The wizard starts by trimming the donkey's hooves

Chapter 270 Blade Storm! (Two chapters in one)

The information from the underground intelligence hall was quickly uploaded to the mission hall through a special pipeline.

At this point in the mission hall, there are far fewer staff than in the brightly lit intelligence hall, but there are still people on duty.

After receiving the urgent message, the yawning female employee perked up and immediately delivered the urgent information to the clerk's room.

Today it is the affairs officer Yumaz who is on duty, but his duty is different from the duty in the intelligence hall. Basically, nothing will happen, except for situations like today.

After a while, Olena, the Deputy Minister of Affairs who was resting at home, was also invited to the Sword Bearer Branch.

Mission Hall, inside Officer Yumaz's office.

"Lord Yumaz, you are looking for me?"

"Yes, Olena, I have something to discuss with you." Yumaz directly handed over the two urgent intelligence reports from the intelligence hall to the capable young woman.

After Olena took it, she quickly flipped through it. After a few minutes, she frowned and said, "Lord Yumaz, what do you mean?"

"My idea is to ask Lord Ryan to suspend the mission to kill the 'Blood Burner' Laxul."

"Originally, this mission was rated as two-star gold, but with the strength shown by the other party this time, and the possible influence of the Secret Snake Cult's special envoy, the difficulty of this mission has increased significantly, and it needs to be re-rated."

Yumaz's face became serious, and after a pause, he continued, "I think the difficulty of this mission has reached the level of three and a half gold stars."

"Even for safety reasons, I think the other three-star gold-level mission 'Investigating the truth behind the Meister attack' should also be suspended."

"I suggest keeping the one-star gold mission 'Protect the Governor of Meister County City'."

Olena, the capable young woman, thought for a moment and asked, "Sir, what are the suggestions from the Intelligence Hall?"

"Colin, that slippery guy, wrote that it was up to Lord Ryan to decide for himself." Yumaz stood up and said unhappily.

At the same time, he handed the Intelligence Hall's comments on the two intelligence reports to Olena.

After thinking for a while, Olena said, "I think we can convey Colin's suggestion directly to Mr. Ryan."

"Huh?" Yumaz looked at his deputy in surprise and said.

"Olena, Lord Ryan accepting three gold-level missions is not in compliance with the regulations. If something really happens to him, you and I will both be punished!"

"Well, thank you for the reminder, Lord Yumaz, but I believe in Lord Ryan's ability."

Olena pointed to the intelligence from Welsh Observer McKen and said:

"If I hadn't received this information, I might have agreed with your opinion. But now, I think we should trust Mr. Ryan, who can work miracles."

"You forgot that even when he encountered the 'Tide Piercer' who had the strength of a titled knight, Lord Ryan was able to escape unscathed."

"Besides, Meister is Lord Ryan's hometown. I think it would be best to let Lord Ryan decide for himself whether to continue."

After listening to his deputy's words, Yumaz fell into deep thought.

He was seen pacing back and forth in the room, thinking.

After a long time, he nodded and said, "Okay! Since you and Colin both agree, let's arrange it this way."

"However, you will adjust the reward level for the mission to kill the 'Blood Burner' Laxul to three and a half stars. If Lord Ryan succeeds in killing him, we cannot let him take less of the reward."

"By the way, are there any vacancies in the gold-level team within our branch?"

Olena immediately understood what her master meant. He wanted to assign a gold-level team to the task, but now she is powerless.

The capable young woman shook her head and said:

"Not at the moment, sir. As you know, the situation in Rossby County is even worse than that in Meister. More than half of the gold-level teams in the branch have gone to Rossby County."

As for the silver level, they are too weak and going there will only increase casualties.

"Then pass the information to Lord Ryan as soon as possible, and ask him if he has any other needs. We will try our best to meet them."

"Okay, Lord Yumaz, I'll go right away!"

Welsh County.

Inside the temporary camp.

According to the information from observer McKen, after this battle, the remaining Black Flame cult forces in Wales County could basically not pose any threat to the team. Naturally, Ryan did not need to consider the option of traveling overnight.

Especially since they had just experienced a great battle, everyone, including the knights who had entered the extraordinary stage, looked exhausted, not to mention the ordinary cavalry.

It was just that the excitement and spirit that flashed across everyone's eyes from time to time proved that they were the winners.

After cleaning up the battlefield, everyone has now resumed alert and rest under Claire's arrangement.

As a gold-level swordsman, one of the benefits of Ryan being able to call for non-combat support is that he can let McKen take the seriously injured away for treatment first, so the entire team can still go into battle lightly.

Ryan was originally planning to consider adding more points, but when he saw Claire coming over, he knew that she must have something to say to him, so he stood up immediately.

