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If that were all, I wouldn't be so lively right now. When I flew off the rooftop, I forcibly summoned my true qi and activated the new skill "Crystal of Life's Spring" within the Tiger Soul. This ability, derived from the Hydra, can heal any injury, but in exchange, it consumes a massive amount of life essence. Only super magical beasts like the Hydra can afford to squander their regenerative abilities. If anyone else misuses it, they would likely end up like a mummy drained by the Tiger Soul. Fortunately, I had a large reserve of pure essence within me, which instantly healed my injuries; I only felt a bit dizzy. The rest was using lightness kung fu to land safely and then quickly climbing back up to witness a good show.

Catherine, kneeling on the ground with half of her golden hair loose, looked up at me. In the dim night, she exuded a fragile and melancholic beauty.

"So you're still alive."

"Just lucky, indeed quite dangerous."

"It seems Catherine has lost this battle from start to finish. Please, end my life."

"Death after defeat is indeed a noble choice, but before that, I have a question to ask."

"Please speak."

"What about those two who are barely alive—the old man and the vixen?"

"Huh? They... are still alive?"

"The old man had several minor protective spells on him, saving his life. The vixen had something hidden in her chest that prevented fatal injuries. Though severely wounded, neither is life-threatening."

"In that case, please save their lives. Catherine is willing to swear allegiance to you, never to regret."

"Well... you're quite decisive. Alright, let's get to saving them."

The "Crystal of Life's Spring" consumed an enormous amount of life essence. My stored essence was depleted instantly, but fortunately, I absorbed the abundant essence from the Tiger Clan Sword Master, which was perfect for healing them. By the time all the essence was used up, the two injured individuals' wounds were mostly healed. The remaining minor external injuries would be left to the Light Priestess Bai Lanling.

After finishing the healing, I secretly glanced at the vixen's chest, curious about what had blocked the fatal blow. To my surprise, it was something very familiar because I had one too—it was underwear made from Hydra skin. Damn it, if I find out which bastard leaked this material and made such things, I'll make sure they experience my "Faceless Kick" thoroughly.

Thinking of this, I suddenly turned to look at the anxious and exhausted Catherine. Could she... also be wearing such underwear?

Chapter 25: The Unbreakable Promise of the Minotaur

Finally resolving this major concern, the outcome was even better than expected. Catherine's joining brought multiple benefits. As a Saintess of the Altar, her status in the Temple was highly esteemed, not far below that of a Great Shaman. With me as a Staff Knight, we now had considerable influence. Even though she was expelled from the Warfang Clan and had fallen out with the Beast King's Splitfang Clan, Catherine's maternal family was a prestigious Lion Clan lineage, providing a path to the upper echelons of the Beastmen. As the favored disciple of the most revered "War Saint" Leimen, Catherine was even more favored than the Beast King Samantha, adding another significant power base.

Even without considering all this, Catherine herself was a tremendous asset. After officially joining Fontainebleau Group, she threw herself into various tasks, demonstrating the meaning of genius. Her martial skills and divine arts surpassed her peers, and her efficiency in handling state affairs shamed me. She quickly organized everything and even took over the army's training, implementing thorough reforms. This left me feeling utterly inadequate amidst the numerous tasks.

"Look on the bright side. There are always people born to make others doubt their worth." Speaking was the lecherous Shaman Romeo, who had been "welcomed" out of the city but mysteriously reappeared. His face bore symmetrical black eyes, courtesy of Catherine's punches.

"I think your purpose in life is to die on a woman's bed."

According to later information, when the tiger Taylor took the Warfang Clan's token to withdraw the Golden Lion Knights from Fontainebleau after Catherine went to ambush me, he also falsely issued orders in her name, directing the Temple's Magic Armor Knights to attack my werewolf camp. Then he sneaked into Green City Fortress.

Though the hundred Magic Armor Knights were new recruits, they were selected from the best candidates and trained meticulously by the Temple, reaching the level of Gold Warriors. The ten captains were Sword Heroes. While my disciples were decent among their peers, only the deputy leader Ankara and Oswili reached the Sword Hero level with my help. Despite having eight hundred guards, they were no match for the Magic Armor Knights equipped with high-grade magical beast armor.

However, the battle never happened.

When the fully equipped Magic Armor Knights arrived at the werewolf camp, they faced eight hundred werewolves and five thousand half-orcs wielding giant axes and spears. Seeing these well-organized and menacing forces, the sixty-to-one ratio made the new recruits hesitate. Finding the messenger tiger gone, both sides stood off until Catherine came to recall them.

Similarly, Catherine's mount, the ninth-level magical beast Golden-Eyed Dragon Lion, merely prevented Ice Flame from aiding me. Seeing no signs of Ice Flame moving, it stood its ground all night.

On the third day, the injured old mage recovered, thanks to the large amount of essence I infused, which improved his constitution despite being mostly consumed. He looked like he was in his fifties instead of nearing seventy. As for the vixen, she was already bouncing around early in the morning. However, after recovering, although they expressed willingness to stay in Fontainebleau, they made a surprising request—they wanted to get married.