Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 223 - 223 222 Battle Qi Chains

Chapter 223: Chapter 222: Battle Qi Chains Chapter 223: Chapter 222: Battle Qi Chains There are many kinds of Great Knights.

The most perfected among them is the kind Russell became, each energy meridian painstakingly excavated to its maximum capacity.

If even one meridian is not carefully crafted, it could lead to a feeling of emptiness during the Grand Circulation of Battle Qi.

As for those who become Great Knights by means of shortcuts and tricks, although each meridian is opened and can be connected as a whole, the meridians are narrow and tortuous. When circulating Battle Qi through a complete cycle of Grand Circulation, they would stumble significantly for a while.

With such hollowness, one could hardly be called a Great Knight—it’s more appropriate to be called a Ranger.

The Rangers among the Cavern Free People, lacking the supply of Magic Potion, rely on such cunning methods to excavate their meridians. Lone Wolf Lisbon, the former leader of Echo Water River Cavern, even managed to open all his meridians and cultivated to become a Ranger.

But his rank of Ranger couldn’t even withstand a single sneak attack from Eric.

Having hardly any defensive Battle Qi to expel in time to protect himself from the attack, he died in a confused and obscure manner.

Katie had previously followed the same path.

“A Ranger uses the least amount of Battle Qi to open as many meridians as possible, while a Knight uses the most Battle Qi to grind through the meridians inch by inch… If I were in Lisbon’s situation right now and someone attacked me by surprise, my Battle Qi would instantly burst out, forming a shield,” Russell pondered quietly.

Not only could Battle Qi instantly form a shield, but the enhancement it provided to the body would also allow him to react instantly.

Dodge the sneak attack by twisting his body.

“What’s more important is that a Great Knight can cultivate Qi energy chains, while a Ranger cannot!” Russell silently contemplated.

Though the promotion to Great Knight was a joy, both the Great Knight and the Armed Knight belonged to the Battle Qi stage, and fundamentally, there wasn’t much of a difference.

Previously, Russell relied on his swordsmanship to even suppress Great Knight Grove, which was evident.

“Only by advancing to Phantom Beast Knight does one truly transcend the ordinary!” Russell sheathed the Green Ceramic Sword, his expression returning to calm, “Next, I must devote all my efforts to cultivating the Qi energy chains, aiming to master it within a month!”

Once he mastered the Qi energy chains, he could contract a Fantasy Beast.

Thinking of this,

Russell didn’t want to wait another moment. He pushed open the door and went downstairs to the tower where the guests were staying and knocked on Eric’s room.

“Sir?” Eric had already gone to bed.

“Teach me to cultivate Battle Qi energy chains.”

“What?” Eric was startled before he realized, “Sir, have you advanced to Great Knight?”

“Yes, just now.”

“Alright.” Eric didn’t say much, as he was not Charles and was not the type to directly flatter. He preferred to be diligent in his tasks.

He then began to explain the method of cultivating Battle Qi energy chains to Russell immediately.

These training methods were taught at the military academies in the town, but Russell’s previous self only focused on studying the Seed of Battle Qi and had not learned of these things. When Russell came through the transmigration, he too was busy with excavating meridians.

Luckily, Eric was originally his Knight class teacher, and teaching the method of cultivating Battle Qi energy chains was his undeniable responsibility.

“So to put it simply, Qi energy chains involve restraining the externally released Battle Qi, like a chain, locking it up to prevent it from scattering or being lost. Moreover, one must be able to interact with the internal Battle Qi,” Eric explained in detail.

Armed Knights can perform Battle Qi sword aura, and Great Knights can form Qi Round Vigor around their bodies. Fundamentally, both are utilizing the skills of externally releasing Battle Qi.

And Battle Qi energy chains are an advanced form of such external release, requiring not just release but also retrieval.

Only by doing so, during the contracting of a Fantasy Beast, can one use the Qi energy chains to form a channel where elemental force and Battle Qi merge.

“Spirit and intention unite; Qi follows the soul’s movements.”

Following Eric’s explanation, Russell slowly began releasing Battle Qi outward, but while it sounded simple, accomplishing it was incredibly difficult.

No sooner had the Battle Qi been released than it dissipated into a burst of energy.

