Chapter 84: Taylors Becomes a Mage

Indeed, according to Korder's revelations, the pearls known as Blood Sources were closely tied to the Blood Elves—an entity Rhett had never heard of before! In fact, not only Rhett, but even Korder and everyone in the organization were unaware of the Blood Elves' whereabouts. Their Blood Source pearls all came from the organization's founder. However, as Rhett learned from Korder, their founder had passed away three years ago, only revealing the Blood Source secrets just before his death. He claimed to have come from a much larger and more terrifying evil force, far stronger than the organization he had established. The higher-ups in this force had control over Blood Elves, and the Blood Source pearls were products of these Blood Elves.

Over twenty years ago, the founder had coveted the Blood Source pearls, and during a transport mission, he orchestrated a heist, stealing a large batch of these pearls and defecting from the organization. Fleeing for over a decade, crossing countless miles, he finally reached the southwestern border of the Kingdom of Gilron. To ensure his safety, he never revealed the exact name or details of his origins, even in his dying words.

Rhett's gaze flickered as he held the two Blood Source pearls in his hand. He wasn't particularly interested in the founder's background, but he now knew how to use the Blood Source pearls. They required charging, a process that was gruesome and sinister. It didn't involve a long cycle or complex steps; it simply demanded brutal injection into the heart of a knight or the brain of a mage. The Blood Source would then automatically absorb the energy.

When the energy reached a certain level, the user could refine and absorb it, enhancing their strength. When injected into a knight's heart, it was called a Blood Source Heart; when injected into a mage's brain, it was called a Blood Source Brain. Both were referred to as Blood Source pearls.

Rhett had also just learned that these Blood Source pearls, products of the Blood Elves, could only enhance mental power or Dou Qi. When it came to breaking through bottlenecks, neither the Blood Source Heart nor the Blood Source Brain offered any assistance.

Korder had relied on the Blood Source pearls to reach the peak of Tier-3 Mage, and his breakthrough to Tier-4 in the simulation was purely due to the passage of time.

"I thought there was a real way to break through bottlenecks in the world, but it turns out to be nothing but wishful thinking. Then again... it's understandable. If a mass-produced product of an elf could easily break through bottlenecks, that person would have been invincible and dominated the world long ago."

Rhett shook his head, looking at the round pearl in his hand, but he wasn't discouraged. Although the Blood Source pearls could indeed enhance power, their violent enhancement method came with a fatal flaw—life force depletion!

Rhett looked down at the deceased Korder's face, which appeared incredibly aged, yet the man was only about fifty years old. His withered appearance was purely due to the repeated use of Blood Source pearls, which had drained twenty to thirty years of his lifespan.

In Rhett's possession were both a Blood Source Heart and a Blood Source Brain. The Blood Source Brain was only a little short of being fully charged...

"Perhaps, in the earlier simulations, this man targeted Eagletown because both Raleigh and I are mages..." Rhett narrowed his eyes as he looked at Korder, a hint of coldness in his gaze. Holding the Blood Source Brain, he walked over...

After some bloody actions, Rhett removed the glowing Blood Source Brain from Korder's skull. Under the moonlight, the blood-red glow of the Blood Source pearl became even more intense, as if it might overflow at any moment.

At that moment, Rhett thought, "The Blood Source pearls are one-time consumables. Once used, they are useless. But for me, this is not a problem; it's actually a great help. In future simulated training, in addition to using Moonlight Potions, I can also use the Blood Source Brain to speed up my training efficiency. Even if the side effects are severe and deplete lifespan, what does it matter in a simulation?"

Rhett chuckled as he pocketed the two Blood Source pearls. After one last glance at Korder, whose head had collapsed inward into a horrifyingly twisted shape, Rhett squinted slightly, thinking, "Since every elf in the world is unique and possesses extraordinary abilities, the Blood Elves' power to mass-produce Blood Source pearls seems downright evil..."

