Chapter 38: Lord's Council

Robin and Eric now both possess the strength of the Knight Apprentice Peak, and their coordination is seamless; they have performed excellently in numerous missions.

Moreover, Robin's astonishing archery, in both accuracy and power, leaves everyone in awe.

Their squad can now independently undertake Knight-level missions, making them a remarkably outstanding presence throughout the camp.

In contrast, Silvan also has some strength, but Robin and Eric are younger, with limitless potential, and a greater chance of breaking through to become Formal Knights.

In Malizi's view, they are the camp's future hope.

"Is there something?" Malizi Knight set down his equipment, smiled, and asked, his eyes full of concern.

Robin shook his head slightly, a hint of doubt and a thirst for knowledge on his face, and said, "I am merely curious, what is the difference between the Knight Breathing Method and the Apprentice Breathing Method?"

Hearing the question, Malizi Knight was not surprised at all.

In his many years of military service, he had seen countless Knight Apprentices troubled by this bottleneck when reaching the peak of cultivation.

Some Knight Apprentices with slightly lesser talent can be stuck at this bottleneck for over a decade, making no progress, such as Silvan.

Over time, when they realize they cannot break through the Apprentice Breathing Method, they turn their gaze to the Knight-level Breathing Method, hoping to find a chance for breakthrough.

Malizi Knight, upon hearing Robin's question, had his smile briefly pause, his gaze studying the young man before him with interest. He squinted slightly, as if pondering how to answer, and after a moment his face again showed a gentle smile.

"Your thinking of this question shows you have thoughtful insight into your cultivation and have reached a critical juncture," Malizi Knight's voice was deep and mellow, bearing the steadiness of one who has been there.

He pulled a chair and sat down, gesturing for Robin to sit as well, then said, "The Apprentice Breathing Method mainly guides you to perceive and absorb the most basic energies of heaven and earth, tempering the body and laying a foundation for future cultivation. It's like laying a foundation when building a house; the sturdier the foundation, the higher the house you can later construct."

Speaking of this, Malizi paused, his gaze turning to the training ground outside the camp tents, as if seeing his own younger self.

"The Knight Breathing Method, however, is entirely different. It lets you control energy at a completely new level, not only absorbing energy more efficiently but also applying it to combat techniques. Simply put, the Apprentice Breathing Method teaches you to walk; the Knight Breathing Method teaches you to run, leap, even soar."

Malizi's eyes showed a hint of reminiscence, coupled with a touch of expectation, "With the Knight Breathing Method, your endurance and burst power in battle will increase dramatically, and the skills you unleash will be more potent. However, cultivating the Knight Breathing Method is not easy; you must first break through to become a true Knight, when your body's foundation is sufficiently refined, before you are qualified to practice the Knight Breathing Method."

His gaze refocused on Robin's face, and earnestly he said, "Child, your talent is good, which is a blessing, but don't rush. Strengthen your current foundation more solidly, and the Knight Breathing Method will naturally be passed to you."

Robin's mouth opened slightly, his face first showing a look of sudden realization, then his brows knit lightly as he fell into thought.

He instantly grasped the deeper meaning in Malizi's words: although the Knight Breathing Method is immensely powerful, it is like a Double-edged Sword, its Life Force too domineering; for a Knight Apprentice not yet fully mature, practicing it rashly could overwhelm the body, ultimately endangering one's life.

"I understand, Knight Leader," Robin lifted his head, his eyes full of respect and gratitude, and solemnly said, "May your journey be victorious."

His respect for Malizi Knight comes from the bottom of his heart.

From the moment he stepped into the camp, Malizi Knight has paid special attention to his cultivation.

Each time Robin became immersed in cultivation, losing track of time and nearly collapsing from fatigue, Malizi Knight would appear promptly, patting Robin's shoulder with his broad, warm hand, reminding him to rest.

In everyday life, Malizi Knight would often ask about his cultivation progress; whenever Robin encountered confusion, he would patiently explain, from techniques to insights on power, leaving nothing untouched, imparting everything.

This special treatment, even Tomson has not received.

Of course, Eric once teased, saying Tomson was too dumb; the cultivation points and methods Malizi Knight has explained countless times, yet Tomson still couldn't grasp them, and Malizi Knight probably thought he was tired, so he stopped mentioning them further.

But Robin knows well that Malizi Knight treats every apprentice equally; only the difference in talent and comprehension between him and Tomson caused this disparity.

And receiving such meticulous guidance from Malizi Knight is his own luck, as well as the motivation that drives him onward.

In the vast territories surrounding the Black Forest, panic spreads like wildfire.

The mysterious Wizard Apprentice, relying on bizarre and unfathomable Dark Spell and Modified Giant Python, runs rampant.

His misdeeds follow one after another; wherever he goes, villages are destroyed and people displaced. According to reliable statistics, three villages have been annihilated, with deaths exceeding four hundred.

More shocking, a Formal Knight has already perished in combat with him.

This string of bad news makes the five lords surrounding the Black Forest unable to sit still.

They know well that if this Wizard Apprentice continues his rampage, the entire region will fall into an irrecoverable abyss.

At first, the lords still clung to a sliver of hope, expecting to subdue him using only the forces within their own territories.

But harsh reality made them realize that a single force cannot capture that evil Wizard; the Wizard is extremely cunning, constantly moving between territories, and knights of each domain cannot cross borders to apprehend him. By the time they contact the relevant lord, the Wizard has already fled.

After urgent consultations, four of the lords finally decided to set the meeting place at Winston City.

Winston City, located centrally with convenient transport and solid defenses, is an excellent choice for discussing important matters.

Once the decision was finalized, messengers rode hard, delivering the news to every relevant lord.

In an instant, the road to Winston City rang with the clatter of hooves, kicking up clouds of dust.

The lords, with their own confidants and knights, bearing heavy hearts, hurried toward Winston City.

This gathering concerns the life and death of the surrounding territories; as one weakens, another strengthens, and if the frailty of these lands is spotted by outer lords, they will inevitably launch attacks on the lords around the Black Forest.

At this critical moment, they must set aside past grievances, join forces, and together resolve this common enemy.

(End of Chapter)