Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 510 New Town, Elf Town
Su Li suddenly stood up from his throne, his eyes flashing with an unprecedented light! He stared intently at the thick stack of "Titan Beast Taming Manual" in Ashfield's hand, his chest heaving slightly with excitement.

Giant Beast Legion!

The word itself exploded in his mind like a thunderclap! He instantly thought of the Empire's renowned but scarce and irreplaceable monster cavalry—such as the half-griffin riders who rode through the griffon forests, or the flying knights who tamed the eagles atop the mountains. But compared to the visions described in the Titan Codex, they were like children's toys!

His mind raced, countless shocking images flashing through his mind: organized packs of war mastiffs clad in heavy plate armor advancing like moving city walls; ferocious wyvern riders swooping down from the sky, spewing acid or poisonous mist; even... even the scorpion lions, which only exist in the wild legends of the border prince's territory and are extremely violent, could be tamed and become terrifying vanguards tearing apart the enemy's formation!
But the most crucial thing is—Frostforest's reaction!

Su Li keenly noticed that when Ashfield uttered the almost insulting words that "elven skills are as rudimentary as a baby learning to speak," the usually aloof and proud Frostwood elven mage did not utter a word in rebuttal, nor did she even show the slightest displeasure! She simply stood there silently, her emerald eyes fixed on the secret book, a light in the depths of her gaze revealing... a light that was almost one of awe and thirst for knowledge!
This silent acknowledgment is more convincing than any exaggerated description! These are proud elves! They would never lower their heads and admit that someone is better if they were even one in ten percent certain.

The level of Titan Beast Taming is probably far beyond the knowledge currently possessed by the elves, reaching an unbelievable level!

“Although this is the supreme secret technique of the Titan race, its core must be related to the Titans’ immense soul power and ancient pacts,” Su Li’s voice was slightly hoarse with excitement as he spoke quickly, “we humans may not be able to fully replicate it, or even scratch the surface… but!”

His gaze sharpened dramatically: "Even if we can only grasp one percent, or even one-thousandth, of the techniques and principles from this vast ocean of knowledge... that's enough! Enough for us to establish a systematic system for the taming and breeding of giant beasts in Black Forest Territory that far surpasses the Empire's current level!"

He seemed to see the future: "We don't need to target those legendary, terrifying behemoths from the start. We can begin with the relatively docile ones, those that are easier to obtain and nurture!" His fingers tapped rapidly in the air, as if he were taking inventory of an invisible list.

"For example, war bears that are huge, incredibly strong, and have great endurance—they can serve as mounts for heavily armored cavalry or tow super-heavy siege equipment!"

"Or, if we can find and tame those elemental giant bears that live deep in the Grey Mountains—it's difficult, but not impossible! They would provide us with a powerful behemoth cavalry!"

Elemental Giant Bear!

Su Li immediately recalled the terrifying memories brought by that monstrous beast. He remembered very clearly that, beneath Queen Eliria's Throne of Thorns, among the four chosen guards, the oppressive aura emanating from the beast known as Ostanka far surpassed that of the others.

It was no ordinary beast, but a product of highly concentrated magical energy, a physical manifestation of a wild spirit originating from the depths of the forest and earth. In the numerous bloody conflicts between the border princely territory and the forces of Eliria, this wood-elemental giant bear left an indelible and terrifying mark. It was not a variant like Kisliv, bound to the elements of ice and snow, but rather a dreadful being that could potentially arise in the medieval world from magically rich locations such as primeval woodlands, ancient forests, or leyline nodes.

Its battle record lived up to its formidable reputation. In the decisive battle, Ostanka charged alone, its massive body like a moving mountain. Each swipe of its ferocious bear claws easily tore apart plate-armored knights and their mounts, its tough wooden hide and swirling green aura rendering ordinary swords and blades ineffective. According to the trembling recollections of survivors, it could even manipulate the roots of the ground to entwine and tear apart infantry lines, or unleash a burst of vibrant, ferocious spikes that pierced everything around it. More than a hundred Blacksword knights, armed squires, and militiamen who tried to stop it with their spear formations ultimately became the shattered remains beneath its feet and the blood that soaked the earth.

Thinking of this, Su Li's breathing became even heavier. If he could tame such behemoths, even just a few...

These elemental giant bears are indeed comparable in size to ancient dragons, but their power lies in a completely different source. They do not rely on dragon breath or complex dragon language magic; their power originates from their highly elementalized and robust physiques and their innate primal natural magic. This gives their muscles, bones, and fur astonishing magical resistance and physical strength, and their pure physical destructive power and endurance may even surpass that of dragons of similar size in some aspects. They are living battering rams, mobile calamities.