"Ryan, shall we take a walk this way?"

"Okay, Miss Claire."

The two of them came to a slightly secluded place not far from the camp. Claire looked at Ryan with a curious and complicated expression and asked:
"Ryan, how strong are you or when did you become a wizard?"

"Well, it was probably not long after I joined the Sword Bearers that I accidentally discovered that I had a rare affinity for metal elements. Later, I became a formal wizard." Ryan told the story as if it was as simple as going to a pie shop to buy a piece of pie.

After all, if the truth is told, Anna will be brought up, which will make a simple matter a little complicated.

"By the way, Ms. Claire, was the secret technique of 'Arcadia Swordsmanship' that you displayed in the battle just now?" Ryan changed the subject rather abruptly.

Women are more sensitive to this, not to mention the Earl's daughter Claire. She just gave Ryan a bright look and said:
"Yes, I used the Arcadia swordsmanship secret technique 'One-stage circular slash'. I also mastered the subsequent 'Two-stage circular slash', but it consumes a lot of physical strength to perform, so I rarely use it in battle."

Ren nodded.

This is the normal fighting style of a knight or a great knight. Even if they have mastered secret techniques or mysteries, they will still be cautious in using them and must use them according to their own physical strength and conserve their energy.

Unlike him, as long as there are spare attribute points, he almost never considers physical strength issues.

At the same time, this is why Ryan continuously used the advanced secret technique 'Crushing Hammer' to smash the golem guard to pieces, which brought unparalleled shock to everyone!
Ryan raised his eyebrows, showing great interest in what Claire said.

"From the name, it seems to be a progressive multiple secret technique? Then the subsequent mysteries should be very powerful, right?"

Claire nodded and said:

"Well, after you have mastered the secret technique 'Three-segment Arc Slash', you can comprehend the secret technique 'Blade Storm'."

"But at present, I have only barely mastered the 'Three-segment Arc Slash', and I am not proficient enough. I have to continue to practice hard for a while before I can master the secret."

However, soon, Claire looked at Ryan suspiciously and asked:
"Didn't I give you the scroll of 'Arcadian Swordsmanship', Ryan? Didn't you read it?"

"Well, I only saw the first few moves. I didn't have time to see the rest." Ryan said a little embarrassedly.

Logically speaking, he should have carefully read the Arcadian Swordsmanship that Claire gave him with great care.

"Yeah!" Claire didn't think there was anything wrong.

After all, Ryan had just gotten it, and had also experienced a fierce battle today.

The two chatted for a while.
At this time, the night mist gradually dissipated.

Claire's fair face was still slightly red after the battle, and under the bright moonlight, it reflected a faint crystal luster, revealing an extremely healthy beauty and a heroic temperament.

As for Claire, who also had an impressive figure, Ryan unconsciously compared her with the beautiful woman Jennifer.

But soon, Ryan discovered that the two had completely different styles.

If the beautiful woman Jennifer is a ripe peach, then Claire is a rose that has just bloomed. The feminine charm between her eyebrows is a little immature, but her temperament is more confident due to years of exercise, and her curves are firmer and more elastic.

As if she noticed something, Claire's face became redder and redder.

As a woman and a top knight, she naturally sensed Ryan's gaze passing over some of her curvy parts.

"Ryan, I, I have something else to do. You can practice on your own first." After saying that, Claire left quickly, as if she was running away.

After several battles, Claire's attitude towards Ryan was gradually changing. If others saw it this way, Claire would only think that the other person was a "lecher".

But Ryan's words.
It will make her heart beat faster, her face turn red, and she will feel a sense of shyness that is unique to women, but she will not be angry.

But for a moment, she couldn't accept Ryan's bold gaze.

"Okay, Miss Claire." Ryan responded with some confusion.

However, when Claire turned around, her perky and tight buttocks were exposed to Ryan.

Years of knight training meant that Claire's hips didn't shake much when she walked, but trembled slightly, appearing unusually fine and tight.

Let Ryan feast his eyes!
After Claire walked away, Ryan calmed down his fluctuating emotions and turned his attention back to swordsmanship.

He transformed the hardened metal into a two-handed sword and began to practice Arcadia swordsmanship in the open space.

However, at this time, the system prompt soon sounded:
[You have practiced Arcadia swordsmanship, and your understanding of the art has improved! ]

[Your skill Arcadia Swordsmanship is improved, experience value +3]

[It is detected that the host has practiced the Giant Bear Swordsmanship, which is also a two-handed sword technique. Do you want to merge it into the Arcadia Swordsmanship? This fusion will consume 3 gold skill points. ]

(Note: After fusion, the Giant Bear Sword Skill will no longer be displayed on the panel, but the host can still use related sword skills and derived secrets.)
(Note: After the fusion, Arcadia Swordsmanship will absorb the advantages of Giant Bear Swordsmanship and improve it, and the host's experience points in Giant Bear Swordsmanship will be converted into the experience points of the improved Arcadia Swordsmanship at a certain ratio.)
Ok?
When Ryan saw the last system prompt, he immediately remembered something.

