Page 49
Page 49
The incomplete Wind King mark broke free from its restraints and instantly unleashed a wind elemental energy fluctuation far stronger than that of Mo Binma Yeying, sweeping up a fierce gale.
Arthur immediately became alert and subconsciously activated the "Flame Lion Breathing Technique," activating the flame wave to amplify his body's functions in order to resist the sudden onslaught of the gale.
Then, he struggled to open his eyes amidst the raging wind and looked again at the spot between the eyebrows of the black-haired Ma Yeying.
The incomplete Wind King mark transformed into a miniature blue wind wolf, which then burrowed into the body of Mo Binma Yeying from between his eyebrows.
"My lord, your mount is indeed very courageous, choosing to accept the incomplete mark of the Wind King."
Just then, Merlin's languid voice rang in Arthur's ears.
Arthur followed the sound and glanced at the other person.
To his surprise, the alchemist seemed unaffected by the gale; his wide white robes remained unblown by the wind, as if he were in a separate space isolated from it.
Was the raging storm caused by the incomplete Wind King's mark quelled by magic?
Soon, Arthur sensed a subtle magical fluctuation emanating from Merlin, and instantly understood the strange scene.
Looking back at the dark-haired horse and its shadow in the night.
After the miniature blue wind wolf, transformed from the incomplete Wind King mark, entered its brow, the sudden gust of wind vanished.
But the changes in Nightshade did not stop there.
Arthur watched as the tall horse he had watched grow from a cub raised its head again, arched its back, and raised its two front hooves in front of him.
Arthur did not flinch, for he already had a premonition of what was to come.
"hold head high!"
Nightshade let out another piercing neigh and began to run wildly across the open grassland.
Second-tier wind magic: "Swift Wind Run"!
At this moment, more and more wind elements gathered around Mo Binma Yeying, forming a surging airflow that continuously accelerated it.
Watching the black-maned horse gallop and accelerate around the meadow, Merlin beside Arthur smiled knowingly and explained its behavior:
"The incomplete mark of the Wind King contains the remnant will of its previous owner, and this remnant will wants to destroy the horse."
But the lord's horse, with its innate pride, is resisting the lingering will of oppression in its own way.
Upon hearing this, Arthur recalled the cyan miniature wind wolf he had just seen, and immediately remembered the whirlwind chase he and Mo Binma Yeying had engaged in with the third-tier one-eyed wolf during the wind wolf extermination battle.
So Arthur once again shouted the encouraging words he had used when facing the third-tier one-eyed wolf to Nightshade:
"Nightshade, we absolutely cannot lose to it!"
"hold head high!"
The galloping black-maned horse, Night Shadow, once again let out a spirited neigh, responding to its master's expectations.
Even a fully-formed, third-tier, one-eyed wolf had never shown any fear, let alone its remaining will.
Thus, the indomitable spirit of Mo Binma Yeying unleashed unprecedented potential, bursting forth with speeds surpassing its peak.
As Nightshade continued his frantic run, the remaining will of the incomplete Wind King mark within his body was rapidly worn down and absorbed.
I don’t know how much time has passed.
This one-man show, featuring the black-haired horse and the swiftly galloping horse, has finally come to an end.
Mo Binma Yeying began to slow down and walked towards Arthur.
When it reached Arthur, it stopped and lowered its head, letting out a purring sound to express its joy.
"Congratulations, my partner."
Arthur stepped forward and embraced Nightshade's head, cheering it on:
"You have successfully absorbed the incomplete Wind King's Mark."
He clearly sensed that after absorbing the incomplete Wind King's Mark, the "Elemental Bloodline" within Mo Binma Yeying's body underwent a qualitative transformation, bursting forth with a more stable wind element fluctuation.
At the same time, under the intense release of second-tier wind magic, Nightshade, a late-stage first-tier monster, broke through its limits and finally advanced to the ranks of second-tier magical beasts, radiating a more powerful magical beast aura than before.
"Woo~"
At this moment, Merlin's magical beast, the white-haired giant dog Lulu, suddenly appeared and came in front of everyone.
It turned out that it had been hiding in the flower field, curiously watching the transformation of the black-haired horse night shadow.
Now, Lulu, the white-haired giant dog, stuck out her tongue and circled around Mo Binma Yeting, seemingly very curious about how it had suddenly become stronger.
"Congratulations, Lord, your mount has successfully embarked on the Wind King's Path."
Merlin, leaning on his staff, also walked towards Arthur:
"I imagine that once the lord advances to the Silver rank, he won't abandon this warhorse with unlimited potential."
Arthur released his embrace of Nightshade and turned back to answer Merlin confidently:
"Yes."
Having said that, he stroked the mane of the black-haired horse Night Shadow again, feeling proud of it:
"My partner, you have not disappointed me."
Therefore, please rest assured that I will do everything in my power to help you pursue the throne of the Wind King.
The black-haired horse, Night Shadow, sensed its master's feelings, so it moved closer to Arthur's face, nuzzled his cheek affectionately, and then let out a soft whimper.
It was as if it were telling Arthur that it was willing to follow him forever and brave any danger for him.
Chapter 57 The Legend of the Lake Fairy
After dealing with the incomplete Wind King's Mark.
