Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 476 Creating the Ultimate Combat Power of the Black Forest Territory: The Ceiling of Martial Power in the Old World!

Gerson Grayrock and his people stood frozen at the tomb's entrance, as if petrified. The scene before them shattered their very senses and souls. The surging power pouring into Ankol Redbeard was the ancestral power they could clearly sense, a power of shared origin, mixed with the dissipating soul energy from the elven witch's shriek. This was not blasphemy; it was a gamble they could not comprehend, a sacrifice and reclaiming of what they had never imagined!

Gerson's battle axe clattered to the ground, seemingly oblivious. His wrinkled face was first filled with utter shock, then flushed crimson with burning shame. He remembered his earlier anger and doubt, how he had led his people away in a huff, almost leaving Lord Su Li—his tall friend who was truly fighting for the dignity and heritage of their people—utterly isolated and helpless.

“What…what have we done…” A dwarf veteran standing behind Gerson said in a hoarse voice, his voice trembling with tears, “We questioned his honor…”

“He never yielded…” another dwarf engineer murmured, gazing at Su Li’s composed figure with eyes filled with admiration and regret, “He was always plotting… for us…”

Ge Sen abruptly raised his head, his beard trembling with excitement. He looked at Su Li, whose tall human figure now appeared incredibly imposing.

Shame burned through his body like molten lava, but even stronger was an overwhelming gratitude and a rekindled, almost fanatical loyalty. He opened his mouth, wanting to shout something, but found his throat choked by emotion, ultimately culminating in a heavy, trembling breath.

He bent down to pick up the battle axe, gripped it tightly until his knuckles turned white, and all his words were transformed into an incredibly complex look in his eyes as he gazed at Su Li—a look that contained apology, shock, and above all, unwavering trust from that moment on.

Meanwhile, on the high platform, Yseramar Vil the Starspeaker was experiencing a torment far more painful than the loss of energy—the ultimate horror and resentment of a millennium-long plan collapsing in an instant.

She could feel her own power—the essence of her soul, accumulated over millennia and sustained through endless solitude, was irreversibly flowing towards that dwarven spirit, along with the power of her dwarven ancestors that she had painstakingly absorbed. And the culprit behind all of this was none other than that short-lived mortal she had never truly taken seriously!
"No...impossible!" Her scream was filled with disbelief and rage; the excruciating pain in her soul paled in comparison to the shock of her shattered understanding. "You...you're just a mortal...how dare you...how could you?!"

She finally understood. From the moment Su Li proposed the phased transaction, everything had been part of his calculations. All his doubts, compromises, and even his seemingly "fooled" attitude were meticulously designed performances! He had long seen through her disguise and understood that her desire for the remains was far more complex than simply "purification."

The enormous misjudgment had devastating consequences. She underestimated him, thinking he was just a short-lived creature with a bit of cleverness, trying to get better terms in a deal.

She thought herself a legendary mage wielding the chessboard, while her opponent was merely a slightly special piece. All her anxiety, her deliberate disregard for Mhawa, her performance of "purification"... all these flaws were keenly observed by this mortal she despised, and in turn, woven into a web that buried her millennia-long ambition!
The black box hidden within the core of her ultimate power is the most lethal proof. He not only saw through it, but he also prepared a weapon capable of directly destroying her plans!

Ten thousand years of waiting, ten thousand years of endurance, ten thousand years of torment in loneliness and resentment, only one step away from final liberation and a powerful rebirth... but all that was lost because of a misjudgment of a "mortal"!
The despair and anger brought about by this realization even temporarily overshadowed the pain of having one's energy being frantically drained.

"Insect! You damned ant!!!" she uttered a blood-curdling curse, her spirit writhing wildly in the energy storm, attempting a final struggle, but all in vain. The dark rift mercilessly devoured everything she had, turning her millennia-old ambition and resentment, along with herself, into nourishment for her enemy.

The dwarves' performance was simply too perfect—no! Their anger and departure were not feigned! The spirit of Yseramar suddenly realized this in his collapse.

That was no performance! Those dwarves, those stubborn, impulsive dwarves who valued honor more than life itself, their anger and contempt were genuine! They truly believed that Su Li had betrayed their alliance and succumbed to the elves! They truly left with indignation at being insulted!

