah!"

A familiar scream echoed from not too far away.

Inida held a colorful magic carpet with one hand, desperately fleeing amidst the chaos.

Explosions continued to erupt around her, causing the sorcery aura on the carpet to flicker wildly, seemingly on the verge of collapse.

"Over here!"

Karl shouted, drawing his staff and pointing it towards her.

First Rank Spell - Tidal Force!

A stream of water materialized out of thin air, rushing towards Inida's location. Although its power was not overwhelming, it could at least block various attacks.

"Karl!"

Hearing his voice, Inida's face lit up with joy, and she quickly darted towards him.

"Let's go!"

After joining forces, Karl glanced back:

"Let's get out of here first."

"Yes."

Inida nodded, and the two flew towards the distance, only stopping after several miles.

"I didn't expect the Swirl Spirit Butterfly to appear near the market?"

Inida looked back at the still chaotic scene, her face filled with lingering fear.

"Just now, I owe you a big one, Karl. Otherwise, I might not have escaped."

She winced as she glanced at the magic carpet in her hand.

This magic carpet was the only heritage artifact she owned, boasting incredible defensive capabilities. It had almost been rendered useless this time.

"It was the least I could do."

Karl waved his hand dismissively.

"What now? Should we just let them wreak havoc?"

The battle still raged in the distance.

Countless people were fleeing the battlefield, but few dared to turn back.

The joint patrol team formed by the three major families seemed like a joke now.

"This is a hundred-year supply of Swirl Spirit Butterflies, capable of increasing the chances of a First Rank Late-Stage wizard's breakthrough."

"Wizards who reach the First Rank Late-Stage are already pushing the limits of their lifespan. They go crazy for such things."

Inida shook her head.

"If the Cape Family were still around, they might have been able to hold them back. Now... we can only wait for it to blow over."

Karl lightly shook his head, his hands slowly clenching.

...

When Daniel, the representative of the Tower, arrived at the market the next day, the chaos had long subsided.

The outskirts of the market had turned into a wasteland, with hundreds of buildings reduced to rubble and corpses littering the ground.

"The Second Circle Wizards are outside, so..."

He spread his hands helplessly.

"With so many First Rank Late-Stage wizards running amok, even our Tower would struggle to contain them."

"Hmm..."

"If I were there, I'd probably try to get it too. After all, it's a hundred-year-old Swirl Spirit Butterfly."

"Yeah," Karl grimaced. "I was trying to become a full-fledged wizard during the Beast Tide, but I guess I've seen the chaos of the Magic Forest now."

"Hahaha..." Daniel laughed.

"This is already better than I expected. I remember a few years ago, there was a magical plant that could help Second Circle Wizards advance, and that was truly terrifying."

"Several Second Circle Wizards fought fiercely, and the scene..." Daniel trailed off, a distant look in his eyes. "I had nightmares about it for a long time."

"Oh!" Karl sighed softly. "So, what happened in the end?"

"What do you mean?" Daniel was taken aback but quickly composed himself. "The Swirl Spirit Butterfly was obtained by the Sanchez brothers, who are twins and both First Circle Late Stage Wizards."

"Currently, they've disappeared, but true knowledge potion masters are rare, and it won't be easy for them to refine the potion."

Karl nodded.

It was likely that renowned potion masters were already being watched, waiting for the Sanchez brothers to show themselves.

"Daniel Wizard."

After a moment's thought, he spoke softly, "There was a fire wizard yesterday with a special heritage artifact. What was his name?"

"You're probably talking about Viles, the fire maniac," Daniel frowned. "He's a real bastard, but he's also very strong, even among First Circle Late Stage Wizards."

"So..."

"No matter what he's done, you can let him be for now."

"Yes," Karl nodded. "I understand."

"There's something else," Daniel took a deep breath. "The head of the Mitchell family unfortunately passed away in yesterday's incident. Come with me to offer some comfort to the family."

The Mitchell family? Their head was a First Circle Late Stage Wizard, the only one of his rank. And he's dead?

Without a First Circle Late Stage Wizard, a great family couldn't maintain its status.

The four major families that once claimed to protect the market have now been reduced to just two in a short time.

Karl was surprised but nodded in agreement.

---

---

---

Another World.

Swift City.

A man dressed as a servant walked along a mountain path, trembling as he pointed upwards.

"Over there is where Elder Karl lives."

Behind him were four strange-looking men in burlap, their faces hideous. They grinned at his words.

"How odd."

One of them spoke, his voice eerie, like a beast trying to mimic human speech. His tone was filled with peculiarities: "Didn't you say that this Karl is the top wizard in Swift City? Why would he live in such a desolate place?"

"I... I don't know," the man trembled, his knees buckling as he knelt on the ground. "I don't know anything, please don't kill me. I don't want to die, I have a family."

One of the strange men stroked the man's skull and laughed. "Even if we let you go, you probably won't live long. Might as well let me fill my belly."

"Crack!"

With a single twist of his hand, the man's skull spun 360 degrees on his neck, his eyes still filled with terror.

"Gaga..."

The strange men cackled, their mouths wide open as they pounced. They swallowed half of the man's head in one bite.

The other three seemed accustomed to their companion's cannibalism, and one even licked the corners of his mouth.

"Alright."