If a cavalry force composed of a dozen or so of these behemoths could be assembled—or more accurately, a behemoth assault unit—to charge into battle… Su Li could almost see the devastating scene: the formations would fall like straw before them, the city walls would tremble and crumble, and the enemy's morale would completely collapse in the face of that overwhelming and terrifying power.

This is no longer a fantasy; the "Titan Taming Manual" may hold the key to making it all a reality. Even extracting just a sliver of its ancient wisdom would be enough to elevate the power of the Black Forest Territory to a whole new and terrifying level.

Soon, Su Li's gaze settled from its initial excitement, his sharp eyes sweeping across the hall before finally settling on Edmund, the pastoral steward standing silently to the side. The elven druid's eyes also gleamed with an irrepressible light—an instinctive yearning for ancient knowledge and the power of nature.

“Emond.” Su Li’s voice regained its usual composure and calmness: “This secret manual is to be fully researched and analyzed by your Muyuan. No one understands the habits of giant beasts better than you and your colleagues, and no one can comprehend the natural way and soul contract that may be contained within it. I want you to do everything in your power to excavate all the taming, breeding, and strengthening techniques that can be used in actual combat.”

Of course, entrusting such an important task to a pastoral community primarily composed of elves and druids requires appropriate rewards and reassurance to truly ignite their loyalty and enthusiasm. And the best way to do this is to fulfill the promises already made.

"And in order to support the work of Muyuan, and to provide you with an environment that is closer to the origin of nature and easier for research and experimentation..." Su Li paused slightly, his gaze seemingly piercing through the palace walls and looking towards the south of the territory, "It is time to plant that Tree of Life."

His fingers traced across the enormous parchment map spread out beside the throne, finally settling on the southern part of the territory, the vast central plains.

“Right here, in the fertile lands south of the Brienne River.” He pointed to the map. “The Dominion of Balan has established itself on the north bank, becoming a solid bulwark for our west. And on the south bank, a new center will be born—a town belonging to the elves, the druids, and all those who love nature. The Tree of Life will be its heart.”

This location was chosen after careful consideration. The southern plains are fertile and easy to develop, and are not far from the core area of ​​Hessenberg, making them easy to control and manage. Placing the Elven settlement here, across the river from the halfling towns of the Baran Dominion on the north bank, would allow them to maintain relatively independent cultural characteristics while forming a mutually supportive and strategically advantageous position.

“More importantly,” Su Li added, “we will also relocate some of the halflings there. They are skilled at forest patrolling and scouting, and get along well with the elves. In the early stages of building the new town, their rich experience in wilderness survival and their optimistic nature will play a key role. In the future, the magic and natural knowledge of the elves, the dexterity and familiarity with the forest of the halflings, will be combined with the research on giant beasts in the Pasture, which will become one of the most vibrant areas in our territory.”

He looked at Edmund, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "Chief Steward Edmund, you will also be in charge of this matter. Select a specific location as soon as possible and prepare for the ceremony. I want to see the roots of the Tree of Life take hold in the soil of Blackwood Territory as quickly as possible, and to see the new elven town begin to flourish. This is both support for you and a crucial step in the territory's investment in the future."

Su Li's actions were multifaceted, both appeasing the elves and druids and bestowing upon them important responsibilities and a homeland;
They also entrusted the research on the behemoths with immense potential to the most professional candidates;
At the same time, through the construction of the Tree of Life and new towns, control and development of the southern central plains of the territory were strengthened, and the power of the halflings was cleverly integrated.

Everything was incorporated into his overall strategy to expand the Hessian territory.

Upon hearing Su Li's orders, especially those concerning the Tree of Life, Edmund's tall frame trembled slightly with excitement, and his emerald eyes instantly filled with indescribable emotion and ecstasy.

He placed his right hand on his chest and bowed deeply to Su Li, his voice filled with unprecedented piety and determination: "I will obey your will, my lord! In the name of the ancient roots of Azsorloth and the winds of Giron, I, Edmond, will give my all to ensure that the sacred tree takes root here and that our new home flourishes under your banner! This will be an eternal monument for the elves of Blackforest and all their natural companions!"

After accepting the task, Edmund threw himself into the work almost without sleep. He led the druids and elven assistants of the Pastureland on a detailed survey along the south bank of the Brienne River for several days. Finally, he chose a slightly elevated, gentle slope overlooking the confluence of the rivers, where the winds of Girond were exceptionally strong and the soil fertile. With abundant water, a wide view, sunshine, and good defensive capabilities, it was indeed an excellent location for establishing a town and planting the sacred tree.

