Brother and Sister Reunited!

Flowing Frost City.

The next day, dawn had barely broken.

The city gate creaked open a crack.

A massive black panther shot out like an arrow released from a drawn bow.

Its paws struck the bluestone road, pounding out hurried drumbeats and startling the early-rising birds from the surrounding rooftops.

Lei Wen lay low against the panther's back, looking back at the gradually shrinking city walls.

There were Ged's shouts and Xue's calls.

That was home.

But he had to leave.

Having crossed into this world sixteen years ago, he understood all too well the cruelty of the weak preying upon the strong.

Below the Saint Domain, all were ants.

In the eyes of divine-level experts, even Saint Domain warriors were nothing more than slightly larger insects.

Not to mention a mere transmigrator.

Lei Wen knew very clearly what fate awaited Jade Orchid City.

If he could not become a god before disaster descended—

He would not have enough strength to protect the family he cared about.

Even so.

Lei Wen lowered his head and glanced at the back of his left hand.

That dark purple mark was faintly burning.

Recently, its scorching sensation had grown stronger and stronger, as though something desperately wanted to break free.

He had to find out what this mark truly was!

"Faster!"

Lei Wen squeezed his legs.

The Black Panther roared in pain, bared its fangs, and increased its speed by another thirty percent.

The howling wind whipped past his ears, blowing his black hair into a wild dance.

His body, tempered by the Giant Dragon bloodline, kept him as steady as a boulder even at such tremendous speed.

If Ged had seen this scene, his eyes would probably have popped out.

That brat was riding the Black Panther without a saddle, relying entirely on brute strength to hold himself in place.

No technique was needed.

As long as his thighs were strong enough, the panther could only obediently submit.

The road from Flowing Frost City to Qing City was smooth and level.

A journey that ordinarily took a caravan a full day took Lei Wen only half a day.

By noon.

A towering city appeared on the horizon.

Qing City.

A bright pearl in the north of Jade Orchid City, far more prosperous than Flowing Frost City.

Most importantly, it was home to the empire's finest magic academy—the Moria Magic Academy.

Lei Wen slowed the Black Panther and followed the flow of people entering the city.

The lively sounds rushed toward him.

Hawkers calling out, carriage wheels rumbling, and even the occasional magic academy student arguing, their arrogant voices carrying far and wide.

A faint elemental fluctuation lingered in the air.

This place truly had many magic practitioners.

Lei Wen led the Black Panther to a stable outside the city gate and left it there.

He tossed the attendant a gold coin.

Amid the attendant's profuse thanks.

Lei Wen strode toward the western side of the city.

The academy was there.

Compared to the warrior academy, that place filled with sweat, roars, and the collisions of flesh and muscle, the magic academy appeared especially elegant and refined.

Sharp-topped towers stood tall.

Purple wisteria flowers climbed over the white walls.

As he drew closer, he could see many boys and girls in magic academy uniforms entering and leaving.

Standing at the school gate, Lei Wen looked somewhat out of place in his rough clothing and with the heavy sword on his back.

Quite a few students cast curious glances at him.

"Who's that?"

"He looks like a mercenary. Why did he come to the academy?"

"He's quite handsome, but he looks like nothing more than a crude warrior."

The whispers drifted into Lei Wen's ears.

His expression remained unchanged, but his gaze swept through the crowd.

He did not immediately have Father notify Lian Qiu.

He wanted to give his little sister a surprise.

Or rather, a sudden inspection.

To see whether she had been bullied outside, or perhaps... whether she had fallen in love too early.

Just as he was thinking that.

An arrogant shout rang out from ahead.

"Lian Qiu, just agree already!"

"This is a third-tier Water affinity Smog Core that I went through great trouble to obtain!"

A handsome young man said with a smile.

Lei Wen raised an eyebrow.

His gaze instantly locked onto an open space to the left of the school gate.

A crowd had gathered there.

At the center stood the Lian Qiu he had not seen in a long time.

His little sister had grown much taller. She wore a light blue magic academy robe, her golden hair tied into a ponytail, looking youthful and lively.

But at that moment.

Her small face was filled with irritation.

