A Born Knight, Balza's Special Treatment!

Long Haochen's Spirit Energy Test result was 18 points, the highest among all the children present, and the highest mark on the scale.

But when Long Haoyu struck, the Wooden Sword, which could withstand at most 20 points of Spirit Energy, shattered, already proving that his Spirit Energy exceeded 20 points.

The Stone Ball quickly shot up to the 30 mark, only stopping completely when it reached 35.

Even after the Stone Ball fell back down and bounced several times at the base of the wooden stump, Balza did not say a word.

"Instructor! I've finished the test!"

Like everyone else, Long Haoyu was equally surprised that his Spirit Energy had reached 35 points.

Suppressing his surprise, he saw that Balza had yet to recover his senses. After giving a salute, he reminded him.

Balza came back to himself. "Spirit Energy: 35. Passed!"

"Haoyu, how did you train? Your Spirit Energy actually reached 35?"

After making the brief announcement, Balza hurriedly asked Long Haoyu.

He had served as an instructor at the Odin Sub-Temple for many years. It was not as though he had never seen talented children before, but he had never seen a genius capable of reaching 35 points of Spirit Energy during the Attendant Knight examination.

Long Haoyu's test result truly left him dumbfounded. He could scarcely believe what he had seen.

"I trained entirely according to the methods you taught us, Instructor. Then, after school, I specifically practiced for another hour or two."

"I think my Spirit Energy reached 35 because I exhausted all my strength every day."

Long Haoyu did not mention Shadow Space, vaguely finding a suitable explanation for his training within it.

"Good! Excellent!"

"Haoyu, you truly haven't disappointed me!"

"I, Balza, have taught for so many years, and I can say with certainty that you will become a truly great Knight in the future!"

Balza heavily patted Long Haoyu on the shoulder, using the strength he would have used on an adult. He had completely forgotten that Long Haoyu was only nine years old.

His excitement had instinctively made him forget such things.

"Brother, you actually have 35 points of Spirit Energy?"

"You haven't drunk Essence Replenishing Liquid at all this past year. If you had, wouldn't you have reached 40 points of Spirit Energy?"

Long Haochen hurried forward. Long Haoyu's test result had also shocked him beyond measure.

According to the Knight Temple's examination standards, 10 points of Spirit Energy were enough to become a first-level Attendant Knight.

His own test result was 18 points of Spirit Energy, leaving him only 2 points short of becoming a second-level Attendant Knight.

Yet Long Haoyu had directly tested at 35 points of Spirit Energy. That was already the standard of a third-level Knight, nearly double his own level, which was just short of a second-level Knight.

"Haochen, what did you say?"

Balza suddenly snapped awake, his eyes widening as large as bronze bells. "You said your brother hasn't drunk Essence Replenishing Liquid all this past year?"

"Hasn't our Sub-Temple always been distributing Essence Replenishing Liquid to you? Where did your brother's share go?"

Long Haochen's words exploded in Balza's ears like a thunderclap.

Essence Replenishing Liquid strengthened one's foundation and replenished vitality for children under fifteen, making it especially helpful for laying a solid foundation at their age.

A child who drank Essence Replenishing Liquid and one who did not were simply not starting from the same line.

"Ah..."

Long Haochen came back to his senses, his gaze darting away as he realized that he had let it slip because he had been too excited by his brother's test result.

Long Haoyu lightly tapped Long Haochen on the head. Seeing that Long Haochen's behavior differed slightly from the Original Work, a gentle smile appeared on his face.

With him as an older brother looking after him, Long Haochen's path toward maturity had still been slowed by just a little.

"Instructor, my mother has always been in poor health, so I brought my Essence Replenishing Liquid home for her to drink."

"Essence Replenishing Liquid truly is good for building a foundation for Haochen and me, but if having a slightly weaker foundation means seeing Mother become a little healthier..."

"I believe such a lack in our foundation is worth it."

Long Haoyu gave a simple explanation, then bowed deeply to Balza in apology.

"Instructor Balza, I am deeply sorry for hiding this from you all this time."

"I know this does not conform to the honesty among the Ten Knightly Virtues, but for Mother's sake, I am willing to be dishonest in this matter."

Balza was deeply moved. His expression was complicated as he looked at Long Haoyu. "You child, this past year really has been hard on you!"

"To have reached this level without drinking Essence Replenishing Liquid, you truly are a born Knight!"

"I won't blame you for this!"

Then, after struggling for a moment, Balza made a decision.

"Haoyu, after only one year of study, you have already reached the level of a third-level Attendant Knight."

"How about this? I'll submit an application for you. In light of your talent, you'll receive an additional bottle of Essence Replenishing Liquid every week!"

Long Haoyu nodded solemnly and gave Long Haochen a meaningful look. The two brothers simultaneously bowed to Balza.

Balza was greatly pleased by Long Haoyu's response. He patted Long Haoyu's shoulder again and said,

"Keep working hard. Don't disappoint me!"

"I hope to see the day you achieve success and fame!"

Long Haoyu nodded. "I won't disappoint you, Instructor!"

"Mm. Today's main purpose was the examination, and now that it is over, you are free to do as you please."

"Those who want to go home can head back first. But remember to report to the Sub-Temple on time tomorrow at this hour. Over the next three years, I will train you strictly!"

After saying this, Balza immediately left with the booklet containing Long Haoyu and the others' examination results.

For the annual examination, he needed to report the results to the person in charge of the Sub-Temple.

Especially since this year, there was a child as exceptionally gifted as Long Haoyu.

Long Haoyu did not remain at the Odin Sub-Temple any longer. Amid the congratulations of companions such as Jiang Hu, he left the Sub-Temple with Long Haochen.

Following behind Long Haoyu, Long Haochen secretly patted his little face.

"What is it?" Long Haoyu turned around and asked.

Long Haochen's gaze became resolute, then he gave an embarrassed, bashful smile. "Brother, I let it slip just now. Aren't you mad at me?"

"Why would I be mad? As a younger brother, being happy over your older brother's excellent test result is worthy of praise."

Long Haoyu said gently, "Besides, because you let it slip, we can now receive an extra bottle of Essence Replenishing Liquid every week and let Mother drink a little more. Isn't that even better?"

Long Haochen froze for a moment, then said firmly, "Brother, I will definitely work hard to learn from you. I will definitely protect our family just like you do!"

"Mm, we'll protect this family together!"

After soothing Long Haochen's emotions, Long Haoyu quickly led him toward a forest west of Odin Town.

They usually gathered wild vegetables in that forest, and today they would be gathering wild vegetables there as well.

Of course, apart from gathering wild vegetables, Long Haoyu had another reason why he had to go there today.

That forest...

Was where Cai'er would appear.

If he went earlier, perhaps Cai'er would not suffer as miserably as she had when she first appeared originally.

Even if he could not completely change things, he could at least make some difference.

Thorns hurt badly when they scraped across one's body.

PS: May Day is really tough to handle.

It was insanely crowded today.

Sorry, there's only one update.

I'll make up the missing update tomorrow during the day.

My deepest apologies...

At the same time, I wish all my dear readers a happy May Day.

Have fun during the holiday.