This realization was like the last icicle, piercing through her confused consciousness.

He actually... lied to his own people?!

To convince her that his "compromise" was genuine and to completely dispel her doubts, he didn't hesitate to endure the misunderstandings and betrayals of his allies, keeping even the dwarves in the dark! It was precisely their genuine anger and departure that perfectly corroborated his "yield," making her believe it without a doubt and leading her into the final trap!

How calm? Or rather, how ruthless!
Ysera's soul howled, but no sound came out. She felt a chilling coldness far deeper than the loss of her energy. She thought she was manipulating people's hearts, but she never imagined she had been manipulated from beginning to end. The mortal lord's meticulousness, profound calculations, control over the situation, and his decisiveness in temporarily enduring misunderstanding to achieve his goals... were simply terrifying!
Having lived for millennia, she believed she had seen through the ways of the world and understood human nature. Yet, before this short-lived creature, her pride and wisdom were shattered. She did not lose to luck, nor to force, but rather to the opponent's cold and efficient scheming, which far exceeded her expectations.

A bittersweet realization, mixed with the emptiness of a thousand-year ambition utterly bankrupted, spread through her fading consciousness.

So... losing to such an opponent... doesn't seem... entirely... a disgrace...

This final thought, filled with endless mockery, accompanied her last vestige of spiritual essence as it was completely devoured by the greedy black box, flowing into the surging torrent of energy and being injected into Ankol Redbeard's increasingly solidified heroic spirit body.

But before Ysera's consciousness was completely extinguished, it coalesced with all her resentment and the pure malice accumulated over millennia. Instead of resisting the black hole that was devouring her, she channeled her remaining will and her last vestige of control over the magical winds into a dim, yet powerful, ray of dark energy, imbued with the most malevolent curses and chaotic power. Like the final strike of a dying viper, it hurtled towards Ankol Redbeard, who was absorbing the energy!

The attack had no physical impact, yet it caused Ankol Redbeard's massive body to shudder violently! The ancestral power that was boiling over his body and growing ever more intense as it absorbed power instantly mixed with a murky purplish-black hue. Deep within his eyes, which burned with battle intent, a mad crimson light suddenly shone and then spread rapidly!

"Ugh... Ahhh!!!" Anker Redbeard let out a roar that was no longer a battle cry, but one filled with pain and madness! His spirit body fluctuated violently, and the power he had just gathered became restless.

The next moment, he suddenly swung the huge Thunder Battle Axe!
Boom--!!!
The moment the battle axe was swung, it wasn't just a simple sound of wind breaking, but a deafening roar of thunder! Thick, silvery-white lightning coiled around the axe blade like a giant python, tearing through the air and slamming down with an aura of annihilation towards the nearest being—Su Li and his Chosen Ones!

The ground was scorched and shattered by the dissipating lightning before the battle axe even hit! Debris flew everywhere, carrying high temperatures and electric currents!
"Form ranks! Defend!" Su Li's roar was weak amidst the thunderous roar, but his and the Chosen Knights reacted with lightning speed. The heavy shield, Echoing Mountains, instantly appeared before everyone, holy light and defensive runes illuminating simultaneously!

boom! ! ! !

The battle axe slammed heavily onto the shield!

That wasn't the sound of metal clashing; it was more like a landslide! The terrifying impact instantly slammed Hilde, shield and all, off the ground, sending her flying backward. Her arm armor groaned under the strain, her body went numb, and lightning crackled across its surface! The defensive formation was instantly torn open.

And this is just the first strike!
Driven into a brief frenzy, Ancol Redbeard disregarded friend and foe alike. Like a source of lightning that had been detonated, he swung his battle axe wildly! Every slash and every sweep was accompanied by a deafening thunderstorm!
The hall had become a lightning hell! Wherever the battle axe passed, it plowed out scorched trenches in the ground, ancient stone pillars shattered and crumbled when struck by lightning, and crystal coffins were pierced by the stray currents and exploded into dust! The deafening thunder continued incessantly, and the blinding flashes of lightning made it impossible for anyone to look directly at them. They could only rely on instinct and experience to dodge and parry with great difficulty.

