Chapter 385: Chapter 364 Promotion

As fifty million gold coins were claimed by Ronin, the final tier of his 'Fortune's Favor' achievement was sealed.

He opened his attribute panel, where both attribute points and energy essences surged to unprecedented levels—10,825 and 24,849 respectively!

"Enough to upgrade myself, Riddar, and Macken."

Glancing around, Ronin left the mage tower without disturbing anyone in the castle, summoning Karlos for the return journey.

High above, Ronin allocated 3,133 attribute points to his Mage rank, instantly rupturing the body wheel at his heart and the void wheel in his spiritual sea.

In an instant, Ronin shattered some unseen constraint; wind and fire elements from the world surged into his body, elevating his aura as Elron had done during his ascension.

A powerful heartbeat, an invulnerable physique, and the ability to manipulate physical objects with sheer will—Ronin had never been stronger.

As the sole witness, Karlos, mid-flight, felt the surge of power; his timid heart pounded wildly.

"Master, you've grown stronger!"

Ronin smiled faintly, drawing a small dagger from his ring and grinding it against his arm.

Though sharp, the blade didn't break his skin.

"To hurt me, more force is needed."

The physical enhancements from a knight's breakthrough were substantial.

Then, Ronin extended his spiritual energy onto the dagger, levitating it with a thought before sending it flying like an arrow.

"Slower than a magic arrow, but comparable to a common hunter's skill."

While this control couldn't threaten the strong, it sufficed against lower-tier transcendents.

As his spiritual energy grew, so would this control, and with it, future lethality.

Yet these were secondary; the key was that Ronin could now shape steel with geothermal fire and spiritual force.

Without CNC machines, his keen perception and control from spiritual might could craft high-precision items.

Ronin glanced at his attribute panel:

[Level]: 8-Moonlight Knight (0/10000); 8-Mage (0/15000)

[Attribute Points]: 7692

Seeing the requirement to break from level eight to nine, he sighed: "Twenty-five thousand points—such a staggering demand!"

After brief consideration, Ronin allocated 6,000 of the remaining points to his Knight rank and 1,692 to Mage.

This was purely to add a margin for error in upcoming magical studies and experiments.

"At late Moonlight rank, my strength alone places me among the continent's elite."

Only Berola was known as a Grand Mage; Sun Knight he'd yet to hear of, though a few Moonlight Knights were familiar.

Yet a Sun Knight would soon emerge from his circle; his power now allowed him to drop pretenses.

Thinking thus, Ronin leapt from Karlos's back, channeling aura to walk on air like Riddar, laughing freely at the novel sensation.

Karlos slowed, eyes filled with envy.

When they first met, Ronin hadn't even been a Gold Knight; now he'd reached Moonlight rank so swiftly.

Though a dragon with superior defense and combat prowess, before such strength, even he bled.

"My long dragon life—when will I leap a tier?"

After releasing his inner power, Ronin returned to Karlos's back.

Enhanced strength bred greater ambition, yet opportunities for expansion were scarce.

He couldn't just raise the banner of rebellion, declaring to overthrow the Audun royal house.

That would make him the kingdom's enemy.

If all the nation rallied against Wushan, even supreme strength risked being worn down.

"For now, I have generals but lack soldiers and opportunity."

"Before opportunity arrives, I'll stay low-key—turn Wubei into a granary, a populous stronghold."

Dual-class level eight, barring accidents, Ronin could live two centuries.

Time was his least scarce resource; decades were no issue.

The next day, at Shore City, Riddar and Macken awaited.

In two months, their knight squads had trained well, now combat-ready.

New professional knights joined, expanding the ranks further.

"Lord, merchants from Moonlight Valley to Shore City have dwindled recently."

Riddar summarized Shore City's recent situation.

After several purges of individuals and families linked to the Polant Bandits, most were cleared; the few remaining were insignificant.

Perhaps due to these actions and the deaths of Ramsay and Angus, Hesus now distanced himself, restricting trade.

"As long as he keeps his hands off Wushan's lands, we'll leave him be."

Trade halting won't kill anyone; with the Fifth Knight Order and forces from Kashi, Sari, Giant Rock, and Red Mountain, Shore City's meat and dairy can be absorbed.

The missing grain can be supplied from the north.

"First, I bring the auxiliary enhancement potions Elron made."

Ronin handed Riddar a box of vials. "Decide who uses them."

Riddar took the potions, smiling. "Elron's returned to his craft; he always excelled at this."

All three came from the Flame Expeditionary Force; with memories restored, Riddar understood Elron and Macken better.

"He can make many things."

Ronin chuckled. "Second, I'll upgrade your strength."

He turned to Macken.

The latter paused, then brightened, wondering internally, "Finally my turn?"

Macken's current rank was Silver Knight (600/1500), growing through self-training since last year's point allocation.

Though slow, this pace was normal.

Expectantly, Ronin spent 3,400 energy essences to boost him to Gold Knight peak, then 1,000 to improve his potential.

"Thank you, Lord!"

Macken felt his power surge; memories confirmed he now surpassed his past life's strength.

Ronin signaled him to stand, his attention on the panel: 20,449 energy essences remained after 4,400 spent.

Riddar's rank was Moonlight Knight (54/10000), needing under ten thousand to ascend to Sun Knight.

Could the remaining ten thousand elevate Macken to Moonlight?

From Elron's potential upgrade cost, Macken's next would require 3,000.

"Wubei will gain another Moonlight Knight?" (End of Chapter)