Chapter 253 Dragon Spirit Walker
In a luxurious manor, Lu Xuan and Daenerys were sparring in the courtyard.
"Although you are already quite old, your physical condition is exceptionally good. This may be related to your bloodline. You were born with the bloodline of the Unburnt, and dragon blood flows in your veins. Both your strength and recovery ability far exceed those of ordinary people. Therefore, even if you start learning swordsmanship now, you can still achieve something, but the premise is that you must take action."
After conquering Astabo, Daenerys asked Lu Xuan to teach her swordsmanship, military strategy, and the art of governance. Lu Xuan once asked her, "You are now the queen, why do you want to learn swordsmanship?"
Daenerys responded, "I feel more powerful when I have a sword in my hand." Only then did the scene before us unfold.
Lu Xuan's training was not something an ordinary person could endure. If Daenerys hadn't possessed an extraordinary physique, she wouldn't have been able to keep going for more than a few days. Even so, her maids, who had watched their sparring sessions, were so frightened that they cried out several times.
With a thud, Lu Xuan's wooden sword struck Daenerys's shoulder once more, knocking her to the ground. Lu Xuan's training consisted entirely of sparring. Endless real combat sparring, with him acting as the sparring partner. This was probably the most expensive sparring partner in the world. Even the direct descendants of ancient sects wouldn't receive such treatment.
In this world, there is no such thing as swordsmanship. The best swordsmanship is the ability to defeat the enemy. Therefore, he holds nothing back in a fight. Almost every day, Daenerys is covered in bruises.
However, by this time, Lu Xuan was able to mobilize a small amount of true energy, and with the help of the male wizards like Pai Ya, they also managed to concoct some of their best hidden treasures. They prepared some magical potions that could restore the body. So these injuries were nothing to worry about. These magical potions were actually something that most people couldn't withstand. But they discovered that Daenerys's magical constitution far exceeded their expectations.
Take Deepshadow Spring, for example. When wizards drink too much, their lips turn a deep blue. But Daenerys doesn't have this problem. To develop her magical constitution, Lu Xuan and Pai Ya, along with other wizards, collaborated to modify Deepshadow Spring. Although they weakened the side effects, it still affects skin color in normal people. However, Daenerys can completely digest this potion, rapidly improving her constitution. And no matter how much she drinks, she doesn't experience the blue lips side effect.
Struggling to her feet, Daenerys's light armor was riddled with holes from Lu Xuan's attacks. But she didn't complain; instead, she charged forward again, sword in hand. Her swordsmanship was utterly chaotic, just random slashes. But this was exactly the result Lu Xuan wanted.
Daenerys attacks casually. But she counters with different methods, from various angles, forcing her to adapt her attacks. If her changes aren't precise enough, she'll get hit. In training, nothing is more memorable than getting hit.
The iron sword in Daenerys's hands was somewhat heavy for her now. However, her physical abilities were improving very rapidly, and she would soon be able to wield such a heavy sword with one hand.
Lu Xuan's wooden sword touched her blade, causing her longsword to deflect. Then, the longsword thrust straight at her shoulder. This time, Daenerys reacted in advance. She sidestepped the attack, dodging it. Simultaneously, she swung her longsword back, aiming straight for Lu Xuan's neck.
"Hehe." Lu Xuan chuckled lightly. He took a slight step back, dodging the sword strike. Teaching can't always be about giving setbacks; you still need to offer some rewards.
"Not bad, you've improved a bit. That concludes today's swordsmanship training. Next, we'll move on to meditation training."
After intense physical training, a short rest can actually make it easier to enter a calm, meditative state. Of course, it might also make you fall asleep...
Inside the meditation room, Lu Xuan and Daenerys sat cross-legged. Before them lay a glass candle. This object was once a magical tool used by the High Wizard of Valyrian Freehold. It could communicate across thousands of miles, even projecting phantoms to achieve 'video communication.' It could also be used to directly observe events happening tens of thousands of miles away. It was a strategic magical artifact.
However, since the fall of Valyria, these things have become very rare. Even if they do exist, they usually just gather dust in a corner because no one can ignite them.
Because glass candles are made of obsidian. They don't have lamp oil or wicks. You can only light them using magic.
Daenerys undoubtedly possesses immense magical power. However, most of this energy resides within her physical body, forming her Unburnt Body. Therefore, she requires specific meditation techniques to truly harness the magical power within her.
