Red Flame City

Lin Qin did not linger in Iron Rock City and departed early the next morning. The Basil Clan truly did not come to cause trouble again; clearly, that Saint Realm ancestor understood well that offending a Saint Realm powerhouse of unknown background for the sake of a spoiled brat was not a wise move.

He headed north, maintaining a steady pace while continuing to familiarize himself with the power of the Saint Realm, especially flight. Several days later, a towering and majestic city appeared on the horizon. The city walls were high, appearing entirely dark red as if cast from solidified lava, radiating a scorching and heavy aura under the sunlight. This was the imperial capital of the O'Brien Empire—Red Flame City.

The martial atmosphere in Red Flame City was even more intense than in other places. Fierce-looking warriors could be seen everywhere on the streets, and one could even spot some ascetics dressed in temple robes. The air was filled with an invisible pressure, a field formed by the mingling auras of numerous powerhouses.

Lin Qin restrained his aura, entering the city like an ordinary traveler. He first found a decent-looking inn to stay in, then headed to the largest tavern in the city, Warrior's Glory. Such places were often the most well-informed spots.

The tavern was bustling with noise, filled with conversations in various accents, the clinking of glasses, and hearty laughter. Lin Qin found a corner to sit in, ordered some food and ale, and listened quietly to the discussions around him.

The topics mostly revolved around cultivation, Magic Beasts, mercenary missions, and anecdotes about various powerhouses within the empire. He heard several familiar names, such as the pillar of the O'Brien Empire, the War God O'Brien. Although this God-level powerhouse had long since ceased to concern himself with worldly affairs, he remained the faith in the hearts of all warriors. He also heard news about several well-known Saint Realm powerhouses, such as the Rock Sword Saint Hedereson.

"...Have you heard? A few days ago at the Gale Canyon in the north, someone saw two Saint Realm powerhouses fighting! The commotion was enough to shake mountains and split the earth!"

"Who was it?"

"Not sure. It was too far away; I only saw the sky filled with yellow sand and brilliant sword light. I reckon it was a conflict between two ascetics."

"The Saint Realm... I wonder if I have any hope in this lifetime..."

Lin Qin silently noted the name Gale Canyon. Battles between Saint Realm powerhouses were very attractive to him.

He then heard a few people who looked like mercenaries at a nearby table whispering to each other.

"Things haven't been peaceful in the Fenlai Kingdom lately, either."

"What happened?"

"It seems a few big clans ran into trouble, and the commotion wasn't small. It's said that even the Radiant Church intervened in secret."

"Which clans exactly?"

"Not sure, the news is being kept very tight. It seems... it has something to do with the Baruch Clan?"

Baruch? Lin Qin's heart stirred. Was it Linley's clan? He continued to listen calmly, but those few people didn't seem to know much either and quickly changed the subject.

Was Linley investigating his mother's affairs? Lin Qin recalled the heaviness Linley occasionally revealed while at the academy and vaguely had a guess. However, he had no intention of intervening in the Fenlai Kingdom. That was Linley's own path, and he believed Linley could handle it. If help was needed, Linley would ask.

After sitting in the tavern for an afternoon and gathering quite a bit of useful information, Lin Qin left. He went to the headquarters of the Mercenary Guild in Red Flame City.

The scale of the headquarters was far beyond that of the Fenlai City branch, and the missions were much more abundant. He even saw several S-rank missions issued by the authorities involving the extermination of Saint Realm Magic Beasts, with extremely generous rewards.

Lin Qin registered his information and updated his mercenary rank (Saint Realm powerhouses automatically possessed the highest authority, but he still maintained a low profile). He accepted an A-rank mission: to hunt down a level-nine Magic Beast, the Golden-Eyed Thunder Eagle, which was wreaking havoc in the Black Wind Mountain Range in the north of the empire. This mission was not difficult for him; it was mainly to familiarize himself with the terrain of the northern empire and earn some gold coins.

Just as he was finishing the paperwork, a powerful aura locked onto him. A middle-aged man wearing crimson armor with a cold expression walked over. His aura was thick and profound; he was clearly a Saint Realm powerhouse.

"A stranger of the Saint Realm, welcome to Red Flame City." The middle-aged man's voice was low, carrying a soldier-like toughness. "I am the deputy commander of the Imperial Royal Guards, Baruch (this Baruch is not that Baruch, just the same name)."

"Lin Qin." Lin Qin stated his name, his expression calm.

Baruch scrutinized Lin Qin, his eyes filled with assessment. "You look very unfamiliar, Your Excellency. May I ask where you are from?"

"Yulan Continent, traveling around." Lin Qin gave a common reason.

Baruch did not probe further. Saint Realm powerhouses were mostly unpredictable in their movements; as long as they did not act recklessly within the empire, the royal family generally would not interfere too much. He said, "Since you have accepted a mission, you are a guest. Red Flame City has its own rules, and I hope you will abide by them. If you have any needs, you can also come to the Royal Guard Mansion to find me."

These words carried a hint of warning and a hint of recruitment.

"I understand." Lin Qin nodded.

Baruch said no more and turned to leave. This was the empire's routine contact and warning for unfamiliar Saint Realm powerhouses.

Lin Qin did not mind. He left the Mercenary Guild, preparing to set off for the Black Wind Mountain Range the next day.

Walking on the streets of Red Flame City, he felt several subtle Saint Realm auras sweeping across from various parts of the city; clearly, his arrival had already attracted the attention of other powerhouses in the city. This was the world of the Saint Realm, where they could all sense one another.

He looked up toward the most towering peak in the center of the city, which seemed to connect heaven and earth: War God Mountain. That was the residence of the War God O'Brien and the holy land of the entire O'Brien Empire.

"War God..." A trace of yearning flashed in Lin Qin's eyes. The God-level—that was an existence that transcended the Saint Realm, truly standing at the pinnacle of the Yulan Continent. His path was still very long.

But he had confidence. Possessing Heaven Rewards Diligence, as long as he was given time, the God-level was not out of reach.

The next day, Lin Qin left Red Flame City and headed toward the Black Wind Mountain Range.