Chapter 386: Legendary Path

Bastion of the Shore, Lord Roning's study.

Tremendous elemental surges roared like tidal waves, engulfing the entire castle and spreading throughout the city.

The common folk felt nothing, their senses too dull to perceive the elemental forces.

Yet for the extraordinary, the more powerful they were, the more their hearts trembled at the force’s presence.

All turned their gaze toward the castle, wondering what transpired within.

No one knew the answer; even Geoffrey could only speculate from afar—was the lord casting some arcane spell?

In the study, Roning observed his two subordinates absorbed in assimilating their newfound power, a look of satisfaction in his eyes.

[Rydar Mayne]: Sunfire Knight·Fire (0/20000)+

[Macken Salliton]: Silvermoon Knight·Earth (0/10000)+

Just as he’d anticipated, the 20,000+ energy essences not only propelled Rydar to Sunfire rank but also advanced Macken two ranks, now a Silvermoon Knight.

Yet even after this expenditure, 3503 energy essences remained unused.

The final tier of the Fortune’s Bounty achievement had granted him a truly staggering reward.

But from now on, whether Rydar, Macken, or Elron, each rank advancement would require talent improvement.

Roning estimated that elevating Macken and Elron’s talent from eighth to ninth level would each cost over ten thousand energy essences, while pushing Rydar from Sunfire to Legend would demand an unknown multiple of that.

After a moment’s thought, Roning allocated 3000 of the remaining essences to Macken, stabilizing his Silvermoon rank, and the remaining 503 to Rydar to solidify his power.

Moments later, both knights opened their eyes, a flicker of crimson light passing through the room.

Macken felt manageable—both were Silvermoon Knights—but Rydar radiated a subtle pressure.

“Sunfire Knight, how do you fare?”

Rydar beamed. “I’ve surpassed my past life’s peak; my mental strength now exceeds that of a High Mage!”

From Silvermoon to Sunfire, the breakthrough was the mind wheel; after ascending, one became a Mage.

Sunfire Knights cultivate mental energy.

Like Berola, a Grand Mage who cultivates martial energy.

Yet Roning couldn’t fathom why.

He posed the question to Rydar: “Knight, why must one shift to mental cultivation at ninth level?”

Rydar’s memories had largely returned.

“To become a Legend, one must generate a ‘Polar Essence’ within.”

He explained: “For Sunfire Knights, martial energy purity reaches its limit. When magical energy in the mana space liquefies, the martial energy in the qi sea resonates with it, triggering a qualitative transformation into a Martial Polar Essence—thus ascending to Legend.”

“Similarly, when Grand Mages cultivate liquid martial energy that resonates with magic, forming a Magical Polar Essence, they become Legendary Mages.”

Roning understood. “So Legendary Knights are at least Archmages, and Legendary Mages at least Golden Knights?”

Only at these two tiers do martial energy and magical power liquefy.

This aligned with Franz’s mention of Berola’s warning.

“Yes, my lord!”

Rydar added: “Many Sunfire Knights and Grand Mages remain stuck for life, their mental or martial energy unable to advance further.”

Roning began to grasp why Berola valued dragon scales so highly—perhaps his martial talent was severely limited.

Noting the word “many,” he asked in surprise: “Were ninth-tier extraordinary beings common in your era?”

“Indeed. My Flame Expeditionary Force had another Sunfire Knight as deputy commander.”

A whole army led by two Sunfire Knights—Roning was astonished.

Perhaps that era was truly flourishing in extraordinary matters.

“What enemy was your Flame Expeditionary Force targeting?”

His curiosity grew—how powerful must the foe have been to annihilate an army led by two Sunfire Knights in the Flame Canyon?

“Our enemy was Shadow Lord Eliot, but she was merely a servant of the Void Demon King Yansha.”

Rydar recalled the brutal battle, ashamed as commander for losing his entire force.

But the enemy was overwhelming in number and strength.

Death was inevitable.

“Yansha the King?”

Roning heard the name for the first time.

Void Demon King—the title alone spoke of immense power.

“What manner of being is it?”

Rydar shook his head. “I don’t know; I’ve never seen it. But I’ve heard two Sages once joined forces to defeat it—failed, and one perished on the spot.”

“Sages?”

“They are beyond Legends!”

Rydar explained: “Each Sage wields world-shattering power. A hundred peak Sunfire Knights couldn’t match one in combat!”

Hiss!

Roning’s heart clenched.

Sages must be the pinnacle of extraordinary beings?

Two such Sages joined forces, yet failed to defeat it—and one died.

And Sunfire Knights like Rydar couldn’t even face the Demon King—its power and terror were beyond comprehension.

“I wonder what the final outcome of that battle was?”

Roning still believed this world and Rydar’s past life were one.

With many magical potions, knowledge, and history now lost or primitive, he wondered if the battle’s devastation had plunged Orland Continent into a similar magic-depleted era.

Rydar shook his head at the question.

Multiple battlefields existed against the Demon King; his Flame Canyon front was a human defeat, but the others remained unknown.

He speculated: “Perhaps the Demon King wasn’t destroyed. Otherwise, why would the Seven Gods have us reborn?”

“Perhaps.”

Roning discussed their pasts with Rydar and Macken, then turned his attention to the present.

Whether Yansha lived or died mattered little to the current situation.

With their breakthroughs, Ube Domain now had one Sunfire Knight, one Silvermoon Knight, one Grand Mage, plus Roning himself—a dual-cultivator.

Such elite power was enough to inspire awe.

But to build or rule a nation, elite power alone wasn’t enough; a diverse talent base was essential.

Even two Sunfire Knights in the Flame Expeditionary Force couldn’t escape annihilation?

So Roning tasked Ridal and Macken with cultivating more and stronger mystics to prepare for potential future battles.

They must not reveal their true strengths to the outside world unnecessarily.

"The Marquis will soon announce his recovery publicly; at that time, Wubei Domain is expected to enjoy a prolonged period of unprecedented calm compared to previous years."

Roning said, "This gives us precisely the time to prepare. Population, equipment, weapons, and grain—these are the top priorities for the coming work."

In past years, it was merely the Polante Bandits and the Black Gold Brotherhood causing trouble.

Now the former has been eradicated, the latter retreated to Black Pine Mountain and fallen silent, hence Roning's assertion of a peaceful interval.

Yet the events of the real world never unfold as precisely as anticipated.

Wushan Town.

"Let's go, Bulev."

Miloslaw climbed into the luxurious carriage, surrounded by a cavalry squad led by his guard captain, Bulev, the Golden Knight.

Though the old dean had declined a fief, his honorary title and Grand Magus status still drew followers, and he possessed the means to fund his troops.

"As you wish, Mage Lord!"

Bulev announced loudly, urging everyone to rally and prepare for departure.

Their destination was Black Serpent City east of Wushan Town, where a major deal was said to await. (End of Chapter)