Chương 16: Rapid Progress
Sauron tossed the sealed letter aside, no longer paying it any attention.
In the following days, he continued using the Golden Blood to improve the Night Raven Breathing Technique and cultivated his skills in archery and sword techniques.
In the blink of an eye, another ten days passed.
In the Western Border, White Valley City.
The twilight hues of the setting sun bathed the ash-gray castle, casting rays of light through the windows onto the floor of the study.
In the spacious room, Lord Dov of White Valley City was gazing at the sand table.
At that moment, a knock on the door was heard.
"Come in."
Dov said in a low voice.
Scholar Caff walked in, placing a piece of intelligence on the table.
"The bandit troubles in the South haven't ended?"
Dov frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of mockery, "Those Southern Wilderness people are indeed fools. They can't even deal with such a mob?"
"The people from the South are not very intelligent."
Scholar Caff remained calm, shaking his head, "However, this bandit situation is indeed different from before. Who would have thought that the Crusaders would develop so rapidly?"
"It's only been two months, and the Crusaders have gathered nearly ten thousand people."
"If this continues, some towns in the South might fall into chaos, ushering in a real upheaval!"
"Hmph! I don't care about the South."
Dov sneered and placed the intelligence in his hand down, saying, "How is the situation in the capital? Have the brats from the Swain family made a move?"
"No response."
Scholar Caff shook his head and said, "It seems that this Sauron has no intention of returning to the Western Border and has no plans to marry Miss Sherry."
A gleam flashed in Dov's eyes, and a cold smile appeared on his face.
"This brat is quite clever. He knows that, given the current situation, once he returns to the Western Border, there is no possibility of leaving again."
"But does he think it's enough?"
"Since the Swain family does not intend to honor the engagement, then don't blame me. Issue the order to assemble the army and prepare to attack Night Raven City!"
Upon hearing Dov's words, Scholar Caff's eyes showed a hint of surprise.
"Does my lord mean to attack Night Raven City?"
Scholar Caff hesitated for a moment, saying, "Doing so might make us a target of public criticism, and launching a war without cause goes against the law, doesn't it?"
"Without cause? Hmph!"
Dov coldly snorted and said faintly, "How can it be a war without cause? The Swain family unilaterally tore up the engagement, which is an insult to me. If we don't wash it away with blood, how can White Valley City stand in the Western Border in the future?"
Scholar Caff's heart skipped a beat.
Seeing Dov's attitude, he now understood why the matter of the engagement was brought up earlier. It turned out that there was such a plan.
The letter from White Valley City sent to the capital was Dov's choice for Sauron.
If Sauron obeyed the engagement, returned to the Western Border, and completed the marriage, Dov would help him inherit Night Raven City, but Sauron would become a puppet of White Valley City.
And if Sauron refused, Dov would have a reason to attack Night Raven City.
In the Taal Duchy, and even on the Lost Continent, engagements were sacred contracts. Breaking a contract unilaterally, by either party, was an insult to the other.
Therefore, using this as an excuse to attack Night Raven City was completely reasonable for Dov.
"I understand, my lord."
Scholar Caff nodded and then turned to leave, conveying Dov's orders. White Valley City began to assemble its forces, preparing to attack Night Raven City.
At the same time, in the capital.
Outside the Holy Splendor Knight Academy, in a small grove, Sauron bent his bow and aimed at a target not far away, releasing the bowstring.
Swish!
An arrow shot out, cutting through the air. The arrow hit the distant target accurately, shattering a grinding-stone-sized rock.
Bang!
Looking at the shattered rocks, Sauron's face showed a thoughtful expression. After this period of cultivation, his archery technique had reached its peak.
During this process, he also comprehended two new skills.
Bow Technique: Armor Piercing - Piercing Stone!
Bow Technique: Arc Shot!
Both skills were self-explanatory. The Arc Shot endowed the arrow with the ability to turn in mid-air, while Armor Piercing - Piercing Stone greatly enhanced the arrow's formidable power through special techniques.
Just like a moment ago.
Sauron's arrow shattered even the rocks, and with such formidable power, not even iron armor might be able to withstand it.
Pa! Pa!
At this moment, applause rang out. Sauron turned around to see Goliath approaching, looking at the shattered rocks in the distance, with a hint of admiration in his eyes.
"An amazing archery technique!"
Goliath nodded slightly and exclaimed, "I've been practicing archery with my mentor since I was ten, and I can hit targets within a hundred meters, but compared to you, I'm far behind."
"You're too kind."
Sauron chuckled and said, "Why do you have time to come over today? Don't you need to patrol?"
After the Spring Hunt trial, Goliath, due to his meritorious service in protecting Evelyn, graduated early from the Holy Splendor Academy with the help of Second Princess Hestoria and joined the Kingsguard. Now, he only needed a bit more merit to be ennobled.
For commoners, this was a leap in social class.
After joining the Kingsguard, Goliath was no longer part of the Holy Splendor Academy, but it seemed that he wanted to befriend Sauron, so he often came over to discuss sword techniques.
With their interactions, they had become friends.
"I have a day off today."
Goliath shook his head, drew the cross sword at his waist, eager to give it a try, and said, "How about it? Interested in sparring a bit?"
"Of course, I'm happy to accompany you."
Sauron nodded slightly, also drawing his cross sword, using the Armybreak Swordsmanship taught by the Holy Splendor Academy to spar with Goliath.
Ding! Ding!
Both were primary level Knights and belonged to the Holy Splendor Academy. In the contest of the Armybreak Swordsmanship, after several rounds of fighting, neither side gained the upper hand.
However, the more they fought, the more amazed Goliath became.
"Truly a monster!"
Goliath's heart trembled. During this period, it wasn't the first time he sparred with Sauron to test his sword techniques. He could clearly feel the changes in the opponent.
When they first sparred, Goliath could easily take the upper hand.
But with the passage of time, Sauron's sword technique became more and more exquisite. In this current duel, not only could Goliath not gain an advantage, but he also felt a bit
of pressure.
Stab!
Another round of sword clashes. Both stepped back, putting down their swords at the same time. Goliath couldn't hide the surprise on his face, and there was a hint of complexity in his eyes.
"You... have improved again!"
After a while, Goliath sighed and said, "Since entering the Holy Splendor Academy, I've been hailed as a genius."
"Whether it's in Breathing Technique or sword technique, my cultivation speed surpasses others by far."
"However, now compared to you, the so-called genius is simply a joke. The speed of your sword technique improvement is just too terrifying!"
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực