Brave and fearless royal knight

Under the astonished gazes of Hoden and Sally, another burst of golden light emanated from the void, enveloping a nearby patch of land. Moments later, an imposing structure resembling a grand hall appeared. The building gleamed with opulent splendor, and in front of its entrance lay a vast plaza. At the plaza's center stood a massive war drum, surrounded by vibrant red banners fluttering in the desert wind.

This newly constructed [Troop Building] occupied a substantial area, its arrival having obliterated a dozen date palm trees and two towering giant pillars, much to Haotian's dismay. In the desert, food and water were paramount, and the loss of these resources was significant.

"I need to upgrade the Village Hall quickly," Haotian mused. "Expanding the territory will give me more space to construct additional buildings."

As he pondered, the details of the [Troop Building] appeared before him.

[Royal Knight Training Ground] [Level: 1] [Recruitable Troops: Royal Knights] [Recruitment Rate: 10 Royal Knights per day] [Upgrade Requirement: 1,000 gold coins] [Note 1: Upgrading the Troop Building increases the number of recruitable troops.] [Note 2: Royal Knights are cavalry units; equipping them with suitable mounts significantly boosts their combat effectiveness.]

"Master, what is this building?" Butler Hoden asked, astonished.

Haotian replied, "This is the Royal Knight Training Ground. It allows me to summon powerful Royal Knights. Soon, we will have a well-trained Royal Knight army!"

As he spoke, a group of figures materialized on the plaza amidst a golden glow. Ten fully armed and robust knights appeared, each wielding a knight's greatsword and a small round shield, clad in gleaming silver armor. They marched forward with a palpable aura of lethality. Upon reaching Haotian, they knelt with their sword tips touching the ground.

"Loyalty is faith! Great Lord, the Royal Knights swear eternal allegiance to you!"

"Rise!" Haotian commanded, suppressing the tremor in his voice. He examined the Royal Knights' stats.

[Royal Knight] [Rank: Intermediate Unit] [Initial Level: 5] [Growth Potential: King Level] [Traits: Loyalty, Fearlessness]

The continent's professional levels ranged from one to nine, then King Level, Transcendent, Sanctum, Demigod, and finally Title Demi-God. Levels one to nine were for ordinary professionals, divided into low (1-3), intermediate (4-6), and high (7-9). Butler Hoden was a seventh-level high-tier mage.

"By the Magic Goddess!" Hoden whispered, his voice trembling. He gazed at the heavily armed Royal Knights, overwhelmed by the divine power they represented. It was no wonder the young master intended to rebel!

Haotian turned to Hoden, "The upcoming battle will be their responsibility. Only through the crucible of war can troops truly grow."

"Yes, young master," Hoden agreed, eager to see these Royal Knights fight for Haotian. This would also allow him to stay close and protect the young master.

Following Haotian's command, the ten Royal Knights tightened their grips on their swords and charged towards the sand dune where the commotion had erupted. In moments, the battle was joined. Massive sandworms burst from the ground, lunging at the Royal Knights. These sandworms, resembling colossal, eyeless worms with gaping maws lined with razor-sharp teeth, were covered in fine hairs that allowed them to sense vibrations in the sand.

Unfortunately for them, they faced well-equipped Royal Knights whose level exceeded theirs. Most sandworms were low-level beasts, with normal ones ranging from levels one to three, and only one elite sandworm at level four, towering over five meters in length. Against ordinary humans, these creatures would be deadly.

"Knight Slash!" one Royal Knight shouted, leaping high and bringing his sword down in a golden arc. The blade cleaved through the sandworm's tough hide, slicing it in two. Green ichor and foul-smelling entrails spilled onto the ground. The other knights quickly followed suit, dispatching the remaining sandworms with practiced efficiency. The sandworms' attacks proved futile against the Royal Knights' armor and combat prowess. Even those swallowed whole by the sandworms fought their way out, their blades tearing through the beasts' insides.

Soon, the battlefield was littered with the corpses of over a dozen sandworms. The elite sandworm, sensing its doom, attempted to flee by burrowing into the sand. A Royal Knight quickly impaled its tail, dragging it back out. Another knight swiftly decapitated it with a shining sword.

"These Royal Knights are exceptionally skilled," Hoden remarked, observing the battle. "Their combat techniques and battlefield acumen rival that of seasoned veterans." In the former Tulip family, only a few old knights possessed such qualities. Even as a high-tier mage, Hoden felt humbled.

Suddenly, Hoden sensed a surge of magical power emanating from Haotian. "Master, have you advanced?" he asked, astonished.