Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 506 The Massive Production of the Amulet of Destiny

Merian's eyes shone with a light that reflected both reverence for divine grace and an undisguised admiration for the lord. "Although the total number of nuns is still far from comparable to the thousands of soldiers and knights in the territory, we are no longer as stretched thin and short-handed as before."

She chuckled softly, a smile that added a touch of allure to her already radiant face: "Do you remember? Just last year, you could name every single one of the elite nuns. Now, it will probably take you some time to recognize all these newly joined sisters who have received divine grace and are eager to serve."

Su Li nodded slightly; that was indeed the case. If the number of nuns had grown from a dozen to thirty or forty, it would have been difficult for him to recognize them all. After all, he hadn't spent much time in contact with the nuns.

Merian is now the nun he has had the most contact with.

Her gaze lingered on Su Li, filled not only with the respectful demeanor of reporting her work, but also with a heartfelt, almost devout gratitude and tenderness. Her gaze was warm and moist, as if it contained boundless vitality and some more intimate promise.

“All of this is because of you, my lord.” Merian’s voice was lowered, yet it was even more tender and captivating. “It was you who brought the dawn, allowing the goddess’s grace to be poured down on this land without reservation. It was also your trust and support that allowed our church to grow stronger, gave our sisters’ faith a more solid foundation, and gave us… more opportunities to share your burdens and show you… our value.”

She leaned forward slightly, a movement that brought her already ample, snowy breasts almost touching Su Li's arm. A captivating aroma, a blend of mature woman's scent and the rich fragrance of roses, quietly filled the air.

“Following the teachings of the goddess Léa on abundance and life,” her voice was almost a murmur, carrying a sacred yet contemplative rhythm, “we nuns are meant to give everything we have without reservation to nourish life and reciprocate the blessings. Whether it is our labor, our prayers, or… our bodies, blessed by the goddess and capable of bearing life…”

A faint, healthy blush, quite different from Annalis's, graced her cheeks, and her gaze was bold and direct, meeting Su Li's eyes without hesitation.

“Therefore, if I could in any way… comfort your toil, respond to your grace, whether it be tending your estate, making fine wine, or…” Her words paused here with an extremely brief, suggestive pause, her eyes sparkling with allure, “…more deeply, to serve you with my body and soul, to convey the goddess’s abundant blessings, or to pass on the goddess’s teachings, to bear you a child with my body, would not be a burden for me, but rather… the highest glory and a willing sacrament.”

After she finished speaking, she bowed deeply again, almost as if offering herself as a sacrifice, full of primal, abundant allure and unmistakable piety.

Su Li took a deep breath. The air was filled not only with the sweet fragrance of grapes and the scent of autumn earth, but also with the alluring charm and abundant life energy of a mature woman, which had become even more intense and almost tangible due to the fire-breathed rose.

The effect was so powerful that even he had to concentrate to keep his mind clear. These devout nuns, now a blend of holiness and allure, looked at him with eyes that seemed to be hooked, as if they wanted to "capture" him, their lord, and "repay" his grace in some primal way.

But Su Li has principles!

The reason why amethyst gold brandy, especially the finest and above, can fetch such high prices is one of its core selling points: the consistent imagery of "purity"—imagine a jeweled garden at dawn, where pure maidens in turquoise robes and wheat-ear crowns, with their fair and delicate legs, dart through the dew-kissed vineyards, carefully picking perfect grapes with their slender fingers and gently placing them into baskets lined with soft velvet.

Their gazes were focused and devout, their movements as gentle as if they were handling a newborn infant, ensuring that each fruit remained intact, preserving its pure life energy and the "gift" symbolizing flawlessness to the fullest extent. The scene itself was part of the value, a romantic vision and guarantee of quality for which nobles were willing to pay exorbitant sums of gold.

If it's true that winemaker Annalise isn't a pure young woman, that's somewhat understandable, given that many top winemakers are men or their skills transcend physical limitations. But the very source—the harvesting of these top-quality grapes—must be done by pure young women. This is the brand's story, the cornerstone of its value.

