Hundreds of Silver Knights stood in four orderly ranks, holding long spears, solemn and dignified.
They wore standard-issue Magic Element Armor, but to Shu Yue, these sets felt far superior to Belang’s. Compared to these, Belang’s armor was almost like a child’s toy.
At the front of this imposing knight formation stood a group of knight captains draped in half-body Magic Element Armor—men and women alike—each exuding an astonishing aura.
Shu Yue sensed a thick, bloody killing intent from them.
She had only ever seen that kind of aura on old adventurers who roamed the Outlands all year round.
This was a presence tempered through countless battles.
In other words, that aura was a symbol of their strength.
Tier 3?
Maybe even Tier 4…
She had a rough idea of Tier 3 now, but beyond that, she only knew the name.
As the largest city in the Northern Frontier, Frost City was indeed incomparable to a place like Grey Pine City.
“We welcome Your Highness Luolan’s return!”
Thud!
All the knights knelt on one knee in unison and bowed.
The knee guards struck the ground, producing a uniform, muffled sound that was grand and imposing.
If the ground hadn’t been reinforced with special materials, that single motion would have created over a hundred pits.
The West Wind Empire stood tall on its Magic Element Armor technology, and its knightly Path of Transcendence was extremely well-developed, perfectly suited for large-scale warfare.
That was why countless youths dreamed of joining the knight orders rather than becoming adventurers in the Outlands.
The Isolde Family had a long heritage, possessing independent Magic Element Armor manufacturing technology and a complete military formation Spell Arts system.
Its White Frost Knights were renowned alongside the Imperial West Wind Knights.
“Rise.”
Luolan’s tone was calm.
She actually didn’t like such fanfare.
The knights quickly rose and split into two lines, opening a wide path leading to the end of the passage.
There, a carriage awaited Luolan.
Just then, a young knight in silver-blue armor walked slowly to Luolan’s side.
He placed his right hand on his chest, slightly bowed his head, and spoke softly.
“Your Highness Luolan, welcome back from the front.”
The young knight had golden hair, a tall figure, and handsome features.
In the eyes of ordinary women, he was definitely an extremely charming man.
Add to that his knight status, Tier 3 strength, and prominent family background, and those conditions were enough to capture many maidens’ hearts.
Unfortunately, that didn’t include Luolan.
Nor did it include Shu Yue, who stood behind Luolan.
‘We don’t go for that sort of thing.’
Luolan didn’t even respond.
She hadn’t received a traditional noblewoman’s education.
She had learned etiquette, but only the basics.
What she had learned more was how to become stronger.
After her family’s upheaval at age seven, she was sent to her teacher to learn swordsmanship, and didn’t return until she was thirteen.
By then, her Bloodline Power had already begun to show.
The young knight had always hoped to become Luolan’s personal knight, but she had never agreed.
Shu Yue understood.
‘Isn’t this just a simp?’
Luolan started walking again.
Shu Yue was about to follow when she was suddenly blocked by a tall figure.
It was the young knight.
He didn’t even glance at Shu Yue, as if she didn’t exist, simply smiling as he looked at Luolan.
Shu Yue’s mouth twitched.
‘I knew it.’
The attraction between Transcendence Bloodlines was almost a genetic instinct.
A powerful bloodline not only instilled instinctive fear in those without blood, but also stirred an irrepressible longing.
From a macro perspective, wasn’t that just fighting over superior bloodlines?
But what annoyed Shu Yue was—
You like Luolan, so go fawn over her!
Why mess with me?
Was it really instinct overriding reason, making you want to fight someone you saw as a rival?
Thankfully.
‘I’m not affected.’
As for why she wasn’t affected…
Of course, it was because her will was strong.
‘It’s definitely not because I became a girl.’
No way.
Seeing this, the surrounding knights had varied expressions.
Some looked on with amusement, some with disdain, and others with indifference.
Shu Yue silently stopped, her expression calm.
She was never someone easily provoked.
Staring at the young knight’s tall, steel-wall-like back, she knew clearly.
Even if she tried to fight a fully armed Tier 3, she would have to use her Bloodline Power just to force him back.
She was just curious.
What gave this guy the nerve to show her attitude in front of Luolan?
A prominent family?
Just then.
A trace of icy cold Bloodline aura silently spread.
Even that single wisp caused the surrounding temperature to plummet.
Luolan stopped walking, didn’t turn around, and spat out a single word coldly.
“Scram.”