The previous Imperial Military Swordsmanship and Basic Swordsmanship were also like this, they could be integrated together.
Ryan remembered it clearly.

At that time, the basic swordsmanship was of the same lineage as the imperial military swordsmanship, and possibly because the skill level was still relatively low, so the fusion did not consume any skill points.

But he really didn't expect that this fusion would actually cost 3 gold skill points.

In comparison, this time can really be called 'expensive'!
Ryan looked at the statement again.

"It won't affect the use of the original sword skills and derived secrets?"

"Then there's no problem."

"But 3 gold skill points is not a small amount."

Ryan's mind moved, and he called up the attribute panel again:
Constitution: 38
Power: 43
Agility: 35
Spirit: 52
I had added 2 points of strength before, so my strength had reached 43, getting closer and closer to the top-level secret requirement of 'strength 45 points, agility 38 points, and physique above 40 points'.

"I only need one less gold skill point to upgrade 'Crushing Hammer' to the top level."

"However, if I add points to strength, agility, and constitution, I will need a total of 7 attribute points to meet the requirements. If I only have 1 attribute point left, it is still too risky in the current environment."

"If you use up 3 points for fusion, the gap in gold skill points will become 4 points again."

Ryan frowned slightly, and for a moment he was a little unsure about what to do.

"I guess there will be a lot of subsequent battles when we come to Meister this time."

"After all, we were attacked on the way!"

"You should save more attribute points for backup."

"In this case, there is only..."

Finally, after some thought, Ryan chose 'yes' - fusion!
Then, on the Weapon Master (Legend) panel, the lv13 Giant Bear Swordsmanship suddenly disappeared, and was replaced by the lv10 Arcadia Swordsmanship (12/20000).

The Giant Bear Swordsmanship, which was at level 13 and almost level 14, after transformation, just had difficulty in entering the Arcadia Swordsmanship level 10.

This shows how big the gap in quality is between the two.

But that's a good thing!
This means that the power of Arcadia swordsmanship of the same level will significantly surpass that of Giant Bear swordsmanship.

At the same time, a flood of memories about practicing Arcadia swordsmanship flooded into Ryan's mind, causing both of his temples to swell slightly.

For a moment, Ryan felt as if he had been practicing Arcadia swordsmanship in a mysterious space for decades!

After he absorbed this memory, the system prompt also appeared:

[Congratulations, you have unlocked the exclusive secret skill of Arcadia Swordsmanship: Arc Slash! ]

[Congratulations, you have unlocked the Arcadia Swordsmanship secret skill: Arc Slash lv2! ]

"Arc Slash Level 2, this should be what Claire meant by the second arc slash."

However, in an instant, a flash of lightning flashed through Ryan's mind.

"I still have 2 skill points, and Arcadia Swordsmanship is currently at level 10, so it's possible..."

Immediately, Ryan, who seemed a little excited, focused his attention on the lv10 Arcadia swordsmanship.

Without much hesitation, Ryan invested both skill points into it!

Ryan narrowed his eyes and began to digest and absorb the new training memory, and the system prompt soon came:

[Congratulations, you have unlocked the Arcadia Swordsmanship secret skill: Arc Slash lv3! ]

Sure enough!

"If Claire knew that I could match her ten years of hard training in just a short time, I wonder how she would feel."

"It seems that I still have to keep it secret for a short period of time, or find a suitable time to quickly show my progress," Ryan thought to himself.

However, this is still not Ryan's ultimate goal of adding points this time!
At this moment, he already had a vague understanding of the subsequent Arcadia sword technique, 'Blade Storm'.

He needs an epiphany, or 1 gold skill point, to break through this limit!
Obviously, there is no need to hesitate!
As the number of gold skill points increased from 4 to 3, Ryan suddenly had a new understanding of the ultimate skill "Blade Storm".
Only a system prompt appears:
[Congratulations, you have mastered the basic secret of Arcadia swordsmanship: Blade Storm! ]

"Blade Storm!"

Seeing these four words, a smile appeared on Ryan's lips!
Yes, this is what Ryan just thought of - to master the secret of Arcadia swordsmanship 'Blade Storm' in one go!
Immediately, Ryan was delighted to see a new icon above the 'Arcadia Swordsmanship' and the secret skill 'Arc Slash lv3' on the Weapon Master (Legend) panel.