He glanced at Merian beside him. With her now voluptuous, almost explosive figure, her overflowing breasts, and her mature, alluring charm, one could easily believe she was a young woman who had just given birth. Where was even a trace of girlish naiveté? The number of elite nuns in the territory had increased significantly recently, so perhaps… even if she were no longer one, enough replacements could be found immediately to complete the harvesting work?

The thought flashed through his mind for a moment. Su Li immediately coughed lightly, forcibly suppressing the slight ripples of emotion stirring within him. Principles are principles.

He calmly met Merian's expectant and devoted gaze, which seemed to be overflowing with tears, and said in a steady and unquestionable tone: "Sister Merian, I am deeply gratified by your piety towards the goddess and your dedication to the territory. Lady Rhea's doctrine of abundance truly needs messengers like you to spread it."

He paused slightly before continuing, "The estate is currently very busy, with harvesting and brewing being of paramount importance and not to be taken lightly. You should focus on these matters for now."

He did not respond to her almost blatant hint of "dedication," as if it were just a common way for a subordinate to express loyalty.

"I'll go and inspect the Blessed Wisteria Tree and the Spirit Field again," Su Li said, then walked towards the area in the manor where the Jilun style was most prevalent. He naturally changed the subject and temporarily avoided Merian's overly intense gaze.

As he turned, thoughts raced through his mind. Merian and Annalise—they had sacrificed so much for the territory—both physically and mentally. He felt he should repay them and help them, both out of compassion and reason.

The best way to help them is to improve their abilities!

The territory now boasts numerous Chosen Knights and Warriors, but among the witch ranks and the monks and nuns of the Church of Dawn, not a single one has yet broken through to the Chosen level! This undoubtedly hinders the overall development of the territory's agricultural endeavors. A Chosen witch or nun would experience a qualitative leap in their ability to guide the winds of Giron, the extent of farmland they can bless, and their capacity to combat natural disasters! This is crucial for safeguarding the agricultural foundation of the Black Forest Territory.

“It’s time to consider this,” Su Li thought to himself. “With the territory’s finances more abundant, we must prioritize concentrating resources to see if we can cultivate a few chosen agricultural or life-based spellcasters for the Black Forest Territory. This is not only compensation for them personally, but also one of the most important investments for the territory’s future.”

With this in mind, his steps became more determined as he walked towards the Wisteria blossfeldiana tree that radiated a soft aura of life.

As he traversed the still bustling vineyards, the closer he got to the heart of the estate, the richer and purer the life energy permeating the air became. Upon entering the core area of ​​the estate, the view before him suddenly opened up.

A plot of land, roughly an acre in size, basked quietly in the autumn sunlight, displaying a deep and mysterious purple hue. This purple was not due to dye, but rather the soil itself seemed to have transformed into the finest amethyst, crystal clear, with countless tiny points of light slowly flowing within, radiating a gentle yet powerful magical fluctuation. This was the Purple Spirit Field, nurtured by the most powerful opportunity in the Black Forest Territory.

This summer, Su Li's intelligence system also guided him to find rainbow hail crystals twice within the territory of Black Forest, which finally made the purple spirit field of Bauhinia Manor more than double from more than 200 square meters to the level of one acre.

Simply standing on the edge of the field, Su Li could feel the surging, tide-like life energy emanating from the earth beneath his feet. This spiritual field was the supreme treasure of Black Forest Territory's agriculture, the soil that nurtured miracles.

Within the spirit field, ordinary crops are not planted. Instead, extraordinary plants of various shapes and exuding remarkable auras grow in an orderly fashion.

Near the east side, there grew about a hundred plants resembling rice ears. Their stems were lush and green, as if carved from the finest jade. Their leaves were broad and thick, with a visible green halo flowing through their veins. The ears drooped, and the grains were plump like miniature emeralds—this was the emerald ear that could greatly enhance the vitality of the consumer and accelerate wound healing.

To the west, adjacent to it, lay an even more peculiar sight. The plants there were slightly shorter, their entire bodies a deep, ethereal blue, as if they contained the night sky and the deep sea. The grains were no longer granular, but rather resembled miniature, slowly rotating blue stars, radiating a cool and tranquil spiritual energy—these were ethereal blue grains capable of purifying spiritual power, calming restless souls, and even offering a slight aid in breaking through realm barriers.

