Chapter 296: Chapter 40: A Chance Encounter with a Dragon Lady at the Holy Pool, the Monstrous Dragon Thunder Barrage, an Unbeatable Foe

Yonglan Knights follow a standard process for advancement on their Knightly Path.

They first encounter the Knight Path through a Magic Tome and become an Apprentice. Then, they join a family or a Knight Order. After training to the Elite Tier, they can receive a quest from their mentor to officially begin their travels and Trials.

During this period, Knights seek out all manner of tasks—from clearing out bandits and suppressing rebellions to challenging other martial arts schools and vanquishing Demon Beasts. They do a bit of everything, and this entire process is collectively known as the Knightly Training.

The final step of the Knightly Training is to drink from the Holy Grail—a mixture containing Yonglan Blood—at the Pool of the Holy Grail, thereby ascending to the rank of Legendary Grand Knight.

The path to the Pool of the Holy Grail is the final stage of this training. For most Extraordinary Paths, the Legendary Celestial Rank is the absolute peak. Any further advancement is no longer a matter of following a set procedure.

After the Floating Fleet passed several Knight Territories, they could finally see their destination from the ship’s bridge.

Looking out, they saw a field covered in maple-yellow fallen leaves. Large trees lining the road swayed in the wind, and various ruins, hot springs, and fortresses were scattered along the way. At the end of this boundless field, a mountain range abruptly rose, piercing the clouds.

This ashen-gray mountain was utterly incongruous with the surrounding landscape. An endless storm of wind and lightning coiled around it, with the tangible gales forming a Barrier that enveloped the entire range.

"So that’s the Pool of the Holy Grail? The mountain forged by a Celestial God?"

Seeing this, Reiya remarked,

"I heard the Pool of the Holy Grail was formed when the Yonglan Riding God let a drop of his Divine Blood fall upon the mountain’s peak."

Mivana said, "It’s similar to the Empire’s Little Holy Trees, I suppose. Only more useful, and far rarer."

Among the Celestial Gods, the Radiant Holy Tree was probably the one that manifested its power most frequently. Nearly every Imperial Citizen could enjoy the blessings and protection granted by the Little Holy Trees.

In comparison, the other Celestial Gods seemed rather stingy. The blessings of the Yonglan Riding God, in particular, came with a high barrier to entry.

"Those who wish to ascend to the Pool of the Holy Grail must conquer the storm and press bravely forward."

The Lady Knight instinctively tightened her grip on the hilt of her Silver Sword and said,

"A single Pool of the Holy Grail produces only one Holy Grail over a vast expanse of time. Only the final victor can claim this honor."

The ascent to the Pool of the Holy Grail was an arduous challenge. Not only did one face harsh environmental Trials along the way, but there were also other Trial Takers who coveted the Holy Grail.

Although the trials set by the Divine Ancestor were the former, the latter often posed a far greater danger.

"In that case, it looks like you have a few too many rivals."

Reiya and Mivana stepped forward to the flagship’s panoramic window and gazed into the distance. On either side of the great road ahead, a long line of camps stood amidst the lush woodlands. Farther back, there was even a colossal, half-kneeling statue.

Even though they could only faintly make out the statue’s silhouette, its terrifying size and imposing presence were enough to take one’s breath away.

"They even brought out a Riding God Giant Statue. They *really* don’t want you to reach the Pool of the Holy Grail, do they?"

Reiya chuckled, though it was unclear whether it was in mockery or wry amusement.

From the very start, the pilgrimage procession had made no secret of its intentions. Everyone with any knowledge of the journey knew that the Beastman Lord of Dusk Lamp Territory intended to first achieve her Legendary promotion to bolster the pilgrimage.

Therefore, the Yonglan Knights who were disgruntled by Westheid’s propositions were bound to try and stop her.

Under normal circumstances, Mivana’s promotion would have been a certainty. She had long since accumulated enough merit, and her strength was monstrous. No one was more qualified to advance to the Legendary Tier. ...Unfortunately, that was the ideal scenario. No competition is ever free from underhanded tactics.

Perhaps there was a limit to how many could make the ascent to the Pool of the Holy Grail. Even if every single one of them was hostile to Mivana, she could still slaughter them at will. But what if one were to set up blockades on the path *to* the mountain?

How would Her Ladyship deal with *that*?

"Such tactics are utterly despicable. They lack the grace and magnanimity a Yonglan Knight ought to possess."

Mivana’s critique was blunt.

"They are not Knights."

’There’s a Riding God Giant Statue, but no sign of any Grand Knights yet... Are they just observing for now?’

Reiya nodded and said to Mivana,

"I will handle these trivialities. You go and make the ascent to the Pool of the Holy Grail."

"Mm."

Nothing more needed to be said. This was the arrangement Westheid had made. Though the two women might disagree on other matters, they both held Westheid’s commands in the highest regard.

..........

In front of the mountain range, within a series of makeshift camps, Yonglan Knights from every direction had gathered in the woodlands. The area was bustling with activity and abuzz with voices.

The time had come for the Pool of the Holy Grail to be renewed, and great numbers of Yonglan Knights hoping to ascend to the Legendary Tier were heading here to take part in the Holy Grail Trial.

But the Knights gathered here now were not present to climb the mountain and join the Holy Grail Trial.

Some were nearby Knight Lords, some were Apprentices in the midst of their training, and still others were official members of various Knight Orders.

They were a motley crew of varying skill and diverse origins, but they all had one thing in common: they were opponents of the pilgrimage.

When this crowd gathered together, it was only natural that they would launch into a fierce critique of Westheid’s bid for kingship:

"Letting an Imperial Citizen run rampant in the lands of Yonglan... what in the world are those Lords thinking?!"

"And what about that reform plan? It’s completely absurd! Abolishing serfdom? It might seem like a path to development, but how can such impure, external things ever compare to true courage and martial blood?"

"If we actually go through with this, we’ll all drown in comfort and decadence! To forget war is to invite peril!"