"Kailan is outstanding, whether in personal ability or family background." Wotton held Nina close and said softly, "My biggest worry is that your father, the Emperor, will betroth you to Kailan."
Nina nodded. "Father thinks very highly of Kailan. His magical talent is exceptional—there's a strong chance he'll become a ninth-grade Grand Magus, and he might even have hopes of becoming a Holy Domain Grand Mage. The Empire has many Saint Realm powerhouses, but most of them are Saint Realm warriors. Holy Domain Grand Mages are far too rare."
Wotton felt the threat Kailan posed as well.
That Lanmo fellow was technically a disciple of the Martial God Gate, but only a nominal one. And his own family wasn't particularly powerful. As for Wotton, he was a Dragon Blood Warrior after all. As long as the Emperor hadn't lost his mind, he would surely choose Wotton.
But competing with Kailan was a different matter entirely. The man's father was the highly influential Left Chancellor.
"Nina." Wotton's expression grew serious.
"Hmm?" Nina, nestled in Wotton's arms, looked up at him.
"I plan to personally request your hand from His Majesty when I have my audience. I want him to give you to me in marriage." Wotton's tone was solemn.
Nina froze for a moment, then her face lit up with ecstatic joy.
"Really?" She was practically glowing with excitement.
"Mm." Wotton nodded. "Nina, you could talk to your father first. Test the waters, see how he feels about it."
Nina shook her head helplessly. "I've already told you about this. My father hasn't made up his mind either. He just says there's no rush, no rush... But Father does think very highly of you, Wotton. If you actually go and propose, your chances are quite good." Nina was eager herself, too.
Of her older sisters, only one had a truly happy marriage where both parties were willing. The rest of the weddings hadn't been particularly good—they were all driven by political necessity.
Wotton nodded slightly.
"Don't worry, Nina. I won't let anyone take you away." Wotton held Nina tightly, and she leaned against his solid chest.
---
On the outskirts of the provincial capital of the Northwest Province, in Cloud Peak Town, within a forest on the western side, Lin Lei—who had already assumed his Dragon Blood Warrior form—was sparring with Bei Bei.
"Bei Bei, don't push me." Lin Lei held the Black Jade Heavy Sword and said with resignation, "If you keep this up, I'll have no choice but to use the Mysteries of the Earth."
"Heh heh, Boss, I know you can't bear to." Bei Bei hovered in midair as well, speaking aloud in human speech.
Once a Magic Beast reached the Saint Realm, it could freely alter its size and also speak in human language. However, to take on a human form, one needed to reach the God-level.
At present, across the entire Yulan Continent, only the ruler of the Forest of Darkness and the ruler of the Magic Beast Mountain Range—those two God-level powerhouses—could take on human form.
As for Bei Bei, who knew how many more years that would take.
"You little..." Lin Lei sighed. "I just reached the Saint Realm not long ago, and my speed and defense have already caught up to yours. Then you immediately enter the Saint Realm too, and your speed becomes even more ridiculous."
Of course, movement speed and sword-swinging speed were two different concepts.
Sword-swinging speed far exceeded movement speed. Although Lin Lei couldn't match Bei Bei in dodging and maneuvering, his Black Jade Heavy Sword could still block Bei Bei's attacks. So when facing Bei Bei, Lin Lei generally stood his ground, adopting a defensive posture.
"Heh heh." Bei Bei grinned proudly.
In truth, Lin Lei's Mysteries of the Earth still posed a real threat to Bei Bei. After all, the Mysteries of the Earth essentially ignored external defenses. It didn't matter how strong Bei Bei's defenses were.
But how could Lin Lei bring himself to strike Bei Bei with full force?
So Bei Bei was deliberately provoking him.
"Alright, you've landed a couple of scratches on me. Happy now?" Lin Lei laughed and patted Bei Bei on the head. "Come on, let's head back for dinner."
With that, Lin Lei reverted to his human form and changed into fresh clothes.
"I knew Boss was the best." Bei Bei flew over to Lin Lei's shoulder and giggled.
Among Lin Lei's current group, if Lin Lei didn't use the Mysteries of the Earth, no one could match Bei Bei. Bei Bei was a genuine Saint Realm Magic Beast.
"Bei Bei, what kind of Magic Beast are you, exactly?" Lin Lei walked along the road, chatting casually with Bei Bei.
"I don't know either." Bei Bei shook his little head rapidly.
A scene suddenly flashed through Lin Lei's mind, and he looked at Bei Bei in surprise. "Bei Bei, do you remember when we formed the Equal Contract? I asked you your name, and you said you were called Bei, Bei... but you never made it clear."
Lin Lei remembered that moment perfectly.
"Little Shadow Mouse, what's your name?" Lin Lei had asked directly through their soul link.
The small Shadow Mouse had been somewhat excited: "Bei, Bei..."
Lin Lei had stared blankly at the little Shadow Mouse.
"What's the little Shadow Mouse saying?" Lin Lei had no idea.
The white-haired and white-bearded Derinkoort had said, "Lin Lei, this little Shadow Mouse is still in its infant stage. It can't yet produce precise syllables. Even through soul communication, it can probably only convey simple meanings."
"Alright, you keep saying Bei, Bei something—how about I call you 'Bei Bei'?" Lin Lei had grinned at the little Shadow Mouse.
The little Shadow Mouse had assumed a contemplative pose, then nodded cheerfully.
And just like that, Lin Lei had given it this name.
"I said all that?"
Bei Bei was taken aback.
"Right," Bei Bei recalled. "I remember when I was very, very small—back when my eyes couldn't even open yet—I heard a very kind voice."
Lin Lei looked at Bei Bei immediately. Bei Bei had never mentioned this before.
It was perfectly normal for Magic Beasts to have their eyes closed right after birth. Bei Bei must have been just a newborn at the time. That memory was already very distant—if Lin Lei hadn't brought it up, Bei Bei would have never remembered it.
"That voice told me I belonged to the Bei... something family. Then it instructed me to hide in your family's abandoned ancestral hall and not wander off. After that, the voice disappeared." Bei Bei was deeply puzzled.
"The Bei... something family?" Lin Lei echoed, confused.