The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

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Dragon——Flying Dragons.

Super Dragonkin Magical Beast——Sub-dragon.

Other Advanced, Intermediate, Low-Level Dragon Breed Magical Beasts——Dragon Beasts.

Plus one Dragon Breed Beast, they constitute the taxonomy of dragons and dragon-related creatures.

Flying Dragons represented the pinnacle of power in this world, standing at the top of the food chain, with few creatures capable of threatening their existence; Sub-dragons were legendary species with many descriptions, but no one had ever seen them in person; Dragon Beasts, although rare, did exist, and Liszt's Landwalker bird Loki was a Low-Level Dragon Beast.

Loki's bloodline evolution had not yet been completed, perhaps it could eventually become an Intermediate Dragon Beast.

Dragon Breed Beasts generally existed in the form of tribes, such as the Blue Blood Treasure Horses bred by the Sapphire Duke, the Black Blood Treasured Horses and the Dragon Breed Cows raised by Liszt.

In short, items like the Phoenix Feather, which resembled a gemstone, could not prove the existence of a Phoenix.

After showing it to his family, he immediately took the Phoenix Feather back and kept it in the Gemstone Space. To him, it was a priceless treasure, and he couldn't be too cautious with it. So much so, that he didn't even plan to study the Phoenix Feather at Tulip Castle but instead, waited until the holiday season was over to go back to his territory and study it slowly.

This year's holiday season was relatively lively.

The family exchanged gifts, which were common items like food and clothing, with no valuable goods involved. The gift from Lady Penelope was still one of her meticulously cared for potted plants, a pity that Liszt hadn't found any potted plants harboring Elf Bugs while he toured her balcony.

Those two Elf Bugs were indeed once in a lifetime.

…

"I've read 'The Earth Chronicle of Liszt' which you wrote, many of the experiences in cultivation are clear and notable, many methods are inspiring to me,"

the Earl said in the study, chatting leisurely with Liszt face to face.

It was uncertain when it began, but Liszt's visits to the study had gradually become more frequent.

Of course, a lot of the time was spent on awkward small talk, and this evening was no different. After discussing some trivial matters of life, the two simply began exchanging their insights on cultivation.

Liszt replied, "I didn't expect it to inspire you."

"I always wondered how you became a Sky Knight in such a short period, contradicting my understanding of cultivation. However, through the notes, and your exchanges with Levis and Lidun, I've finally come to understand the reason."

"Oh? Father, what reason have you understood?"

"You have a profound understanding of cultivation, an understanding that is even deeper than mine, a Sword Saint. We often think that talent in cultivation is shown through bloodlines, but it's not really like that. A person's vision and understanding can also determine their talent."

The Earl then began summing up his discoveries—he talked a lot, blah blah blah, but in essence, he was saying that Liszt was smart, taking fewer detours in cultivation.

It was hard for the Earl to justify it for him.

Of course, Liszt wouldn't refuse such kindness, and he nodded in agreement: "That's right, Father. My bloodline is the same as yours and my brother's, not outstandingly talented. But I think more about cultivation, and this thinking has helped me open the doors to a new world of cultivation."

"So, I believe that in the future, we father and son should exchange more. I have a wealth of experience in the practice of a Sky Knight, and you have a keen insight into cultivation. More exchange between us can greatly benefit both sides, and who knows, in a few years I might become a Completion Level Sky Knight."

"I too hope to help you reach Completion soon," Liszt said.

"So, have you figured out any clues about Sky Knight cultivation recently?" asked the Earl.

Liszt answered, "I am currently adjusting to a new level of adaptation to Magic Potions, and at the same time, I'm also exploring the secrets of practicing from the Advanced Dou Qi Manual."

"If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me."

"I will," said Liszt.

"Take a closer look at the 'Sword Saint's Chronicles' that your grandfather gave you. I often borrow and read it from Levis. Indeed, it contains many valuable experiences to reflect upon."

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"In fact, I've already memorized the 'Sword Saint's Chronicles.'"

Earl felt somewhat embarrassed, "Um..."

Liszt continued to boast, "I love reading, and I have a good memory. In fact, I've also memorized the 'Rising Sun Blaze' Secret Manual. I think instead of keeping frequently used knowledge in books, it's better to store it directly in one's mind, ready to be accessed at any time."

"Um..."

"I don't like magicians, as they are always causing destruction, but I admire their determination to research the truth. I also think using magic books to spread knowledge is a very good method. The best way to understand something is to record and study it."

"Um..."

"I do the same. I research the interactions between magic potions and Dou Qi, the interactions between drugs and the body, reasonable methods of cultivation, and I'm even researching new Dou Qi manuscripts. I believe if our predecessors could create Dou Qi manuscripts, then I surely can create them too."

"You're planning to create a Dou Qi manuscript?" Earl exclaimed.

"Father, it's not hard to understand."

Liszt casually took a sip of milk, "If drug consumption can be summarized to suit one's personal constitution, why can't Dou Qi manuscripts be summarized to suit one's personal style? Everyone's combat style is distinct and their bodies are different too. The Dou Qi manuscripts of our ancestors might not fit me perfectly."

Earl sat in his seat, holding a glass of red wine, continuously sipping.

Liszt was still going on and on. Now that he was a Sky Knight, it was a rare opportunity to converse with an Earl who was also a Sky Knight, naturally, he wanted to indulge in the exchange, "When I was at the Earth Knight stage, I was eager to break through to Sky Knight, so I had no time to create a Dou Qi manuscript. Now that I have become a Sky Knight, I should contemplate more carefully, and create a Dou Qi manuscript that fits me."

This was the truth.

Before, when he was weak and felt insecure, he was desperate to use drugs to cultivate.

Now that he had become a Sky Knight, and even the shadow of his future dragon mount was taking shape, he naturally didn't need to hurry and could cultivate more patiently.

He was prepared to continue his long speech.

Suddenly, Earl interrupted, "It's getting late, Liszt. It's time to go to rest, and don't forget that today is the festival. Relax appropriately and don't always think about cultivating. I approve of your ideas and hope you will have greater breakthroughs... I'm proud of you, my son."

Although slightly disappointed, Liszt still stood up to take his leave.

Earl was left sitting alone in the study, looking glum. He poured himself a full glass of red wine and gulped it down.

...

Returning to his room to rest.

Liszt couldn't seem to fall asleep, partly because he was waiting for the unknown reward that would be given after midnight for completing the Smoke Mission, and partly because the Phoenix Feather always tempted him, making him eager to take it out and play with it.

The fiery red feather, about the length from the middle finger joint to the wrist, was slightly curled with a translucent luster.

This was a flight feather.

Flight feathers, along with tail feathers, are large feathers that cover the body of birds and are considered primary feathers. The structure of a primary feather includes the shaft, the rachis, barbs, and barbules, and this Phoenix Feather had these features. However, its barbs were not soft but had many small, crystalline protrusions.

The barbules were also robust, similarly adorned with crystal-like protrusions.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"No matter how you look at it, it doesn't resemble a real feather, more like the fossil of some feather. Is it really from a phoenix?" Liszt began to recall the knowledge he had about phoenixes.

Sub-dragon phoenixes are different from the phoenixes of Chinese legend.

More akin to the Western legend of the immortal bird, in essence, it is a Fire Attribute Magical Beast.

Its Serpent Script pronunciation and meaning are also unrelated to a phoenix, but Liszt habitually compared it to one — because its Serpent Script meaning is 'great bird born from flames'."