CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 55: ADVANCEMENT INFORMATION, [CROWN KNIGHT (3-STAR)]

He spoke thoughtfully: "So we need to perform the ’Bloodline Awakening’ ritual?"

"That’s correct," Andre said solemnly: "This ritual requires specific potions and guidance. There’s a certain risk, but the success rate is relatively high. Once awakened, the power increases quite steadily, and its compatibility with other cultivation methods is also very good."

"What about the Demon Hunters?"

"Demon Hunters take a more aggressive route," Andre explained:

"They directly alter their body structure through a special ’stitching’ method to gain special abilities similar to Half-Demonization. This method is riskier, with a failure rate exceeding seventy percent, but the power surge upon success is more significant, particularly in terms of resistance in various aspects."

As he finished speaking, Ron saw an information panel appear before him again:

[Profession Advancement Information Unlocked: Demon Hunter (Two Stars)]

[Transfer Conditions:

1. Physical Attribute reaching 2.5

2. Complete Demon Beast Organ ’Stitching’

3. Successfully withstand rejection response]

[Traits: Hunting Evil, Abnormal Resistance, Demonization]

Ron remembered the strange signs he had seen in Lizard Alley before. Those people might be cultivators who took the Demon Hunter path.

"As for the Magic Swordsmen..."

Andre’s voice dropped lower:

"They are rarer and more powerful, perfectly combining magic with swordsmanship, capable of directly channeling magic through swords to unleash attacks similar to magic. But this path demands extremely high talent—not only excellent swordsmanship talent but also a considerable degree of spiritual power."

"Almost all Magic Swordsmen were already Sword Masters before advancing, and they possessed outstanding spiritual talent. In fact, individuals with such dual talents are extremely rare, which is why the number of true Magic Swordsmen is so scarce."

Ron felt a spark; this path seemed well aligned with his current development direction—both the physique enhancement of a Knight and the mastery of spiritual power of a Wizard.

He also saw the third information panel appear before him simultaneously:

[Profession Advancement Information Unlocked: Magic Swordsman (Two and a Half Stars)]

[Transfer Conditions:

1. Physical Attribute reaching 2.5

2. Spirit Attribute reaching 2.0√

3. Basic Swordsmanship reaching mastery

4. Breathing Body Refining reaching proficiency

5. Complete Magic Sword Creation]

[Traits: Dharma Seal, Weapon Enchantment, Magic Surge]

"However..." Andre added:

"I’ve heard that those with the ’Sun’s Protection’ have the chance to embark on a more unique route after becoming Magic Swordsmen—the Crown Knight. It’s a legendary profession recorded only in ancient royal records, said to directly channel solar energy, with unparalleled combat strength."

"According to ancient records, those Crown Knights were exceptional Magic Swordsmen before becoming Crown Knights. Perhaps it was because of the perfect fusion of swordsmanship, magic, and the Crown Power that they achieved unparalleled power."

At this moment, Ron saw another information panel appear before him, but this one was different from before, as the text on the panel was faintly visible and incomplete:

[Rare Profession Advancement Information Partially Unlocked: Crown Knight (Three Stars)]

[Transfer Conditions (Not Fully Unlocked):

1. Pre-Profession Employment-Magic Swordsman (Two and a Half Stars)

2. Possesses the talent-Sun’s Protection (Complete)

3.???

4.???]

[Traits:???]

[Hint: More related information is needed to fully unlock]

"Crown Knight?" Ron was somewhat surprised: "This is indeed the first time I’ve heard of it. It seems that even in the school’s basic data library, there is no relevant information."

"Because there hasn’t been a Crown Knight for many years now," Andre explained:

"In the centuries since its founding, the entire Faruk Kingdom has had only two Crown Knights. It is said that their power even surpassed many research-oriented Official Wizards, which is why the royal family at its peak was almost on par with the Black Mist School..."

As they spoke, they continued to traverse the small paths in Lizard Alley.

"In short..." Andre concluded: "No matter which route you choose, a solid foundation is necessary. Mastery of the ’Crown Breathing Technique’ and complementary swordsmanship is essential."

Ron deeply agreed, knowing that the Time Guardian’s pocket watch and the materials collected this time would undoubtedly become a powerful assistant in accelerating his growth.

"Thank you for sharing," he said genuinely, "This information is indeed valuable to me."

Andre laughed upon hearing this and teased: "Haha... If you really want to thank me, then charge me fewer Magic Stone Fragments in Magic Potion Refining. That would be more practical than anything."

"Talking about discounts would mean the end of friendship."

Ron replied with amusement, then unconsciously quickened his pace, swiftly leaving this area not suited for leisurely chat.

After returning to his dormitory, he carefully used spiritual power to probe various parts of the room, ensuring there were no surveillance or traps, before finally relaxing.

After securely locking the door, he took out the silver pocket watch from his bosom and examined it carefully under the candlelight.

The pocket watch emitted a gentle silver glow in the candlelight, while the black gemstone embedded in it resembled a sleeping eye, deep and mysterious.

He wiped away the remaining dust on the surface, making the ancient patterns instantly clearer.

Upon close observation, these patterns were indeed not ordinary decorations but a kind of ancient rune he had never seen before.

These runes did not belong to the commonly used Wizard School rune system, nor did they resemble any other known transcendent forces’ markings.

They were more like some mysterious characters from distant timespaces, with each stroke containing an indescribable power.

"The Time Guardian’s pocket watch... Time Guardian, it sounds like some sort of profession."

He mused inwardly, gently stroking the black gemstone with his fingers.

[Time Guardian’s Pocket Watch (Pending Activation)]

"How do I activate you?" he murmured internally, cautiously probing the inside of the pocket watch for possible clues with his spiritual power.

The black gemstone on the pocket watch seemed to sense his intent, suddenly glowing with a trace of dark red light, as though a pair of eyes were beginning to watch him.

At the same time, he heard an ancient and hoarse voice echoing from the depths of his heart:

"With blood as the pact, with time as the oath."

Ron instinctively understood how to activate the pocket watch, as if a distant yet familiar memory fragment was remapped in his mind.

He put down the pocket watch, found a small knife, and gently nicked his finger, without hesitation or fear of pain.

A drop of fresh blood slowly dripped onto the black gemstone of the pocket watch, perhaps an exceedingly important droplet in the river of destiny.

The moment the blood made contact with the gemstone, it was like molten iron poured into an icy lake, a strong energy fluctuation burst from the pocket watch, rippling outward, then quickly contracting.