In the northwest province, Lin Lei was riding high. In the blink of an eye, both Bei Bei and "Anke" among the five brothers had reached the Saint Realm. In their group, there were now four Saints. Four Saint-level powerhouses — not even the three great trading companies on the Yulan Continent, nor the four great assassin organizations, could compare to them.
This was an extraordinarily terrifying hidden force.
In stark contrast to Lin Lei, Wotton in the imperial capital was suffering a great deal of anguish.
On the broad training ground behind the baron's mansion, Wotton was training frantically with the family heirloom war blade "Slaughter." Sweat dripped from his temples, but Wotton seemed oblivious to fatigue, pushing himself relentlessly.
Steward Xili watched quietly from the side, secretly shaking his head.
"Wotton is just like his father — both of them value feelings far too much." Xili had watched Hogg grow up and knew the depth of Hogg's feelings for Lin Lei's mother, "Linda." When Linda was kidnapped years ago, Hogg had suffered for over a decade. Yet he bore it silently, because he had to raise Lin Lei and Wotton.
When Hogg felt that Lin Lei and Wotton were finally capable of standing on their own, he threw caution to the wind and went searching for the truth about his wife — and ultimately perished.
"Wotton is the same way. His Majesty didn't even reject his hopes — he merely told him not to rush. Said the Seventh Princess wasn't in any hurry to be married off. And yet Wotton has ended up like this..." Steward Xili sighed heavily.
What Xili didn't know was that it wasn't only Hogg and Wotton — Lin Lei was exactly the same.
"ROAR~~"
At the sound of a bestial roar, Wotton finally slowed the war blade in his hand. After years of bitter training, his mastery of the blade had become truly formidable. The roar just now was a phenomenon that manifested when he executed his self-created sword technique.
"Grandfather Xili." Wotton looked at Steward Xili and forced a thin smile onto his face.
After this outlet, Wotton's mood had improved slightly.
"Wotton, don't be too discouraged. You still have a good chance with the Seventh Princess," Xili said with a smile. "I think His Majesty is simply torn between you and Kalan, which is why he keeps dragging things out..."
Wotton nodded.
He understood the current Emperor of the Empire very well.
This was an Emperor who greatly valued talent and was quite decisive. But he had one fatal flaw — he was fiercely protective of his own people. Extremely protective.
Everyone in the capital knew this.
For example, the Emperor's only blood brother, "Yulin." More than twenty years ago, the ruling family of the southeast province had committed an offense. That family had no Saint-level experts and was ultimately raided by the Emperor's decree. At the time, many families vied to take control of the southeast province. But in the end, the Emperor placed his brother, Duke Yulin, in charge of the entire region.
Anyone who was close to the Emperor enjoyed his fierce protection.
And Kalan's father, the Empire's Left Chancellor "Jader Daryl," had grown up alongside the Emperor. Their bond was very deep. After the Emperor ascended the throne, he naturally promoted Jader Daryl, ultimately making him the Left Chancellor of the Empire. His power was immense — second only to the Emperor himself.
Given the close relationship between the Emperor and the Left Chancellor, the Emperor naturally doted on the near-perfect Kalan.
On top of that, Kalan himself was impressive — so outstanding in every way. Now that Kalan was pursuing Nia, the Emperor's agreement was perfectly natural. But Wotton was also pursuing Nia, and Nia herself had feelings for Wotton. This was what made the Emperor hesitate.
Both Kalan and Wotton were exceptional.
He doted on Kalan, and he doted on Nia.
Kalan's father was his sworn brother and a pillar of the Empire. But Wotton was a Dragon Blood Warrior.
A truly difficult choice!
"I understand His Majesty's thinking. I know that since my direct proposal of marriage was refused this time, it won't be easy for Nia and me to be together," Wotton sighed.
"Wotton, you need to have more confidence in yourself," Steward Xili encouraged.
Wotton managed a thin smile: "Grandfather Xili, I understand the situation. His Majesty's word is law in the Empire. If there's anyone who can make him yield, it would only be the God of War. That's why I entered that provisional disciple selection tournament — hoping to ultimately establish a connection with the God of War. If the God of War would support me, then the matter would be settled."
The God of War — the Empire's mightiest pillar.
One word from the God of War, and even the Emperor would have to step down without daring to resist. After all, the God of War was the founding Emperor of the O'Brien Empire, and the most powerful divine-level expert in existence.
"Take it slow, don't rush," Steward Xili comforted.
"Milord Baron, the Seventh Princess has arrived," a servant entered the training ground and said respectfully.
"Nia is here?" Wotton was quite surprised.
Although the two of them were close, Nia rarely came directly to his mansion. Wotton immediately went to the side to rinse off and change into clean clothes before heading to the drawing room to meet Nia.
In the drawing room.
Nia's face was brimming with excitement. Behind her, her handmaiden whispered with a laugh: "Your Highness, what do you think the Baron's expression will be when he hears the news?"
"What will the big guy's expression be?" The thought of it made Nia laugh even more happily.
As she was imagining it, Nia heard footsteps. Looking toward the entrance, that towering figure — like a war god — strode in. Seeing that magnificent physique, Nia felt a rush of sweetness in her heart. In her mind, Wotton was her spiritual anchor.
"Nia, what are you doing coming here? Aren't you afraid your father will scold you?" Wotton walked over with a smile.
Nia pouted: "If he scolds me, he scolds me. I wanted to come, so here I am."
Seeing Nia's adorable expression, Wotton felt a surge of tenderness. He sat down right beside her and took her hand. "Nia, judging by the look on your face and Ruth's, it seems like you're hiding something from me?"
Nia wrinkled her nose and said proudly: "Nothing gets past you. Let me tell you some good news."
"Good news? What good news? Could it be your father changed his mind and decided to let me marry you?" Wotton said lightly.
The Emperor's word was as good as gold — how could he so easily take back what he'd said?
"Of course it's not that." Nia's smile was radiant.
"Then what is it?"
Nia's expression turned serious: "Two days ago, when you proposed to my father and he refused, I was upset too. So I thought of a plan. I went to see Brother Kalan."