Early the next morning, after last night's "chicken soup" baptism, the knights' spirits had clearly changed.
They were no longer just mechanically carrying out tasks. Their movements were quicker, and a glimmer of fighting spirit now shone in their eyes.
Some began actively checking their equipment, others discussed the situation in the Northern Territory, and a few even started thinking about how to better fortify the camp.
Even though the future Louis had painted seemed distant, having a goal to chase after was far better than muddling along and waiting for death.
Of course, Louis knew that a single impassioned speech couldn't completely change their mindset.
Without tangible benefits, morale would quickly fade again.
He had to immediately provide concrete benefits to let these knights see real hope.
On the frozen river, the cold wind howled.
The knights stood on the thick layer of ice beneath their feet, exchanging puzzled glances.
"Can we really catch fish here?" someone muttered.
"The lord said so. Might as well try," Lambert replied. He took the lead, swinging a heavy hammer and striking the ice with force.
Many knights secretly laughed in their hearts.
Did he really think you could just crack open any river and catch fish?
This lord was still too naive.
But no one dared disobey Louis's orders. The knights raised their weapons and began breaking the ice.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Before long, a long, narrow fissure appeared, and dark, icy river water surged forth.
A large net was slowly lowered into the water. Everyone held their breath, staring intently at the fissure.
Suddenly, the net rope tightened!
"Pull!"
The next second, a flash of silver light appeared as a Northern Crystal Cod was hauled out of the water, struggling fiercely on the ice.
"My god, there really are fish!"
"Quick! Don't let them escape!"
The knights joined in excitedly, waving the fishing nets.
They lowered and pulled the net again and again. One silver-white Northern Crystal Cod after another was caught, their scales refracting dazzling light in the morning sun.
They counted — twelve in total!
Then, a well-traveled knight exclaimed excitedly, "This is the Northern Crystal Cod! A rare delicacy found only in the extreme cold! Its bones can purify bloodlines and enhance strength!"
Hearing this, the knights' breathing instantly became ragged.
They understood perfectly what bloodline purification meant. It represented not only an immediate boost in strength but also an increase in their future potential as knights.
Treasures like this were something even nobles might only enjoy a few times in their lifetime.
Just as they were lost in fantasy, Louis's nonchalant words reached their ears:
"Half of these fish are for you. We'll make fish soup later."
That single sentence exploded among the knights like thunder.
This was something they wouldn't even dare dream of!
When had they — knights exiled to the Northern Territory — ever received such a blessing?
The knights erupted.
"Lord, are you serious?!" one knight looked up, his voice trembling with excitement.
"This… this is Northern Crystal Cod! Even southern nobles might not get to eat it more than a few times in their lives!"
"Long live the lord!!"
Excitement, shock, and disbelief intertwined, finally transforming into loud chants of praise.
Soon, a large pot was set over the campfire. The boiling fish soup bubbled and released a rich, savory aroma.
After stewing, the soup took on a faint silvery-white hue, as if specks of light swirled within — like a gift from the heavens.
When the soup had thickened, bowls were filled and handed to the knights.
"Can we really drink this?" One knight held his wooden bowl, his hand shaking slightly — not from fear, but from disbelief.
"Less talk, drink up!" Louis picked up his own bowl and drank it down without hesitation.
The broth slid down his throat. Energy rapidly spread from his stomach to his limbs. An invisible warm current scoured away impurities in his blood.
Seeing this, the other knights eagerly lifted their wooden bowls and gulped down the fish soup in large mouthfuls.
The moment the warm liquid entered their throats, their movements froze for an instant, as if something within them had awakened.
The next moment, as if by unspoken agreement, they all sat cross-legged, closed their eyes, concentrated their minds, and rapidly circulated their breathing techniques. They greedily absorbed the indescribable energy, afraid to waste even the slightest bit.
Some trembled slightly, feeling the sensation of purification deep within their bloodlines. An unprecedented lightness spread throughout their bodies.
Others gritted their teeth, enduring the searing heat churning inside, as if their bones and blood were being reshaped at that very moment.
The camp fell into silence, with only the steady sound of breathing rising and falling, converging into an intangible resonance.
Suddenly, an exclamation shattered the silence.
"My… my body…" A young Apprentice Knight widened his eyes. A strange light flickered deep within his pupils.
Boom!
A faint silvery glow emanated from his body. The knights were stunned, their pupils contracting sharply.
"The aura of a Formal Knight! He… he's advanced!"
Before the words finished, another Apprentice Knight trembled violently. A faint light also overflowed from him — he too had broken through!
Dead silence, followed by an explosive uproar!
"Madness! This is truly madness!"
"Just one bowl of fish soup, and it directly leads to a breakthrough?!"
The knights' gazes toward Louis completely transformed.
Just a few hours ago, they had still been doubting what qualifications this exiled lord had to lead them.
Were his promises truly reliable? Was the dawn he spoke of just an illusion?
But now, all doubts had turned into boundless reverence.
They had witnessed with their own eyes two Apprentice Knights break through and advance to Formal Knights in such a short time.
In the southern noble territories, such a thing required lengthy cultivation and massive resources. Yet here, it was just a bowl of fish soup.
Even the knights who didn't directly advance felt their strength significantly increase.
This was simply unbelievable.
And the one who brought all this about was merely Louis with a casual gesture.
Of course, they didn't know about the existence of the intelligence system. They simply felt that Louis had received divine favor!
What astounded them most was Lord Louis's generosity in sharing these precious Northern Crystal Cod with them.
These items were something even nobles could rarely enjoy, yet Louis shared them so easily!
At this moment, all the knights prostrated themselves in gratitude toward Louis. No one questioned the future he had painted the night before.
All doubts had been cast aside. Now, they shared only one common goal in their hearts — to unite behind Louis and welcome their own bright future!
"Long live the lord! Long live Lord Louis!"
The knights shouted in unison. Their excited voices echoed across the icy northern land.
Lord Louis's favors are truly endless!