Once inside the empire, the expeditionary force's pace slowed considerably.
On one hand, he was waiting for Lampard and the others to return and rejoin the main force. On the other hand, Sun Fei was extremely curious about everything within the Empire. Unlike its subordinate vassal states, the Zenit Empire had a vast territory, divided into seven provinces. Within each province stood several magnificent cities, far larger than Chambord City. Both their military and administrative systems were very well-developed, which was exactly what Sun Fei was observing and learning from. To cultivate a powerful Chambord City, it was naturally impossible to rely solely on the limited, closed-off knowledge of a reclusive man from his previous life.
As sunset approached, the Chambord Expeditionary Army and the Soros Merchant Caravan entered the Ernst Province of the Empire. In the distance, a wide river ran east to west, rushing and roaring. On its banks sat an ancient Chambord City, which was Hot Springs Pass, the first heavily fortified city in the northern border of the Empire.
After crossing the river by ferry, the expeditionary force was not allowed to enter the city according to imperial law. They could only set up camp on the riverbank outside the city and send people into the city to purchase food and supplies.
Sun Fei, along with Angela and Jima, were fishing at a calm spot by the river when Susan, the blonde swordswoman who was with the princess, suddenly approached.
"Is Her Highness the Princess leaving?" Sun Fei was taken aback when he heard the message from the female swordsman Susan.
"Yes, Your Majesty, we have now entered the Empire's territory. His Highness Prince Arshavin has sent people to greet us and will arrive at Hot Springs Pass before sunset. The situation in the capital is currently very complicated, and Her Highness the Princess must return as soon as possible to take charge of the overall situation," the long-haired golden swordswoman Susan replied patiently.
This proud female swordsman, who was as arrogant as a peacock displaying its plumage, was now surprisingly courteous, showing utmost respect to Sun Fei. The reason for this change was simple: Sun Golden Knight Sun Fei's incredible and complete defeat of Chris Sutton, one of the ten Judgment Knight of the Imperial Knights' Hall, at the Twin Tower Peaks was a sensational achievement, naturally elevating his status. Within the Empire, strength reigns supreme—this was the unwritten rule. Although the female swordsman Susan wasn't the brightest, with the Princess's guidance, she finally understood that King of Chambord's rise was unstoppable. In terms of both strength and influence, Sun Fei had earned her the right to bow down in respect.
"Oh, in that case, let's leave..."
The golden sunset cast dappled light on the sky, Sun Fei suddenly felt a sense of loss.
He thought to himself, "This is really strange. I've only met the princess three times in total. Our closest relationship was just sitting at the same stone table and eating once, and even then, I had shamelessly taken her bowl. Why do I have this feeling? Could it be that these past few days I've actually gotten used to a pair of deep blue, intoxicating eyes silently watching me from afar?"
Sun Fei chuckled to himself.
Just then, the noisy camp suddenly fell silent.
Princess Tanasha, who had not appeared until now, suddenly stepped out of the magic carriage. Her sky-blue dress trailed on the ground, carrying a dreamlike color. Her long, smooth, flaxen hair, as soft as seaweed, reflected the glow of the setting sun. She was a frail woman who was not a character, but she possessed a charm that no one could match, drawing the attention of everyone in the camp.
She walked gently to the riverbank and stopped in front of Sun Fei. Gazing at the shimmering golden surface of the river, this wise and resourceful Female Literary Sage smiled gently at Sun Fei for the first time. She paused, seemingly unsure how to begin, before finally speaking, "Your Majesty Alexander, thank you for the medicine."
Before Sun Fei could even process what was happening, Grand Knight Roman Pavlyuchenko and the female swordsman Susan were instantly stunned. In their memory, Her Highness the Princess would never utter such 'nonsense'... What was going on today?
Just then, the sound of loud hoofbeats came from afar.
Everyone turned to look and saw a group of about five hundred elite silver-armored knights riding along the riverbank in the distance. Each of them was imposing and extremely fierce. The leading knights held aloft several long banners, with the double-headed white bear banner, the symbol of the empire, being particularly eye-catching. In addition, there were the black and white banners with crossed axes, symbolizing the invincible army of the Iron-Blooded Camp under the command of Andrei Arshavin, the " Zenit God of War," which also fluttered in the wind like long dragons.
This is the guard of knights sent by Prince Arshavin to escort the eldest princess back to the capital.
"The journey so far has been quite eventful, and this trip to Chambord has far exceeded my expectations..." A relaxed, reminiscent look appeared on the princess's gaunt face as she smiled and said, "However, Your Majesty, you have done quite a few things that violate the laws of the Empire within the territory of Kingdom of Black Rock. This matter will not be so simple. I'm afraid that besides the Golden Knight Sutton, there will be some other people with ulterior motives who will come to inquire about these matters..." After the princess finished speaking, she looked at Sun Fei with a half-smile.
"If anyone is blind enough to resist, I will settle things with my fists." Sun Fei smiled arrogantly.
