After the Battle

The battle at Red Rock Ridge spread at an astonishing speed through the word of mouth of millions. Leian's name once again resounded across the continent, and he even became the most dazzling genius on the entire Youquan Continent. For a time, even Stefan of the Beni Empire was overshadowed by him.

As for Robert, although he had lost the battle, no one dared to mock him.

He cultivated both magic and martial arts, and had reached level nine in both. He was a true genius, perhaps even more gifted than his teacher, the Magic-Martial Sword Saint Cavila.

Indeed, when Cavila had appeared that day, many people had recognized him. Although those present had not heard the conversation between Cavila and Leian, Cavila's act of saving Robert was enough for them to guess at their master-disciple relationship.

Cavila had only broken through to the Saint Realm when he was nearly two hundred years old. Yet less than half a year after the battle at Red Rock Ridge, news spread that Robert had broken through level nine and become a Saint Realm expert.

With such talent and strength, who would dare mock him? And how many were even qualified to do so?

Robert's breakthrough even sparked another wave of dual magic-and-martial cultivation across the Youquan Continent.

Of course, that was a matter for later.

Now, back to Leian.

Southwest Province, Hashan County, Qingshi Town.

When the news reached this place, Madam Tina, Commander Wilson, and the others were once again shocked by Leian.

First, he had somehow become a level-nine expert and been granted the title of duke by His Majesty the Emperor. Then, less than a month later, he defeated another level-nine expert—a top-tier level-nine expert who cultivated both magic and martial arts. Yet only three short years had passed since Leian left.

This version of Leian felt utterly unfamiliar to them, yet also strangely familiar.

He was unfamiliar because it seemed they had never truly seen through him. Yet he was familiar because of his diligence. Now, when they recalled Leian's past bitter training, everything suddenly seemed only natural.

At the same time, in the secret grounds of the Rachel Family in the provincial capital of Southwest Province, a middle-aged man lounged casually in a wicker chair, listening to the reports of several people before him.

If Leian had been there, he would certainly have recognized the man currently speaking. He was Toby, the man who had come to Qingshi Town years ago to investigate Baron Laman's death.

What Toby was reporting at that moment was Leian's experience in Qingshi Town.

For Toby to travel all the way from Hashan County to the provincial capital and reside within the family's secret grounds, the middle-aged man's identity was obvious. He could only be the Saint Realm expert Rachel.

After hearing Toby's report, Rachel asked in surprise,

"You're saying that Leian had only just broken through to level seven when he bid farewell to that Commander Wilson?"

Toby immediately nodded and bowed as he replied,

"Yes, Patriarch. Before coming here, I went to Qingshi Town and asked Wilson about it. He said Leian had just broken through at the time, and his aura was obvious. There was no way he could have been mistaken."

At that, he suddenly paused. His expression grew hesitant, but he quickly made up his mind and continued,

"Patriarch, Leian reached the peak of level nine from just entering level seven in less than three years after leaving Qingshi Town. I'm afraid... I'm afraid he consumed some heavenly treasure."

As soon as he said this, the people beside Toby's eyes lit up. They all looked toward Rachel, their gazes filled with anticipation.

Generally speaking, no matter how talented an ordinary person was, it would take at least ten years of bitter cultivation to advance from level seven to level nine. Leian had taken only three years, which truly seemed abnormal.

As for the situation Toby described, where one consumed heavenly treasures and experienced a massive increase in battle qi, it had indeed occurred throughout history. Some people had even reached the Saint Realm in their twenties because of it.

From that perspective, Toby's speculation was highly likely to be true. How could they not be tempted?

Yet to their astonishment, Rachel showed no interest at all. Instead, he backhanded Toby across the face, sending him flying as he coughed up blood.

He then warned, "I'll say this only once. No one in the family is to offend Leian. Whoever dares violate this order, I will personally execute him!"

"Get out!"

"Yes!"

"Yes, Patriarch!"

Seeing their ancestor fly into a rage, the people present were seized by terror. They hunched over and fled the secret grounds in utter panic.

Rachel watched their retreating figures and shook his head in deep disappointment. He had been in the Saint Realm for thousands of years and had seen every kind of storm. The moment those people opened their mouths, he knew what they were planning.

Although he had not personally gone to watch the battle at Red Rock Ridge, Leian's ability to defeat Robert, who cultivated both magic and martial arts, was enough to tell him that Leian's battle qi was incredibly condensed. It had absolutely been forged through his own bitter cultivation.

After all, battle qi gained through consuming heavenly treasures would be hollow and unstable. Among those of the same level, such people would basically rank at the bottom. They could never have won that battle, much less received the Goddess Token.

Thinking of this, Rachel sighed and muttered admiringly,

"This Leian actually endured training until level nine before venturing out into the world. Such temperament is truly commendable!"

Since it was strength earned through bitter cultivation, Rachel was certain that when Leian left Qingshi Town, he had definitely not been level seven, but level nine.

At the same time, he recalled the mysterious expert Toby had mentioned, the one who killed Elvis. In his view, that so-called mysterious expert was most likely Leian.

As for why Leian had possessed the strength yet failed to save Laman, Rachel did not care in the slightest. A descendant separated from him by who knew how many generations was dead, and that was that. Besides, he had been a person of ill intent.

It was the missing son of Elvis that concerned him more. According to Toby, he had never been found. That was simply utter incompetence.

It was not that Rachel feared the man's future revenge. Rather, the unrestrained behavior of the family's descendants had left him deeply disappointed.

Especially in recent years, the family's descendants had grown increasingly content with pleasure and unwilling to cultivate diligently. As a result, there were fewer and fewer level-nine experts. If he died one day, the Rachel Family might well vanish from existence.

Thinking of this, Rachel let out a helpless sigh.

However, as Rachel was lamenting, outside the Youquan Mountain Range, in Natan City, a young man with a scar across his face huddled in a corner of a dim, noisy tavern. He drank while silently pondering, and killing intent occasionally flashed through his cold eyes.

"Since this Leian came from Qingshi Town, Father's death must have had something to do with him. He reached level nine before thirty—perhaps it was because he obtained Father's relics."

"Damn it, I absolutely cannot let this bastard go! And the Rachel Family—they all deserve to die!"

Leian knew nothing of what had happened in the Southwest Provincial City and Natan City. After the battle at Red Rock Ridge, he declined all visitors and shut himself away in the cultivation chamber at East Suburb Manor, beginning a prolonged period of secluded training.

Attempting and deducing the profound meanings of laws consumed an enormous amount of mental power and battle qi. Thus, whenever his body and mind grew exhausted, Leian switched to meditation to cultivate his mental power. Whenever his battle qi was depleted, he cultivated his techniques to replenish it.

Such day-after-day life was incredibly monotonous, but every step forward brought Leian a deep sense of accomplishment. It was like leveling up in a game—though difficult, Leian found himself perfectly content.