"Tier 5 at Last!"
Felix was grinning from ear to ear, a wave of exhilaration washing over him as he felt the raw power coursing through his veins.
Breaking through to Tier 5 was a total surprise; he never imagined that tempering his body would lead to such an incredible leap in strength.
Now, with this newfound power, he felt like he could take on ten versions of his former self!
"Damn, this feels amazing!" Felix exclaimed, clenching his fist with excitement sparkling in his eyes.
But just as quickly, he shook his head. "This isn't enough."
He knew that while becoming a Tier 5 Grandmaster Knight made him ten times more powerful than before, it still placed him at the entry level in the Royal Capital.
In fact, Tier 5 Grandmaster Knights were about as common as dogs on the street here!
During his week exploring the Royal Capital, Felix encountered countless Mana Cultivators, Tier 7 Legendary Knights and Mages who were once rare gems back in Brigdemoor City now seemed as plentiful as Chinese cabbages at a market stall.
The sheer number of powerful beings left Felix sighing heavily; despite his impressive upgrade, he realized he wouldn't make any significant waves in this bustling city.
What did Felix truly want? To bolster his strength and secure some capital for himself, he didn't want to be at the mercy of others anymore.
With determination fueling him, he shook off distractions and slipped into a pair of shorts before settling down cross-legged on the ground. Closing his eyes, he focused on stabilizing his cultivation base.
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But Felix wasn't the only one Cultivating. Zephyr, Trinity Gwendolyn Brixton, and Nixie were all hard at work in their own cultivation rooms. Find your next read at мѵʟ
Even Zephyr and Nixie,who usually shied away from intense training,were putting their all into it.
They understood that their current strength simply wouldn't cut it in the Royal Capital; they needed to level up fast!
Trinity, Gwendolyn, Brixton, Zephyr and Nixie were also using Drake blood essence to temper their bodies,a process that brought its fair share of pain akin to what Felix had endured.
Time flew by as they locked themselves away like madmen: cultivating relentlessly, practicing Knight Skills, studying spells, and sparring against one another.
This intense routine continued for an entire month without stepping outside their estate; they dedicated every moment to rapidly increasing their strength.
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The Royal Capital. The Morningstar Family Estate. Core Area.
Inside a huge study room located deep inside the grand mansion.
With towering bookshelves lining every wall and a stunning chandelier casting a warm glow from above, this space exudes elegance.
The floor-to-ceiling French windows, draped with rich velvet curtains, invite natural light to dance across beautifully arranged flower pots filled with vibrant blooms.
"Alright, let's get back on track," Felix said as he tapped the table to regain everyone's attention.
Serious expressions filled the room; they all understood that this meeting would dictate their next steps in the Royal Capital.
Felix's demeanor shifted as he spoke gravely: "This is a high-level confidential meeting. What we discuss here must remain within these walls. If any of our conversations leak out... well, let's just say we'd be in deep trouble."
Everyone nodded solemnly, their eyes fixed on Felix.
"Don't worry, big bro! What happens here stays here," Trinity chimed in cheerfully.
"Good," Felix replied with a nod. He surveyed the group and continued, "Since we decided to come to the Royal Capital, we've been traveling for nearly two months. Now we stand at the heart of Avalonia Kingdom, the epicenter of power where strength gathers."
He paused for effect before continuing, "The Royal Capital is no joke! Here, powerful Mana Cultivators and Mages are as common as dogs in the street : Tier 1s, 2s, 3s... even Tier 4 Mages who would be treated like royalty back in Brigdemoor City stroll around like everyday folks. I'm sure you all noticed this during your explorations."
Trinity and the others nodded vigorously; they were indeed taken aback by witnessing such extraordinary strong Mana Cultivators roaming freely, something utterly rare back in Brigdemoor City.
"Indeed I didn't expect to see such scene in the Royal Capital. Although I knew the Royal Capital wouldn't be that simple but I was still shocked" Zephyr nodded solemnly.
"Exactly!" Felix exclaimed. "Our current strength feels pitiful compared to what we've seen here. Sure, we've made significant gains over the past month, but here? We're practically novices! Our current strength is simply bullshit in this place.One wrong move could spell disaster for us."
His voice grew more intense as he added, "We need to ramp up our strength fast! It's crucial that we establish a solid foundation in this capital if we want to survive, and thrive!"
As Felix's words hung in the air, an uneasy silence enveloped the group.
Each face reflected solemnity; they all understood the gravity of their situation. In the heart of the Royal Capital, their current strength felt woefully inadequate.
They were orphans, no powerful allies or influential backgrounds to shield them from danger. Rising from the slums had taught them one crucial lesson: tread carefully.
In this unforgiving city, recklessness could lead to dire consequences.
The Royal Capital is not a beautiful like on the surface. It might be beautiful to the strong but to the weak this place is hell. The Royal Capital is a place that devoures those who let their guard down, spitting out nothing but bones in its wake.
Despite possessing a wealth substantial enough to last a lifetime, they knew that greed was a double-edged sword.
What good was riches without the power to protect it? After all, true wealth lies not in gold but in strength; the stronger you are, the more you can amass.
Felix scanned his companions before continuing, "Right now, we're the only Mana Cultivators in our family. Our foundation is shaky at best; peace is a luxury we can't afford here. Even if we don't seek trouble, it has a way of finding us, like for instance a certain Young Master from an influential noble family takes an interest in our estate. What then? We could end up dead or worse—back in chains."
He paused for effect as his words sank in. "That's why we need to bolster our strength and expand our influence if we want any chance of survival."
With determination etched on his face, Felix stood tall and declared, "I'm proposing a plan, a plan that could change our destiny." With a dramatic flourish of his hand, stacks of documents cascaded onto each person's lap.
Surprise flickered across their faces as they picked up the papers before them. Bold red letters caught their attention.
They murmured together, curiosity igniting within them.
"Project Morningstar! "