Chapter 85: Obtaining the Follow-up Knight Breathing Method

The next day.

Rocco got up early.

After washing up, he didn't disturb anyone and quietly left his room alone.

He was going to see his father.

He currently only possessed the portion of the Flame Griffin Breathing Method that could be cultivated to the Great Knight realm.

To continue improving his strength, he had to obtain the follow-up cultivation method.

And Fula, who had now reached the peak of the Great Knight realm, was also facing the dilemma of lacking a cultivation method.

His father's study was located on the top floor of the main castle building.

It had a wide view and plenty of light.

Rocco knocked on the door gently.

"Come in."

His father, Marquis Levis's steady voice came from inside the study.

Rocco pushed the door open and walked in.

His father was sitting behind the large desk, holding a thick ancient book, reading very intently.

"Father."

Rocco bowed respectfully.

Marquis Levis looked up, put down the book in his hand, and his gaze fell on Rocco.

"Coming over so early, is something the matter?"

His tone was still flat, betraying no emotion.

Rocco took a deep breath and said straight to the point.

"Father, I have come to ask you for the follow-up cultivation method of the 【Flame Griffin Breathing Method】."

Marquis Levis raised his eyebrows slightly upon hearing this.

His gaze lingered on Rocco for a moment, as if he were thinking about something.

"Your strength has already broken through to the initial stage of the Great Knight."

"Wanting the follow-up method so quickly is not unexpected."

He pondered for a moment and then asked.

"I heard that the cat-kin girl beside you also seems to have quite good talent?"

"A few days ago, she had already reached the peak of the Great Knight realm?"

Rocco's heart stirred slightly.

His father's intelligence was indeed well-informed.

Fula's cultivation speed was indeed far beyond that of ordinary people.

"Yes, Father."

"Fula has extraordinary talent, and her cultivation of the 【Flame Griffin Breathing Method】 is advancing by leaps and bounds."

"Now, she is also facing the dilemma of lacking a follow-up cultivation method."

Marquis Levis's eyes flashed with an imperceptible strange look upon hearing this.

Peak of the Great Knight.

A cat-kin girl, actually able to reach such a realm in such a short time.

It seems this cat-kin girl's talent is even more outstanding than he imagined.

He pondered for a moment and spoke slowly.

"The 【Flame Griffin Breathing Method】 is the core inheritance of our Raymond Family."

"Its follow-up method is naturally not easily passed on to outsiders."

Rocco's heart tightened slightly.

"However."

Marquis Levis changed the subject.

"Since you are a descendant of our Raymond Family and a future pioneer of the territory, this follow-up method will naturally be taught to you."

"As for that cat-kin girl..."

He paused, his gaze becoming deeper.

"Since she is your person and is loyal to you, it is fine to pass the method to her."

"However, you must remember that this method must never be passed on to a third person."

"Otherwise, once the family elders find out, even you will not be able to escape punishment."

Rocco was overjoyed and bowed hurriedly in response.

"I understand, Father!"

"Thank you for your grace!"

Marquis Levis nodded slightly.

He extended his right hand, joined his index and middle fingers, and pointed them toward Rocco's forehead from a distance.

"Concentrate your mind and feel it carefully."

His voice carried a hint of unquestionable majesty.

Rocco immediately collected his thoughts, not daring to be the least bit negligent.

In an instant, a massive and pure torrent of information flooded into Rocco's mind.

It was the complete cultivation method of the 【Flame Griffin Breathing Method】 from the Bronze Knight all the way to the peak of the Golden Knight.

Every cultivation point of each realm, the operation method of Battle Qi, and various precautions were clearly presented in his consciousness.

This method of directly instilling information into the mind was far more efficient and profound than any verbal teaching.

Rocco felt as if his brain had become a huge container, greedily absorbing this precious knowledge.

He didn't know how long it had been before the torrent of information slowly subsided.

Rocco opened his eyes slowly, his eyes flashing with excitement and gratitude.

"Thank you for passing on the method, Father!"

He bowed again, his tone filled with sincerity.

Marquis Levis withdrew his finger, his face slightly pale.

Clearly, this method of passing on cultivation was a significant drain on him.

"The method has been passed to you; how much you can comprehend depends on your own fortune."

He picked up the teacup on the table and took a light sip.

"Sit here for a while and organize the information in your mind."

