“Methods to stimulate bloodline… I happen to know quite a bit about that…”
Wu Ming gazed at the girl Beatrice before him.
Clearly, if he nurtured her carefully, this little girl would have a great chance to awaken her bloodline, gaining unimaginable strength and talent.
“Never thought… in the end I still have to pick up the power of bloodlines again…”
Although he had created a more powerful Void-Shattering Path surpassing bloodline martial arts, this universe rejected the power of the Immortal Martial World, instead showing similarities with the lower-level bloodline forces. Naturally, Wu Ming had no qualms about resuming his previous research.
“Formulas obtained, materials identified…”
Wu Ming narrowed his eyes, staring at Beatrice: “If you want it, I can brew a batch of sacred oil anytime… to ascend to Knighthood!”
Of course, knowing this, he actually became unhurried.
After all, the bloodline within Beatrice was far too distant from the Original Blood, diluted and weak.
Even the pure blood of Taler I, he had little interest in.
“The Primordial Blood—Taler! Where does his power originate from?”
Wu Ming secretly set himself a goal: “First, attempt to extract blue blood, then master the techniques of formulation… seeking the highest quality of biological bloodlines as material for knighthood ascension!”
For such bloodlines, the purer and closer to the source, naturally the stronger.
Wu Ming intended to do nothing but the best.
And even this was merely a backup plan for him to obtain supernatural power.
“Meanwhile… I must not miss any clues about sorcerers, wizards, or mages…”
He looked toward Howling City: “This year’s Spring Plowing Festival and martial arts competition might bring some gains…”
…
Several months later.
The bitter cold passed, spring arrived, flowers bloomed.
The entire Howling City, in a more bustling manner, welcomed adventurers, mercenaries, speculators, and those free knights and wandering knights from all directions.
The consequences of the massive influx of people into Howling City were almost immediately evident.
All the city’s inns were fully booked! And the prices had risen several times over! Even the cheapest local wine was declared sold out. Meat and vegetable prices had increased by half! Prostitutes’ fees had also skyrocketed, and they certainly had no trouble finding business.
Of course, the city guards were also overwhelmed. Eventually, Count Blue Mountain had to deploy an entire warrior unit into the city for patrols, barely managing to curb the deteriorating security situation. However, the situation remained increasingly tense. Fresh corpses were almost discovered daily in the city’s sewers and stinking ditches, even the corpse carriers were getting too busy to handle everything.
In front of the castle, several large tents were erected, inside which numerous scribes registered the warriors coming to participate in the martial arts competition.
“Master, we’ve arrived!”
Beatrice pointed towards the large tent ahead, speaking in a sweet voice.
After curing her chronic illness, she seemed like a porcelain doll, each inch of her skin smoother than silk, whiter than milk, truly a beauty destined to captivate a nation.
Of course, she had slightly disguised herself, concealing her beauty and blue veins, appearing like a delicate little maid.
“I know, go and queue!”
Wu Ming unhesitatingly ordered his female slave.
According to his eccentric taste, Beatrice wore a maid uniform from her past life, matching her delicate face and noble demeanor, making many burly men reluctant to compete with her for space, glaring angrily at Wu Ming instead.
Yet Wu Ming showed no sense of guilt at all, waiting until it was their turn before approaching Beatrice, facing the scribe before him.
“State your name, birthplace, and pay the fee of twenty silver Taler!”
The scribe before him was an old man in his forties or fifties, speaking in a mechanical tone.
“William! A freeman from Nia Village!”
Wu Ming replied, handing over a small bag of silver Taler.
“Another guy dreaming of becoming a knight…”
The scribe sighed, quickly registering Wu Ming: “Take your number plate and wait for the competition notice… I’ll warn you in advance, this martial arts competition has no restrictions, injuries and deaths are perfectly normal!”
“And besides, you’re alone, so you can only participate in the individual competition! Weapons and horses must be self-provided… as for armor?”
He looked Wu Ming up and down: “If you manage to enter the top eight, you might need it. However, our merciful Count provides armor rental services at a very low cost, only one golden Daron, plus repair fees…”
“I understand!”
Wu Ming took the number plate, seeing his personal information simply recorded on it, along with a line of “Windfire Plains” and the number 267.
“It seems the competition will be quite fierce…”
He silently sighed inwardly.
After all, in this hopeless and ignorant world, the opportunity for the lower class to leap into nobility was extremely rare, and there were plenty of people willing to pay with their lives for it!
…
A few days later, a large caravan arrived at Howling City.
These were nobles from various parts of the Windfire Plains, and the most important guest—Viscount Garcia!