This powerful grain is rarely available on the market, especially the Azure Ear, a transcendent food accessible only to Chosen Knights. It provides Chosen Knights with a surge of spiritual energy, allowing them to instantly activate their Divine General state during battle, lasting for over 10 minutes. With prolonged consumption of Azure Ear, the probability of a Chosen Knight breaking through to the Legendary level gradually increases. However, this probability cannot exceed the energy limit provided by the Azure Ear.

In other words, if a Chosen Knight continues to consume this Azure Spike, their chances of breaking through to Legendary Knight level will increase to a certain extent. For example, if their original chance of breaking through was 25%, consuming this Azure Spike long-term could increase that chance to 40%. However, the energy from the Azure Spike can only guarantee a 15% increase; it cannot continuously increase the probability to 20% or 35%.

Even so, it was enough to drive the chosen knights crazy; this was an extra 15% out of nowhere.

It may not seem like much, but if a knight relies solely on his own talent, background, and luck, his success rate in breaking through to the legendary level may be a despairing three per thousand (0.3%). However, after using the Azure Spike, this probability will jump more than fifty times, reaching 15.3%!
Before crossing the legendary chasm—the watershed between mortals and truly extraordinary beings—any slight increase in probability is enough to trigger a frenzied struggle, let alone such a qualitative leap. Throughout thousands of years of history, among the tens of thousands of chosen knights in an era, those who ultimately succeed in breaking through the legendary barrier are extremely rare, with a natural probability so low that it leaves most geniuses feeling suffocated and powerless.

The existence of the Azure Spire is tantamount to casting a clear and stable beam of light in endless darkness and groping, suddenly widening a path that was almost considered legendary and with little hope into a goal with a considerable probability of attainment. It cannot guarantee success, but it truly transforms a "miracle" into a "probability" that can be strived for. This extra, stable, and precious 15% is enough for any chosen knight aspiring to the legendary realm to pay any price, elevating the value of the Azure Spire to an astonishing height that can influence the strategic balance at the ducal and even electoral levels. It is no longer merely a resource, but an irreplaceable "possibility" leading to the pinnacle of power.

In the center of the spirit field, a figure dressed in an elegant nun's robe stood with her back to Su Li, carefully infusing a pale blue spike with the gentle winds of Jilun. She had long, smooth, light golden hair, meticulously braided into an elegant braid that hung down her back. Her figure was slender, and her movements were gentle and focused, as if she were afraid of disturbing these delicate and powerful plants.

As if sensing Su Li's arrival, she slowly stood up and turned around. It was none other than Sister Isabella, the head nun in charge of taking care of this place.

Her face wasn't as dazzlingly beautiful as Merian's, but rather possessed a gentle tranquility. Her skin was fair and delicate, and her emerald eyes were like the clear, serene waters of a lake in early spring. Her temperament was reserved yet resilient; standing there, she naturally blended into the surrounding spiritual fields and plants, as if she herself were a part of this miracle of life.

“My lord,” Isabella bowed slightly, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze rustling through new leaves, “may abundance be with you. You have come to visit them.” Her gaze swept over the spirit fields before her, filled with a mother’s loving care and pride for her child.

“Sister Isabella,” Su Li nodded in return, his gaze sweeping appreciatively over the precious spiritual field, “You’ve worked hard. You’ve taken such good care of this place. How was the harvest this year?” His gaze finally settled on the priceless extraordinary ears of grain.

Upon hearing the lord inquire about the harvest, Isabella's gentle face radiated a heartfelt joy, making her appear even more graceful and charming.

"Thanks to the Lord's great fortune and the Goddess's boundless grace, the spirit fields are incredibly bountiful this year, far exceeding expectations!" Her voice remained gentle, yet it carried an irrepressible excitement. "The Emerald Ear has successfully yielded 368 plants, and each plant has produced plump and abundant 'Life Seeds,' containing nearly 10% more life energy than last year!"

