Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 482 The Generous Blessings of the Goddess of the Sun

Su Li stood at the edge of Radiant Plaza, looking down at the valley below. Sunlight pierced through the crisp air, illuminating the entire Sacred Radiance Valley. Behind him were not ordinary pilgrims, but a formidable and elite army.

A full contingent of one hundred Black Forest Guard knights served as the ceremonial guard, clad in gilded plate armor polished to a gleaming shine specifically for the ceremony, their golden bauhinia emblems gleaming like flames in the sunlight. Holding spears adorned with banners of the blazing sun, they stood solemnly on either side of the pilgrimage route, like two rows of golden torches stretching from the valley entrance to Radiant Plaza.

Further out, elite squads of the Suncrown Knights and the Light Arrow Knights were on guard, protecting all the high points and entrances to the valley to ensure the ceremony was undisturbed. A solemn yet menacing aura permeated the air; this was no ordinary religious event, but a grand ceremony where a powerful lord displayed his military achievements to his guardian deity and prayed for further blessings.

Priest Rong En had changed into his most solemn robes, woven with gold thread and red velvet, and wore the sun crown symbolizing the authority of the Patriarch. Behind him followed all the resident priests and priests of the temple, each with a solemn expression.

“My lord, everything is ready.” Rong En stepped forward and bowed. “The offerings have been placed in front of the sacred fire basin as you instructed.”

Su Li nodded. His gaze swept over the spoils: the twisted and ferocious staff of the ancient lich Jasper, temporarily restrained by holy runes, still exuded an unsettling chill;
The faded yet still vibrant leaf of the sacred tree of Aetherarion;
And a total of thirteen swords—ten of which were of perfect quality and the other three were of rare quality. They had all drunk the blood of the legendary dwarven ancestors, and their blades seemed to still bear the marks of past battles and the roars of their unwillingness. These weapons were carefully placed on an altar covered with deep red velvet, silently telling the story of the tragedy and glory of the Valley of Memory.

This is the rich reward of the battle in the Valley of Memories!
In this battle, he deployed almost all of his main forces, even his dwarven allies and the Church Knights. It was a true test of all the strength and resources he had accumulated since his transmigration.

The results were also spectacular; with the help of the intelligence system, he perfectly predicted all of Jasper's movements.

Old Jasper, however, was terrified by the battle of the vanguard, misjudged the strength of the Black Forest Territory, and made the worst decision in the face of battle.

This allowed Su Li and Heisenling to defeat this legendary-level power in a single battle!
Even more encouraging is that, despite the fierce fighting, the main force of the Black Forest Territory did not suffer significant losses. In the decisive battle against Raven Territory, although the Black Forest Territory army was exhausted, the departure of Old Jasper meant that the Night Wanderers' main force lost its most formidable offensive power, thus limiting the damage inflicted on the Black Forest Territory.

This was also due to the exceptionally superior weaponry of the Blacksin Territory, whose entire army possessed sturdy equipment and excellent armor. The undead inflicted over 4000 casualties, but the number of soldiers killed was likely less than 400. These 400 casualties included church knights and dwarves. Therefore, the elite professional legion of the Blacksin Territory suffered only about 200-300 casualties.

The rest, thanks to the Black Forest Territory's strong logistical support and large-scale medical treatment, were mostly able to return to the battlefield and recover fully.

In fact, the real losses of the territory's army came from the Valley of Memories.

The war against the truly legendary ancient lich Jasper the Elder, the illusion of participating in the ancient War of the Longbeard, the purification of the remains of three legendary dwarven ancestors, the fight against the ancient rock people, and so on. This battle can be considered his strongest and most glorious campaign since he took control of Blackforest.

This was not a battle of legions on an open plain, but a deep abyss struggle fought in a cursed land distorted by time and space, filled with millennia of resentment. The direct confrontation with the legendary ancient lich, Jasper the Elder, was far more perilous than the battle of Raven's Lair. Jasper the Elder's own death magic, each strike capable of tearing the earth apart and freezing souls; the high elf undead guards he summoned possessed swordsmanship as exquisite as in life, and felt no pain, nor fear of death; not to mention the twisted magical constructs and the omnipresent whispers of the dead, constantly eroding the will of the living.

The most terrifying of all is the shattered illusion of the War of the Longbeard, forcibly maintained by holy mages and legendary masters during the elves' most glorious era. Stepping into it is like instantly transporting one back to that ancient time when the alliance between the dwarves and elves broke apart, and the land was stained with blood. Warriors not only have to face the indiscriminate, ferocious attacks of the ancient dwarfs and elven spirits within the illusion, but also bear the immense grief and rage brought about by that history itself. Many warriors do not die from swords, but from mental breakdowns, or from exhaustion amidst endless, tragic illusions.