The night's events had deepened his understanding of elves. He had previously assumed that other elves, even if not as pure and innocent as the Snow Elves, would not pose much of a threat. But now, after witnessing the Blood Source pearls, which fed on flesh and brain matter, he saw the cruelty and brutality that he had never associated with elves before...

Clearing his thoughts, Rhett quickly scavenged some loot from Korder's body. Besides a Tier-3 dark-element wand lying nearby, Rhett also found a pouch containing gold coins and magic crystals after some searching. He estimated the value to be around 300 gold coins.

Gathering a ball of fire, Rhett burned Korder's body to ashes.

On his way back, Rhett encountered the belated reinforcements.

"Lord Rhett, are you alright? How did it go?" Roy, who had already taken a solid potion and whose injuries had stabilized, approached slowly with the support of a knight.

"The attacker has been dealt with, the danger is over. Everyone can relax now," Rhett shrugged, as if what had just happened was no big deal.

"What? The Tier-3 dark mage who ambushed us is already dead?" Roy was astonished, his expression reflecting his shock. The surrounding knights also erupted in surprise. They looked at Rhett with newfound respect and awe.

It wasn't long before some knights returned after checking the area and confirmed the discovery of a corpse to Roy.

Roy was at a loss for words, staring at Rhett with a complex expression. He hadn't expected that within such a short time, before reinforcements could even arrive, the battle had already concluded. Though he had sensed Rhett's formidable power earlier, he hadn't imagined it was to this extent!

On the way back, Roy remained silent, but his mind was racing with thoughts.

When they returned to the castle, Roy took a deep breath, turned to Rhett, and said, "Lord Rhett, thank you for saving my life. If not for your timely intervention, I might already be a corpse."

Rhett sat down, sipping the tea brought by the maid, and chuckled, "No need to be so polite, Lord Roy. There's a saying... 'A rose given to others leaves a lingering fragrance on the hand,' right? I think it's very fitting for today's events."

Roy's eyes lit up, clearly moved by Rhett's words. "From now on, both I and Maplewood Town are your most trustworthy allies. May the friendship between Eagletown and Maplewood Town last forever!" Roy placed his hand on his chest and bowed slightly, though his injuries prevented a deeper gesture. He then stepped forward, grasping Rhett's hands earnestly. "Lord Rhett, I've thought it over carefully on the way back. With your admirable qualities, your descendants will undoubtedly be remarkable. I believe entrusting my daughter to Taylors would be a perfect match! My younger daughter, Mina, is 17 years old, gentle in nature, and I'm sure she would be a great match for Taylors! What do you think, Lord Rhett?"

"Oh?" Rhett feigned surprise, taking a sip of tea before replying thoughtfully, "Hmm, that's an interesting proposal. I personally approve, but I think they should spend some time getting to know each other first. If they eventually come together, it would be a wonderful outcome."

Roy felt relieved at his words, smiling broadly. "Of course! Everything needs a proper process!"

Under the bright lights of the hall, a few maids brought in snacks and desserts. Roy personally poured Rhett a glass of red wine, remarking, "By the way, I still can't believe you've become a Tier-3 Mage, Lord Rhett! It's truly astonishing!"

Rhett humbly shook his head. "It's just luck. After all, when I retired from the front lines, I was already at the peak of a Tier-2 Mage, and I happened to break through recently."

Roy didn't dwell on it, his eyes briefly flashing with envy as he sincerely praised, "At this rate, reaching Tier-3 in your forties, Lord Rhett, you are bound to become a Grand Mage in your lifetime!"

"Thank you for your kind words," Rhett replied with a smile.

The next day, with Roy needing time to recover, Rhett took the opportunity to bid farewell and left Maplewood Town.

Time quickly passed, and soon it was April 3rd.

In the depths of a mine shaft in an abandoned mining site, a middle-aged man in a trench coat stood beside the corpse of an armored knight. Fresh blood still pooled around the body, indicating that the knight had only recently died.

Taking care of this man was just a trivial matter. However, Rhett hadn't gained much useful information from him.