The image in this icon shows a sturdy man waving a big sword in his hand like a spinning top, spinning at high speed.

There were diverging air currents all around, which seemed to represent the greatsword blade cutting through the air, extremely sharp!
At the bottom right of the icon, there is a line of small words:
Blade Storm (primary secret) Effect: Based on the arc slash, it skillfully combines the Force and swings the greatsword in the hand, like a whirlwind of sharp blades, attacking all nearby enemies.

(Note: Blade Storm is a secret skill and cannot be upgraded through skill points.)
(To upgrade Blade Storm to the intermediate level, the following conditions must be met: 14. Arcadia Sword Skill lv14 or above; 2. Bear King Breathing Technique lv or above. . Consume gold skill points.)
"Ok?"

"So expensive?"

"To upgrade to the intermediate level, it takes 2 gold skill points?"

"According to this calculation, it takes a total of 3 gold skill points to upgrade to the intermediate secret, which is just enough."

"But if that's the case, there's no way I can upgrade 'Crushing Hammer' to the top level in the short term," Ryan pondered.

Since the team had just been attacked, and in order to temporarily avoid being discovered by Claire, Ryan did not plan to practice the new ultimate move "Blade Storm" at this time.

But in this case, he would not be able to evaluate the power of this move.

But one thing is clear.

That is, after mastering the two group attack skills of "Blade Storm" and "Roaring War Cry", Ryan can say with certainty that at this stage he is not afraid of group battles at all!
The sky is bright.

Ryan and his group set off and continued to move towards the county town of Meister.

After walking for a while, they left Welsh County and entered the territory of Mayest County. At this time, Ryan, who was looking out the window of the carriage, suddenly turned to Claire and said:

"Ms. Claire, I want to go back to Shining Gold Town to see what's going on there before I leave."

Goldshire Town?
Hearing this familiar place name, Claire seemed to understand something. She did not show any sign of rejection and nodded, saying, "Of course, we can just turn off at the fork in the road and go to Shining Gold Town."

Why choose to go now?

Ryan was mainly considering that once he arrived in the county town, he would still have the task of protecting Earl Habsburg. It might be a bit difficult to get away and go to Shining Gold Town at that time.

But as for the situation in Goldshire, Ryan has actually been concerned about it ever since he received a letter from his childhood best friend George.

If you turn from here to Shanjin Town, it will only take a detour and will take about two or three more hours. You will arrive at the county town around dusk.

Overall, it didn't delay anything.

"Thank you Miss Claire."

"Ryan, actually, I also want to go back to the Habsburg manor nearby to take a look." Claire smiled and said.

The head maid, Xia Diya, glanced at Ryan.

The Town of Shining Gold is where the young Lord Ryan was born and grew up.

In addition, Shadiya herself also worked as the head maid in the Habsburg Manor next to Goldshire Town for several years, so naturally she has feelings for Goldshire Town.

She also wanted to see what the town of Shining Gold was like after the attack.

As the convoy gradually drove into the Town of Shining Gold, it would stand to reason that the entry of such a large group of people would instantly cause a commotion among the residents of the town, and curious children would run out and watch with their big eyes.

But what was heard at this moment was silence, and what was seen were many collapsed houses.

It was totally different from the lively scene of the past that Ryan remembered.

There were basically no pedestrians on the streets, let alone children running back and forth.

This town changed from the bustling town that Ryan was familiar with to a dead town with almost no one.

Ryan was not a person who felt sad for the passing of time, but seeing this scene with his own eyes still deeply touched his heart!
Ryan's face was as gloomy as water, and his heart was in turmoil!

Hey!
Damn cult!
Although the Dragun Empire had many shortcomings, including its system, which Ryan considered to be very backward.

But no matter what, the empire at least gave ordinary people the opportunity to survive, and occasionally, it allowed the lower-class people to find a little joy in life amidst their hard lives.

In comparison, what these cults do is truly inhumane!

When Xia Diya saw this scene, she covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes widened, and her eyes were red.

When she was the head maid of the manor, she often came to Shining Gold Town to purchase some things.

But now, I may never see the familiar people again, and the shops I often go to are all closed.

Claire was not very familiar with Goldshire. When she came to Goldshire before, she stayed temporarily in the Habsburg Manor nearby.

but
Seeing the small town under her family's actual control become so desolate still touched her heart.

"Let's go, Miss Claire." Ryan said in a deep voice.

"Well, Ryan, after we wipe out the cult, we can rebuild the town." Claire said with relief when she saw Ryan's expression.

"Thank you." Ryan nodded and said nothing.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the carriage was a bit depressing.

(End of this chapter)