Chapter 211: A New Goal

Chapter 211: A New Goal

Su Nan sipped his tea, savoring the flavor before responding calmly.

"Strictly speaking, a Fourth Circle Legendary Knight is the pinnacle of human knighthood."

Kei furrowed his brow but quickly understood, his expression shifting.

"You mean that advancing beyond that transcends the human realm?"

Su Nan nodded approvingly and explained, "To break through the Fourth Circle Legendary barrier, there are only two paths."

"First, you can pursue the semi-elemental route and become an Elemental Knight."

"Second, you can pursue the bloodline fusion route and become a Bloodline Knight."

Kei's eyes lit up, and he asked eagerly, "What are the differences between these two paths?"

Su Nan elaborated, "An Elemental Knight's control over elemental power is greatly enhanced. Their semi-elemental bodies are nearly immune to physical attacks and have significantly increased resistance to energy attacks. Essentially, they are an enhanced version of a Fourth Circle Legendary Knight."

The key difference between a Legendary Knight and a Grand Knight is the awakening of elemental power.

Thus, an Elemental Knight can be seen as a Legendary Knight with enhanced abilities in all aspects and a semi-elemental body.

"Bloodline Knights, on the other hand, have specific abilities that depend on the bloodline they fuse with."

"However, whether it's an Elemental Knight or a Bloodline Knight, their fundamental life form has changed, and they can no longer be considered human."

"Moreover, in terms of lifespan, Elemental Knights and Bloodline Knights, while not as long-lived as true wizards, are on par with Third Circle Wizard Apprentices, typically living between 150 to 200 years."

Kei's eyes sparkled.

While the increase in power was secondary, the extended lifespan was the key attraction.

Who wouldn't want to live longer?

If he could advance to become an Elemental Knight or a Bloodline Knight, he would gain several more decades of life, which was the most enticing benefit.

"How can one advance to become an Elemental Knight or a Bloodline Knight?" Kei asked impatiently.

"Biological modification," Su Nan replied.

Neither semi-elementalization nor bloodline fusion can be achieved through training.

Like Wizard Apprentices, these paths require biological modification, supplemented by potions.

The difference is that the self-modification process for Wizard Apprentices is relatively easier.

This is partly due to their better understanding of their own bodies and partly because their power levels are lower.

For example, the few Wizard Apprentices of the Immortal Society, even after semi-elementalization and bloodline fusion, only reach the Third Circle Legendary level.

However, to modify a Fourth Circle Legendary Knight who has reached the peak of mundane knighthood, a wizard must be involved.

Moreover, the wizard must be highly skilled in biological modification techniques.

In the age of wizards, Elemental Knights and Bloodline Knights were typically followers of a particular wizard or belonged to a wizard faction.

"You..."

Kei didn't say it outright, but his meaning was clear.

Su Nan shook his head, "My biological modification skills are not yet up to par."

To transform someone into an Elemental Knight or a Bloodline Knight, the [Biological Modification] skill must be at least Level 5, and he was currently only at Level 4, with the progress bar still two-thirds away from completion.

Seeing Kei's disappointment, Su Nan reassured him, "Don't worry. In a decade or so, my biological modification skills should meet the requirements."

He frequently enhanced the physical and bloodline traits of the Hidden Dragon and occasionally participated in the implementation of the Draconic Bloodline Enhancement Plan. Although the [Biological Modification] skill's proficiency increased slowly, it would still reach Level 5 in a decade or so.

"Besides, you need time to push your strength to the limits of a Fourth Circle Legendary Knight."

Kei nodded, his face brightening again. He then asked, "Which path do you think is more suitable for me?"

Su Nan thought for a moment and said, "The cultivation of an Elemental Knight heavily relies on the environment. Given the current energy scarcity on the Starlight Continent, Elemental Knights are too restricted. It's better to choose the Bloodline Knight path."

"Fortunately, there are many high-tier Draconic bloodlines in the Dragon Forest. If you don't mind, you can choose one for future fusion."

