"Earth-Dragon Bloodline Potion."
Leylo slowly uttered those four words.
A wave of gasps rippled through the knightly ranks. The Earth-Dragon—a Tier 2 magical beast renowned among its peers for unparalleled strength and defense! To fuse with its bloodline was a rare opportunity for any Tier 1 knight.
"This potion was personally concocted by Master Barnaby," Leylo continued. "It won't just drastically enhance your strength and constitution; it will stimulate your bloodline potential, significantly increasing the probability of breaking through your bottlenecks. This may very well be the key support you need to step across the threshold into the realm of Tier 2 Great Knights."
The knights' breathing grew ragged. They stared at the vials with eyes full of longing, excitement, and a touch of awe for the unknown power. As warriors who survived by the blade, who didn't yearn to advance?
"Step forward and receive yours," Leylo ordered.
The knights approached one by one, solemnly taking their respective vials with both hands.
"After consuming it, circulate your Combat Qi with all your might. Guide and fuse this power. Remember, the process may be perilous, but the rewards will be immense."
The knights exchanged glances and, without hesitation, uncorked the bottles and downed the viscous liquid. An indescribable bitterness mixed with an earthy, metallic tang exploded in their mouths.
Almost instantly, the medicinal power erupted. A scalding torrent rose from their stomachs, sweeping through their limbs like molten lava. Their hearts hammered wildly, as if trying to burst from their chests. The air in the training ground suddenly grew heavy, permeated by a primal, savage aura.
"Ugh!"
Suppressed groans echoed throughout the field. Veins bulged on the knights' necks and arms, and the blood beneath their skin surged like boiling magma.
Bloodline Expansion!
Their faces alternated between flushed red and deathly pale. Beads of sweat poured from their foreheads, and their muscles spasmed uncontrollably. A faint, earthy-brown halo emerged on the surface of their bodies. Under the glow, the skin of some knights seemed to toughen, taking on a subtle, rock-like texture.
As Earth-Dragons are earth-attributed sub-dragons, the earth-elemental magic within the bloodline began to take effect, remodeling the knights' physiques to increase their bulk and raw power.
The Transformation
Every knight became locked in a struggle against their own will. Their Combat Qi circulated instinctively, attempting to harness this sudden, boundless force and integrate it into their own internal cycle. It was a contest of will versus blood.
Roy, a relatively lean young knight, clenched his teeth so hard they groaned. He could clearly feel the violent power within the bloodline rampaging through his meridians like an awakening beast. He mentally recited his cultivation mantras over and over, desperately trying to rein in the chaos. I cannot fail. I must not!
The tension was palpable. The knights' armor let out overstrained "creaks" as their muscles expanded beneath the metal. Time passed second by second, each breath feeling like an eternity.
Slowly, the initial violent shock subsided. The agony on their faces lessened. The earthy-brown halos stabilized, turning deeper and more condensed.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
A powerful shockwave erupted from a knight named Philip! He was usually unremarkable, known only for his persistence, having hovered at the peak of Tier 1 for a long time. Now, the Combat Qi in his body seemed to shatter an invisible shackle. His aura flared, and his pure Combat Qi flames became interlaced with thick, earthy-yellow energy, radiating a steady, heavy pressure.
"HYAH!"
Philip snapped his eyes open, his gaze piercing. He let out a long-suppressed roar toward the sky. His entire temperament had changed.
Tier 2 Great Knight! He had succeeded!
This sudden breakthrough acted like a shot of adrenaline for the other knights. Shortly after, another muffled roar sounded. Gerson, a steady and mature knight, shook violently. His already burly frame seemed to grow even taller as his earthy-yellow Combat Qi flared into substance, emitting an indestructible majesty. The stone slabs beneath his feet let out slight "cracking" sounds.
A second Tier 2 Great Knight was born!
Though the remaining eighteen knights didn't break through their tier on the spot, their changes were equally significant. Their sense of internal power far surpassed what it once was; their Combat Qi flowed more smoothly, and their foundations had become incredibly solid. They could feel the dormant, powerful energy in their veins. With time and continued cultivation, a breakthrough was only a matter of when, not if.
The New Vanguard
Leylo finally revealed a satisfied smile. The birth of two Great Knights and the massive improvement of the rest was a result even better than he had anticipated.
Philip and Gerson walked up to Leylo and knelt on one knee.
"Thank you for the reward, My Lord!" Philip's voice was thunderous.
"I am willing to die for you, Lord!" Gerson added gratefully.
The other knights followed suit, kneeling in unison as they felt their shed-skin-like transformation.
"Rise," Leylo stepped forward. "You earned this with your bravery and blood. A knight's glory is found on the battlefield. I look forward to your future performance!"
The knights stood up, stretching their limbs and feeling the surging power.
"My Lord," Philip began, his voice raspy with emotion. "This potion is like a gift from the gods! I feel like I could punch a bull to death with one blow!" He swung a fist, whistling through the air.
Gerson added in his deep voice, "The strength increase is too obvious. I estimate I'm at least thirty percent stronger—no, probably more! My body feels tougher, as if I'm wearing an invisible suit of armor."
"Defense and physique are hard to quantify, but it's a qualitative leap! I felt my bones hardening while the potion was working!" another knight shouted excitedly.
Leylo listened quietly. A 30% to 40% increase in raw strength was beyond his best expectations. Earth-Dragon bloodline was indeed exceptional for physical reinforcement. He raised a hand for silence.
"Excellent. Now that you have this power, you must use it where it matters most." Leylo's gaze swept over the twenty transformed men.
"Ed."
"Standing by!" Ed stepped forward.
"Prepare full sets of refined Heavy Plate Armor and Greatswords for these twenty."
Leylo declared: "From this day forward, you will serve as the first Heavy Armored Infantry Squad directly under the Moonlight Knight Order. Your mission is to charge the front lines, tear through enemy formations, and be the sharpest vanguard of Blackstone Territory!"
"Heavy Armored Infantry!" Philip and Gerson's eyes burned with fire. Heavy knights were the most terrifying presence on the field—the pillars of the army and the blades of the assault. These twenty would be the Lord's ace in the hole.
"We live and die for the Lord!" the twenty knights roared in unison, their voices shaking the fields with newfound, peerless confidence.
Leylo nodded with satisfaction, then turned his gaze toward the other side of the training ground.