The chosen knights attempted to retaliate, but their weapons struck Ankol Redbeard's solidified spirit body, producing only a few sparks and failing to inflict any effective damage. Instead, each time they parried his attacks, it felt like being struck head-on by a battering ram, their blood churning, their hands splitting, and their armor dented!

Su Li's figure weaved through the gaps in the lightning, trying to find an opportunity, but the absolute difference in strength made any technique seem pale and powerless. A bolt of lightning grazed his shoulder armor, instantly burning it red-hot. The terrible burning pain and numbness made him pause, and he was almost struck by the axe blade that followed. He was only able to avoid it by a chosen knight sacrificing himself to push him aside.

But the chosen knights did not back down. Despite facing legendary ancestral spirits and despite attacks imbued with earth-shattering thunderous power, they still roared in battle and launched a desperate counterattack!

"For the Lord! In Violet's name!" Orstein roared, his chosen warhammer erupting with dazzling golden holy light, like a miniature sun. He leaped up, the warhammer, imbued with the burning conviction to purify demons, slamming it down towards Ankol Redbeard's knee. Golden light and lightning collided violently, producing a deafening explosion. Orstein was thrown back by the recoil, his hand split open, blood staining the hammer handle. But the holy light did indeed cause Redbeard's spirit to tremble; the purplish-black filth seemed to be slightly burned away.

Tiberius, like a raging bear, abandoned all defense, gripping his massive battle axe tightly with both hands, his muscles bulging, and roared as he unleashed a whirlwind slash! The battle axe, whistling through the air, struck Ankol Redbeard's calves repeatedly, erupting in a series of blinding sparks and exploding electrical fragments. His attack was ferocious and direct; each strike caused Redbeard's spirit to sway slightly, but also subjected him to a terrifying shockwave. His armor blazed, his hair stood on end, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

Durmst stood a short distance away, his raven screeching and circling in the air, casting ominous shadows. He chanted ancient incantations, and with a wave of his hands, dark energy spread out like tentacles, not through brute force, but by attempting to entangle and corrode the raging spirit, weakening its power. The shadow energy was largely dispersed upon contact with the lightning, but it always stubbornly reformed, slowly eroding the spirit.

The remaining dozen or so Chosen Knights fought to the death, refusing to retreat. Faced with the thunderous battle axe, brimming with destructive energy and about to strike, and the madness in the eyes of the heroic spirits that had completely extinguished reason, everyone knew that holding back was pointless.

A resolute glint flashed in Su Li's eyes, and the fighting spirit deep within his soul, igniting against all the chosen ones, instantly reached its peak!
"In the name of the gods—I will risk my life!" Su Li's roar was no longer the voice of a mortal, but seemed to echo with the voices of countless souls. "Roar—!!!"

More than a dozen golden beams of light, like sharp swords tearing through the sky, suddenly erupted from each of the chosen ones, heading straight for the dome of the tomb! A terrifying torrent of energy instantly swept through the entire space, even temporarily suppressing the raging lightning on Ankol Redbeard's body.

Within the light, their forms expanded and grew to enormous sizes at an incredible speed! Indestructible golden divine armor instantly materialized on their bodies, ancient holy symbols shining brightly on their breastplates. The weapons in their hands also grew enormous, burning with their own unique radiance of power—

Orstein transformed into the most majestic golden god-general, his warhammer like a mountain, spewing forth dazzling purifying holy flames; Tiberius's god-general form was muscular and roared like thunder, his giant axe wreathed in a violent power that could tear through space; Thranville was like a goddess of ice, with a storm of frigid ice crystals howling around her; Hilde held high the now enormous "Echoes of the Mountains," its shield runes shining like stars! The other chosen ones also displayed their respective god-general forms.

In an instant, more than a dozen golden generals, each thirty meters tall and radiating immense divine power, rose from the ground, making the once spacious hall extremely crowded! Their enormous bodies stood tall and imposing, their boundless divine power mixed with a death-defying will, creating a terrifying sense of oppression that could rival even the maddened spirits of their ancestors!

"For our lord!! Fight to the death!!!"

