Chapter 172 The Last Ring of the Thornworm

Having just crossed over to this world, Liszt felt that he should keep a low profile and contentedly be a rural baron, solving the basic necessities of food and clothing.

As his quality of life improved, his class position changed, and he began to embrace the noble knight system, but he was unwilling to go to war, only wanting to focus on development.

Now, Flower Town was developing rapidly, and the thorn sprites were about to be born. His thoughts changed once again, with an increasing desire for glory and a longing for an island of his own. The idea of not going to war was replaced by going to war, handling logistics, and earning military merit.

He was becoming more like a true noble.

Being swallowed by this world, or rather, actively integrating into this world and its knight system.

"There are those who are proletarian warriors, dedicating their lives to the liberation of all mankind. I admire such people, but I will never emulate them," Liszt's mind remained clear. Integrating into the world was not passive but a result of his active choice. "My life goal is to ride a dragon and become my own master."

He wanted to be a king, not a vassal.

With the existence of smoke tasks, modern knowledge in his head, and the social system providing upward mobility, he had enough confidence to achieve his grand goal.

Walking to the window, the usually chattering Juan Fu was no longer there. A hint of nostalgia flashed across his eyes, then vanished.

He then looked into the distance.

Just as Juan Fu did not want to be a pet, he did not want to be a servant, even if it meant serving a king.

He could accept being corrupted by the noble lifestyle, but he would not kneel to anyone other than the heavens, the earth, and his parents.

The road was winding, but the future was bright: "First, set a small goal for myself—find a secretary, cough, no, become a viscount!"

...

This world's knight system has a medieval style, centered around lords, vassals, and land. Although the social customs and cultural production differ greatly from Europe's Middle Ages on Earth, productivity revolves around dragons and elves, which is also different from Earth's productivity.

But essentially, it is a distorted form of European feudal serfdom.

A feudal lord establishes an economic system on his land to exploit and enslave serfs, and it is very cruel—serfs and freemen have almost no means of production because the real means of production are dragons and elves, both of which are monopolized by the nobility.

This system is highly exploitative.

But compared to the dark Middle Ages established by barbarians on the ruins of the Roman Empire and the feudal serfdom of Zangxi with the legend of "Sister Drum," this world's feudal serfdom is much milder.

At least serfs and commoners still have a slight chance of upward mobility.

Aura is like the imperial examinations in ancient China—most people cannot afford to take the exams, but there are always a few commoners who can change their fate through the exams—similarly, most people in this world cannot get enough nutrition to cultivate aura, but there are always some commoners chosen by lords for their physical prowess.

With aura, after several generations, it is not difficult to cultivate a great knight.

After a few more generations and a bit of luck, one can earn a place among the nobility—the Tulip family followed such a path. Their ancestors, originally surnamed "Tile," were likely either serfs or freemen, certainly not related to nobility.

His great-grandfather had natural strength and was chosen by a noble to be a retainer knight, serving the newly established Sapphire family.

After several wars and meritorious service, he was enfeoffed as a baronial knight, thus entering the ranks of the nobility. After several more generations of effort, his great-grandfather became a baron, his great-great-grandfather a viscount, and finally, in Lee William's generation, a count enfeoffed by the Duke of Sapphire.

Their surname was changed to the noble "Tulip."

"However, while it seems to be cumulative generationally, it is essentially based on mutation!"

As the saying goes, the rich rely on technology,

the poor rely on mutation—the mysterious existence of aura requires nutritional buildup; without it, one can only mutate. For example, the natural strength of the Tulip family's great-grandfather was a kind of mutation—probably just being stronger, later embellished as natural strength.

"The current me no longer needs to rely on mutation; I can directly rely on technology."

Technology is nutrition, technology is magic.

Arriving at the flame mushroom processing workshop, Liszt saw the magician smoking: "Mr. Elkson, is my flame mushroom magic potion ready?"

"Sorry, not yet, but I'll finish them soon. You won't need to wait long," Elkson replied.

Liszt was slightly displeased that he had time to smoke instead of working, but he did not show it: "Do you have any finished potions? Give me one."

"Yes."

He quickly brought out a large box containing vials wrapped in cloth.

Liszt unwrapped the cloth of a vial, revealing a crystal tube as long as a thumb and as thin as a pinky, filled with a light red viscous liquid.

Such a small vial would sell for at least one gold coin.

"Baron Liszt, you can try its effects. Although I am not the designated potion maker for Tulip Castle, I am confident in my potion-making skills," Elkson said proudly, flicking his ash.

Liszt nodded.

Opening the crystal tube, he used the Eye of Magic to observe for a moment before drinking the potion in one gulp. The potion, like jelly, poured directly into his mouth, not a drop wasted.

It melted upon entry.

Immediately, he felt a fiery magic power rising in his belly, surging throughout his body. The entire process lasted three full minutes before gradually settling. Liszt's eyes sparkled as he felt his long-stagnant aura surge significantly.

He couldn't help but praise: "Very satisfying!"

"I'm glad you're satisfied."

"Mr. Elkson, I won't disturb your work further. If you have any needs, let me know, and I'll do my best to meet them." Liszt then led Hiddleston, carrying a box of magic potions, back to the castle.

From today onwards, the path of the medicine jar officially begins.

...

One day later.

After being away on business for several days, Marcus finally returned to Flower Town.

And he brought the news that Liszt was most concerned about: "My lord, I have not failed you!"

"How did it go? Where can we find the new variety of thorns?"

"I contacted Tulip Castle and Shattered Stone Castle, but neither had the new variety of thorns. Only on Beer Island, at Beer Castle, did we find the new variety. Sir Tricke expressed that he welcomes you to visit Beer Castle anytime. Sir Aubrey also sent a letter for you."

Aubrey is Tricke's son, the heir to Beer Castle, and has established a good relationship with Liszt through their seafood business.

Hearing that there were new varieties of thorns on Beer Island, Liszt let out a long sigh of relief: "In that case, I'll need to bring the thornworms to Beer Island."

However, Marcus replied: "Of course, you can go, but you don't have to. I have already brought back the new variety of thorns and can plant them directly in Flower Town."

This thoughtful action greatly pleased Liszt; this was what a competent subordinate should do—understand how to alleviate the leader's burdens: "Is that so? Then let's plant them right away. The thornworms' pupal stage is nearly halfway over, and they urgently need to assimilate!"

A moment later.

Not far behind the castle, the new variety of thorns had been planted, watered, and fertilized. Liszt then placed the thornworms on them.