Training Days

Early the next morning.

Ye Tian rose at daybreak!

After washing up and heading to the cafeteria for breakfast, he arrived at Knight Plaza early to wait.

The Knight Hall had only two floors. The first floor was where Guardian Knights attended lessons, while the second belonged to Punishment Knights.

As for Quasi-Knights, they could not enter the Knight Hall and could only train and study at Knight Plaza.

However, Haoyue Branch Hall still assigned actual knights as instructors. Aside from the daily physical conditioning, they would occasionally teach some Tier 1 skills.

Only after becoming a true knight could one receive more advanced instruction.

Before long, Quasi-Knights began arriving at the plaza one after another.

The vast Knight Plaza was instantly filled to a fifth of its capacity. Everywhere he looked, there were densely packed figures—at a rough estimate, at least two thousand of them.

Yet among them, no more than one percent would be able to break through to become Tier 3 Knights and remain.

Of course, these nearly two thousand Quasi-Knights did not train together. Otherwise, they would be far too difficult to manage. They were usually divided into classes according to the batch in which they had passed the Quasi-Knight assessment.

Since Ye Tian had joined midway through, he was assigned to the newest Quasi-Knight class.

For a moment, these Quasi-Knights dressed in fitted training clothes all cast curious glances his way.

Because Ye Tian was simply too young.

"Who's this little kid? Isn't the next Quasi-Knight assessment still three years away?"

"Who knows? Don't tell me he bribed his way in through the back door? But he doesn't look like he comes from money."

"You don't know, do you? I heard from the brothers guarding the gate yesterday that an Attendant Knight recommended from Odin Town arrived. It's probably him."

"Recommended? Doesn't that mean he's only nine years old, and his spiritual power has already reached thirty?"

One of the older Quasi-Knights clearly knew more and could not help crying out in surprise.

"Really? Thirty points of spiritual power at nine?"

The other Quasi-Knights all sucked in a breath at those words.

That was exceptionally talented!

"What are you all making such a racket for? Line up properly, now!"

At that moment, a voice like a great bell suddenly rang out.

The somewhat restless formation instantly fell silent.

A sturdy middle-aged knight with resolute features strode to the front of the formation.

His sharp gaze swept across the crowd. Every Quasi-Knight he looked at stood ramrod straight, not even daring to meet his eyes.

"Hm?!"

When his gaze finally settled on Ye Tian, the middle-aged knight raised an eyebrow slightly.

Ye Tian did not avert his eyes. His gaze was unusually calm.

So this is the Attendant Knight Lord Zhao mentioned? He really is a promising seedling.

After making his assessment, the middle-aged knight calmly withdrew his gaze.

"All personnel, put on your heavy armor and begin training!"

"Yes, Instructor!"

The Quasi-Knights responded loudly and collected their equipment in an orderly manner.

It was a set of Heavy Armor weighing a full thirty pounds, and wearing it placed an enormous burden on one's movements.

However, Ye Tian was far too young, and his body had yet to fully develop. Even the smallest size was too large for him, so he could only wear it loosely over himself.

Even so, he still had to hold both sides with his hands to keep the Heavy Armor from falling off.

He looked rather comical.

"Thirty laps to warm up. Begin now!"

The formation began running around Knight Plaza, with Ye Tian naturally among them. Before long, the vast plaza echoed with the clanging of metal.

Not long after, everyone, including Ye Tian, was drenched in sweat.

If it had only been ordinary running, it would have been easy for Quasi-Knights. But adding this set of heavy armor made things entirely different.

Half an hour later, the thirty laps were finally complete.

Ye Tian breathed heavily, yet did not forget to tug his armor back into place.

"Rest where you are for fifteen minutes. The armor is not to come off!"

The many Quasi-Knights groaned inwardly, but none dared to object.

After resting for a while, training resumed.

In the knight instructor's words, running laps was merely a warm-up. The real challenge came afterward.

Ye Tian also experienced Haoyue Branch Hall's training curriculum: strength training, endurance training, swordsmanship practice, practical training, and more.

His entire morning was packed full.

Compared to this, the training he had undergone as a Knight Attendant was utterly insignificant.

At first, the middle-aged knight instructor had worried that Ye Tian would not be able to endure it. After all, these training programs had been designed according to Quasi-Knight standards.

Yet unexpectedly, Ye Tian gritted his teeth and completed every single one.

Naturally, the medicinal baths distributed by Haoyue Branch Hall also played a part in this. Otherwise, he could not have recovered so quickly.

But this determination alone was enough to earn everyone's admiration.

Within a few days, nearly all the Quasi-Knights knew that a genius Attendant Knight had arrived.

Yet this did not affect Ye Tian's life in any way.

Half a month later, Knight Plaza.

"The next sparring match: Wang Shi versus Ye Tian. Both sides will stop at the right moment. Severe injury or crippling of one's opponent is forbidden."

As the middle-aged knight instructor finished speaking, Ye Tian and another Quasi-Knight stepped into the center of the field.

Ye Tian held an iron sword, while the Quasi-Knight named Wang Shi wielded two swords.

These weapons were meant for training and had no edges, but getting struck by one still hurt badly.

Once both sides were ready, the knight instructor announced loudly, "Begin!"

The moment his words fell, Wang Shi charged first.

His twin swords flashed as they chopped toward Ye Tian, aiming for his shoulders.

At a disadvantage in spiritual power, Ye Tian had no intention of clashing head-on. He stepped left to evade, then swept his iron sword upward into the side of Wang Shi's second blade.

In an instant, Wang Shi's flank was left completely exposed.

Naturally, Ye Tian would not miss such a fine opportunity.

His legs suddenly burst with strength as he lunged forward.

"Get lost!" Wang Shi shouted, hurriedly chopping down with another sword.

Ye Tian's eyes glinted faintly. He had entered an incomparably calm state, and in his vision, Wang Shi's movements seemed to slow down.

Every movement appeared exceptionally clear to him.

Now!

Ye Tian suddenly exerted force. A faint white glow rose from the iron sword in his hand as it shot out like lightning.

With a ripping sound, the iron sword pierced Wang Shi's wrist. The sharp pain instantly made the iron sword slip from his hand.

Before he could react, the iron sword had already stopped at his throat.

"Stop!"

The middle-aged knight instructor hurriedly called out, "The battle is over. Ye Tian wins!"

As soon as he spoke, the crowd erupted in an uproar.

Even the knight instructor's eyes flashed with brilliance.

Not only had an Attendant Knight defeated a Quasi-Knight, but that final strike had clearly been the Tier 1 skill, Pure White Blade. It had only been five days since the move was taught—had he already mastered it so proficiently?

"What a promising seedling!"

"Thank you for the instruction!"

Ye Tian withdrew his iron sword and placed a hand over his chest in a knight's salute, though his attention had already returned to his mind.

Ding! Long Haochen has learned Pure White Blade. Strength increased!

Congratulations, Host! You have received double feedback and learned Pure White Blade (Proficient)!

Ding! Long Haochen's strength has increased, reaching Level 3 Knight Attendant!

Congratulations, Host! You have received double feedback. Strength increased to Level 7 Knight Attendant, External Spiritual Power: 77 points!

Long Haochen really was working far too hard!