"Still too weak."
"Whether it's me or Frost Wolf Ridge."
David took a deep breath. Whether it was his personal cultivation or the development of his territory, both needed to improve.
"Young Master David, your strength..." The Gray Wolf Knight walked over and asked in a low voice.
"Yes, I've broken through to Tier Three."
David nodded, not hiding the fact, but he needed the Gray Wolf Knight's help to collect materials for the Tier Four Frost Wolf Potion.
Of course, he didn't mention that he had already condensed Fighting Qi.
But even so, it left the Gray Wolf Knight dumbfounded, with a look of disbelief on his face.
Although he had already speculated, hearing it directly from the Lord's mouth still felt somewhat unreal.
Tier Three!
In just three short months, he's become a Tier Three Knight?
Increasing one tier per month on average, Young Master David's speed of improving knight's power was beyond fast.
He now wondered if Young Master David had already awakened his bloodline and become a knight long before, only revealing it gradually now.
Regardless, this was good news for the Frost Wolf Clan and Frost Wolf Ridge.
As long as Young Master David broke through to the Tier Four Earth Knight level, Frost Wolf Ridge could regain its foothold in the Northern Lands and redevelop.
Thinking of this, the Gray Wolf Knight couldn't help but tear up.
Since the old lord's passing, the Frost Wolf Clan had been in decline day by day, and now hope finally arose once more.
As long as Young Master David broke through to Tier Four Earth Knight and produced an heir for the clan, he could face the deceased Wolf Duke with a smile.
After handling everything, it was already the next morning.
David glanced at the rising sun and walked towards Princess Jingge's thatched hut.
After so long, it was time to make a choice.
Seeing David approach, Princess Jingge's expression was calm.
"I can agree to your request."
"But you must promise me, if I bear a child with the Crystal Song Snow Demon bloodline, you must help him reclaim Jingge Kingdom."
David looked at the determined face of the Third Princess, knowing she indeed saw this as a transaction.
But he truly couldn't make such a promise.
An arranged marriage meant acknowledging his partner's legal status.
In a world akin to medieval Europe, even kings could only have one wife.
But his system destined him to have more than one wife, making it impossible to promise anyone.
Though he couldn't promise them, he vowed to treat each person as if they were his wife.
He nodded, "I promise you, now... come back to the castle with me."
Saying that, he headed outside.
"Princess." The Roman Knight's expression was complex.
Looking at David's departing figure, Princess Jingge shook her head bitterly at the Roman Knight; she had no other choice.
She must survive, preserve the Crystal Song Snow Demon's bloodline, so the Crystal Song Clan might endure and potentially reclaim Jingge Kingdom.
...
Frost Wolf Castle.
Liya and Amy were waiting for the Lord to return.
Last night, the horn suddenly sounded on Frost Wolf Ridge.
After the Lord went out, he had yet to return by morning.
As they waited anxiously, the Lord arrived with someone who looked like a refugee and walked towards Frost Wolf Castle.
"Young Master David." Liya stepped forward to greet him.
David nodded to Liya, comforting her with a pat on the head, then turned to Fire Dance who approached, "Please take Miss Reina to clean up."
"As you command, Lord." Fire Dance nodded with a calm expression, gesturing politely.
"Young Master David, is that..."
Though she had some guesses, Liya still asked.
"Haven't you always wanted a sister?" David said with a smile.
Then, he explained Reina's situation in detail. Liya was his first wife, and he felt it necessary to inform Liya as a sign of respect for her.
The last time, Liya did very well in resolving her relationship with Amy. With Liya mediating, Reina would soon integrate into the family.
"I know what to do."
Liya was touched, feeling valued by Young Master David.
David leaned in for a kiss, "It's going to be hard for you again."
Soon after.
Reina had finished washing and came out.
Her skin was as white and smooth as mutton fat jade, radiant and translucent.
Her snow-white hair flowed down past her slender shoulders and back.
Her eyes were like deep lakes, shining with starlit brilliance. The breeze gently swept over her, lifting her white hair, letting it dance in the air.
Even though she wore just an ordinary white long dress, it still couldn't mask her unique princess-like grace.
David looked at such a Princess Jingge, and found himself momentarily dazed.
"Where is my room?"
Reina approached David, lacking enthusiasm on her face.
David pressed his lips together, knowing the Crystal Song Princess was unwilling.
For a princess, exchanging herself through marriage for protection was indeed too cruel.
Originally, she could marry someone she wished, receive the rightful title, and enjoy her husband's wholehearted love.
Instead of, as now, in an almost humiliating way, sacrificing her most precious thing.
If not forced by circumstances, the proud Princess Jingge would never have made such a choice, sacrificing herself for her kingdom and family.
This was a transaction.
For Princess Jingge, this was exactly a transaction.
"Follow me."
David said no more, knowing this was the only chance to obtain the Snow Demon Bloodline.
Although it was certainly unfair to the Princess Jingge, he was prepared to make amends in the future.
If the Princess Jingge truly couldn't accept him, he would honor his promise to help her reclaim Jingge Kingdom and send her back.
Hence, he apologized.
The two climbed upstairs, arriving at the room originally belonging to Duke Frost Wolf.
Princess Jingge reached the bed, undressed, lay motionless on the bed, and closed her eyes.
"I will protect you, then help you reclaim Jingge Kingdom." David whispered by the bedside.
Princess Jingge opened her eyes, a glimmer appeared, she gently nodded, and then closed her eyes again.
Next moment, Princess Jingge softly hummed.
Her eyebrows knitted, enduring the pain, a crystal tear slid down from the corner of her eye.
[You completed a cultivation session, activating Snow Demon Spirit]
[Snow Demon Spirit: Tier One (1/100)]
As David's body relaxed, a system notification chimed in his ear.
Simultaneously, he vaguely heard the howl of a wolf, then in his consciousness, he saw the image of a Snow Demon emerge, becoming blurred, eventually transforming into a phantom of a Frost Giant Wolf!