"Can't I use the Hidden Dragon's bloodline?"

Kei had seen the Hidden Dragon evolve into a massive dragon, and the terrifying presence still left a lasting impression.

"A Fourth Circle Legendary Knight's constitution cannot handle the Dragon bloodline," Su Nan said, spreading his hands.

Bloodline fusion is a precise process; it's not about choosing the most powerful one.

Besides compatibility with one's own constitution, the physical strength must also be considered.

Dragons are beings comparable to true wizards, and a Fourth Circle Legendary Knight cannot withstand the physical evolution that comes with fusing such a powerful bloodline.

Hearing this, Kei felt a bit disappointed but quickly perked up.

"Looks like I need to make a few trips to the Dragon Forest."

After discussing the matter of advancing to the rank of knight, Su Nan shifted the topic.

"Remember when you asked me about the Tower of Twinkling Stars?"

"Of course," Kui nodded.

At the time, Kui had been puzzled by Su Nan's successful conquest of the Tower of Twinkling Stars. Su Nan had been vague, and Kui had tactfully refrained from pressing further.

"I didn't tell you then because I didn't want you to worry. But now that the empire has achieved unity, it's time to discuss this matter."

Kui's expression turned serious as he sensed the gravity in Su Nan's tone.

Su Nan then briefly explained the return of the wizards in seven Hundred years and the matter of the Dark Throne.

Kui was left speechless, his face a mask of shock.

He had heard Su Nan mention the Elemental Wasteland and the wizards' thousand-year-old expedition to the multiverse, but he never imagined that those wizards would return to the Starlight Continent in seven hundred years.

This was undoubtedly a momentous event! In comparison, the empire's unification of the Starlight Continent seemed insignificant.

After a long while, Kui finally digested the shocking news, snapping out of his daze with a furrowed brow.

"Once those wizards return, what will happen to the Starlight Continent?"

Su Nan understood his concern and shook his head. "According to the rules of the wizarding world, the Starlight Continent is now my exclusive plane. Unless they want to make an enemy of me, other wizards generally won't try to claim the Starlight Continent."

Kui let out a sigh of relief but quickly turned anxious again.

"What about the Dark Throne?"

The thought of a faction with thousands of wizards was almost unimaginable to Kui.

Such a force must be incredibly powerful and terrifying.

The mere thought was chilling!

"Don't worry too much. If things get too dire, we can seek the support of a wizard faction that opposes the Dark Throne."

Su Nan reassured him, then added, "But fundamentally, we need to strengthen ourselves."

"In the coming days, I plan to build a wizard tower and will need the full cooperation of the empire."

"Absolutely," Kui agreed without hesitation.

However, his mood turned complex. The intelligence he had just received from Su Nan was a significant blow to his worldview.

The multiverse, which had once been a mere symbol to him, now seemed vast and boundless after Su Nan's recounting.

Compared to the vast multiverse, the Starlight Continent was nothing more than a speck of dust.

Kui had once felt a sense of pride and accomplishment after the Star Empire unified the Starlight Continent, but now that pride and accomplishment were shattered, replaced by a deep sense of his own insignificance.

Compared to the ancient and powerful factions in the multiverse, the Starlight Continent still had a long way to go.

But after the initial shock, a fierce determination ignited in Kui's heart.

He had felt a sense of emptiness and lack of purpose after achieving his goal, but now a grander goal lay before him.

Although he was unlikely to live to see the return of the wizards, he was determined to make the empire as strong as possible, ensuring its survival and prosperity in the future.

Noticing Kui's change in demeanor, Su Nan nodded subtly.

Kui's willpower was much stronger than he had anticipated. He had been worried that Kui would be overly anxious after hearing about the Dark Throne, but it seemed his concerns were unfounded.

Year 1282 of the Starlight Era.

This was the most peaceful year on the Starlight Continent.

With the Star Empire's unification of the continent and the swift suppression of scattered rebel forces, the continent's situation stabilized, entering a period of peace and development.

