Another two weeks passed quickly.
The sensational panties theft scandal that rocked the holy land ultimately came to nothing because the trail went cold.
The female disciples of the Holy Land grumbled and cursed for a few days, but gradually forgot about the matter.
After all, in the Sword Sanctum, practicing swordsmanship is the most important thing.
During this time, Luo Ge studied the Water God Water God Style goddess Reida. He was initially worried that Isolte would use this to threaten him, but to his surprise, things went peacefully for a long time.
Under the careful tutelage of the Water God Reida.
His progress in the Water God Style swordsmanship was so rapid that it could no longer be described as fast.
Starting from his initial level of Advanced Rank, in just over a month, he successively crossed the thresholds of Water Saint and Water King, and was approaching the realm of Water Emperor.
This momentum left not only Isolte speechless, but even the Water God Reida, though outwardly calm, was deeply disturbed.
Reida even thought about it privately.
This person is probably born to inherit the title of Water God.
Although her ideal successor has always been her granddaughter Isolte, reason keeps telling her the same thing.
Luo Ge is the one who can truly reach the realm of the Water God.
Unfortunately, this wasn't what Luo Ge was after.
He didn't care about any Water God Water God anything like that.
From beginning to end, he had only one thing on his mind: to defeat the Dragon God.
To wield his sword in order to surpass that man had become his life's creed.
He never wants to experience the nightmare of the Red Dragon Mountains when he was five years old again.
If I were to encounter that man again now... given his current strength, I'd probably only face certain death.
Admittedly, he is already very strong.
Even when facing the Water God Reida head-on, he could occasionally hold his own, and his overall strength steadily reached the Emperor Rank.
If he were to go all out, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he's the strongest person after all the great powers.
But when facing the Dragon God, Luo Ge knew better than anyone else—it wasn't enough, far from enough.
Therefore, he must become stronger at all costs.
Get stronger!
Get stronger!
After a full day of training, Luo Ge was covered in sweat and dragged his leaden legs back to his quarters.
The setting sun stretched his shadow long, casting a weary silhouette on the ground.
Not far away, Isolte and Nina stood side by side, watching him walk past them step by step.
After his figure had receded into the distance, Isolte spoke softly, "Has he always been like this?"
"Um."
Nina nodded, raised her hand to her forehead, and looked helpless. "He's recognized in the Holy Land as the most hardworking cultivator. He goes to the beach alone to practice swordsmanship before dawn and doesn't return until it's completely dark, rain or shine... To be honest, I never believed that such a person existed in the world before."
Hearing Nina's sigh, Isolte's lips curled up slightly.
Hardworking, ambitious, and exceptionally talented...
The noblemen I had met in City of Ars were no match for this man; they weren't even worthy of carrying his shoes.
"Hey, Isolte, you've been acting really strange lately."
Nina glanced at her best friend, whom she hadn't known for long, her face full of suspicion. "Lately, you've been asking me about him every day, even what he likes to eat and what he hates... Tell me, you don't actually like him, do you?"
Isolte didn't rush to deny it.
She tilted her head thoughtfully for a moment, then nodded noncommittally. "Handsome, strong, talented, and ambitious—it's normal for someone to like a man like that, isn't it?"
"..."
Nina was speechless at her overly blunt answer, and after a long pause, she managed to stammer, "Hey, are you blind? That kind of person only sees swords, they have no sense of romance whatsoever."
"That's precisely one of the things I like about him. I've seen plenty of smooth-talking men, but this is the first time I've met a man who acts so spontaneously."
"Etc..."
Nina frowned and counted on her fingers, "He's only nine years old, right? He's not an adult yet."
"And you seem to be almost fourteen? You're almost five years older than him!"
"As long as it's true love, age difference is not a problem at all."
Isolte blinked, her tone as casual as if she were discussing what to have for dinner, "As for the fact that he's only nine years old, it means he has no romantic experience. If I can win his heart, then I'll be the first woman he'll ever love."
"I will gradually fill him up in my own way, so that from now on, everything in his heart and in his thoughts will be me."
Nina's lips twitched, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
... Seriously, is it really appropriate for a country girl like her to hear such lewd words?
Are all city dwellers this unrestrained?
Isolte ashamed of herself; she was ashamed for the other person.
Nina simply couldn't understand what was so likable about Luo Ge.
To her, Luo Ge was a nuisance and the biggest obstacle on her path to becoming Sword God.
She could never like a man like that.
But Isolte, on the other hand, went so far as to ask, "How can I fill his heart?"
Nina stole a glance at Isolte beside her, feeling inexplicably conflicted.
She had never seriously considered liking anyone.
From childhood to adulthood, she has only one goal—to become Sword God.
Aside from wielding a sword, her mind never held anything else.
If she had to talk about marriage in the future... Nina's mind immediately conjured up the face of her cousin Gino.
It wasn't that she particularly liked Gino; it was simply that among the men around her who were similar in age and she could have fun with, Gino was the only one she could think of.
But as soon as that thought popped into her head, another person involuntarily came to mind.
That figure hidden deep in my memory.
Three months ago, she went to take the Sword Saint test, entering the forest alone to hunt designated monsters.
Unfortunately, they were attacked by the Snow Dragon Beast and fell off a cliff, breaking their leg.
In the midst of the swirling snow, she thought she was going to die. She vowed that if anyone could save her, Nina would repay that person for the rest of her life.
Perhaps the heavens heard her persistent prayers... and sure enough, a prince on a white horse descended from the sky.
In a moment of despair.
Through her blurry vision, she only remembered being lifted up steadily in someone's arms. She couldn't make out their face or tell their age, but she could tell it was a man from the width of their chest and the strength of their arms.
During the days she was unconscious in the cave, she could vaguely feel that the person was always by her side, changing her dressings, feeding her water, and keeping her warm.
By the time she truly came to her senses, the man was already gone.
They left without saying goodbye, leaving nothing behind.
Nina inquired everywhere afterward, but found no clues.
That person's identity remains a mystery to this day.
Nina?
Isolte's voice pulled her back to reality, "What are you thinking about? Don't tell me... you have someone you like too?"
"No, that's not true!"
Nina snapped back to reality, her face flushing red. She frantically waved her hands, "I'm going to be the Sword God's woman! Marriage is fine with me, I'll just find someone decent enough."
"Hmm? I see."
Isolte thoughtfully, then her tone became more serious, "However, I think marriage is something you can't be careless about, especially for girls. They need to keep their eyes open and marry the right person to truly be happy for the rest of their lives."
"... Why are we bringing this up again? Weren't we talking about you?"
Nina's face fell. "That's enough! You actually dared to lecture me."
"I'm so sorry."
Isolte smiled, then changed the subject, her tone becoming cautiously earnest, "But Nina... could you do me a small favor?"
"Help you?"
"Well, I haven't known him for very long, we're not close at all, but if Nina is willing to help me make the connection, things might be much easier for me—"
Nina immediately took three steps back, her face darkening instantly. "Eh?! You actually asked me about this? You talk about how close you are to him, as if I'm some kind of acquaintance?!"
"I won't do it! You can figure it out yourself. I need to practice my sword, I don't have time!"
The rejection was swift and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.
Isolte's beautiful eyes immediately welled up with tears as she looked at Nina with a pitiful expression. "Please, Nina."
"You're my best friend in this Sword Sanctum; you're the only one who can help me..."
"Ha... I really can't stand you."
Nina covered her forehead, her expression a picture of frustration, as if she had swallowed a fly. Finally, she gave in, letting out a weak sigh, "... There's really no other way, I'll help you this once."
Hehe, I knew Nina was the best.
Isolte instantly lit up with a radiant smile.