Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 516 The Divine Descent Potion and the Vast Treasure Vault (Bonus Chapter Today)
Su Li's gaze slowly swept over the massive armory, like a general inspecting his silent soldiers.

He nodded slightly, his tone affirmative: "Well-equipped and well-stocked, this is the cornerstone of our Black Forest Territory's military strength, and the results are truly remarkable. Fandall, you have managed the armory in an orderly manner. You deserve praise and commendation."

"But you must know that a truly powerful army is far from being able to build a strong body of steel. It also needs tough muscles and bones, keen senses, and the flesh and blood and soul that can sustain it in continuous combat."

Fandall nodded in deep agreement, well aware of his lord's foresight. "You are absolutely right, my lord. Powerful weapons require powerful warriors to wield, and the strengthening and maintenance of warriors depend on more comprehensive resources. Please follow me."

He led Su Li and Oliver to another area. The air here was a mixture of the coldness of minerals, the exotic fragrance of rare plants, and the faint scent of arcane energy.

The first thing that catches the eye is the resource area. Here, there's no dazzling display of gold coins, but rather a more tangible power. Piles of unpolished, high-quality star silver and steel ingots are stacked high, forming the foundation for arms forging. Beside them are even more precious mithril ingots, shimmering with a soft silver light; fine gold ore, heavy yet possessing an inner radiance; and cold iron stones from beneath the northern glaciers, their touch sending a chill down your spine. These rare metals are the core materials for crafting high-level equipment and enchanting.

On the other side were various enchanted gems and pearls, categorized and stored. Deep red fire spikes contained the power of fire, crimson coral seemed to seal in the breath of life, and large blocks of energy-storing amethyst were the strongest energy reserves for the Amethyst Ironclad Army. These were not only wealth, but also important strategic resources and spellcasting mediums.

Next is the Warehouse of Curiosities. The items here are all sorts of strange and wonderful, yet they all radiate a practical magical aura.

Su Li glanced over and immediately spotted the familiar Mor masks—over 300 uniformly styled Mor masks, each depicting a solemn human face, neatly arranged. These were orthodox church artifacts that no knight would refuse, the closest thing to knightly equipment. Some powerful knights would wear these black, demonic-looking enchanted masks under their helmets. During a charge, these masks would transform the knight's shouts into a deathly howl, instilling a terrifying fear in the enemy. Some weaker enemies wouldn't even dare face this oppressive force and would turn and flee, let alone attack the knights. However, the trade-off was that the knights would easily ignore their officers' orders and launch disorderly charges. This wasn't because their minds were clouded, but because they only heard the echoes of the masks and couldn't hear their superiors' commands.

In addition, there are over 200 wild skulls, artifacts of the Church of Tar, which are least favored by the followers of the Goddess of the Sun. However, the knights of the northern empire are particularly fond of these items, adorning their heads with lion skulls and hides, bison skulls and horns, and so on. This not only makes them appear exceptionally tall, but if the hidden wildness is shared with their bloodline, it will further enhance their savage strength and grant them a chance to use the Blazing Blood ability once without cost.

However, there were some items that Su Li did not recognize, and Fandall immediately began to explain them in detail.

Fandral pointed to a row of books with obsidian covers, each engraved with the emblem of a twin-tailed comet. “My lord,” he said, “this is the ‘Redmar Codex of Steadfastness,’ blessed by the battle priests of the Church of Redmar. When evil magic strikes, it can invoke a trace of Redmar’s divine power for the wearer, deflecting or weakening an attack. However, it is not very effective against Chaos Corruption or Dark Magic; after all, pure faith is the best bulwark against these impurities.”

Su Li raised an eyebrow, looking at the vast number of books around him—there were probably over 500 of them. He asked curiously, "Is it okay to carry these books with you everywhere?"

Fandral immediately nodded affirmatively: "Your observation is astute, sir. As the battle priests of the Church of Redmar have done, the correct way is to bind it to the arm guards or breastplate with sturdy chains. After all, it is not equipment and cannot be worn directly; some additional means are required. But this also has its advantages, making it both a sacred relic and a protective arm guard. This way, one can sense divine power at any time without hindering combat."

