A hundred miles ahead of Kading City, two figures faced each other in midair.
The passersby who spotted them quickly fled.
"Those are two Saint Realm experts. Come on, let's take a detour..."
Such a young-looking Saint Realm expert... I've never seen this man before. Did he only rise to prominence recently? Wilt looked solemnly at the unfamiliar Saint Realm expert before him. "Halt. I am Wilt Kading. May I ask if you have urgent business in Duke Kading's Territory?"
The Korur Empire explicitly required all Saint Realm experts under its rule to bear responsibility for guarding against unfamiliar Saint Realm experts appearing within the empire. Wilt was naturally no exception, especially since his surname was Kading.
Jie Ning looked at the Saint Realm expert who had suddenly appeared before him. Seeing the other man's wary expression, he was somewhat surprised. However, upon hearing that the man was a Kading, he replied amicably, "I am Jie Ning Dalut. I have come to Duke Kading's Territory to handle an important matter."
Someone from the Dalut family? Hearing Jie Ning's surname, Wilt relaxed slightly, though he still did not dare lower his guard completely. His expression did soften considerably. "You must have only recently reached the Saint Realm, then?"
Jie Ning looked at Wilt in surprise, then readily nodded. "That is indeed the case. How did you know?"
Wilt first explained the rules that all Saint Realm experts of the Korur Empire had to follow, then added, "Therefore, every Saint Realm expert affiliated with the Korur Empire wears an emblem marking their respective faction."
As he spoke, he pointed to the Arrow Emblem on his chest. "This is the emblem of Duke Kading's Territory. Saint Realm experts within the Korur Empire can identify one another through these emblems. As long as both sides channel Battle Qi or magical power into them, they can sense each other."
There's even a method of verification like that? Jie Ning was inwardly amazed, but he still asked curiously, "What about Saint Realm experts from outside the empire?"
Wilt patiently explained, "External Saint Realm experts must first register in a border city of the Korur Empire and claim a Visitor Emblem. Otherwise, every Saint Realm expert affiliated with the Korur Empire has both the right and duty to kill them or drive them out."
Then Wilt added pointedly, "All emblems require blood to recognize an owner, and they can only recognize one owner."
"Normally, after reaching the Saint Realm, you should have gone to Dalut City first to register and receive your emblem." As he spoke, Wilt continued looking at Jie Ning strangely.
Jie Ning could only explain, "Perhaps because no Saint Realm expert has appeared in my branch of the family for several centuries, the elders may not have known about this either."
Far away in Tieling Town, Chris suddenly shivered for no apparent reason. Yet after thinking of something, he still wore a smug expression. Once that brat Jie Ning reaches the Saint Realm, I'll have him fly me all the way to Dalut City. No, that won't do. We'll need to make a few detours. We need to visit Firefly Town and Cass Town too... Heh heh, I'll let those fellows see just how talented Baron Chris's son is.
Once Jie Ning gets married, I'll tell him about the emblems and urge him to break through quickly. Then he can claim one and show those fellows what he's made of. Chris firmly believed that, with his son's talent, reaching the Saint Realm would be no problem at all. However, Jie Ning's speed still far exceeded his expectations.
On the other side, after hearing Jie Ning's explanation, Wilt nodded in agreement. "That is possible. After all, for most ordinary people, reaching the Saint Realm is nearly impossible."
As they spoke, the tension between Jie Ning and Wilt gradually dissipated. The two descended to the ground, found a suitable place to sit, and exchanged information as well as cultivation experience.
However, after a while, two figures suddenly flew over from the distance. They first paused above the two men, then apparently spotted them and swiftly descended toward their position.
When Wilt saw the two figures, he finally relaxed completely. Looking at Jie Ning with some apology, he said, "Jie Ning, I'm truly sorry, but since we cannot confirm your identity, you will need to come with us to Kading City first."
The moment Wilt discovered Jie Ning, he had contacted two nearby Saint Realm friends through the Sound Transmission Box. Without fighting, it was difficult even for Saint Realm experts to judge the gap between them, so it was better to be safe.
Before the newcomers even landed, a voice rang out. "Just as expected of you, Wilt. Before a fight even started, you immediately called for reinforcements."
Wilt's face darkened as he shot back, "Cass, if you're so capable, don't call for reinforcements in the future."
Then he pointed at the speaking newcomer and introduced him to Jie Ning. "This is Cass. He is also the nominal First-Class Defense Officer of Kading City."
Then he pointed at the other man. "This is Dubi, one of my friends."
He then briefly introduced Jie Ning's identity to the two of them as well.
The group exchanged simple greetings.
After hearing Wilt's introduction, Cass looked at Jie Ning curiously. "Jie Ning, would it be convenient for you to tell us what you've come to Kading City to do?"
