Chapter 517: Flame Battle Array

Luo Ning and Ruidar fought from sky to earth, then back from earth to sky, their battle lasting a long time.

Beyond mere techniques, they clashed in every aspect of close combat.

Overall, though Ruidar still held greater fighting experience, Luo Ning—empowered by two primal forces and bolstered by over twenty thousand attribute points—had steadily gained the upper hand.

If both unleashed their ultimate moves, Luo Ning would likely emerge victorious.

“It hasn’t been easy!”

Walking side by side toward Mistveil City, Luo Ning couldn’t help but sigh. “Ever since I summoned you, my strength has always been overshadowed by yours. Today, at last, the tide has turned.”

Ruidar exhaled softly. “I knew this day would come. Though I can’t fully grasp how your power grows, your combat intuition and talent are unmatched by anyone I’ve ever seen. Once the gap narrowed, surpassing me was inevitable.”

Power could be bought with points; instinct and skill, however, were forged through relentless practice.

After countless sparring sessions, Luo Ning’s mastery had reached an extraordinary level.

“Ruidar,” Luo Ning said, “after we return, keep your ascension to legend status secret for now. But your Flame Battle Formation—pass it on. Let the knights of the order master it as soon as possible.”

“In my past life, your Flame Crusade set out from Orlandt to Crescent Continent to fight the Demon God. I suspect history will repeat itself. The sooner we build a stronger army, the better prepared we’ll be.”

Ruidar nodded in deep agreement.

Though their current enemies were the Kingdom of Trisia and the Holy Tempest across the border, if one looked far enough ahead, the true foe remained—the uneradicated Demon God on Crescent Continent.

Now that Luo Ning had reached the legendary realm, solitude was no longer an option.

He would either be corrupted into a puppet, or rise to seize a sliver of hope.

Luo Ning had clearly chosen the latter.

“The Flame Battle Formation requires groups of three,” Ruidar explained. “Their levels need not be identical, but they must belong to the same major tier.”

Every three ranks formed one such tier—Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and so on.

“Then many knights in my domain qualify.”

“Exactly,” Ruidar smiled. “Once they master it, even if the number of knights remains unchanged, our combat strength will surge. Advanced knights can briefly match Bronze Knights; Bronze Knights, in turn, can momentarily wield Silver-tier power.”

In short—it allowed knights to fight beyond their rank.

“What do you need from me?” Luo Ning asked.

“Besides rigorous training,” Ruidar replied, “they’ll require certain potions to modify their bodies, helping them forge deeper synchronicity.”

Luo Ning frowned slightly. “Rare ingredients?”

“No, nothing rare—common magical elixirs, actually. Their rarity is lower than Elron’s enhancement or awakening potions. But procuring them in bulk will require funds.”

“Hah! Is that all?”

Luo Ning laughed. If it was just money, it wasn’t a problem at all.

“I’ll inform Blanche and Chakhar. You may approach either whenever needed.”

This investment was akin to national defense—indispensable in such chaotic times.

“Thank you, my lord.”

Ruidar bowed gratefully. “With supplies secured, half a year is all I need to train the first squadrons.”

“Proceed without restraint!” Luo Ning encouraged.

“One more thing—once Hamon gathers intelligence on Yan Yi and Selandir’s true strength, we should assess whether eliminating them is feasible.”

From the recent battle at Mistveil City, it was clear Yan Yi and Selandir had placed Luo Ning on their kill list.

Otherwise, why would Aruba lead so many men in a coordinated assassination attempt, even sacrificing outposts like Watchtower Keep as cannon fodder?

Such meticulous planning, yet neither appeared on the battlefield. There could only be two reasons:

Either they believed Aruba’s team sufficient, needing no personal intervention;

Or they lacked confidence in securing Luo Ning’s death, fearing they might suffer Murphy’s fate—and thus stayed away.

Luo Ning suspected the latter was more likely.

Now that both he and Ruidar had ascended to legend, his plan was clear: eliminate those two first, curb enemy expansion, then steadily strengthen their forces while advancing toward Dragonhold City.

“I understand.”

Ruidar paused, then added, “For such a strike, operating deep in enemy territory, we must prepare thoroughly. I suggest including your grandfather Lord Rulans, Simon, McKen, Petro, Placido, Melonica—and others you trust.”

Luo Ning pondered quietly. These were reliable allies. Whether they’d be used or not, strengthening their side was never a loss.

Yet Simon bore heavy responsibilities; Luo Ning didn’t wish to pull him away lightly.

“You handle the medicinal supplies. I’ll take care of these individuals.”

The next day, Ruidar sent his deputy to gather herbs, while he and McKen began grouping the knights—three by three—preparing them for formation training.

Meanwhile, Luo Ning first visited Watchtower Keep, instructing Placido to report to Mistveil for training. Then he went to Wushan Fortress, informing Rulans.

The elder had long expressed his desire to fight on the battlefield, carving out a kingdom for the future Wushan lineage. He wholeheartedly supported Luo Ning’s plan, agreeing without hesitation.

In fact, if possible, he hoped Luo Ning would spread the Flame Battle Formation within the Wushan knight corps.

To this, Luo Ning readily agreed.

Finally, he traveled to North Wu Territory to consult Simon.

Though a Silver Moon Knight, Simon was deeply immersed in Luo Ning’s blueprint for industrialization, showing little interest in combat.

Moreover, over the past two months, he had already arranged everything for the railway’s construction. Pulling him away now would stall progress and waste precious time.

Thus, Luo Ning decided against forcing Simon into training.

When people grow busy, time slips by swiftly.

Before he knew it, December 15th arrived—the ceasefire’s expiration date.

Trisia sent no envoys to extend the truce, nor did they launch a large-scale assault on Mistveil City.

According to intelligence from Hamon, the newly crowned King Taro had merely stationed heavy troops in Marquis Moor’s city, a hundred miles south of Mistveil, adopting a defensive posture.

With no sign of aggression, Luo Ning chose not to strike first.

Partly due to the season—winter’s icy grip made large campaigns impractical.

Partly because the Year-End Festival was just over ten days away. In a world where players cherished celebration, launching war now would be senseless.

Moreover, Hamon’s report carried another crucial revelation—

Yan Yi, the Flame Prophet and founder of the Holy Tempest, had recently displayed “divine might” to attract followers. His strength, it seemed, had reached the legendary realm.

Selandir, the Storm Prophet, was also no weaker.

This news brought both opportunity and peril.

The good: Luo Ning now had confirmed targets for his “King of Killers” achievement.

The bad: the decapitation plan might need postponement. Striking the enemy’s stronghold with a legend among their ranks was far too risky.

Year’s end approached.

In previous years, Goldenfeather City enjoyed mild, sunny weather during the festival.

But this year, the skies hung low with thick, brooding clouds.

A lavish procession of carriages slowly rolled into Jin Yu Palace. The towering knight at the front lifted his head, gazing up at the sky, momentarily dazed.

"It's actually snowing."

Garrett raised his eyes; strands of hair parted to reveal his forehead, where a faint golden mark shimmered. (End of Chapter)