Andrew took in the look in Howard's eyes and saw his fondness for Golden Tiger. Perhaps I could have Howard form a Soul Contract with Golden Tiger, Andrew thought. That way, even after I leave, my family's safety would be assured.
He had subdued Golden Tiger primarily to eliminate a potential threat to the Keli Tribe, not because he particularly valued the Windwing Tiger King. To him, unless they were certain top-tier divine beasts, no number of other magical beasts would be of much use. Even Saint-level Magical Beasts would offer him little help in the future, especially after he became a deity.
But how could top-tier divine beasts be so easy to find? Since the birth of the Yulan Continent plane, only one had appeared: Beirut, the God-Eater Rat. As for the bloodlines of the Four Divine Beasts that came later, Beirut had created those. And Bebe was still nearly ten thousand years away from being born.
Having Golden Tiger form a contract with Howard would not be easy, either. Magical beasts submitted only to the strong. Unless Howard could defeat Golden Tiger, otherwise...
Golden Tiger is highly intelligent. Perhaps I could discuss it with him... Andrew could not help thinking.
"By the way, Andrew, which city are you planning to go to?" Howard asked.
Andrew came back to himself. "Well, I haven't thought about that yet. Preferably somewhere with a magic academy. I intend to send Ling'er to one to study."
Howard said, "The Yulan Empire has the highest concentration of magi on the continent, and quite a few magic academies. As far as I know, the imperial capital has the best magic academy on the entire continent. But an academy like that must have very high admission standards. Getting in won't be easy. As for Ling'er's talent..."
Ling'er was no longer so little. Hearing what the adults meant, she wrinkled her nose and said indignantly, "My talent must be really high! Daddy, don't look down on me!"
Everyone laughed at her words.
After the laughter subsided, Andrew declared proudly, "If we're going, we're going to the best academy. Whether Ling'er has talent or not, I'll find the best magic teacher to teach her. Even if she has no talent at all, I won't let anyone bully her!"
Now Ling'er was confused. What her brother said sounded very nice, but it did not seem as though he was praising her, did it?
After discussing it all evening, everyone finally decided to go to the Yulan Empire's imperial capital. Andrew believed that even there, he could protect his family.
Before leaving, however, he still had some matters to settle.
Early the next morning, Andrew went to the First Elder's residence. The First Elder was waiting for him.
"First Elder, were you waiting for me?" Andrew asked in surprise.
The First Elder nodded. "I guessed you would come today."
Andrew smiled. "You truly are wise, First Elder. By the way, is Baru doing well?"
The First Elder's face immediately glowed, and he seemed more than a decade younger. "Why wouldn't that boy be doing well? I must thank you for this. Baru told me everything. Not only did you help him break through, you even subdued the Windwing Tiger King. From now on, there will be practically nothing within a thousand li that can threaten the Keli Tribe."
"You're too kind, First Elder," Andrew said modestly. "If you hadn't given me that battle-qi manual, I wouldn't have progressed so quickly. Besides, the Keli Tribe took our family in during our hardest times. No matter what, I must repay that kindness."
The First Elder let out a long sigh at that. "I never imagined you would grow this much in just three years. Back then, I merely wanted to leave the Keli Tribe a way out and find some security for Baru, yet you gave me such a tremendous surprise. Life truly is unpredictable!"
Andrew raised an eyebrow and said confidently, "This is nothing. In the future, you'll discover just how wise that deal was!"
The First Elder shook his head slightly and asked, "Did you come this time because you're leaving?"
Andrew was somewhat surprised, then immediately offered a compliment. "You truly have remarkable foresight, First Elder. You even saw through that. That's right. I plan to leave the grasslands the day after tomorrow and head for the Yulan Empire's imperial capital."
The First Elder nodded without any change in expression. "I anticipated this long ago. It's good for you to leave. The grasslands aren't suited to you humans."
Andrew was filled with respect for this tolerant, wise old man. Remembering his kindness and guidance, he grew wistful.
"Perhaps I'll return someday. First Elder, if the Keli Tribe ever needs anything, please come to me. Even if I must brave mountains of blades and seas of fire, I won't refuse. By the way, don't tell Baru about our departure just yet. It would only make him sad. With Baru's talent, becoming a Saint-level expert someday isn't impossible. My ties with the Keli Tribe still have a long way to go."
Two days later, in the light of dawn, the Lance family quietly left the Keli Tribe. Behind them, the First Elder and Baru silently watched them go.
The Yulan Empire's imperial capital stood beside the Yulan River in the center of the empire and was the largest city east of the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts. With humanity's strongest expert, the High Priest, presiding over it, the imperial capital could be called the safest city.