He then revealed a hint of helplessness, pointing to the mountain of books. "As for the reason for such a large inventory here, as you know, many soldiers in our Black Forest Territory's Amethyst Ironclad Army are devout followers of the Sun Goddess Violet. They... are not very willing to bind the holy books of other gods to their armor, even if it provides effective protection. They consider it a defilement of their faith."

"Therefore, these 'Guides of Fortitude' are currently mainly distributed to knights who believe in Ridmar, and the consumption is far lower than expected," Fandral added. "However, their effectiveness against dark magic is undeniable, so we have also maintained a considerable stockpile for unforeseen circumstances."

Su Li nodded slightly, indicating her understanding. The barriers of faith are sometimes stronger than the swords of enemies. This vast inventory is itself a silent testament to the complex religious landscape within the territory.

However, this magical artifact did inspire Su Li; perhaps the Church of the Blazing Sun could also develop such a holy scripture. The Church of the Blazing Sun Goddess also produces items: books and icons. The former can increase a knight's strength and tactical understanding, while the latter can directly take effect in battle, forming a powerful goddess's blessing.

However, this kind of personal holy book from the Church of Rydmar is not typical of the style of the knights of the Goddess of the Sun. Followers of the Goddess of the Sun rarely bind a holy book to their armor. Perhaps it is related to the goddess's teachings; the knights of the goddess generally believe that true piety and faith only come when tactics are understood in one's own mind.

While Su Li was pondering, Fandral had moved to the side, where several rows of horns crudely carved from pale animal bones were displayed. "These are the 'Yurik Winter Hunting Horns.' Made by the priests of Yurik in the northern Middenland territory, when blown, the horns emit a blood-freezing roar, not only inspiring the warriors' fighting spirit but also instilling an instinctive fear in the chaotic beasts and low-ranking undead of Norsca, causing them to temporarily halt their attacks. However, using them can easily anger true chaotic warriors and is considered a provocation."

He then pointed to some metal stakes, shaped like short spears and bound by chains, covered in binding runes. “We call them ‘Witch Hunter Lightning Bolts.’ Witch Hunter Grandmasters would drive these stakes into Chaos Eggs or mutated behemoths, and they would attract and channel natural lightning from the sky to strike their targets. They are incredibly powerful, but require a long preparation time, and once driven in, the user must quickly move away, or they will be reduced to ashes along with the target.”

These two items are far fewer in number than the Ridmar's Codex of Perseverance, with over 100 copies of each remaining.

These items are clearly very useful in the battle against the Swamp Territory, effectively enraging and slaughtering the giant beasts within. Hilde took many of them.

Su Li nodded in satisfaction and said, "Very good. With these strange and wonderful witchcraft tools, our tactics can be more flexible and varied."

This is also one of the advantages of the Church of the Goddess of the Sun. Unlike other churches, this church is not reckless and stubborn, and only knows how to charge forward blindly.

The knights of the Church of the Sun Goddess are willing to try everything new, thus gaining an overwhelming tactical advantage before the battle even begins.

Su Li's gaze swept over the myriad of strange objects once more. Besides the types already detailed, the warehouse contained a vast array of other sorcery tools, totaling over two thousand items. Some, due to their scarcity or unique uses, were not described in detail by Fandall, but their value was undeniable. This substantial reserve was enough to support the expansion of the Black Forest Territory's elite knights to a new level. More importantly, it perfectly suited the characteristics of the Sun Goddess Church knights—their skill in utilizing external objects and pursuing tactical advantages—allowing them to maximize their strengths.

“Excellent. The reserves in this warehouse give me even more confidence in our future military expansion plans,” Su Li said with satisfaction. “Now, let’s go and see the power that our soldiers can actually carry with them.”

Fandral understood and led Su Li and Oliver to another heavily guarded warehouse next door. The space here was relatively small, but the security measures were even more stringent, and a restrained and pure energy fluctuation permeated the air. The items displayed on the shelves were no longer the exotic items that required specific occasions or methods of use, but exquisite pieces that could be directly integrated into the knight's personal equipment—rings, amulets, and badges.

Fandral first pointed to a group of rings with an ancient design, exuding a wild power. The ring faces were usually inlaid with animal teeth or some kind of sharp crystal. "My lord, these are the standard equipment of the territory knights, the Wild Rings, currently numbering around 300. When the wearer attacks, there is a chance to unleash a primal fighting instinct sealed within, launching a swift combo. What's especially rare is that if the attack itself has already caused serious damage, this combo is almost certain to trigger, instantly amplifying the victory. For knights seeking to kill their enemies with a single blow, they are invaluable."