Jie Ning answered openly, "The daughter of Count Lewis Cardin of Kading City will become my wife. I came this time to bring my bride home."
Upon hearing this, Cass and Dubi immediately looked at Wilt with strange expressions. Finally, Cass said, "Wilt, if I remember correctly, there is only one count in Kading City named Lewis. He seems to be your direct descendant?"
Wilt also looked at Jie Ning with a peculiar expression. "If you are correct, then the Lewis you mentioned should be my great-great-grandson."
Jie Ning's expression became equally strange. For a moment, he did not know how he should address Wilt. After all, he had never encountered such an enormous generational gap before.
Fortunately, Cass seemed to understand his predicament and said from the side, "Just call him Wilt. At the Saint Realm, unless the relationship is particularly close, ordinary family hierarchy is meaningless."
Wilt sorted through the fact that the unfamiliar Saint Realm expert he had stopped would soon become his great-great-grandson's son-in-law. After recovering, he immediately agreed with Cass. "That is true. Saint Realm experts are no longer constrained by time when it comes to lifespan. You need not care too much about inconsequential forms of address."
At that moment, the previously silent Dubi looked at Jie Ning in confusion and suddenly asked, "Please forgive my rudeness, but may I ask how old you are this year, Jie Ning?"
Wilt and Cass also realized the issue and hurriedly turned to look at Jie Ning.
Jie Ning said modestly, "I celebrated my nineteenth birthday not long ago."
Gasp~ The three men stared at Jie Ning in shock.
"Oh, heavens... a nineteen-year-old Saint Realm expert..." Wilt let out a near-groaning sigh.
Cass looked at Jie Ning. "You really are a monster."
Jie Ning merely smiled faintly, not saying much.
After setting aside the muttered exclamations and chatting for a while, the group grew somewhat closer.
Suddenly, Dubi said to Wilt, "In that case, we can just go with him to see Little Lewis, right?"
Hearing Dubi's words, Wilt froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up and he immediately agreed.
"Right, then let's go directly to Little Lewis." As he spoke, Wilt confirmed it with Jie Ning, but his tone was far gentler than before. "What do you think, Jie Ning?"
"Oh, Wilt, you disgust me." Cass mocked from the side.
"Shut up, Cass."
Pretending not to hear the two men bickering, Jie Ning agreed. "I have no objections."
Before long, four figures flew over Kading City. The city's residents were not at all surprised. As the capital city of a ducal territory, it was hardly unusual for Saint Realm experts to appear above Kading City.
Especially since two of those figures appeared to be the same two lords who had flown out of the city earlier.
At Count Lewis's estate, after a round of questioning, Lewis stared blankly at the four people before him.
He first cautiously greeted Wilt. "Lord Wilt?"
Wilt looked kindly at the somewhat timid Lewis. "Little Lewis, why are you being so distant?"
"I held your father when he was born. You can simply call me Great-Great-Grandfather."
Lewis naturally hurried to seize the opportunity. "Great-Great-Grandfather, may I ask what brings you here today?"
"Really now, your daughter is getting married. As an elder, why didn't you inform me?" Wilt sounded as if he were complaining, but his tone was intimate. Still, his eyes occasionally drifted toward Jie Ning.
Lewis jolted, immediately understanding. "I was mainly worried about disturbing your cultivation, Great-Great-Grandfather, so I forgot to ask you." His face looked terrified, but inwardly, Lewis was utterly thrilled.
"Enough, enough. Wilt, stop putting on an act." Cass first showed an expression of unbearable disgust, then turned to Jie Ning with a beaming smile. "Jie Ning, would you mind if I came to your wedding to drink a few cups of wine?"
"Me too," Dubi added.
Jie Ning could not help laughing. "You are all more than welcome to attend."
Thus, after several rounds of conversation, Wilt and the others learned from Jie Ning that his wedding would be held on War God Festival. Then they bade farewell together.
Only Lewis remained, staring at Jie Ning in disbelief. "Lord Jie Ning..."
"Count Lewis, you are Lannie's father, which naturally makes you my father as well. There is no need to address me like that." Jie Ning hurriedly stopped Lewis from using such an honorific.
"I... I truly never imagined that my son-in-law would be a Saint Realm expert." Lewis felt as though a pie had fallen from the sky.
It took Jie Ning some more time to soothe Lewis's emotions.
After finishing everything and arriving in the rear courtyard, Jie Ning finally saw Arannis. The two smiled at each other.
One day later.
"Father, travel slowly. Jie Ning and I will leave first." After leaving those words behind, Arannis had Jie Ning carry her away.
Quinta watched Jie Ning fly away while carrying Arannis, his face still full of disbelief. "Father, am I dreaming?"
Smack~ Lewis slapped Quinta across the back.
Hiss~
Seeing Quinta's pained expression, Lewis finally said as if in a trance, "Apparently not."
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