Although he had previously fought fiercely with Count Blue Mountain, the two had now reconciled and even formed a father-in-law and son-in-law relationship.
Before declaring war, such peace was protected by sacred oaths.
Count Blue Mountain, Viscount Garcia, and the Archbishop of the Church all attended the celebration, the kind of festivity that might become an unforgettable memory for Howling City’s residents.
However, for Wu Ming, no matter how splendid the external festivities were, or how inspiring the speeches by the Count and Viscount Garcia, or how magnificent the parades, he would not see any of them.
Because at this moment, he was already sitting in the tent with other warriors participating in the martial arts competition, quietly waiting for the time to fight.
A curtain seemed to divide the inside and outside into two different worlds.
Most of these warriors had solemn expressions, silently polishing their weapons, maintaining their armor, their faces showing an unwelcoming demeanor.
“Next… I announce, the martial arts competition officially begins!”
A faint voice came, followed by a wave of cheers.
“It’s started!”
A scribe entered: “Those whose numbers I call, go to the arena you should be at!”
“178, Arena One! Don’t know the way? No problem, there will be people guiding you on the field!”
“56, Arena Three!”
“79, this round is a bye, what lucky fellow!”
In such a battle, a single defeat meant no further opportunity, making it a standard elimination match.
Moreover, fighting several times a day, a bye meant more time to rest, conserve energy, and observe opponents.
The scribe said enviously, and the lucky spearman immediately received unanimous hostility from the warriors in the tent.
“Cough… Also, 12, Arena Five!”
“267! Arena Eight!”
…
Hearing his number, Wu Ming calmly stood up, walking out of the tent.
Warm sunlight shone down, causing him to squint involuntarily. A massive wave of noise came, as if he were immersed in a sea of heat.
Before his eyes lay a large square, covered with yellow earth.
Around the square was a circle of wooden stands and seats, filled with excited residents.
The entire square was divided into eight parts, beginning the initial preliminary rounds.
“Because there are too many participants, they have to start elimination matches immediately and simultaneously?”
Wu Ming arrived at his arena, immediately seeing his opponent this time.
He looked under thirty, wearing a leather armor, wielding twin blades, dark-skinned. Upon seeing Wu Ming’s attire, his face suddenly lit up with ecstatic joy.
After all, Wu Ming was only wearing his usual shirt and trousers at this moment, offering no defense whatsoever, as if he had just come out for a spring outing.
Bang!
Suddenly, on a nearby arena, the outcome was decided in an instant, so fast that even the referee was somewhat surprised.
“Winner, Adrienne!”
He blinked, then loudly announced.
The warrior who displayed terrifying strength had a cold expression, wearing only a white training outfit. Upon hearing this, he slightly nodded, calmly stepping out of the arena, each movement exuding calmness.
“This person…”
Wu Ming’s pupils slightly constricted.
“Adrienne!”
A man resembling a mercenary beside him exclaimed in surprise: “Isn’t he the Church’s Glorious Knight? He has already announced his resignation? Why would he take off his honorable white robe?”
Such a knight who had undergone the knighthood ceremony was obviously a strong contender for the championship, causing dissatisfaction among other participants.
At the central noble platform in the square, Viscount Garcia smiled at Count Blue Mountain and the Archbishop beside him: “Unexpectedly, we can witness the Church knights’ superb skills here, truly spectacular!”
He wore a sky-blue ceremonial robe, his golden hair flowing softly down, his fair skin and gem-like eyes, with a slight curve on his lips, exuding an indescribable charm. His words clearly carried a tone of irony.
“Adrienne has already been expelled from the Church! He is participating in the competition as a free knight!”
The Archbishop, with pale eyes, still maintained that half-dead, indifferent expression, slowly speaking.
“Since he is no longer a Church knight, according to the laws of my territory, Mr. Adrienne has the right to participate in the competition, without a doubt!”
Count Blue Mountain made a gesture, and the referee below immediately understood his intention, announcing the decision.
“Good! Very good!”
Viscount Garcia didn’t say much, but his heart tightened.
Last time, he had revealed too much strength, causing the Count and the Church to grow closer, prompting a bit of wariness in him.
“This is the feudal lord of the Windfire Plains! At the very top of power!”
On a nearby seat, Baron Terry was watching the martial arts duel below with great interest, while Philip and several others stood behind the Baron like servants, gazing at the center with indescribable envy in their eyes.
“Winner! William from Nia Village!”
Suddenly, another duel ended below, the familiar name coming through, causing Philip’s heart to jolt.
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