This estate was first-rate in both layout and decoration.
The "Spring Garden" in particular delighted Lin Lei greatly.
The "Spring Garden" in the estate was where His Majesty Clyde had once lived and cultivated his powers. Clyde was a ninth-level powerhouse. Becoming a ninth-level powerhouse wasn't something one could achieve through talent alone—it required years of bitter training.
The right half of the Spring Garden had a wide expanse of lawn, with various body-training apparatuses arranged along its edges.
The left half featured artificial rockery and a hot spring pool. The "hot spring" water was drawn from deep underground. Soaking in it after an intense training session was a truly divine pleasure.
Lin Lei was soaking naked in the pool, the rolling warm water washing over his body. The wonderful sensation made him close his eyes in comfort.
"Boss, when are we going to kill that Patterson? Last night at the banquet I wanted to do it for you." Bei Bei burst out from beneath the water, his fur completely soaked.
"Don't rush it."
Lin Lei stepped out of the pool, changed into his training clothes, and walked onto the lawn to the right. He began silently reciting magic incantations. After a moment, surging earth-type elements started gathering around him, and a faint earthen-yellow glow covered the ground beneath his feet.
Earth-type magic—Gravity Technique.
Lin Lei leaped into the air, then immediately went upside down, supporting himself with his hands. Then he used a single finger on each hand. Balanced on one finger per hand, under the effect of the Gravity Technique, Lin Lei began continuously bending and straightening his arms.
"One, two…"
He counted silently, switching fingers every time he reached a thousand.
For a warrior's training, the body was the most important thing. Only a more powerful body could withstand a greater amount of Dou Qi. Only then could one advance faster. Even as a Dragon Blood Warrior, one still had to continue training the body regularly.
"Hmm?"
After about half an hour of training, Lin Lei returned to a standing position. His gaze turned cold as he watched the pretty serving girl who had walked into the Spring Garden. She was carrying a tray with tea and fruit.
"Milord, here is tea and fruit." The serving girl stammered under Lin Lei's stare.
"Who let you in?" Lin Lei said coldly.
The girl froze, stammering, "Milord, I—I was worried you might be thirsty."
"Thirsty?" Lin Lei looked at her expressionlessly.
"Guards!" Lin Lei called out.
Four burly warriors immediately rushed into the Spring Garden from outside. All four warriors were from the Church of Light—the Church had assigned an entire hundred-man knight squad specifically to ensure Lin Lei's safety.
"Milord, spare me!" The girl dropped to her knees in terror.
On the Yulan Continent, a noble's status was far above that of commoners. The great nobles could even kill commoners at will. And Lin Lei—King Clyde himself didn't even pull rank on him. Lin Lei was unquestionably one of the highest-ranking nobles in the entire Fenlei Kingdom.
Lin Lei glanced at the girl and said icily, "Remember, no one is to enter the Spring Garden while I'm here. Anyone who does will receive twenty military strikes."
"Twenty military strikes?" The girl's face went deathly pale.
Those military strikes were extremely heavy. A strong warrior would be laid up for ten days to half a month after taking twenty of them, and a frail woman could literally be beaten to death.
"Milord, spare me! Spare me!" The girl begged desperately.
Lin Lei continued, "Today I'll let it slide since it's your first offense—you'll receive twenty whip lashes instead. But if it happens again, I will show absolutely no mercy."
"Thank you, Milord! Thank you, Milord!" The girl breathed a sigh of relief.
In terms of pain, whip lashes could hurt even more than military strikes. But the whip only cut skin and flesh—it didn't damage the bones or internal organs. It was just pain; it wouldn't kill you.
"Take her out," Lin Lei ordered the four warriors.
"Yes, Lord Lin Lei." Two of the warriors stepped forward and carried the girl away. The tray of tea and fruit was left sitting on the ground.
Lin Lei turned back to the lawn.
The divine sword "Purple Blood" was one of Lin Lei's hidden weapons. Although he generally kept it straight when using it, he occasionally employed its bizarre, flexible, wavering form. He didn't want outsiders learning the secret of the divine sword "Purple Blood."
Training alone meant no one was allowed to watch.
Lin Lei's right hand swept past his waist, and a flash of cold, brilliant purple light appeared. An extremely thin purple longsword materialized in his hand.
"Swish!"
Streaks of purple light began dancing through the Spring Garden as Lin Lei moved like a winding dragon, weaving and darting. The wind-type supplementary magic "Rapid" worked perfectly in concert with his own strength. Lin Lei's movement speed was not only fast but extraordinarily agile.
He trained using the "Dragon Blood Secret Manual" and honed his body. During breaks he carved sculptures to sharpen his Mental Power. He even meditated in the hot spring pool to train his Mental Power further.
Lin Lei's training was woven into every moment of his life.
But Lin Lei still hadn't found the ideal moment to deal with Patterson. After all, Patterson didn't have a close relationship with him. If Lin Lei went directly to Patterson's estate, or Patterson came to Lin Lei's estate, and Lin Lei killed him, His Majesty Clyde would almost certainly find out within half a day.
No matter how great Lin Lei's potential was, once he killed Clyde's own brother, Clyde would absolutely not show mercy.
In the living room, Lin Lei was eating lunch with elegant composure.
After finishing his meal, his thoughts turned once more to Patterson. "This Patterson—hasn't come looking for me in days. Looks like I'll have to go to him." Lin Lei decided to stop waiting passively and set out directly for Patterson's home.
"My lord." A servant hurried in from outside. "My lord, His Eminence Gilmer of the Church of Light, the Cardinal, has arrived."
"Gilmer?"
Lin Lei paused, then immediately headed for the entrance to receive him personally.