Orstein's roar, like a divine oracle, resounded throughout the entire space. He was the first to swing his mountain-like warhammer, smashing it down with the force to crush everything in its path towards Ankol Redbeard!

Ancol Redbeard also let out a chaotic roar, and Thunder Axe met it fearlessly!
boom! ! ! ! ! ! !
The moment the hammer and axe clashed, it was like two meteors colliding! An indescribable roar and shockwave exploded outwards! Rocks from the tomb's dome rained down, and the surrounding stone pillars crumbled and shattered in pieces! Golden holy fire and silver lightning snakes clashed, tore, and exploded in a frenzy!
The battle instantly escalated to its most brutal and primal level, reaching an extraordinary level!
A dozen divine generals besieged a crazed thunder spirit! The entire hall transformed into a battlefield from mythology!

Tiberius's giant axe, imbued with earth-shattering power, cleaved into Redbeard's shoulder armor, sending sparks flying and golden fragments scattering everywhere. He himself was also struck in the chest and abdomen by a backhand axe, his divine armor dented, and he staggered backward, spitting out golden blood.

Thranville's frost continuously froze Redbeard's movements, but the ice was shattered by the raging lightning the moment it was formed. However, she did not stop, and the extreme cold continued to erode the power of the lightning.

Demst's raven was like a ghost, each strike attempting to tear at Redbeard's soul, only to be constantly burned and melted by the raging power of thunder, black energy churning.

Hilde stood at the forefront, her "Echoes of the Mountains" shield repeatedly withstanding the fierce blows of the Thunder Axe. Each collision caused her massive divine body to tremble violently, and terrible cracks appeared on the shield's surface, which she painstakingly repaired with her burning divine power.

The remaining gods launched attacks from all directions! Greatswords slashed down, spears thrust, holy beams of light bombarded, and storms and flames swept across! Their attacks rained down on Ankol Redbeard like a storm, blasting countless energy spots and fragments!
But the berserk Redbeard was too powerful! Every swing of his Thunder Axe carried the power to destroy the world, forcing the gods to either dodge or withstand the blows. Each collision sent a god flying backward, crashing through large sections of walls, shattering divine armor, and dimming its light!

This is a mad battle of divinity and life!
The gods' power was rapidly waning, their forms becoming unsteady, their light flickering, yet they fought on relentlessly! When Orstein's warhammer shattered, he smashed it with his fists! When Tiberius's axe blade broke, he rammed it with his body! Thranville's ice shattered and reformed time and again! The shadows of Durmst were constantly dispelled and then coalesced once more!

Golden divine blood and shattered energy fragments rained down like a storm, mingling with exploding lightning and crumbling rocks. Every second felt incredibly long, every strike a soul-shaking experience.

The battle was extremely fierce.

Within the hall, lightning clashed and clashed wildly with holy light, ice, and shadow, the turbulent energy tearing at the air. The chosen knights appeared so small before the colossal heroic spirits, yet they pressed on relentlessly. Their armor was scorched and dented, their cloaks ablaze with electricity, and their linings stained crimson with blood. Orstein's golden light flickered erratically, Tiberius's roar was laced with painful hoarseness, Thranville's face was ashen, and black blood seeped from Durmst's lips.

They exerted all their strength, employed every means at their disposal, and their coordination was flawless. But faced with absolute power and the raging thunder, their counterattacks were like waves crashing against rocks—valiant, yet unable to truly shake their target. All they could do was stall, using their bodies and willpower to wear down the power of the crazed heroic spirit, protecting Su Li behind them, and waiting for that slim chance of a turnaround.

An atmosphere of despair permeated the air. They saw no hope of victory; every attack seemed futile, and every defense teetered on the brink of collapse.

At this moment of despair—

Ancol Redbeard once again raised his Thunder Axe high, its destructive energy gathering wildly, poised to deliver the final blow...

His movements suddenly froze.

The violent lightning power receded like a tide, and the mad bloodlust in his eyes quickly faded, replaced by a brief moment of clarity, and even a faint trace of apology, as if from ten thousand years ago, as he swept over the disheveled but still fighting desperately chosen ones below.