In the Thundering Month (April), the emperor issued an edict, and knight academies began to be established throughout the empire.

While a few were reserved for the children of the nobility, most knight academies were open to the general public, treating the middle class, commoners, and farmers equally.

As long as one passed the entrance exam, all tuition and fees were waived.

Additionally, the empire began to vigorously promote and popularize basic education, establishing many primary schools with low tuition, making it affordable even for commoners and farmers.

Despite the fact that many commoners and farmers, due to financial pressures, had not planned to send their children to school, the majority of the population was genuinely delighted and excited by this policy.

To participate in the wizard eligibility test, the first requirement is literacy.

Over the years, the empire has promoted the idea that even the lowest peasant can rise through the ranks and become a noble by becoming a wizard. Passing the eligibility test means a leap from rags to riches.

Wizards are revered figures, even the nobility dare not treat them with disrespect. For the common folk at the bottom of society, wizards represent a glimmer of hope in an otherwise harsh life.

Though the chance is slim, it is not impossible. Even if their children fail the eligibility test, literacy can still be a bonus when applying to knight academies.

Because of these benefits, the push for basic education has faced fewer obstacles. Though widespread education will take a long time to achieve, at least there is a good start.

Beyond the knight academies and basic education, more decrees have been issued, demonstrating the emperor’s resolve for reform. This has left many nobles stunned.

They had assumed that after unifying the continent, the emperor would either lose his drive or indulge in luxury, not pursue further progress.

No one expected the emperor to become even more ambitious and proactive. It is truly surprising.

Only a few close nobles, like Bred and Jordon, have a vague idea that all this is connected to Lord Su Nan.

Dragon Forest, Starlight Academy.

The central clock tower, where mentors live and practice, is the tallest building in the entire academy. From the open platform at the top of the clock tower, one can clearly overlook the entire academy.

Watching the students below, Farkado couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. It had been almost a year since he joined Starlight Academy.

The longer he stayed, the more he marveled at the academy’s depth and complexity. He never imagined such a system for training wizard apprentices existed.

No, it’s not that he never imagined it; the reality of their situation made it impossible to even consider such a thing. Their family barely had enough resources for themselves, let alone to train others.

“Unbelievable,” Innosent marveled. “Where does the Starlight Alliance get all these rare resources?”

“Perhaps from the underground world,” another apprentice, Tulio, suggested. “The Starlight Alliance has unified the entire underground world, after all.”

This brought another wave of awe. When they first learned that the Starlight Alliance had unified the entire underground world, they almost fell out of their seats.

The underground world is vast and mysterious, filled with countless dangerous areas and powerful, terrifying creatures, as well as numerous city-states and tribes.

Even occasional visits to the underground world required extreme caution.

And yet, this fearsome place had been conquered and unified by the Starlight Alliance! The moment they realized this, they understood just how powerful the Starlight Alliance had become.

Their desire to join Starlight Academy grew even stronger. When they saw the list of resources available to mentors from the Scepter, the four of them were instantly determined to join.

The third-tier potions, Glittering-grade magic items, Mithril figurines, and various rare metals and magical plants listed there made Farkado realize that the Lassell family, renowned for its thousand-year history and deep resources, seemed like paupers compared to the Starlight Alliance.

If he had known about the Starlight Alliance’s wealth from the start, he would have brought the Lassell family over to the Alliance immediately, instead of aligning with the coalition.

After his thoughts wandered for a while, Farkado refocused and turned to his three relatives.

“What do you think?”

Innosent shrugged and smiled, “What’s there to hesitate about? With such a good opportunity, it would be foolish not to seize it.”

“Exactly,” the other two nodded in agreement.

Farkado laughed and said, “Then it’s decided.”

He was optimistic about Starlight Academy’s future. This academy would surely become a cradle for nurturing wizard apprentices.

Perhaps, in the distant future, the Starlight Continent would enter a new age of wizards. During this time, he could witness the dawn of this new era as a mentor at Starlight Academy.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end