"Later, I will take you to a place."

Rocco nodded and sat cross-legged on the cushion in the study as instructed, beginning to carefully digest the complex and exquisite cultivation information in his mind.

Marquis Levis picked up the ancient book again and read quietly.

The study fell into silence for a time.

About an hour later, Rocco slowly opened his eyes.

He had initially organized the follow-up method of the 【Flame Griffin Breathing Method】.

Although there were still many details that needed to be comprehended slowly, the general direction of cultivation was already clear in his heart.

"Father, I have finished organizing it."

Rocco stood up and said respectfully.

Marquis Levis put down the book and nodded.

"Hmm, follow me."

He stood up and walked out of the study first.

Rocco followed closely behind.

The two passed through the winding corridors of the castle and arrived at a secret side hall.

Inside the side hall, a complex and profound magic teleportation array was inscribed.

The base of the magic array was paved with an unknown black crystal, exuding a faint energy fluctuation.

"This is a short-distance teleportation array used within the family."

Marquis Levis explained.

"It can quickly reach some important areas around Twilight City."

He walked to the center of the teleportation array, took out a shimmering magic crystal from his bosom, and embedded it into the array eye.

Hum!

The teleportation array emitted a slight hum, and a pale blue light lit up instantly, illuminating the entire side hall in a deep blue.

"Come up."

Marquis Levis beckoned to Rocco.

Rocco didn't dare to be slow, hurried onto the teleportation array, and stood beside his father.

Marquis Levis muttered a few obscure incantations.

The next moment, a blinding light swallowed the two.

Rocco felt a blur before his eyes, and a slight sense of weightlessness came over him.

When he regained his vision, he found himself in a completely unfamiliar environment.

This seemed to be a deep and secret valley.

Surrounded by mountains, it was lush and green.

The air was filled with a refreshing fragrance and a rich concentration of magic elements that was almost impossible to dissolve.

Above the valley, a faint magic halo covered it, completely isolating it from the outside view.

"This is..."

Rocco looked around, his eyes filled with surprise.

He could clearly feel a majestic and pure energy fluctuation hidden in the earth beneath his feet.

"The family's secret magic plant plantation."

Marquis Levis's voice carried a hint of imperceptible pride.

"Beneath this valley lies a small magic crystal vein."

"The energy it produces is enough to support the daily consumption of the entire plantation and provide the best growth environment for these precious magic plants."

He pointed to the neatly planned planting areas in the center of the valley.

"What is planted here are some rare magic plants that are extremely rare in the outside world and even priceless."

Rocco looked in the direction his father was pointing.

He saw various strange-looking plants growing in those planting areas.

Some emitted colorful light, some bore fruits as clear as crystal.

Others had leaves covered with profound magic runes.

And among these magic plants, the most eye-catching was a type of vine plant climbing on a specially made wooden frame. Those vines bore clusters of crystal-clear grapes.

Each grape was the size of a pigeon egg, plump and round.

What was even more peculiar was that the skin of these grapes was covered with golden patterns like dragon scales.

In the sunlight, those golden patterns shimmered with a faint golden light, exuding a strange fragrance that was intoxicating.

Just by smelling this fragrance, Rocco felt that the Battle Qi in his body seemed to become a bit more active.

"Is that... Golden Vein Dragon Blood Grape?"

Rocco's breathing became a bit rapid.

He had seen records of this magic plant in the family's ancient books.

The Golden Vein Dragon Blood Grape was an extremely rare top-tier magic plant.

It was said that its ripe fruit contained a faint power of dragon bloodline.

After consuming it, a Knight could not only significantly improve the purity and total amount of Battle Qi but also had a certain chance to temper their physique and enhance their physical strength.

For a Mage, the Golden Vein Dragon Blood Grape was also a rare treasure.

It could enhance a Mage's spiritual power, improve spellcasting speed, and even have a certain chance to help a Mage comprehend new magic.

This level of magic plant was already a legendary existence that was priceless in the outside world.

He didn't expect that there would be so many planted in the family's secret plantation.

"That's right, it is indeed the Golden Vein Dragon Blood Grape."

A hint of a proud smile appeared on Marquis Levis's face.

"The Golden Vein Dragon Blood Grapes and other rare magic plants produced by this plantation every year..."

"Even if only a small portion is leaked out, its value is at least over fifty million gold coins."

