Observing the Rules

"Good heavens, Eric really hit the jackpot!" Charles's jealous mouth twisted into a grimace as he learned what had happened that morning.

Contracting a Phantom Beast and advancing to Phantom Beast Knight.

For a Knight, this was like being hit on the head with dragon dung, not a mere Dragon's Gaze.

"Teacher Charles, if you could cultivate into a Great Knight, there might still be a chance to contract a Phantom Beast," Russell said, in a great mood.

Eric was his follower, and now he would have a Phantom Beast Knight subordinate, greatly increasing the security of his territory.

From now on, he wouldn't have to worry about assassins breaking in at night.

"I... alas, forget it. I have no talent for cultivating Battle Qi... Actually, I worked very hard when I was young, but I just couldn't succeed," Charles lamented to himself. "Heavens, when I see Eric again, I'll have to call him 'Your Excellency'!"

Contracting a Phantom Beast as a Knight, and not contracting one, was like a chasm between them.

In the entire Guangguang River Valley with over sixty thousand people, including the newly promoted Eric, there were only eight Phantom Beast Knights so far.

It could be said that these eight Phantom Beast Knights were the combat power ceiling of the Guangguang River Valley—not counting Lord Ross.

"Then you'll need to adjust your mindset quickly, Teacher Charles."

"Alas, how could this... My Lord, can you tell me how Eric got so lucky and became a Phantom Beast Knight? I can't understand how a Half Ghost Beast evolved into a Phantom Beast and was contracted by Eric?"

"Perhaps the Dragon paid attention to this place and healed Kevin." Russell smiled casually. "Don't you always say the Dragon is watching me? It's that simple."

"Uh..." Charles was speechless.

He realized his Lord had a rather good sense of humor.

But then again, this joke seemed to be... somewhat logical. Ever since Russell arrived at Wuyou Snake Manor, he first found a Pearl from a river mussel, then obtained Birch Worms while settling Insect Grass, and now a Half Ghost Beast had actually evolved into a Phantom Beast!

Thinking of this.

Charles couldn't help but cautiously look up at the sky outside, muttering to himself, "Could the Duke's Shadowflame Dragon really be watching this place... I'll have to steal less wine from the cellar from now on."

If the Shadowflame Dragon discovered him, and unleashed a breath of Dragon Flame... the consequences would be unimaginable.

Eric and the wolf-dog Kevin didn't return until noon, after wandering outside. Both man and dog were panting, but their spirits were high.

"My Lord!" Eric's usually stern face was now beaming with a smile like a chrysanthemum.

"Awooo." The wolf-dog Kevin also walked up to Russell and nuzzled his pants affectionately with its head. Although it had become Eric's contracted partner, it still knew who its savior was.

"Come, let us welcome the newly promoted Phantom Beast Knight, Your Excellency Eric!" Russell led the applause.

Butler Morris, along with the servants, and Charles, reluctantly leading four Knight Retainers, all applauded Eric.

A Phantom Beast Knight deserved such a reception.

Eric calmly accepted the salutations, then his smile faded, and he said seriously, "My Lord, the news of my promotion to Phantom Beast Knight should be kept confidential for now."

"Why?"

"It's not too late to announce it to the public after we deal with Lone Wolf Lisbon," Eric said. He still remembered the hatred from the Snow Ghost invasion, which was Lone Wolf Lisbon's provocation to Wuyou Snake Manor, a provocation to Russell.

And provoking Russell was a provocation to all of Russell's followers.

"Alright, Butler Morris, have the servants keep the secret." Russell said, then looked at Charles and the others. "You too. Do not reveal this secret when you go out. Anyone who leaks the news will be severely punished."

"Yes, Master."

"Understood!"

"Alright, although we need to keep this quiet, it doesn't stop us from holding a celebratory banquet. We can still drink as usual, but no getting drunk."

"My Lord, you are always so wise and generous!" Charles laughed heartily.

"Absolutely no getting drunk, Teacher Charles. You still have to supervise the construction of the Windmill Mill this afternoon," Russell couldn't help but remind him again.

"Don't worry, My Lord."

After the luncheon, with Russell's instructions given beforehand, no one dared to drink too much and get drunk, so everyone was able to work sober in the afternoon.

Charles went to Alfalfa Tunic to oversee the construction of the Windmill Mill.

Russell, accompanied by Eric and the wolf-dog Kevin, patrolled the territory—although the wolf-dog Kevin had been promoted to a Phantom Beast, apart from its golden and silver eyes, there were no other obvious divine characteristics, so there was no need to worry about others recognizing it as a Phantom Beast.

"What does cultivating Essence Breath feel like compared to Battle Qi?" Russell asked.

He was full of curiosity about Phantom Beast Knights. Although his father, Baron Roman, was a high-level Phantom Beast Knight, he rarely spoke to the previous owner about Phantom Beast Knights, only telling him to cultivate Battle Qi with peace of mind and not to be overly ambitious or impatient.

As a result, he still had only a vague understanding of Phantom Beast Knights.

Eric pondered for a moment before replying, "Battle Qi is like a horse that needs to be controlled and guided; Essence Breath is like a part of the body, used naturally... I'm not yet proficient, and Kevin and I have only just begun to synchronize."

"I see." Russell understood roughly.

He didn't ask further. After all, he was already a legitimate Dragon Knight. Mere Phantom Beast Knights were nothing special.

If Little Dream Dragon was indeed a Dragon.

With a Phantom Beast Knight accompanying him, Russell felt a sense of security during this territory inspection. He no longer worried about a sudden appearance of Snow Ghosts or anything similar threatening his life.

"The agricultural development of the territory is still too backward," he said, pointing to a patch of farmland. "The land is barren, lacking livestock and farm tools. We rely entirely on serfs to manually plant wheat, barley, and lentils, and the output is too low."

Eric remained silent. He was only responsible for the territory's security, not its production.

Russell didn't expect him to answer and continued to sketch out his ideal blueprint, planning how the manor would be constructed in the future.

When Russell's excitement subsided, Eric spoke up, "My Lord, should we inform the Wildcat Sisters?"

Kevin had already been revived and even promoted to a Phantom Beast.

Russell had completed Katie's request beyond the standard.

However, he shook his head, "There's no need to seek out the Wildcat Sisters. We'll wait for them to come to us. After all, they are the ones who need something."

Although it was his first time as a Lord, his predecessor had been influenced by a Baron, so he naturally knew some of the methods Lords used. When dealing with people, beasts, or Dragons, being too enthusiastic and eager always put one at a disadvantage. Only by being patient could one maintain the initiative.

"Yes, my Lord," Eric nodded.

"You know, why is it that Katie and Catherine are called the Wildcat Sisters even though they have a dog with them, and not the Wilddog Sisters?" Russell suddenly noticed a blind spot.

Eric couldn't answer, "I don't know."

"It doesn't matter. Whether they're wildcats or wilddogs, they'll have to follow the rules once they're in the territory." Russell was someone who valued rules to his core. This was perhaps why he could adapt to his identity and integrate into this world so quickly.

Of course.

What he preferred even more was for others to follow the rules he set.