She turned slightly to the side, pointing to the dark blue area, her tone carrying a deeper sense of awe: "And the harvest of the Azure Spikes is even more astonishing! Although its growth cycle is longer and its environmental requirements are more demanding, ninety-four plants were still successfully ripened this year! The 'Azure Star Fruits' it condenses are of extremely high quality, and according to the private revelations of the mages who came to purchase them, their nourishing effects on the spiritual and bloodline realms are even comparable to some ancient elven elixirs!"

This number sent another shockwave through Su Li's heart. While the yield of Emerald Ears and Azure Ears couldn't compare to ordinary grains, the value of each stalk was immeasurable! Three hundred and sixty-eight Emerald Ears meant enough to train at least three squadrons of elite knights with exceptional resilience, or avert dozens of fatal casualties! Ninety-four Azure Ears meant nurturing at least several mages, priests, or knight officers with the potential to break through their limits! This was a tangible strategic resource that could significantly enhance the core combat power of the territory!
"Excellent!" Su Li couldn't help but praise, "Isabella, you have made a great contribution! These extraordinary ears are the cornerstone of the future prosperity of my Black Forest Territory! Your strong advocacy for the large-scale cultivation of these extraordinary ears back then now seems to be an undeniably correct and courageous decision."

Isabella lowered her head slightly, a shy blush rising on her cheeks: "This is all thanks to the miracles and blessings bestowed upon me by Your Excellency. Isabella has only done her duty. To be able to protect these treasures bestowed by the goddess and watch them grow strong is my greatest joy."

Her humility and focus pleased Su Li even more. Such a pure-hearted nun with a keen sense of life and a willingness to dedicate herself would make an immeasurable contribution to the territory's agriculture (especially high-end extraordinary agriculture) if she could break through to a higher level!

After inspecting this purple spirit field, which represents the highest achievement of agriculture in the Black Forest Territory, Su Li's idea of ​​cultivating a chosen agricultural spellcaster became clearer and more urgent.

After inspecting these areas, Su Li could finally rest; the inspection for the day was essentially over. He strolled towards the largest consecrated wisteria tree in the core area of ​​the manor, whose dense, canopy-like branches concealed Ingrid's treehouse, which blended seamlessly with nature.

Pushing open the door, formed by wooden branches entwined with vibrant vines, a fresh, tranquil aroma, a blend of herbs and dried flowers, washes away the cloying sweetness of grapes and the hustle and bustle of the world. It feels like a secluded, serene natural sanctuary.

The interior of the treehouse was extremely comfortable and elegant. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the vines, casting soft dappled patterns on the floor and the wooden furniture. Bundles of herbs hung everywhere, colorful petals and berries were placed in wooden bowls, and there were crystal vessels that emitted a faint magical glow.

The forest witch Ingrid was standing with her back to the door, carefully sorting through clover shimmering with a faint green light at an old wooden table. Hearing a noise, she turned around.

Her long, dark green hair, as calm as a deep pool in the forest, flowed smoothly down her back, the ends seemingly curling naturally into vine-like arcs. She wore a dark green witch's robe of the same material, simple yet flowing in style, embroidered with incomprehensible natural runes in deeper silk threads, which seemed to shimmer with light as she moved.

When Su Li wasn't teasing her, her temperament remained as aloof as ever, like the morning mist in a valley, carrying a sense of detachment untouched by the world. But when her deep, forest-like green eyes saw Su Li, they instantly shimmered with clearly visible joy and gentle light, softening the aloofness and adding a touch of fresh, natural vitality.

"You've come." Her voice wasn't as gentle as Merian's, nor as cold as Annalise's; instead, it was like a stream flowing over a blue stone, clean and reassuring. "You must be tired from your inspection. Looking at your brow, you seem to have a lot on your mind again."

She put down the leaf in her hand and naturally stepped forward, her cool, soft hands gently placing them on Su Li's temples. Her fingertips carried the gentle breeze of the forest as she softly massaged him. They had already shared countless intimate moments, so this contact felt natural and tacit. Strands of her dark green hair occasionally brushed against Su Li's cheek, bringing a slight tickle and a unique, fresh scent of the forest.

Under her soothing touch, Su Li's body, which had been excited from a day of inspection, quickly relaxed. He sighed comfortably, leaned back against her, and felt the power of tranquility.