Then, his gaze shifted to the largest batch of amulets. These amulets were uniform in design, bound with silver threads, and inlaid at the center was a seemingly ordinary yet strangely rhythmic four-leaf clover. "These are the standard knightly equipment, the 'Amulet of Destiny,' personally crafted by Lady Ingrid. The largest batch exists, with over eight hundred in stock. Its effect is direct and practical: it allows the wearer to foresee a fatal attack they will face in the future, giving them a chance to avoid it. Whether it's preventing assassination attempts or dodging stray arrows or deadly slashes in a chaotic battle, it's extremely effective, making it an excellent choice for enhancing survivability."

Finally, with a hint of reverence, Fandral displayed the badges stored deep within, emanating a faint aura of dragon vein power. These badges, with vibranium as their base, were engraved with the exquisite crest of the Bauhinia family, but upon closer inspection, the patterns seemed to shimmer with a lava-like light. "These are the 'Bauhinia Dragonblood Badges,' made from a rare alloy infused with the power of the Dragonblood Charter. They come in two grades."

He picked up one: "A superior-grade badge can continuously generate a weakened dragon's might field, covering an area of ​​about three steps around the wearer. Weaker enemies will feel instinctive fear and suppression, and the effect increases as the wearer's own strength increases."

He then pointed to another batch of badges, which were clearly more complex in craftsmanship and had a more restrained radiance: "And the perfect-grade badges, in addition to the Dragon's Might Domain, also have an effect called [Tyrant's Fury]. When the wearer is injured and their life is threatened, their blood will boil like a dragon's rage. The more severe the injury, the more terrifying the power and speed bonuses will be. This is a powerful weapon to turn the tide in desperate situations."

Fandall added, “My lord, in addition to these three types of standardized equipment that have already reached a considerable scale, our warehouse also contains nearly a thousand rings and amulets of various kinds. They mainly come from spoils of war, with diverse origins, crafted by artisans and even wizards from different regions. Their effects are also varied; some can slightly increase strength, while others can resist certain elemental damage, but their quality and stability vary greatly. For example, the Steadfast Barrier amulet from the 6th-circle wizard of Flashspear City can change form at any time.”

He pointed to another area where the equipment on display was indeed dazzling, but lacked uniformity. "These items are difficult to introduce and distribute systematically, so we usually allow knights who have made meritorious contributions to choose from them as an extra reward for their bravery, which also reflects the flexibility of our armory."

Su Li nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the scattered equipment shimmering with various lights, giving him a clearer assessment of his own strength. The depth of reserves displayed by this armory truly surpassed the scope of an ordinary baronial territory, with abundant accumulations of conventional weaponry, strategic resources, and magical artifacts.

However, compared to those long-established earldoms, the main difference lies in their "foundation"—that is, a stable and unified equipment system capable of providing fully equipped and uniform gear for large elite legions at any time. A powerful earldom can typically provide three thousand core knights with complete and high-quality equipment from head to toe, from main weapons to enchanted accessories. The current Blackforest territory, however, can only guarantee that two thousand elite knights will have this "perfect full set." "The main difference is in time," Su Li thought to himself. The Blackforest territory has risen too quickly; the stable input of adamantite and mithril, the mass processing of enchanted gems, and especially the production capacity of high-end standard equipment like the [Bauhinia Emblem] and [Amulet of Destiny], all require time to accumulate and expand. With another year or two of stable development, this equipment gap can be completely bridged.

However, if the standard of measurement is shifted from "army size" to "high-level combat power," the strength of the Black Forest Territory presents a completely different picture. Whether it's the strength of the Black Forest Territory itself, Ingrid, Hilde, and other core members, or the knightly order with the Champion Knights as its backbone, it far surpasses the level of ordinary earls, and is even comparable to the top forces of some duchies. This advantage of high-end military strength can play a decisive role in crucial moments.

With this in mind, Su Li's decision was clear. He turned to Fandral and Oliver, his tone resolute: "The gap in equipment can be bridged with time and effort, but the window of opportunity for talent waits for no one. Our advantage in high-level combat power must be transformed into overall military strength. The expansion plan must be put on the agenda immediately, prioritizing the recruitment and training of those with the potential to become true knights. We must advance in both quality and quantity."