"If all these magic plants were taken to the outside world to be sold, the revenue would probably at least double tenfold."

Rocco clicked his tongue in secret upon hearing this.

Fifty million gold coins!

This was simply an astronomical figure.

You know, the output of Vanguard Valley, which he had worked so hard to pioneer in Xin Feng Province, probably didn't even amount to a fraction of this figure in a year.

His Raymond Family was truly worthy of being an old Marquis family that had been passed down for hundreds of years.

This foundation was indeed unfathomable.

"Most of these magic plants are supplied to the core members of the family and those guest elders who have made great contributions to the family."

Marquis Levis continued.

"Only a very small portion will flow into the outside market through special channels."

"Therefore, the price is often outrageously high."

Just then, an old man in simple linen clothes walked out of a wooden house not far away.

The old man had white hair and beard, but he was spirited, and his eyes were bright.

His face carried a warm smile, giving people a feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze.

"Levis, you brat, how do you have time to run to this old man's place today?"

The old man's voice was loud and full of breath.

Seeing the old man, the proud look on Marquis Levis's face immediately subsided a lot, replaced by a touch of heartfelt respect.

"Great-Grandfather."

He stepped forward a few steps and bowed respectfully.

Great-Grandfather?

Rocco's heart stirred.

To be treated with such respect by his father and called "Great-Grandfather," he must be a senior in the family with a very high seniority and unfathomable strength.

He hurriedly followed and bowed.

"Junior Rocco Raymond, pays respects to Great-Grandfather."

The old man called "Great-Grandfather" let his gaze fall on Rocco and looked him up and down.

His eyes were gentle and deep, as if he could see through people's hearts.

"Oh? You are Levis's eighteenth son, Rocco?"

A smile appeared on the old man's face.

Marquis Levis stood by, his expression calm.

"Great-Grandfather, this child Rocco has made quite a contribution in Xin Feng Province recently."

He hurriedly explained for Rocco.

"Oh? Is that so?"

The old man raised his eyebrows, seemingly a bit surprised.

"Tell me about it."

Marquis Levis briefly recounted Rocco's various deeds in Xin Feng Province.

The old man listened quietly, his expression not changing much.

But when he heard that Rocco, with the strength of an initial-stage Great Knight, had stood firm against the orc elite and held Vanguard Valley,

winning precious time for the Allied Forces, a flash of imperceptible appreciation appeared in his eyes.

"Hmm, still has some mettle."

The old man nodded, which could be considered a positive evaluation.

"A little bit stronger than your father when he was young."

Marquis Levis couldn't help but smile bitterly upon hearing this.

This old man really didn't leave any face for him, the current family head.

Rocco quietly observed this mysterious Great-Grandfather.

The next moment, a line of information appeared abruptly before his eyes.

【Name: Bruce Raymond】

【Level: Sky Knight Late Stage】

【Talent: SS】

【Favorability: 75】

【Loyalty: 0】

Sky Knight Late Stage!

Rocco's heart shrank violently.

He had originally thought that an Awakened Knight was already a relatively top-tier realm.

He didn't expect that above the Awakened level, there was an even higher realm!

Sky level!

Just hearing the name, one could feel a powerful momentum of being high above and overlooking all living beings.

Then, between the Awakened level and the Sky level, was there an "Earth Knight" realm?

Rocco guessed silently in his heart.

It seems that the cultivation system of this world is much more complex than he imagined.

"Kid, what are you looking at?"

Bruce seemed to have noticed Rocco's gaze and asked with a laugh.

"Do you think I, this old man, look more handsome and dashing than your father?"

Rocco was left speechless upon hearing this.

This Great-Grandfather was really not acting his age.

"Great-Grandfather, you joke."

"You are still strong in your old age, your style is as good as it was back then, naturally you are heroic and extraordinary."

Rocco hurriedly flattered him.

Bruce laughed loudly upon hearing this, looking very pleased.

"You kid, you are much better at talking than your father, who is like a block of wood."

He patted Rocco on the shoulder, looking exceptionally kind.

"Come, since you're here, come to my house and sit for a while."

"Taste the fruit wine I brewed myself."

Saying this, he pulled Rocco toward the simple wooden house without saying another word.

Marquis Levis shook his head helplessly and had no choice but to follow.

Inside the wooden house, the furnishings were simple but kept spotless.