It was in this desolate land that Su Li led his most elite forces—the Chosen Knights, the strongest among the dwarven allies, and the Church's battle priests—on the most arduous purification and liberation. They not only had to defeat the guardian undead, but also carefully peel away the malevolent seals the elves had placed on the remains of three legendary dwarven ancestors, guiding their raging battle spirits to rest. Every step was fraught with immense risk and mental strain.

The devastating cost was thus incurred. In the core area of ​​the Valley of Memories, the Black Forest Territory and its allies suffered far greater casualties than the Raven Territory. Among the fallen were experienced veterans, promising officers, and even a large number of outstanding knights. Their sacrifice became the cornerstone of the final victory. It can be said that the victory in the Valley of Memories was forged with the blood and will of the most elite warriors.

However, the immense risk also brought unprecedented riches! Completely purifying a legendary lich was an unparalleled achievement for the Church of the Sun Goddess. This glorious feat would surely spread throughout the entire empire.

The fall of any legendary power is a major event affecting the entire Old World. During this process, the Church of the Sun Goddess also gains immense glory and enjoys a period of great prominence.

The significance of liberating the remains of the three legendary dwarven ancestors transcends the material realm, winning the gratitude and friendship of the entire dwarven race. This political and strategic gain cannot be measured in monetary terms.

But at this moment, Su Li was most moved by something else. His gaze fell on the thirteen gleaming weapons, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. He was once again grateful for the power of the daily intelligence system.

"If it weren't for the daily intelligence alerts, who would have thought of sacrificing these weapons stained with the blood of legendary dwarves to please the goddess?"

These are no ordinary spoils of war! Three of them are rare treasures! In the entire Blackforest Territory, even with all the spoils and gifts from the dwarven allies, weapons of this caliber are extremely rare. Each one is worthy of being a heirloom of a powerful knightly order, or the sword of a general guarding a region. Even his chosen knights haven't managed to equip each of them with a rare weapon; most still use perfect-grade equipment.

And legendary weapons? There are only two in the entire territory: the Oath Spear in his hand that commands and controls the Green Knight Legion, and the Engineer's Hammer - Heart of Fire, left behind by the legendary dwarven engineer and used to process the finest materials.

Unless the intelligence system explicitly states that sacrificing these rare weapons of a specific nature would greatly please the goddess and grant the fourth and fifth levels of triumphant ceremonies… logically speaking, Su Li would never have thrown such precious, top-tier equipment—equipped to significantly enhance the strength of core generals—into the sacred flame. His more likely choice would have been to bestow them upon meritorious officials or to keep them as treasures.

It can be said that the intelligence system is the advantage that allows Su Li to seize every opportunity and obtain the greatest value!
It can not only avoid risks and find resources, but also maximize the conversion of spoils and value in the most efficient and unimaginable way! It can also guide him to make precise decisions that seem "luxurious" but actually yield returns far exceeding the investment.

It was precisely because of this extraordinary guidance that he was able to stand here at this moment, and with the most appropriate offering, perfectly complete this triumphant sacrifice, winning the goddess's unexpectedly generous reward, and completely solidifying the results of the bloody battle in the Valley of Memories into the powerful foundation of the Black Forest Territory.

The sacred flame gradually subsided, its light dimming, but the divine aura permeating the entire Blazing Sun Temple grew ever stronger. Su Li could feel that the land beneath his feet, and he, and his army, were becoming increasingly intertwined.

"Pass down the order," Su Li's voice regained the composure and majesty of a lord, as he instructed Rong En, "Give all fallen soldiers a grand burial and double their compensation. Their names shall be engraved on the Monument to the Fallen in the Temple, to be remembered for generations to come and to be honored by the Goddess."

"I will obey your will, my lord." Rong En bowed and accepted the order, his eyes filled with boundless anticipation for the future.

Su Li took a deep breath and strode towards the sacred cauldron in the center of the square. All the knights' eyes were fixed on him, and the only sound in the air was the fluttering of the banners in the wind.

He stood before the sacred flame, turned around, and faced the massive stained-glass dome of the main hall. Noon was approaching, and the angle of the sunlight was becoming increasingly perfect.

Patriarch Ron led the priests in chanting an ancient and solemn hymn, praising the wisdom, courage, and justice of Violet, the goddess of the sun. The song echoed through the valley, carrying a strange, penetrating power, as if reaching the heavens.

As the sun reached its zenith, the most intense sunlight pierced through the stained glass of the dome, instantly bathing the entire Radiant Plaza in a flowing, almost tangible golden-red glow! The flames in the cauldron seemed to be summoned as well, leaping several meters high with a crackling sound and radiating brilliant light.

