Chapter 258: Infinite Possibilities Dragon Fighting Spirit

Merlin Longtaro's insights into the cultivation of martial arts were invaluable, at least worthy of being passed down as a family treasure. After all, during his prime, Marquis Merlin was one of the most powerful Sky Knights in the Duchy of Sapphire, known as the Wind-Cleaving Sword Saint.

A Sky Knight is a level in the cultivation of martial arts.

Sword Saint is a title given to exceptionally powerful Sky Knights, not every Sky Knight can earn this title. For example, Liszt's uncle, Mexiro, is just a Sky Knight; no one would call him a Sword Saint. Only those Sky Knights who excel in sword combat are bestowed with the title of Sword Saint.

"Thank you, Grandpa."

Liszt happily accepted Marquis Merlin’s handwritten notes.

His father was the Wave Sword Saint, and he could always ask for guidance on cultivation. Now, with the insights from the Wind-Cleaving Sword Saint, he wouldn’t lack experience to draw upon once he advanced to Sky Knight.

The only regret was that his martial arts attribute was fire, while the Earl’s was water, and Marquis Merlin’s was wind.

An individual’s martial arts attribute is related to their bloodline and constitution.

Liszt’s older brother and sister both had water attributes, while his grandfather, uncle, and cousin all had wind attributes. It was somewhat unexpected but also normal that he ended up with a fire attribute. However, neither family had produced a fire attribute Sword Saint, so there was a slight lack of cultivation experience.

"If you feel constrained in Flower Town, the doors of Red Crab Island will always be open to you," Marquis Merlin said calmly.

Liszt nodded solemnly, "I appreciate your trust, Grandpa."

Marquis Merlin and his grandson exchanged a glance, understanding his intentions: "If one day the Longtaro family’s rule over Red Crab Island is threatened, I hope you and your siblings can lend a hand to Meopo... My greatest disappointment with your uncle is not his lack of talent, but his sparse offspring, far inferior to your father."

Mexiro has only one son.

The Earl had two wives, resulting in four children—three boys and one girl. Whether he had any mistresses or illegitimate children, Liszt wasn’t sure. But in terms of fertility, he outshone Mexiro.

...

After leaving the study, Liszt didn’t return to the living room to chat with his relatives.

Although he had already accepted his identity, he still preferred a relatively quiet environment. Besides, he couldn’t bear to put off reading the Sword Saint’s notes.

The notes had no title, entirely handwritten, with messy handwriting and numerous corrections.

It was easy to imagine that Marquis Merlin had written these recently, after stepping down from his position as the fleet commander, perhaps beginning to summarize his life.

At twelve, he became a Great Knight; at fifteen, an Elite Great Knight; and at twenty-two, a Sky Knight.

In the Sword Saint’s notes, Marquis Merlin first recalled his cultivation journey, a brilliant record that made him a prodigy among prodigies, even more impressive than Lee William Tulip, who became a Sky Knight at twenty-five. However, Marquis Merlin was born into a marquis family, with abundant resources from a young age.

Compared to Lee William, who came from a viscount family, his talent wasn’t necessarily superior.

There are three levels of Sky Knights:

Ordinary Sky Knights, Sword Saint-level Sky Knights, and Perfect Sky Knights, who are considered potential Dragon Knights, capable of riding dragons at any time.

By the age of thirty-nine, Marquis Merlin was already a Perfect Sky Knight.

"Pity I don’t have a dragon, nor can I find one to ride. The dream of becoming a Dragon Knight remains unfulfilled." In the notes, Marquis Merlin’s words showed little regret, as he could at least mock the Duke of Sapphire, "But the Duke has the Sapphire Dragon, yet he can’t ride it either. Without the dragon’s approval, even perfect martial arts are useless."

Though he couldn’t ride a dragon, he still indulged in fantasies about Dragon Knights.

"It is said that the advanced martial arts of the Perfect level are the ultimate form of martial arts. Only by combining them with the mysterious power of dragons can one generate the incomprehensible Dragon Martial Arts. A form of martial arts that transcends the limits of magic, possessing infinite possibilities. Unfortunately, the Duke is too stingy, repeatedly refusing my requests to read Duke Anderson’s ‘Secrets of Dragon Knight Martial Arts.’”

"Secrets of Dragon Knight Martial Arts?"

Liszt’s heart raced; he wished he could snatch this book immediately.

To see what a Dragon Knight is, what Dragon Martial Arts are.

The current Duke, Andrew Sapphire, should be a Perfect Sky Knight, unable to ride a dragon. But he possesses the ‘Secrets of Dragon Knight Martial Arts’ from the first Duke, making him perhaps the only person in the entire Duchy of Sapphire who knows how to ride a dragon. Liszt felt that he should discuss the art of riding dragons with him in the future.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he began to read Marquis Merlin’s true insights into martial arts cultivation. The Apprentice Knight stage was glossed over, and the Elite Great Knight stage had little elaboration, similar to the Earl’s advice—just take potions, take more potions, and take even more potions, providing some reasonable advice on potion use.

What was described in detail was the cultivation of Sky Knights.

But Liszt stopped reading in time: "I need to focus on advancing to Elite Great Knight. Don’t aim too high; consolidate the basics first."

Putting the Sword Saint’s notes into his gemstone space, he left the room and returned to the living room where everyone was still chatting warmly.

"Liszt, what gift did Grandpa give you?" Rolly, his cousin, shouted as soon as he saw Liszt, more lively than the more reserved Russell.

"What did you get?"

"Grandpa gave me a gemstone equipment!" Rolly proudly pulled out a pendant from his pocket, with a yellow gemstone embedded in it, "This is a Yellow Sapphire from the Yellow Sapphire Dragon. It makes my martial arts more solid, even an Elite Great Knight can’t break through my solid martial arts!"

Envy!

Any gemstone equipment is worth envying.

Liszt praised appropriately, "I’m so envious! Gemstone equipment, it’s so beautiful!"

Rolly immediately grinned widely. A piece of gemstone equipment, whether a weapon or an accessory, was worth thousands of gold coins. As a second son without a title to inherit, a thousand gold coins was like a windfall.

Liszt then asked about everyone else’s gifts.

He was surprised to find that Marquis Merlin had given out three sets of Sword Saint notes, to Meopo, Levis, and himself. Russell, Rolly, and Lvera each received a piece of gemstone equipment.

Levis smiled, "Including yours, the three sets of notes were all handwritten by Grandpa, with the same content, of course, different typos."

"Actually, Grandpa could have written just one set and let you copy the rest," Rolly said smugly, believing that the value of gemstone equipment far exceeded a set of notes that could be borrowed and copied.

"Rolly, don’t talk nonsense," Aunt Melinda scolded Rolly, her smile a bit forced.

Viscount Roland took a sip from his cup to cover his discomfort.

The wiser ones understood Marquis Merlin’s intentions: less hopeful younger generations would present gems or equipment of practical value, while those with higher expectations would offer a cultivation manual.