The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Sword Saint is a title granted to exceptionally powerful Sky Knights, not every Sky Knight is entitled to the title of Sword Saint. For instance, Liszt’s uncle Mesiro is just a Sky Knight, and no one would call him by a Sword Saint title. Only those Sky Knights who excel in sword combat may be bestowed with the honorific of Sword Saint.

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

Liszt happily accepted the notes from Marquis Merlin.

His father was the Sea Wave Sword Saint, from whom he could seek enlightenment at any time, and now he had acquired the cultivation insights of the Gale Sword Saint. Once he advanced to be a Sky Knight, he would have no shortage of experience to draw upon.

The only regret was that he possessed the Fire Attribute’s Dou Qi, while his grandfather had the Water Attribute, and Marquis Merlin had the Wind Attribute.

An individual’s Dou Qi attribute is related to lineage and physique.

Liszt’s brother and sister both had Water Attributes, and his grandfather, uncles, and cousins had Wind Attributes. He was the only one with a Fire Attribute, which was somewhat unexpected but not unusual. It’s just that neither family had ever produced a Sword Saint with a Fire Attribute, so in terms of cultivation experience, there was a slight shortfall.

“If you ever feel constrained in Fresh Flower Town, the doors of Red Crab Island are always open for you,” Marquis Merlin said calmly.

Liszt nodded seriously, “I appreciate your trust, Grandpa.”

Marquis Merlin caught his grandson’s gaze and understood his intentions, “Should there ever be a day when the Long Taro Family’s rule over Red Crab Island faces instability, I hope you and your siblings can extend a helping hand to Meioubao… My greatest disappointment with your uncle is not his lack of talent but his scarce progeny, which falls far short of your father’s.”

Mesiro had only one son.

The Earl had four children with two wives, three sons and a daughter, and whether he had mistresses or illegitimate children, Liszt was not quite sure. But in terms of procreation, he certainly surpassed Mesiro.

…

After leaving the study, Liszt did not return to the living room to chat with relatives.

Although he had come to terms with his identity, he still preferred a relatively quiet environment, not to mention the Sword Saint’s notes in his hands, which he was eager to peruse.

The notes were unnamed, entirely in handwritten script, with sloppy handwriting and numerous corrections.

One could easily imagine that these were written by Marquis Merlin recently, after stepping down as the commander of the Court Fleet, probably beginning to summarize his life.

At twelve, an Earth Knight, at fifteen, an Elite Earth Knight, and at twenty-two, a Sky Knight.

In the Sword Saint’s notes, Marquis Merlin first recalled his own cultivation journey, a prodigious tale that quite possibly labeled him as a genius among geniuses, even more distinguished than Li Weiliam Tulip, the twenty-five-year-old Sky Knight. However, Marquis Merlin came from a Marquis Family and had resources piled up since his childhood.

Compared to Li Weiliam, who came from a Viscount family, Merlin’s talent was not necessarily stronger.

There are three tiers of Sky Knights.

Ordinary Level Sky Knights, Sword Saint Level Sky Knights, and those hailed as reserve Dragon Knights, the Completion Level Sky Knights who were always prepared to ride a dragon.

By thirty-nine, Marquis Merlin was already a Completion Level Sky Knight.

“Unfortunately, I do not have a dragon, nor can I find one to ride, my life as a Dragon Knight is hopeless,” Marquis Merlin wrote in the notes, without much regret in his words, because at least he could make light of Grand Duke Andrew Sapphire, “But the Grand Duke has a Sapphire Dragon, and he cannot ride it either, not receiving the dragon’s recognition, his complete Dou Qi is of no avail.”

Although he had never ridden a dragon, he had indulged in fantasies about Dragon Knights.

“It is said that Advanced Dou Qi of the Completion Level is already the ultimate point of Dou Qi, only by combining with the mystical power of dragons can one produce the incredible Dragon Dou Qi. A type of Dou Qi that exceeds the limits of magic power and possesses infinite potential. Unfortunately, the Grand Duke is too stingy, having refused my requests to read Duke Anderson’s ‘Dragon Knight Dou Qi Manual’ countless times.”

“Dragon Knight Dou Qi Manual?”

Liszt’s emotions surged; he wished he could snatch the manual right away.

Take a look at what a Dragon Knight is, what Dragon Dou Qi is.

The current Grand Duke Andrew Sapphire should be a Completion Level Sky Knight who hasn’t ridden a dragon. However, he holds the ‘Dragon Knight Dou Qi Manual’ from the First Grand Duke and is presumably the only person in the entire Duchy of Sapphire who knows how to ride dragons. Liszt felt that he would eventually need to have a thorough discussion with him on the subject of dragon riding.

He shook his head, casting aside the many distractions.

He began to read Marquis Merlin’s true insights into Dou Qi cultivation. The Apprentice Knight stage was only briefly mentioned, and there wasn’t much elaboration on the Elite Earth Knight stage. It was vastly different from the experience provided by the Earl, which was all about consuming potions, more potions, vigorously consuming potions—at most, providing some rational advice for consuming potions.

What was detailedly described was the Dou Qi cultivation of Sky Knights.

But Liszt timely stopped himself: “I need to focus on mastering the Elite Earth Knight stage now; I mustn’t aim too high and only build on solid foundations first.”

He stored the Sword Saint’s Notes in the Gemstone Space, left the room, and returned to the living room where the lively chatter continued.

“Liszt, what gift did your grandfather give you?” Cousin Rolie shouted as soon as he saw Liszt, appearing more animated than the simple Russell.

“What’s your gift?”

“Grandfather gave me a gemstone equipment!” Rolie triumphantly pulled out a pendant from his chest, embedded with a yellow gemstone, “This is a Topaz from the Topaz Dragon. It can make my Dou Qi more solid; even an Elite Earth Knight can’t break through my firm Dou Qi!”

Envy!

Any piece of gemstone equipment was worthy of envy.

Liszt praised it appropriately: “I’m really envious. Gemstone equipment, it’s so beautiful!”

Rolie immediately grinned from ear to ear. Whether a weapon or an accessory, a piece of gemstone equipment was valued at over a thousand Gold Coins. As a second son with no title to inherit, a thousand Gold Coins was like a windfall.

Liszt then inquired about everyone else’s gifts.

Surprisingly, Marquis Merlin had given out three volumes of Sword Saint’s Notes, to Meioubao, Levis, and himself. Russell, Rolie, and Li Vera each received a piece of gemstone equipment.

Levis spoke with a smile: “Including yours, the three volumes of notes were all personally written by grandfather, and the content is the same, of course, typos differ.”

“Actually, grandfather only needed to write one volume; the rest you could have copied yourselves,” Rolie said proudly, believing that the value of the gemstone equipment far exceeded a manual that could be borrowed and copied.

“Rolie, don’t talk nonsense,” Aunt Melinda chided Rolie, her smile a bit unnatural.

Viscount Roland held his cup, taking a sip as if to camouflage.

Those a bit sharp understood Marquis Merlin’s intention—not holding out hope for the younger generation, he gave them something of real value, gemstone equipment, while for those he had expectations, he gave a manual for cultivation.