The news caused a huge sensation throughout the entire Blackforest Territory. Planting the Tree of Life and establishing elven towns were undoubtedly earth-shattering events for everyone in the territory connected to elven blood or the Way of Nature.

On the day of the groundbreaking ceremony, the sun shone brightly. A large circular clearing had already been cleared on the selected gentle slope. A planting pit had been dug in the center of the clearing, and next to it were placed the seed of the Tree of Life that emitted a warm golden light, three "Tears of the Sky" fruits, and various other prepared ceremonial materials.

Most surprisingly, people of elven blood, who had heard the news from all corners of the territory and even from neighboring regions, flocked to this place in an endless stream. In total, they numbered nearly two hundred!
Among them were high elves, only a handful in number, whose clothing still retained a trace of the elegance of the old world, but whose brows carried an air of desolation and wandering—wandering mages or warriors. They stood at a distance, their expressions complex, containing both a hint of relief that their kin were about to have a new home, and a sense of alienation and scrutiny stemming from a feeling of difficulty in fitting in, maintaining the reserved pride characteristic of high elves.

The number of wood elves is slightly greater, mainly consisting of mages, rangers, and druids like Edmund. They mostly wear practical clothing with natural elements, have sharp eyes, and are extremely perceptive of their environment. They silently observe the terrain and wind direction, communicating in hushed Elvish to evaluate the merits of different locations, their demeanor displaying the vigilance and directness of forest dwellers.

The majority were, of course, half-elves. Their features varied greatly; some were more human-like, with slightly pointed ears and delicate features, while others had more pronounced elven characteristics. Their identities were also diverse—there were archers or scouts serving in the army, craftsmen or scholars running shops in towns, and even a few were nuns from the Church of Dawn in nearby villages. Most of them wore expressions of excitement and anticipation, feeling immense pride in witnessing or even participating in the establishment of an elven homeland. Their behavior leaned more towards human enthusiasm, yet their eyes also held the reverence for natural rituals that came with their elven blood.

Of course, there are also some other natural beings here. These include some tree-people who are closely related to elves and halflings. They are the halflings' own companions and also a special unit of the halfling race.

Several other tree spirits, graceful yet covered in thorns, from the nearby forest, stood silently at the edge of the woodland. Their amber eyes gleamed with curiosity and wariness towards this newly emerging, powerful force of nature. In the sky, one or two noble eagles circled, emitting clear cries, as if blessings from the mountaintop.

Numerous tiny, mischievous wild spirits, perceptible only to elves and druids, are drawn by the energy, forming a shimmering, dancing curtain of light visible only to them in the air. This is a more abstract concept, perhaps manifested through phenomena such as a sudden, incredibly gentle breeze, a ray of sunlight falling precisely on a sapling, or nearby flowers blooming unnaturally at the same time. Druids and elves would interpret this as the wild spirits' acknowledgment and participation in the ritual.

The elves and half-elves spontaneously formed a loose circle around the perimeter of the ritual site. The high elves watched in silence, the wood elves whispered their opinions, while the half-elves, unable to contain their excitement, chatted amongst themselves, their eyes filled with anticipation for the future. Their very presence added a layer of sacredness and antiquity to the ceremony.

Su Li, accompanied by the territory's main ministers and generals—including Marshal Erstein, Vandal, and Oliver—presided over the ceremony. This demonstrated the lord's extreme importance attached to this event.

The ceremony was presided over by Edmund. He began by chanting a song in the ancient and beautiful Elvish language, praising the god of nature and life. The other elves and druids joined in, and the ethereal voices echoed over the riverbank, stirring the winds of Giron and filling the breeze with a refreshing fragrance.

Then, the most important moment arrived. With utmost solemnity, Edmund placed the seed of the Tree of Life into the center of the planting pit, which was filled with fertile black soil and a special magical catalyst. Then, he retrieved the three "Tears of the Sky" fruits.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Edmund cast a spell of nature magic, enveloping the three fruits in emerald light. He extracted the immense life energy and essence of the sky contained within them, transforming them into three streams of emerald-colored liquid that shimmered with starlight. These streams were then slowly poured into the planting pit, completely enveloping and soaking the seeds.

The miracle happened!
The seeds began to germinate at a speed visible to the naked eye! Tender yet incredibly resilient golden roots were the first to break through the shell, quickly sinking deep into the soil like living things, greedily absorbing nutrients and the energy of the "Tears of the Heavens." Immediately afterward, a tiny seedling, radiating a soft golden light, broke through the soil and grew rapidly in the wind!
Its growth rate exceeded everyone's expectations! In just a few minutes, it grew from a seedling into a small tree, and then grew taller and thicker at an astonishing speed. The trunk displayed a warm, interwoven pattern of gold and silver, and the bark was smooth and tough. The crown spread out rapidly, and the leaves were not ordinary green, but rather a dreamy, translucent emerald and gold color, with tiny star-like sparkles at the edges.