Fandall immediately bowed in response: “Your decision is absolutely correct, my lord. Expanding the army is indeed necessary, but preserving and strengthening our existing elite forces is the cornerstone. The soul of an army often lies in its veterans who have been tempered by the fires of war.” He stepped aside to lead the way, “Please follow me. The next warehouse’s reserves are precisely to ensure that our elites can continue to fight and recover quickly from wounds and fatigue.”

They entered the adjacent warehouse, where the air was immediately filled with a rich aroma of herbs and exotic fragrances. Rows of specially made wooden shelves were neatly arranged with countless crystal bottles and ceramic jars, each containing a different colored liquid that shimmered with a faint, pure light.

Fandral first pointed to an innermost area shrouded in soft holy light, where the number of potions was relatively small, but each one emanated a chilling energy fluctuation. "My lord, this is where our most precious strategic resource is stored—high-level potions."

He carefully took out a potion that looked like a molten ruby. "This is the 'Potion of Earth's Blood,' a gift from the goddess Rhea. As long as there is still a breath left, it can almost pull a person back from the brink of death and stimulate powerful life force."

Then, he pointed to another batch of potions, glowing with a soft blue-white aura, like condensed teardrops. "These are 'Tears of Compassion Potions,' made by the priests of Sharya (the goddess of healing and mercy) after experiencing profound divine grace. They can dispel the most stubborn curses and poisons, and heal severe magical wounds." He emphasized, "Each of these two potions is worth more than a hundred gold crowns, and they are priceless, because their true essence lies in divine grace, not the materials."

“Even so,” Fandral said with a hint of barely perceptible pride, “we currently have more than eight hundred of these high-level potions in stock.”

This number even moved the well-informed Su Li, who asked in surprise, "More than eight hundred? How could there be so many? Even large churches produce very limited quantities of this level of potion."

At this moment, Oliver, the political officer who was well-versed in the affairs of the territory, stepped forward and explained with a smile, “My lord, this is thanks to the flourishing of faith and the support of policies within our territory. In recent years, the Church of Dawn and the Church of Sharya have grown greatly in Hessen, with numerous new monasteries and temples being built. The key is that divine grace is not entirely random. Every devout priest, in his career, may experience a profound divine grace due to a successful prayer, a great act of kindness, or a steadfast faith at a crucial moment, thus gaining the ability to create such a potion.”

He continued in detail: "Moreover, because each monastery has different priests and experiences different events, the timing of their feeling of divine grace is also different, which creates a continuous and decentralized output. In addition, special religious festivals such as the Spring Festival and the Salya Mercy Day often bring general blessings, and at that time, eligible monasteries can reliably produce one batch. Over the years, through overall planning and acquisition, we have accumulated this scale."

Upon hearing this, Su Li couldn't help but sigh, "This means that we not only have strong medical security, but we can also generate huge revenue for the territory simply by selling a portion of our surplus high-level medicines. It seems that our medicinal herb cultivation and the entire medical industry have truly taken shape and are operating well."

Fandall nodded in agreement: "That's right, sir. Please look this way again." He led Su Li into the more spacious interior of the warehouse.

The scene before them was even more spectacular. Countless wooden shelves were laden with potions of various colors. Although the energy fluctuations were not as intense as those of higher-level potions, the quantity was enormous. From the common [Hand of Sharya] (for treating minor injuries), to [Refreshing Potion] that could remove negative status effects, to more potent [Regeneration Potion], [Vitality Potion], and so on, the variety was vast and comprehensive.

Fandral's voice clearly stated a number: "We have stockpiled more than 10,000 of these common but crucial medical and supportive agents. They are enough to sustain the consumption of a large-scale campaign and ensure that our soldiers receive timely and effective treatment."

"Ten thousand?!"

This number finally made Su Li gasp softly. Even with his composure as a lord, his face revealed undisguised shock. He looked around again at the "ocean" composed of countless crystal bottles and ceramic jars, and for the first time, he truly felt the unparalleled strategic value represented by this number.

This is more than just a cold, hard number. It means that in the upcoming large-scale battle, every one of his wounded soldiers will receive effective treatment immediately! It means that the lightly wounded can quickly recover their fighting strength and return to the battlefield; the seriously wounded can survive, preserving valuable war experience for the territory. It means that his army will possess a far greater sustained combat capability and morale than its opponents—because the soldiers know that even if they are wounded, they will not be abandoned, and the territory will spare no effort to save their lives.

