Chapter 654 - 371: Changes in the Tulip, Return to the Territory (2)

Morris nodded slightly and gave Thor a brief explanation.

"It’s about this matter!"

Listening to Morris’s words, Thor couldn’t help but nod.

Earlier, Reine had explained it to him, but not in detail.

Only now did he realize that the previous turmoil was greater than he had imagined.

"Yes, after that incident, the Beastmen retreated, and there haven’t been any major issues since."

Morris nodded slightly, affirming his statement.

"I understand now."

"Thank you, Brother Morris!"

"By the way, Brother Morris, you must be about to break through to Earth Knight, right?"

Thor nodded again and, after a brief reflection, looked at Morris and asked softly.

"Hopefully soon!"

"It might take a few more years."

Morris was a bit surprised but still nodded in response.

"Here, take this, Brother Morris. It should speed up your practice."

Thor pondered for a moment and then took out a vial of potion from his breast pocket.

"What is this?"

Morris looked puzzled, his gaze involuntarily drawn to the potion in Thor’s hand.

"Essence of Life—there should be about ten drops, enough to help you break through and improve your physique."

Thor said with a smile.

This vial of potion, of course, was something he had taken from the Ancient Tree of Life.

The Elves didn’t mind him collecting it.

So Thor decided to take some back.

He hadn’t forgotten that there were still quite a few people in the territory who needed a boost in their talents.

Especially Steve, Pelos, and the like.

Without external aid, these individuals reaching Earth Knight would be their limit. Breaking through to Sky Knight would be nearly impossible.

And that was absolutely unacceptable to Thor.

The Essence of Life was undoubtedly the best choice.

Not only can it accelerate practice, but it can also enhance aptitude.

Like the twenty or so people who went to the Elf Realm with him, their talents have all improved considerably.

In the future, aiming for the Holy Sanctuary is not out of the question; at least reaching Sky Knight seems assured.

As for Steve and Pelos, who followed Thor early on, he wouldn’t forget them either.

"Essence of Life?"

Hearing Thor’s words, Morris was initially puzzled too, but then quickly realized, his pupils dilating in disbelief.

The Essence of Life.

Morris knew well what it was.

He just hadn’t connected the dots before.

Now, suddenly realizing it, even his body trembled slightly.

"This, this!"

"It’s too precious!"

"Thor!"

Morris quickly exclaimed, waving his hands to refuse.

"Don’t worry, I went to the Elf Realm this time; there’s more. If you feel guilty, consider it a temporary loan."

Thor shook his head with a smile, speaking softly.

"This!"

Hearing Thor’s words, Morris’s expression constantly changed.

"Let’s go!"

"We’re brothers, after all."

"By the way, are we near your territory? Aren’t you going to show me around?"

Thor chuckled and grabbed Morris by the neck.

"Thank you so much!"

Morris spoke softly, deeply moved.

The Essence of Life is so precious, and its value is enormous.

With this vial, not only he, but even his descendants’ aptitudes could be rapidly improved.

If before it would have taken him four or five years to break through to Earth Knight.

Breaking through to Earth Knight itself was the limit.

The appearance of the Essence of Life now gave him the possibility of reaching higher levels.

Thor just outright gave it to him.

And it’s a full ten drops.

This gratitude was almost beyond words.

"Hahaha, we’re brothers. No need for thanks."

"Let’s go!"

Thor shook his head with a smile.

Then he followed Morris towards the Eastern North.

Five days later.

The group reached Morris’s territory.

This was a fief located at the foot of the mountains in a river valley.

At present, there stood a majestic castle.

Tall walls surrounded a small town of several thousand people.

Outside the walls were vast farmland.

Golden wheat swayed in the evening breeze, promising a bountiful harvest year.

"Brother Morris, it seems your territory is developing nicely!"

"And here, it’s quite easy to expand."

Thor looked at Morris with some surprise, praising him.

"Hahaha, it’s just good fortune!"

"And it’s all thanks to your Eagle Merchant Association, Thor; otherwise, development here wouldn’t be this easy."

Morris shook his head sheepishly.

He knew very well that his development was due to both good luck and the support of the Eagle Merchant Association.

Otherwise, even basic supplies would be an issue here, let alone development.

Thor chuckled and said no more.

As they walked in.

A Knight Order was already welcoming them from afar.

Leading the group was a noblewoman.

In her hand, she held a little boy.

Thor’s eyes lit up in surprise.

"Father!"

As they saw Morris and the others, the Knight Order quickly approached, and a childish voice called out from the distance.

"That’s my wife, Benita Lux, and my son, Belu!"

Morris said with a smile.

Thor smiled and nodded.

The two groups quickly came together.

The little figure dashed forward.

Morris lifted him up in one swoop.

"Benita, let me introduce you; this is my brother, Thor Dressrosa, whom I often mentioned to you."

Morris said cheerfully, introducing his wife.

Thor gave a polite smile.

Benita Lux was a gentle woman.

She warmly welcomed Thor and his group.

So Thor and the others settled into Morris’s territory.

Upon entering the territory.

Thor found it even more extraordinary.

Or rather, the layout of Morris’s territory seemed modeled after his own Eagle Ridge.

Everything was so similar.

And Morris’s territory was even larger than he had imagined.

The population was estimated to be around seven to eight thousand.

The members of the Knight Order exceeded a hundred.

In the Baron Knight Order, such strength was not weak at all, leaving Thor quite impressed.

Clearly, over the years, his brother had put great effort into building and developing the territory.

Only such dedication could achieve this scale.

After staying in Morris’s territory for almost three days.

Thor decided to take his leave.

Upon leaving Morris’s territory.

The journey back to Eagle Ridge in the Northern Province was undoubtedly shorter.

In less than five days, the group had crossed the Northern Territory and arrived at the Northern Province.

This was after Thor took a detour to catch a group of Thorny Butterfly Fish; otherwise, the return journey from Morris’s territory to the Northern Province would have been even shorter.

And upon reaching the Northern Province.

Returning to Eagle Ridge was even faster.

Within three days, Thor and his group were back at Eagle Ridge.

By now, it had been more than a year since he left Eagle Ridge.

Over this year, Thor’s strength had undergone a radical change, leaping from Half-Step Sanctuary to the Divine Domain.

And not just him.

Even Marco and the others who went with him experienced tremendous growth.

Meanwhile, Ivira’s strength had officially reached Tier Five, just a step away from Tier Six.

Over the year and a half, Eagle Ridge, or rather, Eagle City, had expanded by more than twice its original size.

The population had surged drastically.

From a distance, the scale of Eagle City was now completely comparable to Pat City, even surpassing it to some extent.

Moreover, the once narrow path had turned into a wide road that could accommodate ten carriages side by side.

Along the road, countless caravans and Knight Orders traversed back and forth endlessly.