Combining Korder's intel with some new information extracted from this Tier-2 knight, Rhett gained a deeper understanding of the organization.

The organization had no fixed name, all in the interest of staying low-key and hidden. The core members were naturally those in Clear Springs Town who practiced evil alchemy, while the other members were referred to as peripheral members. Their main task was singular: to collect "materials." These materials, of course, referred to knights' hearts and mages' brains, used to charge the Blood Source pearls.

The Tier-2 knight Rhett killed was, of course, a peripheral member. He usually exchanged "materials" for contributions to the organization, which he then used to obtain the resources he needed. From his interrogation, Rhett still didn't learn whether the organization had any remaining Blood Source pearls. It's understandable that a peripheral member wouldn't know such secretive information. However, Rhett thought he could still try to gather more details through simulations.

Moreover, it had been quite some time since the last simulation, and significant changes had occurred in reality. Rhett was also about to head to Clear Springs Town to deal with the alchemical organization. Considering Taylors' potion needs, Rhett had formulated a new plan, deciding to attempt an exchange with Blackstar during the simulation. To avoid any unexpected outcomes, he needed to simulate it first to confirm his plan!

After a moment of contemplation, Rhett activated the system.

"Would you like to start a text simulation? Each year of simulation consumes 5 Fate Points."

"Yes, simulate one year."

[Gilron Calendar, Year 474, April 4th: Raleigh traveled to Dam Town and revisited the mysteries of life with Klina. Baron Gair noticed the unusually close relationship between the two and asked Raleigh if he and Klina had taken things to the next level. Raleigh openly admitted it and proposed on the spot. After a brief shock, Baron Gair agreed to the marriage.]

[April 7th: You mastered the Tier-3 spell, Quicksand, further enhancing your combat capabilities.]

[April 11th: Mina visited Eagletown, and Taylors went to greet her. While admiring the scenery at Sunlake, a sudden downpour began. Taylors used his thin coat to shield her from the rain, greatly increasing Mina's affection for him.]

[April 26th: Mina visited Eagletown again and gave Taylors the third volume of Knight Academy as a gift. Overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude, Taylors embraced Mina.]

[April 30th: Upon reaching the Rhea family's territory, Clear Springs Town, you didn't act rashly but set up an ambush on the outskirts. That night, you met Blackstar, and after a brief discussion, you decided to team up against the evil organization in Clear Springs Town.]

[May 1st: You and Blackstar encountered two Tier-3 mages on patrol. After jointly eliminating one of them, you decided to besiege the remaining forces. The commotion attracted the remaining Tier-3 mage and three Tier-3 knights as reinforcements. You held nothing back, severely injuring them. Afterward, you interrogated them under duress and learned the location of the remaining Blood Source pearls. That night, you stormed the castle in Clear Springs Town, subdued the remaining members of the organization, and secretly took some alchemical books. Finally, in the cellar, you found seven Blood Source pearls. Blackstar was very interested in them, and after negotiation, you divided the pearls equally.]

[May 2nd: At dawn, before parting with Blackstar, you asked if he had any more bloodline potions and offered to trade your Earth Lizard bloodline potion. Delighted, he offered to exchange it for a potion from a Tier-6 magical beast, the Black-Eyed Phantom Serpent, but said it would take a month for him to deliver it personally. You agreed on the spot.]

[May 9th: Tucker advanced to the late stage of Tier-1 Knight.]

[May 10th: Taylors visited Dam Town with the escort of Kurs and Tadel. The two shared a passionate kiss under a red maple tree in the countryside.]

[May 16th: You arrived in Twilight City, where you handed over a live member of the evil alchemical organization to Count Nilo, reporting the organization's activities. While in the city, you also inquired at the local merchants about the possibility of purchasing valuable marine creatures from the Eastern Blue Coast, only to learn that a severe tsunami had recently hit the area, and it had been out of contact for almost a month.]

[May 25th: You and Raleigh brought a dowry and visited Dam Town. After a friendly exchange, Raleigh and Klina's marriage was formally settled.]