Within a mere half hour, a young tree of life, over ten meters tall, with a graceful canopy, radiating a soft glow and exuding a powerful life force and pure magical energy, had already stood majestically on the gentle slope of the riverbank! Its roots seemed connected to the earth's veins, and its canopy seemed to breathe in the energy of the sky. A gentle yet powerful vortex of pure Jilun wind formed around it, making everyone around feel refreshed and their fatigue vanish.

The elves let out uncontrollable gasps and joyful exclamations, many of them shedding tears of excitement. Even the proud high elves showed shock and a hint of barely perceptible approval in their eyes.

The Tree of Life stood majestically, its pure life energy and magical fluctuations bringing life to the entire gentle riverbank. Su Li stood in the halo cast by the sacred tree, facing all the people gathered there, his voice clear and powerful, resounding in all directions:

"Today, the sacred tree takes root, and new life begins! This place will no longer be an unknown land. In the name of the Lord of Blackforest, I declare that this new town shall be named—[Whispering Forest Town]! May the whispers of the trees here be an echo of order and life!"

He continued announcing the plan: "Around the town of Linyu and the Tree of Life, the territory will invest resources to transplant and cultivate a vast forest on a large scale. The Druid Order will perform the Sacred Forest ritual here, drawing upon the winds of Giron to purify the land and dispel impurities, making this forest a natural barrier against the erosion of chaos, and a new holy site and natural core in the southern part of Blackwood Territory!"

Considering the initial vulnerability of the forest, Su Li made military deployments: "To ensure the safety of Linyu Town and the Sacred Forest during their initial development period, and to protect them from attacks by goblin and beastman warbands roaming the border regions, the [Crimson Night Knights] will be stationed here permanently after returning to their territory! Their swords and spears will become the first line of defense for their new home!"

He then explained the management and development model of Linyu Town: "Unlike the Balan Halfling Autonomous Territory, Linyu Town and its surrounding forests will be directly under the jurisdiction of the Hessen Territory! We will plan and build exquisite treehouses and natural stone and wood structures here. These properties will be for sale!"

His gaze swept over the excited faces of the elves and half-elves: "Anyone of elven blood, any kind-hearted person who reveres nature and is willing to abide by the laws of the Black Forest Territory, may come here to purchase property and become one of the first residents of Forest Whisper Town!"

This policy has profound implications. Elves, especially pure-blooded elves, often possess long lifespans and accumulated wealth, and are also outstanding mages, archers, and scholars. Attracting them to settle here will not only bring direct economic benefits, but also greatly enhance the territory's magical strength, cultural heritage, and pool of high-end talent.

"In order to revitalize Linyu Town as soon as possible," Su Li finally ordered, "the halfling engineering team of the Balan Autonomous Territory, along with their efficient ogre workers, will move in immediately! They will assist their elven compatriots in building treehouses, paving roads, and improving all necessary facilities using the high-quality timber that grows rapidly around the Tree of Life!"

Once the order was given, the entire machinery of the Black Forest began to operate efficiently.

In the following cycle, Linyu Town underwent a transformation at an astonishing pace.

The ingenious design of the halfling artisans and the brute strength of the ogre workers were perfectly combined. Elegantly designed treehouses, coexisting with the giant trees and connected by rope bridges and spiraling vine ladders, sprang up around the Tree of Life like mushrooms after rain. They were not just simple wooden houses, but incorporated the aesthetics of the elves and the natural magic of life growth of the druids, with flowering vines quickly climbing up the windowsills and balconies.

Paths paved with white gravel and compacted soil meander through the nascent forest, connecting the residential area, the prototype of the soon-to-be-built Luna Temple, the Pastoral Research Outpost, and the town square.

The Crimson Knights' camp was set up on the outskirts, temporarily taken over by their high-ranking squires. Patrols continued day and night to ensure the construction proceeded smoothly. Some eager elven and half-elven families began to move in, and lights flickered in the treehouses at night, reflecting the light of the Tree of Life, creating a peaceful and hopeful atmosphere.

The most exciting change occurred in the animal training enclosures designated within the pasture. Leveraging the natural amplification of the behemoths' affinity with the immense life energy of the Tree of Life, and employing some of the most basic techniques from the Titan Codex regarding soothing, communication, and initial branding, Edmund and his team made groundbreaking progress!
(End of this chapter)