This is the moment!

Su Li stepped forward. His voice, though not a roar, clearly overpowered the hymns and the sounds of fire, carrying the unique majesty of a lord and the steadfastness of a warrior, echoing throughout the valley:

"In the name of Su Li Bauhinia, Lord of Blackforest! In the name of your devout knight and defender!"

He began to recount, recounting the depths of the Valley of Memory, the bloody battle against the undead army, the tragic liberation of the legendary dwarven spirits, the slaying of the ancient lich, and the rekindling of hope symbolized by the sacred leaves… His words flowed like an epic, narrating that arduous campaign, each word imbued with power and glory. “…We give you victory and glory! May your light shine forever upon the land of Blackforest!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Su Li suddenly waved his hand.

The servants immediately threw the offerings one by one into the blazing sacred fire!
First, there was the lich staff. The moment it touched the holy fire, it emitted a sharp, piercing wail. Countless plumes of black smoke tried to break free, but were mercilessly devoured and purified by the holy flames, eventually turning to ashes.

Next was the Aetherarian Leaf, which, instead of burning in the flames, emitted a soft emerald light, reflecting off the golden-red sacred fire as if engaging in a dialogue of life, before finally slowly merging into the flames, making it even brighter and purer.

Finally, there were the thirteen blades stained with the blood of legend. They were thrown in one by one, enveloped in sacred fire. The bloodstains, resentment, and battle marks on their blades seemed to be forged and tempered, the metal itself humming under the intense heat, as if bidding a final farewell and sublimation. The sacred fire, having absorbed these items imbued with immense power and meaning, burned even more fiercely, its light almost blinding, its scorching heat waves rolling, yet carrying an aura of holiness rather than burning.

Everyone watched this scene with bated breath.

At this moment, a sudden change occurred!
The soaring holy fire suddenly contracted inward, then erupted, transforming into a massive golden-red pillar of light that shot straight into the sky! Within the pillar of light, countless golden feathers and burning runes seemed to fall and merge into the bodies of every knight and priest below.

Su Li felt an incomparably pure, warm, and powerful force pour into him from the top of his head, instantly flowing through his limbs and bones. It perfectly merged with the dragon blood power and moon essence within him, not only without conflict, but also making it more condensed and stronger. He felt his power barrier loosen a bit more, and his control over energy reached a new level.

At the same time, he clearly felt that his connection with the blazing temple beneath his feet and with this land had become even stronger. An invisible, immense domain power spread out from the temple, enveloping the entire southwestern region of the Black Forest Territory. He could almost "see" the knights stationed there, their morale soaring, their weapons and armor seemingly coated with a barely perceptible yet real golden aura.

The fourth blessing, the Rainbow Barrier, is now in effect! The temple's defenses have been strengthened by the goddess's will!

Immediately afterwards, a more condensed, scroll-like phantom, seemingly written from liquid flames and gold—the Fifth Gift: Blood Ink Script—slowly emerged from the pillar of light, gently falling into Su Li's hand and merging into his palm, transforming into a scorching mark. Information about its purpose instantly flooded his mind: this was a powerful, one-time divine grace that could provide an army with near-absolute magical protection at the most critical moment, or transform into a devastating holy strike.

The towering golden-red pillar of light did not immediately dissipate. Instead, after reaching its peak, it seemed to come alive, slowly contracting and condensing inward. The energy of heaven and earth seemed to be seized by an invisible giant hand, surging wildly towards the center of the pillar of light.

Within Holy Radiance Valley, the wind ceased abruptly, and even the murmuring of Tearful Stream seemed swallowed by the sacred silence. Everyone held their breath, their hearts gripped as if by a warm and powerful hand, filled with indescribable anticipation and awe.

At the core of the pillar of light, the radiance was so intense it was almost like liquid flames and gold. Within this ultimate brilliance, an even more dazzling and purer golden spot began to appear.

It did not fall from the sky, but was naturally conceived and formed out of thin air from the radiance that contained the will of the goddess!

First came an incredibly complex and ever-changing phantom of the Sun Emblem—it was not just a simple pattern, but more like countless tiny tactical runes, the outlines of spears and shields, and the patterns of scrolls of civilization, all intertwined and dying in an instant! Then, a vast amount of divine energy rapidly filled and shaped it within this framework.

The light has materialized!

A warm, translucent amber crystal, imbued with a golden hue, took shape first, as if a drop of the purest essence of the sun had solidified. A mithril-like silver light (not physical mithril, but the metallic luster of highly concentrated ordered energy) spontaneously coiled upwards, precisely outlining the inlaid base and the intricate defensive array patterns. The entire process was silent yet filled with the power of creation, as if an invisible divine craftsman was using light as a hammer and faith as an anvil to forge something beyond mortal comprehension.