“Ten thousand…” Su Li repeated the number, his tone filled with emotion, “This is enough to support us in several high-intensity, large-scale battles without worrying about logistics. This is not just medicine; it is the guarantee of our soldiers’ lives, the indomitable backbone of our army, and the absolute confidence that allows us to fight tough battles and protracted wars!”

Gazing upon this "river" of potions, anyone could deeply feel the strengthening of Black Forest Territory's foundation. This was not merely a reserve of military power, but also a guarantee of vitality, a solid backing that enabled the territory to withstand the test of war and continue to develop.

If Su Li had offspring, he could calmly instruct his servants to retrieve certain treasures from these vaults and give them to them so they could expand the frontier.

But Vandal's presentation is far from over, or rather, the true extent of the Vault District has only been revealed on the tip of the iceberg.

The vault manager lowered his voice, with the solemnity of someone displaying a treasure, "Please follow me to the innermost part. There you will find the true treasures that could turn the tide of the war and even rewrite history."

He led Su Li and Oliver through rows of wooden shelves displaying ordinary potions to a small, secluded vault at the deepest part of the warehouse. The walls here were made of thick obsidian, the door was carved with intricate sealing runes, and the air was filled with an ancient and powerful energy, making even time seem to thicken.

Fandral used a specially made key and a series of complex gestures to open the vault door. The interior was small, containing only a few display stands made of insulated magic silver. The number of potions stored on them was small, but each one was like a work of art, radiating a breathtaking light.

He first pointed to a small row of crystal bottles on the left display stand, shimmering with a dreamlike, magnificent pinkish-purple light. The liquid inside seemed to flow slowly, as if it had a life of its own. "My lord, this is the 'Love Elixir,' capable of truly and temporarily altering the emotional tendencies of an intelligent being. Its effects are powerful and subtle. There are more than forty bottles here, and their value to your cultivation is immeasurable."

Then, Fandral's expression became incredibly solemn, even reverent. He slowly turned to the central display stand, where only three vials of potion sat forlornly. These three vials were encapsulated within transparent crystal pillars, the potions themselves displaying a deep, almost stormy blue-purple hue, with tiny, visible golden electric snakes silently coursing and exploding within.

“And these…” Fandral’s voice trembled slightly with excitement, “My lord, these are the blueprints that the adventure team brought back from the ancient Titans. We poured all our efforts into it, almost exhausting all the top-tier resources we had recently accumulated, to finally successfully recreate the ancient miracle—the [Divine Descent Potion].

His gaze was fixed intently on the three potions, as if he were looking up to a god. "As the recipe states, its core requires the tempering of pure celestial lightning. We joined forces with druids, the most outstanding alchemists, and even had to risk building a temporary workshop atop Thunder Mountain during the storm season... The process was incredibly difficult, and we failed many times before finally obtaining these three finished products."

Fandral turned to Su Li, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of fervor and accomplishment: "My lord, its effects are exactly as prophesied. The drinker will receive the thunderous power of an ancient Titan for a short time, and their physical strength, resilience, and control over lightning will be elevated to an unimaginable level. Imagine a thirty-meter-tall divine general drinking this potion in the heat of battle..."

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his excited emotions, but his tone was still full of power: "At that time, he will no longer be an ordinary divine general. His fists will be imbued with the power of heavenly punishment, his body will withstand siege equipment, and his very existence will become a storm! This is not just enhancement, but a fundamental sublimation! These three potions are one of the ultimate trump cards that our Black Forest Territory will use at the most critical moment to crush powerful enemies and secure victory!"

Gazing at the three quietly dormant potions, each containing world-destroying power, Su Li remained silent for a moment. From conventional swords and armor to rare magical artifacts, and now to these ancient potions capable of creating a "legend," the depth and breadth of this armory repeatedly exceeded his expectations. This was not merely an accumulation of resources; it was a concrete manifestation of a rising power, the very foundation upon which the Black Forest Territory dared to face any future challenge.

“Well done, Fandral,” Su Li finally said slowly, his tone full of affirmation. “Keep these powers safe and continue your research. The future of Black Forest Territory needs more of these ‘miracles’.”

(End of this chapter)