Merlin mentioned the eleventh Wind Essence gem he had refined to Arthur:
"My lord, how do you intend to trade that extra Wind Element Essence Gem? Do you still need to go to my Stone Gate Treasury to select an extraordinary item of equal value?"
"No need, Mr. Merlin."
Arthur turned to look at Merlin:
"I also want to thank you for refining the incomplete Wind King Mark, so consider this as payment for the incomplete Wind King Mark."
As soon as Arthur finished speaking, his mind tensed up again.
Because he suddenly sensed that someone was spying on him.
So he frowned, followed his senses and glanced at the direction of the gaze that was watching him—the tranquil lake not far away.
At this moment, he couldn't help but recall the unfamiliar, clear female voice and the ghostly blue sword light he had heard yesterday when he and Gao Wen were testing the fake Holy Sword.
And the sword shadow that suddenly vanished in the middle of the lake.
In response, he asked Merlin:
"Mr. Merlin, is there anyone else living in this lake near your residence?"
"Ok?"
Upon hearing this, a fleeting, almost imperceptible blankness crossed Merlin's languid expression before he regained his composure.
"My lord, why do you say that?"
"It's nothing. Yesterday, when Gawain and I were testing the power of the fake Holy Sword, it seemed to trigger its defense mechanism, almost causing damage..."
Arthur recounted in detail what had happened after he went into seclusion the previous day, and told Merlin about the strange female voice and the ghostly blue sword light coming from the lake.
Upon hearing this, Merlin's lips curled into a meaningful smile:
Do you want to know the origin of this lake?
Arthur and Gawain nodded in unison.
Merlin began to speak eloquently:
"I have said before that I am an ordinary alchemist who lives in seclusion in the gap between the mortal world and the underworld."
This refers to the grassland where we are located, which connects to that lake; the entire area is the gap between the mortal world and the underworld.
This meadow connects to the present world, and that lake connects to the underworld.
The underworld also has another name: the Land of the Other Shore.
Arthur pondered, realizing that the lake was closely related to the legendary underworld.
Merlin continued:
"The female voice you heard should be the lake fairies who live in that lake. They are fairies who are born with powerful magic and are the darlings of magic."
Their existence is closely related to a legendary weapon.
Legend has it that the Lake Fairy has lived in that lake for generations to protect a legendary sword called "Sword in the Lake".
They never left that lake, seemingly waiting for the perfect candidate for the "Sword in the Lake" to appear, and then gifting the "Sword in the Lake" to that person.
Therefore, the sword shadows you saw should be the legendary weapon they guard, the "Sword in the Lake."
"Has Mr. Merlin seen them before?"
Arthur asked a pointed question.
"Although I have lived in this rift between the mortal world and the underworld for a long time, I have never actually seen their true forms, let alone the shadow of the legendary sword, 'The Sword in the Lake.'"
After Merlin answered, he looked at Arthur and Gawain with great interest:
"However, the two young knights witnessed the shadow of that legendary sword on their first visit to my residence."
Perhaps the Lady of the Lake has taken notice of your talents and potential, and is choosing the right one for the "Sword of the Lake" from among you two?
"Thank you for Mr. Merlin's kind words."
Arthur didn't take Merlin's teasing seriously and ended the conversation.
At this moment, Merlin took out another item from his large white robe.
Arthur looked closely and saw that the bracelet was wrapped in a piece of coarse cloth.
Upon closer inspection, Arthur felt a sense of familiarity with the coarse cloth. Wasn't this the Devil Cloth that Lawson, the Thunder Badger Knight, had asked him to deliver to Merlin, containing the stone dagger?
"My lord, this is what I would like you to deliver to Lawson."
Merlin handed the bracelet, wrapped in a witch's cloth, to Arthur:
"Also, I need to trouble you to pass on a message for me."
"Your compensation is far from sufficient."
Arthur was puzzled after hearing this, but he still accepted Merlin's request.
Arthur restrained his curiosity in time and did not delve into the details of the deal between the Thunder Badger Knight Lawson and the alchemist Merlin.
However, he still kept a watchful eye.
After all, Lawson now has a close relationship with him, and is currently stationed in the villages of Frostwind and Coldmist in Blackrock Territory, helping him develop forges that produce military equipment.
Merlin seemed pleased that Arthur hadn't asked many questions after accepting his commission, so he raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder:
"If you have any alchemy-related matters in the future, my lord, you can come to me at any time. I will definitely help you solve the problem at the most favorable price."
"Thank you, Mr. Merlin. I look forward to your guidance in the future if I encounter any difficulties."
-----------------
Shortly after.
After finishing all their business for the trip, Arthur and Gawain left Merlin's residence.
Merlin watched as the two used the vine bracelet he had given them to open the barrier gate, walk out, and disappear from his sight. He then turned around and headed towards his alchemy workshop.
As Merlin approached the alchemy workshop and neared the tranquil lake, a cold, female voice rang in his ears:
"Merlin, you truly deserve to be called the son of the nightmare, you are a despicable liar."
Merlin glanced over and looked toward the still tranquil lake in front of him, following the sound.
The owner of the voice did not appear in his field of vision.
But Merlin didn't seem surprised by this; instead, he refuted the suggestion:
"Miss Vivian, please don't slander my character. Where have I lied?"
RNP