“Try more, search for that slight connection with the external Battle Qi,” Eric said. “Sir, this Battle Qi application technique can’t be shortcut; it must rely solely on your own, countless times of fumbling.”

“Okay!”

After an hour of explanation, Russell had grasped all the details of cultivating the Battle Qi chains and took his leave.

Returning to his room, he continued to try while the iron was hot.

However, he was soon disturbed by the strange murmuring: “Eat eat eat eat eat eat eat… I eat eat eat eat eat eat…”

The specter black scorpion of Fluorescent Castle nattered all day long.

“Damn it!” Russell swore under his breath. “After practice ends and I return to my territory, I must find another Saiban Fairy and ask how to block Fantasy Beast whispers. I get headaches from the noise of this damn scorpion every day!”

Feeling restless and agitated was certainly not conducive to further Battle Qi chain cultivation, so he simply went to sleep.

…

One week later.

Half of December had already passed, and the year-end was drawing near—the Shadowflame Duchy didn’t celebrate the new year, but January 2nd was the Dragon Birth Festival.

As the name implies, Dragon Birth Festival is the celebration of the birth of Great Dragons.

On this day, including the day before and after, making a total of three days, all the territories of the Shadowflame Duchy would celebrate the birth of the Shadowflame Dragon.

The nobles would enjoy feasts while the serfs would present eggs to their lord as a token of gratitude.

It was a custom that Russell would not change. However, on the day of the Dragon Birth Festival, he did not return to the Wuyao Snake Manor but spent it at Fluorescent Castle.

Lady Ingrid and Uncle Roson’s family were also celebrating at Fluorescent Castle.

“I wonder how Roman and Roland are doing at Red Castle. Have they sent any letters back yet?” Lady Ingrid muttered.

Lady Meryl said with a smile, “With significant matters at hand, they, being the key advisors to the Duke, must be busy discussing state affairs. You needn’t worry.”

“What’s there to worry about? Every single one of the Ghostfire Family is cunning. They never come off worse.”

“The Fluorescent Fungi Family is always known for their loyalty and forthrightness.”

“That’s because you haven’t learned the essence of our family yet,” Lady Ingrid replied, rolling her eyes as she turned her head.

Seeing that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were about to argue, Roson interjected, “Mother, Sister-in-law, Big Brother should send a letter back soon. However, it should be fine. Every year on Dragon Birth Festival, the Shadowflame Dragon patrols the lands, and the Snow Giant Da dares not invade our borders.”

Lady Meryl nodded: “Hopefully that’s the case.”

Lady Ingrid muttered, “That’s uncertain. Over twenty years ago, everyone thought Snow Giant Da wouldn’t dare to invade, and yet the Fall happened…”

“Mother,” Lady Meryl glanced at the elderly woman, “I beg you to pray to the Great Dragon and show some restraint in your speech.”

Chastised by her daughter-in-law, Lady Ingrid became visibly restless.

Thankfully, Roson’s wife, who was also Russell’s Aunt Clara, quickly changed the subject, thus avoiding an argument.

Russell had no intention to interject; one was his grandmother, the other his mother. Choosing sides seemed inappropriate. So, he decided to follow his father, Mr. Roman, by turning a blind eye and remaining quietly inconspicuous.

But he underestimated himself. Today, he was no longer the unnoticed second son of the family, but a rising star visible from a thousand miles away.

Recognized by many, he was hailed alongside Roland as one of the Fluorescent Fungi Family’s twin stars.

“Russell, how far have you advanced in your cultivation recently?” Uncle Roson inquired. “If Snow Giant Da truly invades, the Knight Regiment defending our lands will certainly have to take the battlefield… and it won’t be as simple as clearing the trade routes once we’re there.”

“Uncle, rest assured, I’ve already advanced to Great Knight,” Russell smiled. “I’m pressing on with the Battle Qi chains cultivation, and I believe I will soon be able to bond with a Fantasy Beast.”

“Truly? Praise the Great Dragon!” exclaimed Lady Ingrid joyfully.

Lady Meryl also beamed: “We must indeed praise the Shadowflame Dragon. With your advancement to Phantom Beast Knight, your safety on the battlefield will be greatly assured.”