[May 29th: The advanced water-element magic plant, Frost Sunflower, ripened and produced a batch of Ice Crystal Seeds.]

[June 1st: After two weeks of investigation, the testimonies from the organization's members, combined with on-site inspections of territories and villages that had been attacked over the years, and the capture and interrogation of scattered remaining members, revealed the full extent of the evil alchemical organization's crimes: over the past few years, they had killed a total of 142 mages and knights in their experiments, along with over ten thousand innocent civilians.]

[June 6th: Raleigh and Klina's wedding took place in Deeprock Castle, and the two were officially married. That day, Roy, who attended the wedding, also discussed the marriage between Taylors and Mina, which was eventually set for July.]

[June 10th: Blackstar arrived at your territory and traded bloodline potions with you. You gave the new bloodline potion to Taylors, who successfully absorbed it, gaining dark-element mage talents.]

[July 1st: Stablemaster George assisted in the birth of Blackgrill's litter, delivering triplets—a joyous occasion.]

[July 9th: The Deputy Commander of the Canyon Defense Line, Ambiru, accompanied by Count Nilo, arrived at your territory to conduct a knighthood ceremony. You were promoted to the rank of Viscount in the Kingdom of Gilron, and your territory tripled in size.]

[July 13th: Considering the upcoming population growth in your territory, you decided to develop the Fire Vein Mine.]

[July 15th: Taylors and Mina's wedding took place in Deeprock Castle, and the two were officially married.]

[July 27th: News of your elimination of the evil alchemical organization spread. Some people who had lost their homes to the organization and survived sought refuge in Eagletown.]

[July 29th: Your diligent efforts bore fruit as Mina became pregnant.]

[August 3rd: Viscount Bolton of Goldrush Town visited Eagletown to discuss a partnership regarding the Fire Vein Mine. Meanwhile, Raylith teased Taylors at the knight training ground, which prompted Mina to scold him. Angered, Raylith challenged Mina, but Tucker intervened just in time. After an intense battle, Tucker and Raylith ended in a draw. Viscount Bolton also proposed a duel with you, and you gladly accepted. In the ensuing fight, you 'accidentally' injured him, giving him a lesson.]

[August 5th: A Tier-2 mage came to pledge allegiance, claiming to have knowledge of alchemy. He revealed that his family, which had passed down alchemical knowledge, was slaughtered by the evil alchemical organization three years ago, leaving him as the sole survivor. He had come to you in gratitude for avenging his family.]

[August 6th: Your diligent efforts bore fruit once again, as Klina became pregnant with twins.]

[September 3rd: Due to Raleigh's early and extensive use of Moonlight Potions, he reached the peak of Tier-1 Mage. The awakening of the Snow Elf propelled him to Tier-2 Mage.]

[October 17th: A Tier-3 Bloodhoof Boar attacked your territory. You intervened in time, slaying the beast without any casualties.]

[November 25th: Taylors advanced to apprentice mage.]

[December 20th: That day, as you were using fire essence to hatch a magical beast egg, it caused quite a commotion. After a patient wait, a Firefeather Hawk hatchling emerged, and its first sight was your friendly face.]

[December 25th: Two homeless Tier-1 knights came to seek your protection.]

[Gilron Calendar, Year 475, February 21st: Count Nilo Brane issued a notice, revealing that scouts had detected a brewing minor beast tide in the Darkstripe Eagle branch of the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Preparations were made to defend against the incoming beast tide.]

[March 2nd: A pack of Tier-2 Wind Wolves, led by an alpha, attacked your territory with seven Tier-1 Wind Wolves. Due to prior precautions, your forces handled the crisis on their own.]

[March 23rd: Tadel, who had long been at the peak of Tier-1 Knight, found a breakthrough opportunity and advanced to Tier-2 Knight that day.]

[March 26th: Under Count Nilo's command, a counterattack was launched, and you were sent to the front lines of the Darkstripe Eagle branch.]