Chapter 16

The elevation of one's noble rank is not an easy task. Slaying an Undead with a higher rank than oneself is something very few can achieve.

Do not think that having some high-ranking noble relatives and friends can easily elevate one's rank. In reality, that is impossible. When slaying an Undead, if someone with a higher rank helps, one will not gain a noble rank after the slaying. Even if someone of the same rank helps, it cannot exceed ten people; otherwise, one will not gain a noble rank, and the person must deliver the final fatal blow to the Undead.

Therefore, even if Duke Daolun, who holds the rank of Count, cannot personally help his daughter obtain a Viscount rank; he must rely on others.

"Lord Count, although we want to help Miss Xiangfei, our strength is far from enough to defeat a Viscount-level Undead. We might end up harming Miss Xiangfei instead," Li Yan said.

"You don't need to worry. Since I asked you to come, I have already made preparations. How could I let my daughter take risks without any assurance?" Duke Daolun clapped his hands, and immediately five maids brought five trays over, placing them on the stone table in front of the five people.

"These are five Baron-level Golden Martial Arts, which are the rewards you won in the competition. In fact, these five martial arts have a special relationship. After each of you masters one, you can use a very powerful combined technique. With this, you can help Xiangfei slay a Viscount-level Undead." Duke Daolun pointed to the five martial arts on the trays and continued, "These five martial arts are a bit peculiar. Each person can only master one and cannot practice multiple. You can take a look and choose one for yourselves."

Bai Cangdong knew that since they were here, they had no choice but to select a martial art.

Bai Cangdong read the names of the five martial arts, which were "Dongli Finger," "Xili Finger," "Beili Finger," "Nanli Finger," and "Zhongli Finger."

After flipping through the content, he found that it was indeed a combined technique. Each of the five people needed to master one finger, and when the five fingers hit a target simultaneously, they would unleash an unexpected power, capable of slaying a Viscount-level Undead. When used separately, the power was only average among Baron-level Golden Martial Arts.

"Helping Xiangfei obtain a Viscount rank, I will not treat you poorly. In addition to these martial arts, each of you will receive a complete set of Baron-level Golden Armament and a Longevity Technique. If you wish, you can also serve in the Count's residence."

The five people exchanged glances, each selecting a martial art from the stone table and thanking Duke Daolun.

"Very good. These martial arts are not difficult to practice. I will give you one night to practice. Set out with Xiangfei early tomorrow morning to hunt the Undead."

The Count instructed the silver-armored knight to lead the five people to a separate courtyard in the residence for rest, and also provided them with a complete set of Baron-level Golden Armament.

"A complete set of White Wolf Armament, truly luxurious!" Chen Xifeng unhesitantly put away the entire set of armament.

"The White Wolf is quite powerful among Baron-level Undead and usually appears in groups. Hunting them is not easy. Even a Viscount would not easily provoke a group of White Wolves. Only a powerful person like the Count can hunt a group of White Wolves and obtain a complete set of White Wolf Armament," Luo Ge said, quickly putting away a set of White Wolf Armament.

Li Yan showed no particular reaction, casually putting away the White Wolf Armament. His own armament was not inferior to the White Wolf set, so he was not particularly excited.

Mei Wanjian also put away a set and directly returned to his room, unwilling to talk much with Bai Cangdong and the others.

Bai Cangdong put away the remaining set and immediately wore it. The entire set was ivory white, including a wolf head helmet, upper body armor, a skirt, a pair of gauntlets, and a pair of boots, totaling seven pieces of armament.

Bai Cangdong moved around, feeling that the entire set was as light as air and did not hinder his movements. Apart from not knowing the exact defensive power, it was indeed a very good set of armament.

Bai Cangdong then took out his pure white knight's greatsword, looking quite like a fully armed knight, only lacking a warhorse.

"I'll go back first. Time is short, and I need to quickly master 'Dongli Finger.'"

Chen Xifeng returned to his room, and Li Yan and Luo Ge also left. After Bai Cangdong returned to his room, he took out the "Beili Finger" manual and began to practice.

As Duke Daolun said, "Beili Finger" was not difficult. Similar to the Skull Splitting Axe, it only required the correct movement of the life wheel, making it easy to master.

Bai Cangdong only took less than two hours to master "Beili Finger," lacking only the experience in using it.