Then, his incredibly solid heroic spirit body began to rapidly become transparent and dissipate, like a sandcastle in the wind.

The immense pressure vanished abruptly, and the deafening thunder ceased abruptly.

Just two minutes later... the summoning time was up.

The massive Thunder Axe was the first to dissipate into specks of light, followed by his arms, body... Finally, the towering figure vanished completely from the hall, leaving behind only a devastated ground riddled with scorch marks and craters, and the thick smell of ozone and blood in the air, testifying to the brief but terrifying explosion that had just occurred.

The chosen knights, having survived the ordeal, were almost completely exhausted. They leaned on their weapons or knelt on one knee, panting heavily, with tiny arcs of electricity occasionally crackling across their bodies. They looked at each other, and in each other's eyes, they saw an indelible fear and a hint of bewilderment at having survived.

Bound by chains, Mhawa's soul flame nearly dissipated in fear. He muttered, "Two minutes... this heroic spirit only exists for two minutes... but this is fucking too exciting..."

Su Li knelt on one knee, using his spear to support his almost broken body, breathing heavily. Each breath aggravated the pain from the lightning burns and shockwaves all over his body, and the strong ozone and blood stench filled his lungs. He looked around; the Chosen Ones were all wounded, their armor tattered, their breathing labored, and their faces still bearing the marks of lingering fear.

The relief of surviving the ordeal lasted only a moment before being replaced by an even stronger emotion—a deep lingering fear of Anker Redbeard's terrifying power, and... an uncontrollable, almost boiling, ecstatic joy!
He experienced it firsthand.

That devastating thunderous battle axe, with each swing, felt like divine punishment, shaking his very soul. The absolute difference in power rendered all skill and teamwork utterly futile. The dozen or so Chosen Ones, exerting all their strength, even transforming into divine generals, could only desperately hold out against its frenzied attacks, stalling for time, with no chance of victory. That despairing sense of oppression, that terror of being crushed to dust every second, was deeply etched into his memory.

That's incredible! Is this the power of a high-level legendary figure?!

This is just a corrupted, irrational heroic spirit fighting only on instinct! If Ancol Redbeard were to remain conscious and fight with all his might under his command, what a cataclysmic scene that would be! Su Li simply cannot imagine what kind of enemy or army could withstand the violent onslaught of such a thunder incarnation at this stage!

And now, this terrifying high-level legendary hero that made him personally experience despair... belongs to him, Su Li!
A surge of heat rushed to his head, flushing his pale, exhausted face with an excited blush. His heart pounded in his chest, not from fear, but from extreme excitement and ambition.

From this day forward, the Black Forest Territory possesses a true strategic deterrent! A high-level legendary force that can be summoned anytime, anywhere, fearless of death, and capable of appearing in its full, peak form in every battle! What does this mean?
This means that no matter how fortified the fortress, how large the legion, or how powerful the enemy hero, they could all be shattered in an instant before Ankol Redbeard's raging thunder! This will completely change the Black Forest Territory's position in the entire Old World order!

Admittedly, a long-standing low-level legendary being (like Old Jasper in his normal state) can provide continuous protection and a stable high-end combat force, which is crucial for the long-term development and defense of a territory. However, a high-level legendary hero who can be deployed to any battlefield at any time to carry out decisive decapitations or raids, and who is not afraid of losses... in Su Li's view, its strategic value is even greater and more flexible!
This is like possessing a reusable, incredibly powerful, one-time strategic weapon! The initiative, deterrence, and ability to break through existing situations it brings are unmatched by any permanent legendary player!
"It was worth it...it was all worth it..." Su Li murmured to himself, his voice hoarse with excitement. All the adventures, all the calculations, all the pain seemed insignificant compared to this final reward.

He slowly stood up. Although his body was still in pain, his eyes had become incredibly bright and sharp, filled with boundless ambition for the future. The rise of Black Forest Territory would truly take flight because of the existence of this legendary heroic spirit!

Of course, the most important significance for Su Li is that with this military pillar, the long-term stability of his territory and the continuation of his rule can be guaranteed. He can then focus on developing his territory in peace. Given time, he can conquer the entire world while simply farming!
(End of this chapter)