"How is the Holy Wisteria Tree doing lately?" Su Li asked with his eyes closed. This sacred tree was one of the foundations of many miracles in the Black Forest Territory, and he had always been concerned about it.

Ingrid's hands continued moving, her tone tinged with pride and mystery: "It's excellent, stronger and more vibrant than ever before. The winds of Giron that it gathers have become so dense that they've formed visible pale green wisps of light, flowing around the canopy day and night. However... the sight is far more breathtaking to witness in person. Shall we go out and take a look?"

Su Li did not refuse. After inspecting the Blessing Wisteria Tree, he could finally rest.

The two stepped out of the treehouse, and the beautiful scenery before them always amazed Su Li.

The Wisteria tree has now grown enormous, its trunk so thick that it takes more than ten people to encircle it, and its height is approaching one hundred meters, standing majestically like a verdant tower rising from the ground. The massive vines, like the arms of a dragon, meander and climb upwards, covering an astonishing area. Countless wisteria blossoms cascade down like waterfalls, but these flowers are not ordinary purple; instead, they shimmer in the sunlight with a fantastical brilliance, like a fusion of amethyst and jade, emitting a refreshing and intoxicating fragrance and a powerful life force.

The tree's canopy blocked out the sun, yet it didn't feel dark, because each leaf seemed to emanate a soft, luminous green glow, illuminating the area below as a dreamlike green wonderland. This was no ordinary plant, but a truly ancient tree of grace, existing only in fantasy legends.

What's most breathtaking is the boundless clover meadow beneath the giant tree, spread out like the most magnificent emerald carpet. These clover plants are vibrant with life, their leaves thick and lush, almost unreal, as if each leaf has absorbed the purest life energy.

“Look there,” Ingrid whispered, pointing to certain corners of the meadow.

Among the usual three leaves, one plant stands out – on its stem, a fourth heart-shaped leaf quietly unfolds, with tiny, wondrous specks of light naturally forming on its surface, like golden stars!
"A four-leaf clover..." Su Li's eyes lit up. He knew what this meant: "Go and pick it quickly."

Ingrid smiled gently and replied softly, "No need, it would be a waste to pick them. Under the influence of the Blessed Wisteria Tree's powerful effects, this area has become a 'lucky place' where the winds of Jilun converge. Here, the birth of a four-leaf clover is no longer a rare miracle, but almost a regular blessing."

She continued, her voice ethereal: “I’ve observed them for a long time and found that they seem to follow some kind of natural rhythm. In each cycle, this meadow can stably produce about twenty true four-leaf clovers, which on average is no less than three per day.”

“However,” she emphasized, her expression turning serious, “these four-leaf clovers, imbued with the magic of luck, are extremely delicate. If picked in an ordinary way or if the leaves are damaged, their magical power will be instantly lost. Only by using specially made mithril scissors and precisely cutting the stem at the most appropriate time can that ‘luck’ be preserved intact.”

Ingrid looked at Su Li, her eyes sparkling brightly: "My lord, you must know what this means. It means that our Black Forest Territory can reliably obtain more than twenty [Amulets of Destiny] made from this magical material every week. I can't even keep up with the speed at which I can make Amulets of Destiny now, and I haven't made a Wild Ring in a long time."

As Su Li listened to Ingrid's description, a smile of deep agreement involuntarily appeared on his face. He understood what this meant, and he could also hear the undisguised ease and joy in her words.

He recalled how, initially, in order to quickly arm the army to deal with the crisis, he had to order Ingrid to mass-produce those wild rings, imbued with a savage, murderous aura. At that time, although she obeyed orders, a lingering melancholy and a struggle against the natural order always remained between her brows. He even clearly remembered the intelligence report that if too many of these killing machines were produced, this aloof forest witch might quietly disappear into the depths of the forest on a particularly foggy morning, never to return. Creations created purely for killing were indeed contrary to her nature.

Now, being able to stably produce four-leaf clovers, symbols of luck and protection, and instead crafting more Destiny Amulets—equipment that leans towards protection, blessings, and bringing positive opportunities—undoubtedly aligns better with her path and heart. No wonder her face is radiant with a genuine, bright smile, and even the surrounding winds of Giron seem more lively and light.

(End of this chapter)