"In the Azeroth Continent, violence might be a good option, but it can't solve all problems. Besides, Your Majesty's current strength is insufficient to completely confront the powerful forces that have dominated the Empire for centuries..." The princess spoke for the first time, seemingly a little tired, catching her breath slightly. She wore a Pirates of the Caribbean -inspired outfit designed by Sun Fei for the women of Chambord City during his leisure time, which accentuated her figure beautifully. Although she was thin due to long-term illness, the princess's curves were still graceful and alluring. She gently patted her chest before looking into Sun Fei's eyes and continuing earnestly, "Actually, Your Majesty is also a shrewd and intelligent ruler. In terms of wisdom and strategy, you are probably no less than Paris and I. Why have you always pretended to be a reckless brute who only knows how to fight and kill?"
Sun Fei smiled to himself, thinking to himself, "How could you, a high and mighty imperial princess who likes to control everything, possibly know the thrill of this kind of pretentious, self-serving humor?"
Seeing that Sun Fei did not answer, the princess did not care. She gathered her wind-blown hair with her right hand and extended her left hand from her sleeve. A small, red, pentagonal iron piece appeared in her soft palm. This small iron piece had obviously been played with for a long time. It was smooth and round, and shimmered with a faint fluorescence. If one looked closely, one could find some complex and mysterious inscriptions engraved on it. Sun Fei could tell that this was definitely not a magic circle pattern.
"This piece of red iron may be of help to you in the future. Consider it my way of thanking you for the medicine!" After saying this, the princess ignored the expressions of the Grand Knight Roman Pavlyuchenko and the female swordsman Susan, who were shocked and tried to stop her. She gently tossed the piece of red iron, and a red arc of light appeared in the air as she threw the small red pentagonal iron piece directly at Sun Fei.
Sun Fei flipped the red pentagonal iron piece over his shoulder. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, with a texture as soft and gentle as a piece of century-old warm jade, without any of the roughness of iron. He was surprised and observed it carefully for a while. He discovered that, apart from the side engraved with mysterious inscriptions, the other side of the red pentagonal iron piece was a miniature painting of misty mountains, which had a unique meaning.
Sun Fei could tell that this small piece of iron was likely of extraordinary origin and held some mysterious significance. After thinking for a moment, he looked up and smiled, "Thank you, Your Highness. I accept your gratitude!" A thought struck him, and he took out a large bottle of [ Full Rejuvenation Potion ] from his storage space, handing it to the princess and saying with a smile, " Angela told me that this potion would help Your Highness's illness. This is the last one I've prepared, and I'm giving it to you as we part today!"
The princess smiled gently, her blue eyes rippling with emotion, and without refusing, she allowed the female swordsman Susan to accept the medicine.
Sun Fei then took out two more manuscripts from his spatial storage. After a moment's thought, he handed them to the Princess as well, explaining, "The first manuscript records the recipe for a fast-acting healing potion. I was able to recover quickly after being pierced at the summit of East Mountain thanks to this potion, but its success rate is not high. The second manuscript contains the recipe for the colored potion we just discussed. If Your Highness needs this potion to maintain your condition in the future, you can have it prepared by the palace pharmacists. The required materials are simple, but the success rate is also not high!"
Princess Tanasha's eyes flashed with a strange light. She carefully put away the two manuscripts and sighed softly, "His Majesty is indeed astute. He probably already guessed that sooner or later, Prince Arshavin would come to you to ask for the formulas for these two magical potions, which is why he asked me to deliver them!"
Sun Fei smiled slightly.
That day, forced to use the [ Life Healing Potion ] and [ Full Rejuvenation Potion ] in front of everyone atop East Mountain, Sun Fei knew that the miraculous effects of these two potions would definitely attract the covetous eyes of those with ulterior motives, especially those in positions of power like Arshavin, who would surely know the function and significance of these potions and remember them. Although he didn't immediately ask for them due to the complicated situation, he knew they would reach out sooner or later. Rather than waiting for someone to arrogantly kick down the door and demand them, it was better to be sensible and offer them up proactively, which would be the best of both worlds.
However, potion recipes from the Diablo World would undergo certain mutations when directly applied to the real world. Sun Fei and Sister Akara painstakingly refined the recipes before finally mastering them. Naturally, Sun Fei wouldn't be foolish enough to reveal all the secrets to others. He had already made preparations. As he had said, the two potion recipes he gave to the Princess had a pitifully low success rate, even with all the materials, less than five percent. Moreover, because the principles were still based on the potion system of the Diablo World, even master-level potion makers couldn't discern the potion's secrets from the recipes. This was why Sun Fei readily shared the recipes; some things, given to Arshavin through the Princess's hands, had a higher degree of credibility.
" Tanasha Highness Tanasa, I have a question I've been wanting to ask you." Sun Fei changed the subject.
"Ask."
"I've always been curious, are you... really a master?" Sun Fei Earth Inquiry earnestly.