"Good, to master 'Beili Finger' in two hours, your talent is indeed excellent." A voice suddenly sounded in Bai Cangdong's ear, startling him.

Calmly looking over, he saw Lady Honglian lying lazily on his bed, propping her cheek with her hand, watching him with interest.

"Lady, why are you here?" Bai Cangdong's eyes fell on Lady Honglian, noticing she was only in her nightgown, making him dare not look any longer.

"This is the Count's residence, and I am the Count's younger sister. Where else would I be?" Lady Honglian smiled.

"Uh, I didn't mean that." Bai Cangdong said helplessly.

Lady Honglian sat up and looked at Bai Cangdong, saying, "I came here just to prevent you from dying without knowing why. After all, your eyes belong to me, and I can't let you die for nothing."

"What do you mean, Lady?" Bai Cangdong was greatly alarmed.

"Didn't you find it strange that 'Wuli Finger' is so easy to master yet has such great power?"

Bai Cangdong's heart stirred. He had some doubts about this but no one could answer, so he had to keep it in mind.

"A Baron-level martial art that can slay a Viscount-level Undead, yet can be mastered in just one night. If such a good thing really existed, Viscounts would be everywhere," Lady Honglian said with a sneer.

"Please enlighten me, Lady." Bai Cangdong knew it was a matter of life and death and must understand the true purpose of 'Wuli Finger.'

"It's actually very simple. 'Wuli Finger' is not for slaying Undead but for transferring your strength to Miss Xiangfei, allowing her to have the power to slay a Viscount-level Undead in a short time." Lady Honglian paused and continued, "'Wuli Finger' is just a part of a martial art. Besides 'Wuli Finger,' there is another 'Hehe Finger.' When someone who has mastered 'Wuli Finger' uses it to point at someone who has mastered 'Hehe Finger,' they will instantly transfer all their strength into that person's body. When the five strengths combine, they can use the invincible 'Hehe Finger.' The person who masters 'Hehe Finger' will be fine, but the person who masters 'Wuli Finger' will either be bedridden for a year or more, or die from exhaustion."

"Ah!" Bai Cangdong was shocked, never expecting 'Wuli Finger' to have such a hidden mechanism.

"When the silver-armored knight orders you to use 'Wuli Finger' to help Xiangfei slay an Undead, what will you do?" Lady Honglian looked at Bai Cangdong with a smile that was not quite a smile.

"Please save me, Lady."

"I have no relation to you, and Xiangfei is my niece. Why should I help you and ruin her plans? Besides, you owe me a pair of eyes. Give me a reason to save you," Lady Honglian said coldly.

"Since Lady has come here and told me this, you must not want me to die. Please speak your mind," Bai Cangdong said.

"You understand. I can save you, but I have one condition."

"Please speak, Lady."

"I want you to become my knight." Lady Honglian stared at Bai Cangdong, speaking slowly and clearly.

Bai Cangdong smiled bitterly, "Lady, I am just an ordinary Baron with no outstanding qualities. Why do you want me to become your knight?"

"Because you have just been promoted to Baron and have no fame yet, but the timing is just right. I need you to impersonate someone," Lady Honglian's words surprised Bai Cangdong.

"Impersonate someone?" Bai Cangdong was completely confused by Lady Honglian's meaning.

"Yes, I want you to impersonate the Masked Baron and help me do something."

"Ah!" Bai Cangdong could not control his shock. Lady Honglian wanted him to impersonate the "Masked Baron."

"Is the Masked Baron you mentioned the one who recently broke the Eternal Crystal?" Bai Cangdong asked with a strange expression.

"Who else could it be?" Lady Honglian rolled her eyes. "After seeing your skills, I think with a bit more training, you should be able to impersonate the Masked Baron."

"What do you want me to do as the Masked Baron? I don't have the power to break the Eternal Crystal, nor the privileges that come with it," Bai Cangdong was now quite curious.

"You don't need to have the Masked Baron's power or those privileges. I just want you to impersonate the Masked Baron to deceive someone and something."

"Who and what?"

"You don't need to know that now. I just want to ask you, do you want to gamble with your luck, either lying in bed for a year or more, or dying from exhaustion, or becoming my knight and helping me?" Lady Honglian stared at Bai Cangdong.

"I am willing to serve Lady." Bai Cangdong's words made Lady Honglian happy, but then he continued, "But I really cannot become your knight."