This is no simple matter. The complete Valyrian meditation method has long been lost. Even during the Freehold era, the meditation method of the Valyrian high priests was a closely guarded secret. Apart from the dragon families, no outsiders could ever see it.
The Wizard's Wisdom Fire contains a portion of meditation techniques, but it's incomplete. Therefore, Lu Xuan has been trying to deduce these techniques, preparing to compile a completely new set. This would also aid his soul cultivation, so he's taking it very seriously.
Even in Lu Xuan's view, Valyrian meditation methods still had considerable merit. After all, it was a prosperous magical civilization back then, with various forms of magic developed very comprehensively. Moreover, the great wizards of that time despised religious beliefs and believed in their own power. This suited Lu Xuan's tastes perfectly.
"Magic is everywhere. But it can be lazy or active. From what we understand now, magic is currently in the early stages of activity. Your dragon can accelerate this activity, making magic even more powerful. That's why the warlock wants your dragon."
But male wizards are different from you. They become wizards because of a slight innate talent and a large amount of Shadow Spring. But you are different, Daenerys. You are born with unparalleled talent. However, this has also led to a small problem. The magic within you is too abundant, making it even more difficult for you to control. Now, close your eyes and follow my guidance.”
Lu Xuan could light the glass candle. Although he didn't understand any of the meditation techniques of this world, he could use his internal energy to forcibly gather magical power and pour it all onto the glass candle. It was simple and mindless, but the glass candle responded to this method. As long as enough magical power was gathered, it could be lit.
Daenerys felt a faint, flowing energy, like water or a breeze, slowly coursing through her body. With this movement, certain energies within her began to activate.
She subconsciously used her consciousness to feel that activity.
With a loud bang, Dani felt her physical energy suddenly explode. Her consciousness was also instantly jolted out. She opened her eyes abruptly, only to find that she was not in the house. Before her was an endless sky, clouds, and the vast earth below.
It seems like I'm flying?
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Chapter 254 Severe Measures in Chaotic Times
When her consciousness returned to her body, Daenerys told Lu Xuan about this amazing experience.
After listening, Lu Xuan pondered for a moment, and then asked.
Where is your dragon now?
Upon hearing this, Daenerys was suddenly awakened.
"It's a dragon! I just entered my dragon's perspective!" she exclaimed in surprise.
“That should be it. Westeros has always had spirit walkers (shapeshifters). They are one of the few remaining traces of magic after the destruction of Valyria. Now it seems that you are a walker on a higher level than them. Daenerys, you are a dragon spirit walker.”
Dragon Spirit Walker—a prestigious term. And indeed, it possesses considerable merit. Just the fact that Daenerys can enter the dragons' perspective and roam the skies is already a strategic-level advantage. When enemies attack from any direction, how many there are, and what preparations they've made, she can easily anticipate their arrival.
This is just the most basic Dragon Spirit Walker. If one advances further, they should be able to possess a dragon, like a Beast Spirit Walker, and directly control it in battle. A dragon's body combined with human intelligence—this is definitely a strategic-level power in this world.
Daenerys ultimately failed to light the glass candle. The main reason was that she still couldn't gather magic outside her body. But it didn't matter; she had already grasped the basics of manipulating magic, and lighting a glass candle was just a matter of time for her.
The morning meditation session is over. The afternoon is for handling official business.
Missandei, a multilingual maid, was responsible for reporting on government affairs. She collected reports from various departments, organized them, and then handed them over to Daenerys. This was no longer just a maid's job; it was the work of an elite assistant. Given time, Lu Xuan even planned to appoint this girl to a specific official position.
"We are currently facing three major problems. The first is that trade in the city is at a standstill. Due to the previous war, most of the merchants in the port have left to seek refuge. Although the Dragon Queen has issued a proclamation to reopen trade, the effect has been mediocre, and the number of merchants has not increased these days. Many of the freed slaves in the city are unable to find work. We have drawn some of them to form a brand new army. But there is still a considerable number of idle people."
"It's not their fault. Daenerys just took over here and freed the slaves. They came here to buy slaves. Now that there are no slaves, Astapor has naturally become less attractive to them."
The three cities of Slaver's Bay each have their own unique characteristics. All three cities primarily engage in the slave trade. However, Astapor is characterized by the Unsullied, Meereen by gladiators, and Yunkai by bed slaves (both male and female).
Daenerys looked at Lu Xuan.
"Sir Lu, do you have any suggestions?"