Chapter 748: Chapter 347: Legend Is Only the Beginning_2

The stairs were narrow, allowing only one person to pass through.

Atrey picked up a torch from the wall, stepped inside first, followed by Luo De and Vivian.

"I only came here for the first time when I was fourteen. It houses the most precious tomes of the Empire."

Atrey explained as they walked, proceeding down the steps until they were blocked by another iron door.

Atrey again took out a key, unlocked the iron door, entered, and lit the candles on the wall one by one.

The Royal Library was very small, appearing to be only fifty to sixty square meters.

There was only a single row of bookshelves against the innermost wall, holding dozens of wooden boxes.

"The Royal Library is indeed different."

Luo De couldn’t help but exclaim, randomly picking up a wooden box and opening it to find the royal family’s genealogy inside.

Disinterested, Luo De put it back casually.

At this moment, Atrey went to the corner of the wall and gently twisted a candlestick.

The sound of stones grinding echoed, and a wall brick protruded slightly.

Atrey pulled it out. The inside of the brick was hollow, revealing a black wooden box.

The surface of the wooden box was engraved with the shield emblem of the Shuiyan Clan, with gold edges all around.

Atrey carefully took out the wooden box and slowly opened it.

The box was lined with black silk, upon which lay a thin parchment booklet.

The booklet had no words on it, appearing simple and ancient.

Beside the booklet was a blood-red bead bound by iron chains.

"Eh?"

Luo De was a bit surprised and immediately picked up the bead.

The system’s notification instantly appeared, indicating Luo De had acquired another shard of a divine artifact.

"Interesting."

This bead was identical to the Light Core previously discovered on Archbishop Salido.

"You recognize this?" Atrey asked.

"It’s not important."

Luo De looked at the booklet in the box and asked, "Is this the legendary secret that can help a top-tier knight ascend?"

Atrey nodded.

Luo De immediately picked up the booklet, carefully opening it.

The booklet’s pages had yellowed, yet the writing remained clear.

Luo De started reading attentively, as Vivian curiously leaned in closer.

Atrey carefully placed the wooden box on the shelf and also stood by to watch.

The recorded content was simple.

Slice open seven parts of the body and embed seven extraordinary gemstones into these key areas.

Then use the legendary heart core, in conjunction with the breathing technique on the booklet, to rapidly refine the body with the power of the extraordinary gemstones, breaking through bodily limits.

And what is called the legendary heart core is the Light Core.

If the refinement is successful, it symbolizes the ascension to legend, after which the breathing technique can trigger attribute-laden energy.

However, the process is excruciatingly painful, with the extraordinary gemstones fully merging with the body.

The level of pain surpasses imagination, and those with insufficient will may go insane during the process.

More crucially, the extraordinary gemstones must match one’s attributes.

If the wrong extraordinary gemstone is chosen, it can severely injure the body, even causing death.

For knights, determining one’s own attribute is the hardest part.

Ordinary knights, before ascending to legend, find it difficult to know their true attribute.

It can only be speculated through family heritage, but a wrong judgment might cost one their life.

Thus, this method isn’t very reliable.

But for Luo De, it was completely different.

Luo De’s attribute was already determined. If embedded, it would naturally be the Flame Gem.

Luo De’s knights could also use this method.

Because as long as one places a hand on the Crystal Ball, the so-called attribute would be naturally revealed.

"Did Carlos ascend using this method back then?" Luo De asked.

"Yes."

Atrey nodded and reminded, "I heard from my teacher that the process is extremely painful, and he nearly fainted multiple times."

"If you plan to attempt it, be sure to prepare thoroughly." Atrey said seriously.

"Are you concerned about me?"

Luo De looked at Atrey in some surprise.

Vivian also couldn’t help but lift her head to stare at Atrey.

"I fear if you die, those dragons might go out of control."

Atrey cleared her throat, straightened up, and said, "Moreover, the method of ascension was given by me. If anything happens to you, it might mean the end of the Shuiyan Clan."

"The entire Riyue City would accompany." Vivian suddenly said coldly.

"See."

Atrey helplessly shrugged.

"Alright."

Luo De hugged Vivian’s slender waist, giving it a light squeeze to comfort her, then said to Atrey, "Prepare a room for training, please."

"The Royal Chamber adjacent, the Emperor’s exclusive training room."

Atrey said, "No one will disturb you there, you can train in peace."

"Alright."

Luo De collected the booklet and Light Core, "Lead the way." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

...

...

Naturally, Luo De wouldn’t attempt without preparations.

Anesthetic potions, Strong Life Potion, Life Gems, and several other things were all ready.

Luo De absorbed all the Life Gems found in the Empire’s Treasure Vault, his body brimming with vigorous life force.

Durant and Sao surrounded the entire palace with their troops, while Fa Fuke and Selena both came to Riyue City to oversee matters personally, in case of emergencies.

In the training room, Avril applied anesthetic ointment to specific parts of Luo De’s body.

Both legs, both shoulders, the back of the neck, the chest, and the abdomen — once the ointment took effect, Avril picked up the enchanted silver knife,

"I’m starting, bear with it."

Avril reminded, with a hint of tension in her voice.