The Lance family still needed to make some preparations before heading to the imperial capital.
Maple Forest Town lay at the easternmost edge of the Yulan Empire, several thousand li from the imperial capital, with countless cities, prefectures, and counties along the way. Without enough strength, the journey meant certain death. Although the Yulan Empire was stable overall, there was no shortage of rebels and bandits within its borders. How could anyone manage without strength if they encountered such people?
"Let's go back and have a look at Maple Forest Town first." Janice missed her old home dearly. Her happiest memories were there: meeting Howard, marrying him, giving birth to Andrew and Ling'er... One could say Maple Forest Town held all of Janice's happiness.
Howard and Andrew agreed as well.
Howard wanted to see his hometown again, while Andrew wanted to settle the score with Matthews and his gang. After all, they had fled from there as refugees. Ling'er did not particularly mind. She had only been five back then and could not remember much.
The Windwing Tiger King carried Janice and Ling'er on his back, while Howard and Andrew traveled on foot. They moved far faster than they had during their flight, and by that evening, the family reached the outskirts of Maple Forest Town.
Janice was overcome with emotion. Especially when she saw that their house had become a patch of weeds, she nearly shed tears. She had planted every blade of grass and every tree there herself. Now, they were all gone.
Seeing her like this, Andrew was furious. Needless to say, Matthews and his gang must have done this. Now that he was back, settling his grudge with them would come first.
Unexpectedly, before he could look for Matthews, Matthews came to him!
Some townspeople had seen the Lance family entering town and told Matthews the news. After waiting three years, Matthews could not endure another moment and came with his subordinates.
"I thought you'd spend your whole lives on the grasslands. To think you actually came back!"
The one-armed Matthews laughed sinisterly, his eyes full of hatred.
Howard stepped forward, looking somewhat sorrowful. Over the past three years, he had never been able to understand why his former close friend had become like this.
"Matthews, let it go!" He let out a long sigh.
"Let it go!"
Matthews flew into a rage and screamed hysterically, "Look at my severed arm, and you tell me to let it go! I'm telling you, your whole family will die today! No, Janice and the little girl can live." He paused, then roared at Janice, "Janice, you bitch! You rejected me more than ten years ago, and today I'll make you regret it! I'll make you watch Howard and your own son die right before your eyes! I'll make you strip naked and kneel to beg me, lick my toes, and be my slave! And your daughter-I'll sell her to those merchants and make her the lowliest **..."
Bam!
A dark blur rushed over and sent the endlessly ranting Matthews flying.
"That's enough!"
The dark blur was Andrew. He looked down at Matthews on the ground and said coldly.
"It's you, you little bastard!" Matthews immediately recognized the culprit responsible for his severed arm and continued roaring despite himself, "I'll kill you! Kill you!"
Andrew's face was icy. For those words alone, Matthews had to die today. Slowly, he walked toward Matthews. Only then did Matthews react, bracing his one hand behind him as he backed away.
"Men, attack! Kill him!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
With three soft swishes, his three subordinates attacked simultaneously. Besides Bell and Taige, he had gained another subordinate, also a Sixth-level Warrior.
A trace of excitement flashed across Matthews's face when he saw his men attack. Watching him, Howard shook his head in anguish, then covered Ling'er's eyes with his large hand. He knew Matthews was doomed. He was unwilling to strike Matthews himself, and unwilling to see his own brother die before him.
Andrew understood this, so he struck.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Bell and the other two had no power to resist. Andrew sent each of them flying with a kick. When they landed, blood streamed from all seven orifices, and they were already dead. His simple kicks had sent battle-qi into their bodies. With the explosive power of Fusion Battle-qi, not even seventh-level warriors could have survived, let alone Sixth-level Warriors.
Tap, tap, tap! Andrew walked toward Matthews, one step at a time.
Staring at his subordinates' corpses and listening to Andrew's footsteps, Matthews broke down completely. He could not believe that after three years, a child could toy with him so effortlessly. Yet the reality before him forced him to believe it, for he could smell death.
"Howard, save me! Save me, Howard! We're brothers!" Matthews shouted as he retreated. "Everything I said before was nonsense! I was joking! We're good brothers, and we always will be! You said that, didn't you? Do you remember when we were six, and I pulled you out of the river..."
Andrew's blade flashed, and Matthews's tongue flew out. He howled on the ground.
"Scum like you won't get an easy death!"
Picking Matthews up, Andrew left town. Only after torturing him for a full two hours did Andrew finish him with his blade.
"This is the price for threatening my family!"