Chapter 236: High-level Magical Beast 0-Eyed Wolf Spider

This chapter is an additional update for the "Purple Flash Wing" reward.

The magic of magical beasts comes half from their bodies and half from external absorption. Compared to low-level magical beasts, intermediate-level magical beasts naturally absorb free-floating magic from the environment much faster.

This absorption is very subtle, and Marquis Liszt cannot see it with his Magic Eye, but as a Sky Knight, he can clearly sense it.

Therefore, he concluded that Hiddleston had reached the level of an intermediate magical beast.

As for the intensity of blood boiling, it is a secondary criterion based on the differences in blood within the same species. Here, the same species can be seen as an evolutionary lineage, such as ordinary dogs, earth-doggers, and Hiddleston. Between the same species, there is a significant difference between the blood of powerful magical beasts and weak ones.

The blood of powerful magical beasts is highly active, flows quickly, has a high temperature, and shows clear changes in nature. For example, at the level of dragons, the intensity of blood boiling can directly infect the dragon's bloodline.

The Marquis, with his extensive experience, judged that Hiddleston was an intermediate magical beast, which was almost a definitive conclusion.

"Father, Hiddleston currently only knows how to cast Rock Spikes. What do you think is limiting its understanding of magic?" As long as Hiddleston couldn't learn new spells, Liszt felt uneasy. After all, which intermediate magical beast would only know one spell, oh, and a Multi-Rock Spike?

"Don't worry, Liszt, it's just a puppy." The Marquis reached out to stroke Hiddleston's black, shiny fur, causing Hiddleston to growl softly. "It needs time to mature, just like humans. Magical beasts also need to accumulate continuously to truly transform into nobler beings."

"Uwa!"

Jie La, who was clinging to Liszt's hair and lying on his head, suddenly called out again for some reason.

Arriving at Tulip Castle, this unfamiliar place, made her feel somewhat uneasy. Actually, during her insect stage, she lived in Tulip Castle, but she probably didn't have any memories of it then.

Just as they were talking about Hiddleston and Jie La,

A group of knights galloped down the road outside the castle, led by Liszt's brother Levis, followed by Lytton. Even before they approached, Levis' voice could be heard: "Liszt, why didn't you let me know you were coming? I wasted half a day at the Knights Academy."

Dismounting, Levis immediately hugged Liszt, showing a close bond between brothers.

After letting go, Liszt said, "I missed Father and you, so I came early. After going to war, you've changed a lot, taking on Father's demeanor."

Levis was delighted: "Without going to war, one remains a fledgling. After experiencing battle and seeing bloodshed, looking back, many things we did seem childish."

At this moment, Lytton also dismounted and called out, "Brother Liszt."

"Lytton, you've grown taller," Liszt responded with a faint smile. The boy was only twelve, but he was already at least 1.75 meters tall. He gained the Marquis' attention not just because of Lady Mary's influence but mainly due to his own talent.

Seeing his three sons perform well, the Marquis was very satisfied, but he maintained a stern expression: "Since you're all back, let's have a proper conversation." With that, he entered the castle alone.

After the Marquis left,

Levis and Lytton shifted their attention to Hiddleston and Jie La. Jie La was just a small sprite, and Tulip Castle had eleven of them. But the charm of an intermediate magical beast captivated both of them. Men's fantasies often revolve around fine horses and magical beasts, each occupying half.

Compared to the low-level magical beast Fire Rabbit raised at Tulip Castle, Hiddleston's majesty was evident from its size.

Unfortunately, no matter how envious they were, Hiddleston belonged to Liszt and couldn't be taken away.

...

The midday banquet hadn't started yet.

As the Marquis had predicted, Levis began recounting his battlefield experiences to Liszt in great detail—charging a thousand miles to attack enemy castles, tirelessly guarding supplies, boldly speaking up at military meetings, and risking life and limb to rescue female slaves.

These stories inevitably had elements of exaggeration and boasting.

But they still fascinated Liszt, especially when Levis described witnessing the duel between the Marquis and Lord Figo, two Sky Knights. The Marquis was known as the Sea Wave Sword Saint, and Lord Figo was known as the Fire Cloud Sword Saint. The two Sword Saints darted and maneuvered in the sky, their auras bursting forth, blocking out the sun.

Their water and fire clash nearly cut off the Red River below.

In the end, the Marquis' sea waves overwhelmed Lord Figo's fire clouds, severely injuring him. Then, launching a knight charge, he decisively crushed the enemy's knight corps.

Seizing the Red River Plain, plundering resources, and establishing merit.

"The Marquis' 'Great Wave Breaking the Sea Tide' aura technique is invincible below the rank of Sword Saint. I wish I could one day break through to Sky Knight, possess advanced aura, and wield such an incredible aura technique!" Levis' admiration for the Marquis was unceasing, like a surging river.

Although his eloquence was average and his narration dry,

Liszt could still feel the terror of the battle between the Sword Saints, his heart racing. If Sword Saints were indeed as powerful as Levis described, the current Hiddleston would be no match, given that Sword Saints can fly for short periods while Hiddleston can only hop.

He suddenly thought of Parris, wondering if the transformed Black Dragon Chiang could engage a Sword Saint for a hundred rounds. It might hold out for a while before being defeated or corrupted by Chiang's power, dying and becoming a White Dragon Chiang.

"Brother, did any Dragon Knights appear in this war?"

"No, unless the war becomes completely uncontrollable, no country is willing to deploy Dragon Knights or dragons. There are too many uncertain factors involved. In fact, I didn't even see the Grand Duke's Sapphire Dragon. In every battle, Sky Knights were the main force."

He paused, then excitedly continued, "However, I saw a high-level magical beast, a Thousand-Eyed Wolf Spider, the mount of the Marquis of Graden in the Eagle Kingdom. It could jump higher than a Sky Knight's flight... Unfortunately, Graden came to deliver a cease-fire letter. I was with Marquis Rodrick and felt the aura of the Thousand-Eyed Wolf Spider, making my whole body tremble!"

"Why did this war end so quickly?"

"Because the Kingdom of Blastfurnace intervened. The daughter of the Eagle King married the Duke of Haisburg, the younger brother of the King of Blastfurnace." Levis' voice grew somber, "Duke Haisburg has a dragon, and it's said he might become a Dragon Knight before he turns forty."

Liszt frowned, "So, the Eagle Kingdom and the Kingdom of Blastfurnace are forming an alliance?"

"Not necessarily. Royal marriages are common, and wars will continue when needed. This year, we couldn't continue fighting. We had just occupied the Red River Plain, and many resources and minerals hadn't been plundered yet, forcing us to retreat... the gains are decreasing year by year."

The Marquis originally built his fortune through expansion orders, and each raid on the Eagle Kingdom brought back a large amount of resources.

Liszt wanted to ask how much iron they had plundered this year but held back. He would stay at Tulip Castle for a few days, and business matters could be discussed gradually.