Among the four, the most imposing man frowned.

"Hurry up."

"The leader is waiting for us over there. Don't forget to bring that... Berserk Potion."

"Yes," the other three, clearly intimidated, quickly agreed.

The mountain path was treacherous, with only a narrow trail for them to travel side by side. After the rain, the path was muddy and slippery.

"Damn it!"

One of them wiped the mud off his shoe, cursing, "By Olaf the Great, I can't believe a master potion maker would live in such a place!"

"Is he a hermit?"

"Shut up!" The imposing man spoke in a low voice. "At least here, we can avoid a lot of trouble. Taking someone from the city wouldn't be easy."

"What's there to be afraid of?" One of them scoffed. "There's no legendary-ranked existence in that city, and no one has received the Great Providence's blessing."

"We can take him by force if we have to!"

"Yes," someone nodded. "But it would be more troublesome in the city."

"I heard the Berserk Potion can turn knights into great knights. With enough great knights..."

"...we can take over Great Providence's territory!"

Their eyes gleamed with fanaticism.

Climbing up the path, a tower gradually came into view, its surroundings resembling a plowed field with furrows and ditches.

"Someone's here!"

The four tensed their bodies and leaped towards the tower, their incredible agility would even impress a Great Knight.

"Swish!"

"Swish, swish!"

The four landed in front of the tower and faced two people. One of them frowned and muttered,

"Who's Karl?"

Two figures crouched in front of the tower.

One of them, cloaked and hooded, with their features completely hidden, slowly raised their head at the sound of the voice.

"Wildmen from Olaf, with a nauseating stench. How did you get here?"

"Do you know us?" One of the four stepped forward and asked, "Are you the apothecary Karl?"

"No." The cloaked figure shook their head.

"I'm also here to find him. You're out of luck; he's been out at sea for more than a month, and no one knows when he'll return."

"You're not him?" The four initially expressed disappointment, then exclaimed, "He's been gone for over a month?"

"Yes." The cloaked figure nodded and sighed, "You're luckier than me; I've been waiting here for over a month, while you've just arrived. At least you'll wait less time than I have."

"Oh, right!"

He asked, "What do you want with him?"

"We heard that there's a mysterious apothecary here who can create a potion that can turn people into Great Knights. Our leader sent us to bring him to our territory." One of them spoke, then frowned again, "Why should I tell you?"

"Hehe..." The cloaked figure chuckled, "Wildmen's brains are never too bright. But you can't take him; Karl is coming with me."

"Coming with you?" One of them roared, "Why?"

"Ah Da!" The tall, odd-looking man suddenly spoke up, "Kill him!"

"Huh?"

The man named Ah Da was startled, then broke into a sinister smile. He stretched out his hands and lunged towards the cloaked figure.

His movements were simple, but his speed was astonishing, and his momentum was like that of a tiger descending the mountain.

Even a typical Great Knight might not be able to dodge this attack.

"Huff..."

The cloaked figure swayed, floating back lightly. The speed seemed slow, but they avoided being caught.

"A beast, even with intelligence, remains a beast."

Shaking his head slightly, the cloaked figure waved to the person beside him, "Kill them all!"

The person beside him was a frail, short, and weak figure in a tattered robe.

If the cloaked figure hadn't spoken, the others would have almost forgotten about this person.

Kill them all?

The tall, strange man sneered.

He was the bravest warrior, capable of standing up to a Legendary Knight. This person probably didn't realize who they were facing.

The next moment,

His smile froze on his face.

"Puff!"

Ah Da, who had charged forward, stiffened. He looked down at his chest with an incredulous expression.

A withered claw extended from his chest, holding a still-beating heart that emitted heat.

That heart...

Is mine?"

"Crack!"

The claw exerted a slight force, and the heart exploded instantly. Ah Da felt a sharp pain, and his consciousness plunged into endless darkness.

"Ah Da!"

"Charge!"

"..."

The remaining three turned pale and charged forward.

The tall, strange man was the fastest. He clenched his fist, his muscles bulging, and his punch, accompanied by a gust of wind, landed.

This punch,

Could shatter hard rocks.

"Bang!"

The tall, strange man's figure paused.

The frail, short figure beside the cloaked figure casually raised his right hand, blocking the full-force punch.

Instead, the tall, strange man felt like he had struck a nail, and his fist ached.

"Crack!"

The unassuming, frail figure merely twisted his wrist, and the tall, strange man's arm snapped inch by inch.

Moreover, a chilling aura spread throughout his body. The peak Battle Aura of a Great Knight was powerless against this aura and was easily overwhelmed.

This is...

Blasphemy...

"Bang!"

The figure in front of him swung his leg, and the tall, strange man's head shattered like a watermelon.

"Bang!"

"Bang, bang!"

The figure moved swiftly, and within a few breaths, all four were on the ground, unmoving.

"Clap!"

"Clap!"

Karl's figure appeared in the arena, looking at the two with astonishment and clapping, "Such speed! Such strength!"

This burst of power had already approached the middle stage of the First Rank. In numerical terms, it was at least in the 9-point range, higher than his previous self.

"Is it you?"

The cloaked figure raised his head and removed his hood, revealing an aged face. He bowed to Karl, "Templar Knight Boken, I greet you, Guardian!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end