Leaving the City

The smile in Lin Wantang's eyes froze instantly, and then her eyes widened.

"U... Unity of Heaven and Man!" Even her voice trembled a little.

She was no ordinary person who knew nothing. She was a mage at the peak of Silver Moon, and she wasn't far from taking that step herself.

That was why he could feel the sensation surrounding his son all the more keenly.

It was the might of heaven and earth that belonged solely to Title Rank powerhouses. Against someone at that realm, cultivators like her who had not comprehended the "Unity of Heaven and Man" could scarcely withstand a single move.

"You've broken through to Title Rank?! Qiong'er!"

The news left Lin Wantang stunned.

She stepped forward and gripped Qie Qiong's arm tightly, looking him up and down as though meeting him for the first time.

"Eleven... Qiong'er, you're only eleven!" Tears glistened at the corners of her eyes in her excitement.

"You've already reached Title Rank! That's never been seen before in the entire history of the Azure Cloud Realm. This is wonderful. Heaven has truly blessed my son."

Her voice was full of pride and irrepressible joy.

Qie Qiong also broke into a radiant smile, his eyes full of pride. "Yes, Mother. Just now at the training ground, I don't know how, but I suddenly comprehended it. Then the breakthrough to Title Rank came as naturally as water flowing into a channel, and even the Thunder's Five Transformation Technique broke through to the Fourth Layer, Black Thunder."

Of course he was proud. Breaking through to the Heaven and Man Unity Realm at eleven was already beyond what the word "monstrous" could describe, and he was also a swordsmanship master with perfect control over his strength. (Rereading "Snow Eagle" these past few days, I realized that not every Title Knight was a technique master.)

At eleven, he was already a Title powerhouse. In the original story, Dong Bo Xue Ying had only reached the same realm at twenty-two.

Of course, he also knew this might have something to do with his transmigration, which had made his soul naturally stronger than others'. (Actually, it was because he was a wisp of the true spirit of a Universe Venerable from the Devouring World. Although his memories had been sealed by the system, his essence was of an extremely high order.)

Seeing how excited his mother was, Qie Qiong felt a warmth in his heart.

The opportunity brought by Golden Light had greatly shortened the time it took him to grow stronger. He would surely be able to protect his family better.

"Today really is a double blessing." Lin Wantang wiped away her tears, beaming.

"You've broken through to Title Rank, and your Thunder's Five Transformation Technique has advanced too. When your father hears about this, who knows how happy he'll be? He was already thirty-five when he broke through to Title Rank."

Of course, thirty-five was already very young for a Title powerhouse.

She patted Qie Qiong hard on the shoulder. "Come on, I'll have the kitchen prepare a proper feast. Our family will have a good celebration tonight! In a little while, I'll send someone to the Cloud-Resting Mountain mine to tell your father to come back early today, no matter what."

"Mm, all right." Qie Qiong nodded.

But the impact of breaking through in realm and unlocking his golden finger made it hard for him to calm down.

He felt an urge to go out and move around.

"Mother..." Qie Qiong said to Lin Wantang, "While Father isn't back yet, I'll go out and look around the city first. And there's no need to send someone to tell Father. I'll go."

Now that he had broken through, he still wanted to go out for a look around, and he could take the opportunity to call his father back.

Lin Wantang looked at her son and could tell Qie Qiong was still a little excited. She nodded in understanding. An eleven-year-old at Title Rank could hardly be expected not to be excited.

"Go on, go on. It's good to clear your head after a breakthrough." She cautioned him, "But remember what we told you before. Don't reveal your realm."

An eleven-year-old Title Knight was simply too shocking. If it got out, Lin Wantang could imagine how the other two great empires, Chuyun and Cangyun, would react. They would never allow an eleven-year-old Title Knight to grow up.

When that happened, even factions within the Thunder Empire might harbor ill intentions.

Of course, reaching the realm of Unity of Man and Sword at six was also shocking, so all these years, Qie Yunzhou and Lin Wantang had made Qie Qiong keep up the appearance of having extremely poor physical talent. Even now, outsiders still thought Qie Qiong had yet to cultivate Dou Qi.

Normally, someone at the realm of Unity of Man and Sword could have cultivated Dou Qi long ago.

"Yes. Don't worry, Mother," Qie Qiong replied.

He wasn't really a child of only eleven years old (though he hadn't actually reached adulthood before transmigrating from Earth), so of course he knew what the consequences of showing off would be.

Lin Wantang smiled. "Remember to take Kang Zhixuan and Qi Lingfei with you when you go out. Although your realm is far above theirs now, they have plenty of experience, and there are still things you can learn from them."

Kang Zhixuan and Qi Lingfei were the very same sparring partners who had trained Qie Qiong before he turned six. After completing their assignment, neither of them had left the Qie Clan. Instead, they had become its retainers, and both had now broken through to become Meteor Knights.

"I'll go change my clothes and have them get ready." As Qie Qiong spoke, he pushed open the door and strode quickly toward his courtyard.

A short while later, at the Qie Residence's side gate.

Qie Qiong came out, having changed into a dark blue casual outfit.

He stood tall and straight. Though he deliberately restrained himself, the steady presence that belonged to a Title Rank powerhouse and the occasional glint in his eyes from his recent breakthrough were both far beyond what an ordinary person could compare to.

Two figures, one in black and one in white, had long been waiting at the side gate with the horses. They were Kang Zhixuan and Qi Lingfei.

"Young Master." Upon seeing Qie Qiong, both men immediately bowed in greeting.

Today, the two keenly sensed the Dou Qi emanating from Qie Qiong, which he had yet to fully rein in after his recent breakthrough.

"Young Master, your presence has changed greatly today. Have you made some progress?"

Qi Lingfei, dressed in white, asked with a smile, his tone carrying genuine admiration and a hint of inquiry.

Although Kang Zhixuan said nothing, he also looked over, waiting for Qie Qiong's answer.

Apart from his parents, these two had spent the most time with him over the past few years, so they could ask him directly.

Qie Qiong smiled faintly. "I gained a little insight. Today I finally cultivated Dou Qi, and I'm already an Earth Rank Knight."

"Then, Young Master, you should have a good look around today. I hear a fine restaurant has opened in the west of the city."

Kang Zhixuan, who had been silent until now, spoke with a smile.

Hearing his suggestion, Qie Qiong shook his head. "Not today. I've made a breakthrough today, so I'm going to tell Father and call him back."

"After you, Young Master." Hearing this, Kang Zhixuan said no more, his manner respectful.

He was only a retainer. He could offer suggestions, but he could not make decisions for his master's family.

The three swung into their saddles and galloped toward the gates of Cloud Sea Prefecture City.

"It's the young master of the Qie Residence."

"Why has he come out today?"

"Make way, everyone."

In the dozen or so years since transmigrating to this world, with his clan being the most powerful force in Cloud Sea Prefecture City, Qie Qiong had picked up a few bad habits.

He wouldn't go so far as to bully anyone, but whereas he hadn't dared drive fast before, he now dared ride a horse at speed on the sidewalk.

Of course, this actually had something to do with his strength. Even if he were about to run into someone, he could turn danger into safety.