In front of Lian Qiu.

A youth in a gorgeous magic robe held an exquisite box, inside which lay a Smog Core emitting a faint blue glow.

The youth wore what he believed to be a charming smile, but his eyes greedily roamed over Lian Qiu's body.

"No need."

"I've said it many times. I don't need it."

Lian Qiu frowned and took a step back.

"Don't be so polite."

"We're both Water affinity mages. It's only right that we help each other."

"And there's a gathering tonight..."

The youth named Moen would not take no for an answer. He even reached out, intending to grab Lian Qiu's sleeve.

Lei Wen narrowed his eyes.

A formless pressure instantly spread from him.

The surrounding students, who had been watching with amusement, suddenly felt their backs turn cold, as if a fierce beast had fixed its gaze upon them, and unconsciously shut their mouths.

Lei Wen stepped forward.

There was no flashy movement technique.

He simply walked straight over.

With every step he took, the ground seemed to tremble faintly.

"Remember."

"Next time..."

A follower behind Moen sensed someone approaching and turned around impatiently, ready to curse.

But the instant he turned his head, his voice caught in his throat.

What entered his view was a pair of black eyes devoid of any emotion.

Cold.

Indifferent.

As though they were looking at a corpse.

The follower's legs went weak, and he involuntarily moved aside.

Moen also sensed something wrong. He stopped what he was doing and turned around.

When he saw Lei Wen, who stood a head taller than himself and was built like an iron tower, his heart skipped a beat.

Who was this person?

What terrifying pressure!

"Who are you?"

"What do you want?"

"This is Moria Academy!"

Moen forced a smile, trying to conceal his inner panic with a noble's arrogance.

Lei Wen did not look at him at all.

He reached out and flicked the little troublemaker's forehead.

His gaze fell on Lian Qiu, and the coldness in his eyes instantly softened.

"Fool."

Lian Qiu froze, then her eyes suddenly lit up.

With a cry of delight, the little girl threw herself at him.

Completely forgetting any image of a lady, she clung to Lei Wen's arm like a koala.

"How did you get here!"

"You didn't even tell me in advance!"

"I missed you so much!"

Lian Qiu's little fists pounded against Lei Wen's shoulder, her eyes brimming with joy.

"Silly girl, I came to see you."

Lei Wen affectionately rubbed her head, messing up her soft golden hair.

His voice was gentle, carrying none of the coldness from before.

Everyone around them was dumbfounded.

Was this really the aloof ice queen, Lian Qiu?

Moen's face turned green.

He had pursued Lian Qiu for more than half a year, yet had never even touched her hand. This guy had appeared out of nowhere, and she had thrown herself into his arms...

Wait, brother?

Moen's heart sank.

He had heard long ago that Lian Qiu's family was noble, and that her father was a powerful warrior.

Was this her brother?

"Ahem..."

"So you're Lian Qiu's elder brother!"

"A pleasure, a pleasure. I'm Moen. My father is Qing City's..."

Moen composed his expression. Since this was her elder brother, he needed to change his approach.

He forced out a smile and stepped forward.

Lei Wen turned his head.

His gaze swept calmly over him.

It was merely a glance.

Yet Moen's remaining words were forced back down his throat.

What kind of gaze was that?

There was no anger, no malice.

Only an aloof indifference from high above.

Like a Giant Dragon looking down at an ant shrieking beneath its feet.

"Don't bother my sister."

"If you don't want to die, stay away from her."

Lei Wen spoke flatly.

His voice was not loud, yet every word clearly entered Moen's ears.

After saying that.

Lei Wen withdrew his gaze and took Lian Qiu by the hand, turning to leave.

By the time Lei Wen's figure disappeared around the street corner.

Moen suddenly drew in a deep breath and realized his back was already soaked through with cold sweat.

"Young Master, that puppet was too bizarre!"

"Should we find someone...?"

A lackey leaned closer and spoke cautiously.

"Find an alchemist!"

"That demon god... that puppet was strong—terrifyingly strong!"

Moen gritted his teeth, but deep fear lurked in his eyes.

He was merely a decorative figure in the alchemy laboratory. How had he ever seen anything like this?