Lin Lei and his companions disembarked and set off for the imperial capital. However, this particular landing was situated in the middle of the Southwest Province. From there to the center of the O'Brien Province, the winding roads stretched nearly four thousand li.
At such a distance, even pushing their horses to the limit would require ten days to half a month to arrive.
While Lin Lei's group was making their way, back in the imperial capital of Scarlet Flame City, the vast majority of people were talking about the most dazzling new star in recent memory — Brummer Achisoren.
"I heard that becoming the War God's personal disciple means you can very likely reach the Saint Realm. That Brummer is truly lucky."
"Not 'likely'? It's a certainty."
In a rather ordinary tavern in the capital, the drinking men were talking loudly: "The day they announced the personal disciples, I was there in person. Three of the War God's personal disciples showed up, and all three were Saint-level powerhouses."
"That's not necessarily the case. The War God now has twenty-seven personal disciples. The very first one was from over five thousand years ago — he might well be dead already. And those other personal disciples who didn't appear, who knows if they've reached the Saint Realm?" Someone nearby disputed.
"You don't believe in the War God's strength?"
"Of course I believe in the War God. But does that mean every one of his personal disciples is formidable?" The man curled his lip. "Cultivation depends on talent. Look at Sword Saint Olivia — he cultivated entirely on his own and became that powerful. Tell me, how many of the War God's disciples can measure up to Lord Olivia?"
"You're not Olivia either, so what right do you have to judge Brummer? And Lord Olivia and Lord Brummer are biological brothers!"
The tavern patrons immediately launched into a discussion about this legendary pair of brothers.
Back when Olivia first entered the Saint Realm, he had easily defeated Star Sword Saint 'Di Long.' Everyone believed that Olivia already possessed the strength to battle peak Saint-level powerhouses.
Di Long was a mid-stage Saint. If Olivia hadn't been at the peak Saint level, how could he have defeated him so effortlessly?
"I heard that tomorrow the Emperor himself is going to summon Brummer and bestow a noble title upon him." Suddenly someone spoke up.
"I heard that too. Tomorrow, quite a few nobles from the capital will be heading to the 'Hall of Martial Valor.'"
The O'Brien Empire was an empire that placed great importance on martial prowess and military merit. Its founding emperor was the War God himself, so such a culture arose quite naturally. The place where the Emperor held morning court and summoned his ministers was the Hall of Martial Valor.
The Hall of Martial Valor had been named by the War God in those early days.
The next day.
Many of the capital's upper-class nobles rose early, dressed impeccably, and set off one by one in their carriages toward the imperial palace. Today the Emperor would be granting Brummer his title — a significant event indeed.
Every personal disciple of the War God would receive a title from the Emperor.
For any single emperor, having the opportunity to bestow even one such title in a lifetime was remarkable. Over the course of more than five thousand years, the empire had seen over one hundred emperors ascend the throne, yet this was only the twenty-seventh personal disciple.
The rank was also predetermined — not the highest rank of Duke, but Marquis.
"Becoming the War God's personal disciple — that blessing must be far greater than the one bestowed on me," Wotton thought idly as he sat in his carriage.
Personal disciples held a revered status. After all, anyone who could be taken on as a personal disciple was almost certain to reach the Saint Realm.
Moreover, behind each personal disciple stood the War God himself, so naturally no one dared to offend them. Offend one personal disciple, and any number of the others might come knocking at your door.
Upon arriving at the palace gates, Wotton climbed down from his carriage and joined the other nobles filing inside.
The Hall of Martial Valor, during an ordinary morning court session, typically held only around a hundred officials. But on this special day, many nobles who normally never attended court had come as well — the crowd was extraordinarily large.
Ordinary imperial nobles were not qualified to attend. Only those of genuine status and authority — the upper echelon — were permitted. And Wotton, a Baron personally granted his title by the Emperor, was indeed qualified.
The Hall of Martial Valor, which normally appeared vast and empty, was far from it now. With nearly eight hundred nobles and officials gathered together, the entire hall was packed with people.
"Brummer, congratulations, congratulations!"
In the center of the hall, many people surrounded Brummer, greeting him warmly. His brother was already a Saint-level powerhouse, and Brummer himself would very likely become one in the future. No family, no matter how powerful, would be foolish enough to offend a Saint-level powerhouse.
Brummer merely gave the assembled nobles a faint, composed nod.
"Worldly power?" Brummer had no interest in such things.
In his heart, the person he admired most was his brother Olivia. Even the sword techniques Brummer himself cultivated were ones his brother had comprehended and then passed on to him.
From childhood, Olivia had displayed astonishing talent while also fiercely protecting Brummer. If anyone bullied Brummer, Olivia would absolutely seek retribution on his behalf.
"I wonder what level Big Brother has reached up there on that lonely mountain," Brummer mused silently.
Nearly nine years ago, his elder brother had just entered the Saint Realm when he easily defeated Star Sword Saint 'Di Long,' and people had already believed at that time that Olivia possessed the strength to challenge peak Saint-level experts.
Olivia had turned away from material comforts and instead wandered alone, enduring the hardships of solitary cultivation.
Three years ago, Olivia had even secluded himself for rigorous training on a desolate mountain outside the capital. No one knew what level Olivia — who, nine years ago, was already capable of challenging peak Saint-level powerhouses — had reached by now.
"Perhaps one day, Big Brother will even reach the God-level," Brummer thought. In his heart, his elder brother was the most brilliant genius of all — there was nothing Olivia could not achieve.
And the truth was exactly so.
Olivia was indeed a once-in-a-generation genius. Even the War God had praised him and wished to take him as a disciple.
"His Majesty has arrived." Many nobles noticed the Emperor's arrival and quickly returned to their positions, forming orderly rows to respectfully greet him.
The current Emperor of the O'Brien Empire, Joel O'Brien, was considered a wise and capable ruler — aside from the minor flaw of being somewhat protective of his own.
Joel was fairly tall, standing a full meter ninety. He had inherited the imperial family's tradition of cultivating Battle Qi, and his build was correspondingly robust. Clad in his imperial robes, he sat upon the throne.
"Haha, where's Brummer?" Emperor Joel laughed as he looked down upon the assembly. He was in exceptionally high spirits today. Neither his father nor his grandfather had ever had the opportunity to bestow a title upon one of the War God's personal disciples. He, however, had this chance.
Such an opportunity might come only once in a lifetime.