Lord: I can see loyalty.

Outside the east gate of Bordeaux, a bustling yet orderly scene unfolded at a temporary assembly area.

The line of several hundred people had already been formed.

At the forefront were a hundred elite warriors of the Azure Peak Knights, all clad in visored helmets and full plate armor. Their warhorses were tall, and their lances were like a forest. A blue banner embroidered with the insignia of the Southern Territory stood in the middle of the column, fluttering in the wind.

Behind them were hundreds of veterans selected from militias across the country, who had fought several bandit battles. Although their armor was mainly made of iron-plated leather, their swords and spears were of high quality, and their discipline was strict, making them no less than regular soldiers.

Pack horses and several wagons loaded with supplies, tents, and a large amount of equipment lined up at the end of the procession.

When Vio rode through the city gate and appeared at the front of the procession, everyone's eyes were quickly drawn to him.

He changed into a set of light knight's armor that allowed for easy movement, covered it with a simple cloak, and hung the Will of the Southern Territory at his waist in the most convenient position.

Gina was already waiting on the side on a warhorse, still wearing her knight's attire, with a new broadsword hanging at her waist.

As Vio approached, her calm blue eyes lingered on him for a moment, and her brows twitched slightly.

"My lady," she urged her horse forward, her voice calm yet tinged with surprise, "you've become stronger again?"

Vio glanced at her, a smile playing on his lips. He didn't deny it, but simply said, "It's just a slight change. Hopefully, this power will come in handy in the upcoming battles."

Breathing techniques not only bring about internal changes, but also manifest in one's outward appearance.

Gina nodded and didn't ask any more questions, but gently tugged at the hilt of the sword at her waist.

"Jimmy, Xavier, are you all ready?" Vio asked loudly.

"Your Excellency, we are ready to depart at any time," Jimmy said, pounding his chest on horseback.

"The militia is ready, Your Excellency!" Xavier responded loudly.

"Let's go! Destination: the Cooper tribe's territory in the Loba Mountains!"

The sounds of hooves and footsteps rang out once more, and this strongest armed force in the southern region transformed into an iron torrent, advancing towards the eastern mountains and forests.

Farmers and merchants along the way gave way, watching the caravan depart with awe and anticipation in their eyes.

With the Cooper hunters stationed in Savannah village as guides, the journey was much smoother than before. They avoided several known dangerous areas and arrived safely in Cooper territory on the evening of the third day.

The camp was built on ancient trees, and although it was simple, it could be called a defensive fortification. The patrolling soldiers were in high spirits.

Albright personally led a group of people to greet them outside.

In just a few days, the newly appointed leader of the Cooper tribe had already become more composed, with less of his former arrogance and more of a resolute look in his eyes.

Seeing the hundreds of well-equipped and highly motivated soldiers that Vio had brought, a look of delight flashed in his eyes.

"Count Vio! Welcome back to the homeland of the Coopers!" Albright stepped forward and gave Vio, who had dismounted, a firm embrace. "Seeing your entourage, I know those Harlow barbarians are no trouble at all!"

"Chief Albright, the speed at which the territory has been rebuilt is truly admirable." Vio looked around. Although the Cooper tribe lived in simple conditions, they were well-organized, and the faces of the tribesmen were no longer filled with bewilderment, but with determination to fight against foreign enemies.

"It seems the relocation issue has been resolved?"

"It's resolved!" Albright said emphatically, leading Vio and the others into the camp. "The elders and most of the tribe support my decision; we will no longer retreat out of the mountains! This is our home!"

"We will establish a foothold here, and then, with your assistance, Earl, we will launch a preemptive strike to completely eradicate the Haro tribe and the monster they worship from the sacred forest!"

His voice was infectious, and the Cooper warriors around him shouted in agreement.

Upon arriving at a more open area in the center of the camp, Vio signaled to his attendants to remove the covers from several carriages.

Inside, neatly arranged, were several sets of well-maintained old leather armor replaced by the Knights of the Azure Peak and the militia, as well as a batch of relatively standard one-handed weapons and spears.

"These," Vio said to Albright, whose eyes were shining, and the group of Cooper warriors who had gathered around, "are the equipment left behind by our Southern Army after they changed their uniforms."

"Although leather armor is not as flexible as the rattan and animal hide armor you use, it is more protective, especially against the poisonous stings of the Haro tribe."

"The weapons have also been standardized and are more durable than what you currently use. There are not many of them, but they are enough to arm an elite force of two hundred men."

Albright stepped forward, picked up a piece of leather armor and carefully examined it, then tested the weight of a standard one-handed sword, his face revealing undisguised delight.

"Count Vio, we are truly grateful!" he exclaimed, turning to his people. "Have the warrior captains distribute the equipment!"

The Cooper warriors cheered enthusiastically and began to receive their equipment in an orderly manner, excitedly gesturing and trying it on.

That evening, Vio and his main men were arranged to rest in some of the best treehouses in the camp.

Unlike the superficially warm but underlyingly tense atmosphere in Cooper Village last time, Vio felt very at ease this time.

Lying on the bed covered with dry weeds and animal hides, listening to the chirping of night birds in the woods outside the window and the faint sound of patrolling footsteps in the distance, he felt a rare sense of peace and soon fell asleep.

The continuous changes in his body under the guidance of breathing techniques seemed to make it easier for him to enter a state of high-quality rest.

……

The next day, just as the first light of dawn appeared on the horizon, a cool mist still lingered in the forest.

Vio had quietly gotten up, dressed, and gone alone to a secluded clearing at the edge of the camp.

The terrain here is slightly elevated, with a huge rock behind it and a forest stretching downwards in front of it, shrouded in a thin mist.

Instead of practicing knightly swordsmanship, he faced the dim light and slowly assumed a stable stance.

With eyes slightly closed, the sand breathing technique, which I had already mastered, began to operate naturally.

With each breath, deep and resonant, consciousness sinks into the body, as if one can see the breath itself.

The faint magic in the environment was absorbed, like fine sand being drawn by an invisible force, and merged into Vio's body, quickly relieving the soreness left from yesterday's journey.

He could feel that each breath was subtly refining his body!

The muscles beneath the skin undulate slightly, moving naturally with each breath.

As the first rays of dawn finally pierced through the clouds, Vio slowly opened his eyes. The fatigue and exhaustion of the past few days had vanished, his eyes were clear and bright, and he was full of energy. He was in the best possible condition.

He gently gripped the hilt of the sword, but did not swing it. He simply felt the connection between his body and the sword, and the changes that his breathing technique brought to his body.