Bruce dug out a wine jar covered in dust from an inconspicuous corner.

"This is a fine wine I brewed with a secret method using wild fruits picked in the valley for decades."

"Usually, even your father wouldn't be able to drink a drop."

He said while patting open the seal of the wine jar.

A rich and mellow wine aroma instantly filled the entire wooden house.

Just by smelling this wine aroma, Rocco felt as if the blood in his body was about to boil.

Bruce took out three coarse pottery bowls and filled each with a full bowl of amber-colored wine.

"Come, taste it!"

He handed one bowl to Rocco, his face filled with anticipation.

Rocco took the wine bowl and thanked him.

He followed his Great-Grandfather's example and drank the wine in the bowl in one gulp.

A spicy and mellow warm current instantly slid from his throat into his abdomen, then exploded, turning into streams of pure energy that surged toward his limbs and bones.

"Good wine!"

Rocco couldn't help but exclaim.

This wine actually contained extremely pure magic energy.

Although it couldn't compare to the Golden Vein Dragon Blood Grape, it was definitely a rare treasure.

Seeing Rocco so straightforward, the smile on Bruce's face became even brighter.

"Haha, kid, you have an eye for things!"

He filled another bowl for Rocco.

Marquis Levis watched from the side, his eyes filled with helplessness.

This old child was really biased.

The three of them chatted while drinking.

Although Bruce had lived in seclusion in this valley for many years, he seemed to know the situation in the outside world like the back of his hand.

From time to time, he would ask some questions to test Rocco's views on territory development and the future of the kingdom.

Although Rocco was young, his experience from two lifetimes and his training in Xin Feng Province gave him insight and sophistication far beyond his peers.

His answers often hit the nail on the head.

This made Bruce more and more satisfied, and the smile on his face became brighter and brighter.

Without realizing it, a jar of wine was already empty.

Bruce also seemed a bit tipsy; he held Rocco's hand and said earnestly.

"Kid, I have high hopes for you."

"The future of the Raymond Family may fall on the shoulders of you young people."

"Work hard, don't let down the family's expectations of you."

Rocco nodded solemnly.

"Great-Grandfather, rest assured, Rocco will definitely not fail the mission."

Bruce nodded with satisfaction.

He stood up, walked outside, and carefully picked a whole cluster of heavy grapes from the most thriving Golden Vein Dragon Blood Grape vine.

That cluster of grapes had dozens of grapes.

Each one was plump and round, shimmering with gold, exuding an alluring fragrance.

"This cluster of Golden Vein Dragon Blood Grapes will be my meeting gift to you as your Great-Grandfather."

Bruce handed the grapes to Rocco, his face carrying a kind smile.

Seeing this, Rocco was flattered.

"Great-Grandfather, this, this is too precious!"

"Junior dare not accept it!"

He knew the value of the Golden Vein Dragon Blood Grape very well.

Such a large cluster was worth at least several million gold coins.

Moreover, it was a priceless treasure.

Marquis Levis watched from the side, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably.

Even for him, the current family head, it wasn't an easy thing to get a whole cluster of Golden Vein Dragon Blood Grapes on a daily basis.

This old man was being too generous.

"What do you mean you dare not accept it?"

Bruce glared, pretending to be angry.

"There has never been a reason for me, an old man, to take back what I have given away."

"If you don't accept it, you are looking down on me, your Great-Grandfather!"

Rocco had no choice but to accept the heavy grapes with a bitter smile.

"Thank you, Great-Grandfather, for your generous gift."

Bruce nodded with satisfaction.

He dug out a few small packages wrapped in oil paper from his bosom and stuffed them into Rocco's hands.

"In here are some seeds of rare magic plants I collected in my spare time."

"Although they can't compare to the Golden Vein Dragon Blood Grape, they are all rare and good things."

"Take them back and see if you can grow them in your territory."

Rocco accepted the seeds, his heart filled with gratitude.

This Great-Grandfather was really too good to him.

"Thank you, Great-Grandfather."

"Kid, if you have time in the future, remember to come and see this old man often."

Bruce patted Rocco on the shoulder, his eyes filled with a hint of reluctance.

"Yes, Great-Grandfather, Rocco definitely will."

Rocco promised solemnly. ===== CHAPTER 86 =====

"Yes, Great-Grandfather, Roko certainly will."

Roko promised solemnly.