The girl’s voice was sharp as a blade.
All the chill was directed solely at the young knight.
The young knight felt the pressure bearing down on him but still stood his ground without retreating a step.
Shu Yue had even thought about grabbing Luolan’s little hand on purpose to rile him up.
But then she thought again—no need to provoke an enemy for no reason.
She wasn’t strong enough yet.
So she simply walked around the young knight and went to Luolan’s side.
Luolan continued forward.
As Shu Yue walked, she couldn’t help looking back.
Behind them, Eustia and Fuluoruisi were following a few meters away.
When Eustia passed the young knight, she gave him a faint glance, as if she saw something.
Fuluoruisi sensed the anomaly.
After they passed him by a few steps, she transmitted a voice.
“Miss Eustia, what did you see again?”
“……”
Eustia didn’t answer.
Fuluoruisi smiled lightly.
“As expected, you still won’t speak.”
“Don’t you want to find someone to talk with?”
Eustia only replied indifferently.
“No need.”
Fuluoruisi’s smile deepened.
“No need, or do you think I’m unqualified?”
Eustia remained silent.
Fuluoruisi didn’t mind and continued.
“What a pity. I was hoping to exchange some information with you.”
“Also, I don’t plan to return to Qiguang Temple immediately. I’ll stay in Frost City for a while.”
As she spoke, she looked toward Shu Yue and Luolan ahead.
She gave a gentle smile.
But when her gaze fell on Shu Yue, there was a clear hint of eagerness in her eyes.
That made Shu Yue’s skin crawl.
‘Did she figure it out?’
‘Impossible. Even Luolan didn’t recognize me. There’s no way Fuluoruisi could see through it.’
‘Unless it’s because of the Holy Radiance Healing Art?’
‘If that’s the case, then Zi Jiejie’s prestige would be shattered.’
Thinking that, Shu Yue quickly averted her gaze.
She shifted her attention to the conversation between Luolan and Eustia.
Luolan asked about her plans.
Eustia replied that she intended to participate in the upcoming recommendation qualification trial, secure the qualification, and then head to Wolunmude.
“Recommendation qualification…”
Luolan blinked lightly.
She had always felt that Eustia’s strength was far beyond her apparent Tier 2.
They had met when Eustia was ten years old.
That day, Eustia had learned her teacher’s swordsmanship after watching it just once.
Such talent was simply incredible.
“I’ll give you a recommendation directly. No need to take the trial.”
“Alright.”
Eustia nodded, unconcerned.
The speaker had no intention, but the listener took it to heart.
Hearing the name “Wolunmude,” Shu Yue’s heart stirred.
If not for her insufficient Spell Arts talent, she might have been taken to Wolunmude as an apprentice back then.
But in that case, she probably wouldn’t have learned the Star Tempering Art.
So, no regrets.
Luolan invited Eustia to stay at the Isolde Family estate temporarily, and then they would go to Wolunmude together.
Eustia agreed.
Then Luolan looked at Fuluoruisi.
Fuluoruisi smiled.
“Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Luolan, but I’d better stay at the monastery. It suits me better.”
Luolan didn’t insist.
After making the arrangements, she took Shu Yue and Eustia onto the carriage.
Shu Yue was quiet the whole time, like a child being led along.
She and these two didn’t have much to talk about for now.
Watching the carriage depart, the knights gradually dispersed.
Only the young knight remained standing still, unmoving, staring at the direction the carriage had gone.
A tall, middle-aged knight walked over and patted his shoulder.
“Hey, kid, heart hurt?”
The young knight shook his head.
The middle-aged man grinned.
“Want to spar a bit?”
“No need…”
The young knight finally withdrew his gaze.
But his fists were still clenched tight.
The middle-aged knight glanced at him.
“You think that guy named Liya isn’t worthy of Her Highness Luolan?”
“I think he’s not worthy of the surname White.”
“Haha, I almost forgot—you worship Wood White the most.”
The middle-aged man burst into hearty laughter.
Among the knights who had come to welcome them, many had connections to Wood White.
Some despised him, others respected him.
They all wanted to see what kind of person Liya White, brought back by Luolan, really was.
And what did they find?
A First-order Mid-stage.
That kind of strength was just mediocre.
After all, someone of Liya’s age still stuck at First-order Mid-stage meant his talent was no longer outstanding.
Of course.
That was Shu Yue at First-order Mid-stage.
As for the real Liya…
He was already dead.