"Earth Drake Bloodline Potion?"
Leylo's interest was instantly piqued. This was a critical component of his "Dragon-Blooded Knight" improvement plan. He grabbed Master Barnaby's hand and led him back to the castle hall for a detailed discussion.
The "Sub-Dragon" Standard
After gulping down some water, Barnaby explained with undiminished excitement: "The primary effect of this potion is a massive increase in the user's physical defense and raw strength. Imagine the thick hides and immense power of those Earth Drakes integrated into your knights! Plus, the Earth Drake bloodline is relatively mild, so the success rate and safety are much higher than expected."
Leylo decided on the spot to select twenty knights from the Moonlight Knight Order as the first batch of candidates.
However, Barnaby's excitement suddenly soured. He smacked his lips and waved a hand dismissively. "The Earth Drake bloodline... it's just okay. Better than nothing, I suppose."
Leylo was stunned by the master's sudden mood swing. Barnaby continued, "My Lord, Earth Drakes are only Tier 2 beasts. Their potential is limited. I'm almost out of Iron-Backed Dragon Lizards in the lab. You need to hurry up and get me a new batch."
"Iron-Backed Dragon Lizards?" Leylo raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly," Barnaby grinned, his bird-nest hair swaying. "My experiments show that if integrated successfully, their bloodline doesn't just increase strength and physique by 50%, it can even awaken Earth-element magic skills! Earth Drakes are just 'Sub-Dragons' at best—just a temporary fix."
Barnaby left Leylo with a few strict warnings:
One Shot Only: A knight can usually only integrate one type of bloodline potion in their lifetime.
Level Requirement: The candidate's level cannot be more than one rank lower than the beast's level, or the risk of failure is extreme.
"I'll give the formula to that kid Karl later. I'm not making these low-level potions anymore," Barnaby yawned, shambling out while mumbling about "blood concentration" and "scale samples."
The Joint Muster
Three days passed in a flash. At the desolate entrance of the canyon marking the border between Blackstone and Amber territories, the sounds of hooves and griffin cries melded together.
Leylo sat atop the Storm Griffin King, Tempest, whose yellow-brown iron feathers shimmered in the morning breeze. Behind him, a flock of Storm Griffins held a loose formation, and twenty Pegasus Knights hovered in the air with solemn expressions. On the ground, Ed and Alex led the Moonlight Knight Order, their veteran eyes filled with anticipation for the mammoth hunt.
Soon, a golden silhouette appeared on the horizon. Lillian arrived atop her magnificent Golden-Feathered Griffin, wearing fiery red mage's leathers that highlighted her heroic spirit.
Behind her were one hundred knights of the Blazing Knight Order in crimson chainmail. But what caught Leylo's eye was the flank: Archmage Elena and her students were all mounted on the Pegasuses Leylo had gifted Lillian.
"A Pegasus Mage Squad?" Leylo smiled.
"Of course!" Lillian lifted her chin proudly. "Pegasus speed combined with long-range magic suppression is much more flexible than a simple knight charge. Brilliant, right?"
"Indeed, a stroke of genius," Leylo praised. This combination solved the mages' vulnerability issues and had massive potential for the coming war.
With the two forces united, the core leaders met on a flat clearing.
"Brother," Lillian said, "I've already told Teacher Elena and Captain Kane. This operation is led by Blackstone. The Amber forces will follow your command."
Leylo nodded, accepting the responsibility without hesitation.