Finally, as the light gradually stabilized, a flawless amulet—the Heart of the Sun Amulet—completely took shape, radiating a constant warmth and majesty. It hovered quietly in the center of the pillar of light, slowly rotating, each rotation scattering golden dust. This dust fell onto the armor and weapons of the knights below, producing a soft, melodious tinkling sound, like the gentle caress and blessing of a goddess.

"A miracle!" An elderly pastor was the first to break down in tears, kneeling on the ground, his voice choked with emotion.

The shout broke the silence and ignited the suppressed excitement in everyone.

The next moment, the amulet transformed into a smooth golden arc of light, gently yet with an undeniable sense of destiny, flying towards Su Li and finally hovering steadily around his neck. The instant the amulet touched his chest, a visible golden ripple, flowing with runic light, suddenly spread out from him, sweeping across the entire Radiant Plaza!

All the blazing sun believers and knights swept by the ripples felt a warm current flow through their bodies.

The injured person felt a slight tingling or itching sensation in the wound, the pain was significantly reduced, and some minor wounds even began to heal at a visible speed!

Those who were exhausted felt refreshed, and the weariness brought on by the days of running around and tension was swept away, and their fighting spirit was renewed.

The weapons in their hands and the armor on their bodies were briefly covered with a faint golden halo, as if they had received a temporary divine blessing, which implicitly enhanced their lethality and defensive capabilities against evil.

This was precisely the subtle effect unconsciously released from the talisman's Sun Barrier and the tactical divine grace, yet it had already allowed everyone to experience its unparalleled power!

Su Li reached out and grasped the legendary amulet. The crystal was set in an exquisite mithril base, which was engraved with intricate sun emblems, tactical array diagrams, and a pattern symbolizing Violet's crossed sword and shield. The amulet exuded a constant and reassuring warmth, and when touched, one could feel a faint yet firm pulse of energy, like the steady heartbeat of a calm commander.

It also possesses the dual characteristics of a legendary amulet, both individual and strategic. Firstly, there's the strategic [Tactical Divine Grace], which subtly enhances the wearer's tactical insight and battlefield awareness during combat. The wearer can more clearly perceive the weaknesses in enemy formations, anticipate the enemy commander's intentions, and even occasionally experience a brief moment of inspiration, intuitively making the optimal tactical decisions or counterattacks. Simultaneously, it also slightly increases the morale, discipline, and teamwork of all allied forces within a certain radius of the wearer, as if an invisible, excellent commander is coordinating their actions.

It symbolizes Violet as a goddess of strategy and wisdom, bestowing upon her extraordinary command abilities and an aura that inspires morale.

Then there's its single-target effect, [Wrath of the Sun]. When the wearer actively activates the amulet's power, or encounters an extremely malevolent being (such as a Chaos Demon, a Vampire Count, or a powerful Undead Lord), the amulet unleashes a powerful shockwave of holy energy. This shockwave, like a miniature solar explosion, inflicts massive holy burn damage on surrounding chaotic creatures, undead, and dark creations, and may repel, intimidate, or even purify weaker undead and demons. This effect requires a charging time and cannot be used continuously.

This embodies the merciless wrath of the goddess of war and the devastating power to strike against enemies of order.

Once this legendary amulet is inlaid into the chosen armor, the territory will be able to successfully create its first set of legendary armor!
All of this was easily accomplished by the Black Forest Territory.

Socketing legendary amulets would be extremely difficult for other factions. After all, to socket such intricate amulets into armor and integrate them with its runic circuits without conflict requires an extremely profound understanding of runes, something that might only be achievable by a legendary rune master.

However, all the Black Forest Territory needs to do is send the rare armor and the legendary amulet to Dragonrock Fortress—the flames of the Dragonrock Forge will surely perfectly forge these two treasures.

Other factions might be even more uneasy, fearing that the dwarves would withhold the legendary armor and break their promise to return it;
But Su Li had no such worries. Given his immense gratitude and unwavering friendship with the dwarves, those old men with beards that could get tangled up would rather break their axe handles than keep this armor!

Otherwise, let alone the Dwarf King—even if the ancestral gods themselves pleaded, they wouldn't be able to quell the raging storm that the entire Mountain Kingdom was stirring up! Every guild leader, every respected master blacksmith, and every commander leading a formation deep within the Grey Mountains would be enraged and furious, smashing through the council table in the King's Hall with the hardest iron, the strongest wine, and the heaviest hammer blows!

(End of this chapter)