Lin Lei and Wotton had been separated for nearly seventeen years.
Seventeen years ago, shortly after the Yulan Festival, Wotton had left Wushan Town with the butler Xili, heading to the distant O'Brien Empire. At that time, Lin Lei was ten and Wotton was six. The two brothers were both simple and innocent, knowing very little about the vast world. And back then, they still had Hogg behind them — Hogg, like an eagle protecting its fledglings, had shielded them.
But now, Hogg was long dead. One brother was a Baron of the O'Brien Empire, while the other had already attained the terrifying power of the Saint Realm.
In the reception hall of the Baron's manor.
Lin Lei, Wotton, butler Xili, Hillman, Nade, the five Buck brothers, Sesler, Jenny, and the Rebecca sisters — all of them gathered together.
Two long dining tables were set side by side, and fine wines and sumptuous dishes were served one after another.
Lin Lei and Wotton were both talking about the events of these years. Although Wotton had already learned the broad strokes of Lin Lei's story from the Dawson Trading Company, hearing it from Lin Lei himself still made him worry for his older brother.
He had come so close — so close to losing his brother.
"Three years of bitter training in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, followed by nearly six years of cultivation in the Northwest Province. Though I went through several fierce battles, I made it through safe and sound in the end," Lin Lei said with a smile. "I used to worry about the Church of Light quite a bit. Now? Now I may not have the ability to attack the Church of Light's headquarters, but I can certainly protect myself."
The Church of Light had stood on the Yulan Continent for many years.
To stand alongside the O'Brien Empire on the Yulan Continent — the power it harbored was absolutely terrifying. From the fact that the War God's Gate had sent three direct disciples, all of whom were Saint Realm experts — one could judge that the Church of Light's Saint Realm powerhouses were no fewer.
"Brother, you — you've reached the Saint Realm?" Wotton asked in delighted surprise. Wotton knew how difficult cultivation was. Even with his extremely high Dragon Blood Warrior bloodline concentration, he was still only at the eighth level, and even his transformation was merely at the peak of the ninth level.
And Lin Lei's Dragon Blood Warrior bloodline concentration was actually lower than his.
But to dare claim the ability to protect oneself, one would need to have at least reached the Saint Realm.
"After transforming, I have indeed reached the Saint Realm," Lin Lei said with a gentle smile.
Seated at the same table, Hillman and butler Xili exchanged a glance, excitement gleaming in their eyes. Butler Xili was so moved that his voice choked: "I have served the Baruch Family for three generations. The Baruch Family has finally produced a Saint Realm expert."
The Saint Realm — that was an entirely new level.
If a family possessed even one Saint Realm expert, as long as that expert lived, the family would never decline.
"Wotton." Lin Lei turned to Wotton. "While I was in the Northwest Province, I was always keeping track of your affairs. You and the Imperial Family's Seventh Princess seem to be..."
Wotton nodded honestly: "Yes, brother. I really want to marry Nia, but the situation is very complicated right now. Kailan had just given up not long ago, and then Blumer showed up."
Lin Lei had already heard about this on the road.
After all, in the capital right now, the rumors about Wotton, Nia, and Blumer were spreading like wildfire.
"Blumer — I heard people talking about him on the streets of the capital. It seems he's become a direct disciple of the War God. And he's Olivier's younger brother," Lin Lei said with a faint smile.
Wotton nodded, a knot of worry between his brows: "Brother, you don't know Olivier's reputation in the O'Brien Empire. That Olivier is simply too powerful — terrifyingly powerful. Nine years ago, people already estimated he had peak Saint Realm strength. And now... who knows how terrifying he's become."
Lin Lei patted Wotton's shoulder: "Wotton, don't boost the enemy's morale and crush your own spirit."
Wotton nodded.
Butler Xili sighed beside them: "Young Master Lin Lei, you haven't lived in the capital. You may not be clear on the War God's Gate's influence. Even the Emperor of the Empire treats the War God's Gate's direct disciples with great respect. The status of a War God's direct disciple is truly extraordinary."
Hillman said solemnly: "After all, if you trace the lineage, the Emperor of the Empire is already over a hundred generations removed from the War God. Many of the Empire's past emperors never even saw the War God's face in their entire lives. But the War God's direct disciples? They have the privilege of meeting the War God regularly. Who is close, and who is far?"
Understanding dawned on Lin Lei.
That was right.
Over a hundred generations — the War God was, after all, Qiao An's ancestor from over five thousand years ago. In five thousand years, the War God's descendants were beyond counting. How deep could the War God's feelings be for descendants over a hundred generations removed?
One need only look at how many emperors of the Empire never once saw the War God to understand.
Direct disciples, on the other hand, were different. The War God still personally guided them.
"I'm not trying to boost their morale — I just really don't have much confidence," Wotton said, distressed. "I truly don't know what I would do if Nia were betrothed to Blumer by imperial decree."
Wotton could not accept that outcome.
"Hell, if that Emperor dares do something like that, we brothers will just go grab that princess and bring her back for you as your woman!" Gates declared loudly.
The entire reception hall fell silent at once.
Wotton stared at Gates in surprise, then looked at Lin Lei: "Brother, who is this?"
Only then did Lin Lei realize that in his excitement at reuniting with his brother, he had been so caught up in talking that he had forgotten to introduce Sesler and the others.
"Haha..."
Lin Lei stood up. "Wotton, first have the servants withdraw. The attendants outside should leave as well." Lin Lei was now ready to introduce his people to Wotton and the others.
These were his own people — there was no need for secrecy.
"Understood." Though Wotton didn't know what Lin Lei wanted to say, he immediately followed the instruction and dismissed the servants and guards.
Lin Lei first walked over to Jenny and the Rebecca sisters and said with feeling: "Wotton, years ago our mother was forcibly taken by the Church of Light because of her pure soul. Lina and Rebecca shared the same reason."
Hearing this, Wotton felt a wave of emotion in his heart.
"When I was in the Northwest Province, I rescued them as well. This is Jenny. Wotton, these three girls — you should treat them as your own sisters," Lin Lei instructed.
Wotton nodded.
"As for this one..." Lin Lei walked over to Sesler. Wotton and the others actually shuddered at the sight of him. Just looking at his skeletal frame and those eyes that glowed with green light was enough to fill anyone with dread.