Loa stayed home on the Yulan Festival.
The Radiant Church's grand Mass was an imposing affair, with hymns audible several streets away. But he had no interest in it-he would rather spend that time completing a couple more rounds of the Great Circulation at home.
He had only just broken through to the eighth level and needed to stabilize his cultivation.
He stayed home for a week, doing nothing each day but cultivating, eating, playing with the dog, and sleeping. Wangcai was excited at first and lay beside him every day to keep him company. After three days, the dog could no longer stand it and ran off to find some fun-Fenlai City had plenty of young women and men willing to pet a dog. Just sitting on the street in that purple coat drew a crowd. Who could resist a purple dog?
Loa let him go.
A week later, he felt he was ready.
He packed two Jade Boxes into his knapsack, each containing the heart and Magical Core of a ninth-level Fire Dragon. Loa shouldered the knapsack and set out alone for the Lucas Clan's estate.
The Lucas Clan's estate occupied a sizable plot in the eastern part of the city, with two guards in full plate armor standing at the gate. Loa approached, gave his name, and asked a guard to announce him.
Before long, someone came rushing out.
It was Wot Lucas, looking much the same as before, though his complexion was much better than a year ago. He came straight up and punched Loa on the shoulder with considerable force.
"You rascal!" Wot cursed with a laugh. "It's been over a year! When did you get back?"
"Just a few days ago." Loa did not budge. Wot's strength barely amounted to a tickle, and