Repaying a Favor

Every streak of light represented a Saint Domain, bringing death equally to every defector.

Swish!

The sound of wind being torn apart rang out as two red streaks of light shuttled through the air at extreme speed, descending upon the plaza in an instant.

"Baige, long time no see."

An aged voice echoed, and as the red light dissipated, it revealed the figure of Albert.

"Albert, so it was you. Congratulations on breaking through to the Saint Domain." A faint smile appeared on Baige's face. "In a while, once I break through, let's have a proper fight again!"

Albert noticed the surging battle qi within Baige and was stunned.

"Peak level nine?"

"You really are a battle maniac. These old bones of mine can't handle such tossing and turning. If you want to fight, go find my disciple; he is also a newly promoted Saint Domain." Albert refused without hesitation, using Xiao Yan as a shield.

"Huh?" Xiao Yan looked bewildered.

Me, a Saint Domain limit, fighting a level nine warrior?

Baige: I'm fighting a Saint Domain limit?

Albert transmitted his voice to Xiao Yan. "Baige's talent is not weak. After a dozen years, his realm has likely improved significantly. I'm not certain I can beat him. Do you have confidence? Will you win?"

Xiao Yan transmitted back: "It's a guaranteed kill!"

"Huh?"

Xiao Yan glanced at Baige and saw that his forehead was dark, clearly a sign of impending disaster.

"Come up and see me."

Suddenly, a deep, resonant voice rang in the ears of both Albert and Xiao Yan.

"After we go up, try not to speak. Let your master handle it." Albert's expression turned solemn.

Xiao Yan nodded silently, his divine sense probing into the spatial ring in his hand to wrap around his heavy ruler, ready to draw it and strike at any moment.

Swish!!

"I'll be heading off first." Albert nodded at Baige, and he and Xiao Yan shot into the sky.

Standing on the ground, Baige watched this scene, a flicker of intensity in his eyes.

"Saint Domain, is it? I'm almost there too!"

"Soon, I'll be able to have a hearty fight once again!"

"Xiao Yan, I hope you don't disappoint me."

Baige was not a bitter cultivator; on the contrary, he was extremely passionate about combat.

It was only after he gained enlightenment and broke through to the Saint Domain that he was forced to choose seclusion, simply because he could no longer find any opponents.

"Xiao Yan has already arrived; it is time for me to set off as well." Within the borders of the Roland Empire, Lynn flew toward the imperial capital of the Zhongyuan Empire.

"Once I get my hands on the fake Soul Gold Bead this time, I can begin creating a new clone."

Lynn pondered in his heart while flying.

As of now, Lynn's Fate Law had reached its limit, and he was only one step away from becoming a god. However, this final step of the breakthrough could no longer be solved by bitter cultivation.

It required talent, and even more so, a suitable opportunity.

"Fate Law... Fate Law... how can I break through this final step?"

Facing this final step, Lynn, as a transmigrator, did not know where to begin.

Laws and rules were completely different. In the original work, Lin Lei was a practitioner of the four major laws, but only the wind and earth elements were described in detail; the cultivation of the rule systems was only mentioned in passing.

Lynn had no reference to draw from.

"Forget it, I'll take it one step at a time."

"Who knows when I might just break through!"

"You are Xiao Yan?"

Looking at the two who had flown over, Wilbur, who had met Albert before, fixed his gaze on Xiao Yan.

The young man's delicate face still carried a trace of immaturity.

Wilbur's expression was somewhat dazed as he recalled the intelligence reports coming from the Starfire Kingdom.

A seventeen-year-old Saint Domain, the number one genius of the Azeron Continent...

Over the past year, all sorts of honors had been heaped upon the youth before him, and even veteran Saint Domains like Wilbur had to take him seriously.

"You are quite impressive."

"Would you be willing to join the Zhongyuan Empire?" Wilbur invited Xiao Yan.

"I..." Xiao Yan was just about to open his mouth to refuse.

Wilbur seemed to see through his intentions and spoke ahead of him.

"Don't be in such a hurry to refuse. You have just become a Saint Domain and are unfamiliar with Saint Domain cultivation. Joining a major power is the only way to let your talent truly shine."

"Since you were able to kill Theodore immediately after your breakthrough, you must have comprehended the Laws of Fire."

"If you choose to join the Empire, I can guide you in your cultivation of the Laws of Fire. Across the entire Azeron Continent, among all Saint Domain experts, I rank in the top three when it comes to the comprehension of the Laws of Fire. Think about it carefully."

As soon as these words were spoken, many Saint Domain powerhouses nearby showed signs of being moved; these were all Saint Domain experts who had not yet comprehended any Laws.

Wilbur had developed a desire to recruit talent. Normally, within the Zhongyuan Empire, whenever a new Saint Domain expert appeared, they would be courted by the Imperial family with promises of benefits, but those benefits would never include guidance on the Laws.

For instance, the Qingli Sword Saint of the Rivas Family...

When the Empire courted him, they only offered the Rivas Province and an honorary dukedom; everything else was never even mentioned.

Standing to the side, Albert heard the conditions Wilbur offered and hurriedly sent a voice transmission to Xiao Yan.

"Agree to it quickly."

Xiao Yan received Albert's transmission and, sensing Lynn approaching rapidly, pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

"Sorry, I refuse!"

"What?" Wilbur frowned. His previously gentle expression vanished rapidly, and his eyes gradually turned cold.

"Are you sure?"

Watching Wilbur's expression turn increasingly ugly, Albert wanted to say something on Xiao Yan's behalf, but seeing the firm look in Xiao Yan's eyes, he ultimately sighed and stood silently behind Xiao Yan.

"Good... a truly good 'number one genius of the Azeron Continent'!"

Wilbur let out an angry laugh, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

"Since you look down on the Empire, then don't think about staying within the Empire's borders in the future!"

After speaking, Wilbur looked at Albert with a mocking expression.

"Look at the fine student you've taught."

"Albert, if it weren't for the Empire's protection, you would have been killed by the Church of Light long ago!"

Hearing Wilbur's mockery, Albert, who had originally wanted to smooth things over, turned cold.

"I have always been grateful for the Empire's protection. Over these years, whenever any level seven or higher warrior of the Empire came to me to ask for guidance on the Momentum of Heaven and Earth, I spared no effort to teach them, even acting as a sparring partner. I have long since repaid the Empire's kindness."

"You say it's repaid, so it's repaid? Who do you think you—"

Xiao Yan suddenly interrupted what Wilbur was about to say, cold light flickering in his eyes.

"Wilbur, I only call you 'Lord' and give you some face because my teacher told me to respect you."

"But if you don't want it, I can send you to your grave at any moment!"

As his words fell, Xiao Yan flipped his palm, and a heavy ruler appeared in his hand.

Countless flames swirled around the heavy ruler, and a wave of air centered on Xiao Yan dyed the clouds red. A terrifying heatwave surged from ten thousand meters in the sky straight down to the surface.

"Flame Splitting Wave Ruler!"

"Die!"

Xiao Yan's expression was indifferent as he arrived before Wilbur in an instant.

"No!!"

Feeling the threat of death, Wilbur's expression changed drastically.

Just then, a familiar aura suddenly appeared within Wilbur's perception.

Recognizing the newcomer, Wilbur's expression brightened, and he shouted loudly:

"Lord, save me!"

"Great Desolation Heaven-Imprisoning Palm!"

A hand as white as jade blocked Xiao Yan's attack.

Lynn, dressed in a black robe, appeared beside Wilbur, looking at Xiao Yan with an indifferent gaze.

"I owe him a favor. You cannot kill this man!"