Wotton, Lin Lei, Brunner, and Olivia all turned to stare at King Jouan in shock at nearly the same moment.
March fifteenth—the date for announcing who would wed the Seventh Princess?
King Jouan had always dragged his feet on this matter, showing not the slightest hint of urgency. Neither Wotton nor Brunner had expected him to suddenly bring it up now.
"Nina—" Wotton turned to look at Nina beside him.
Nina shook her head, equally dazed. "I don't know. Father never mentioned it to me." She gazed anxiously toward King Jouan in the distance, but as the Seventh Princess and a member of the royal family, her marriage was not her own to decide—it was entirely in King Jouan's hands.
"Your Highness." At that moment, a palace attendant approached. "Your Highness, it is time to leave. You should return to the palace."
Nina nodded.
King Jouan would not permit Nina to leave the palace. This time, she had only been able to meet Wotton because the great battle at the arena had given her the opportunity. Nina and Wotton parted with deep reluctance, and she had no choice but to leave with the rest of the royal entourage.
Lin Lei, Wotton, and their group also withdrew from the palace.
"Olivia." As Lin Lei entered the exit corridor, he glanced at Olivia in the distance, and Olivia looked back at him.
Two peerless geniuses locked eyes for a moment, then both turned and left the arena.
On February fourth, once the eighty thousand spectators had departed the arena, word of the battles that had taken place spread through the imperial capital like wildfire. The entire city was in an uproar.
Many spectators who had come from other cities and provinces carried the news outward as they left.
Lin Lei's effortless defeat of Kenion, the unresolved battle between Lin Lei and Olivia, and Olivia's challenge to Hettensen—these three events spread with astonishing speed, faster than anything anyone had ever seen.
Lin Lei's name resounded throughout the capital in a short time, radiating outward in every direction.
On Fushi Road in the eastern district of the capital, carriage after carriage lined up at the entrance of the baron's manor—a ceaseless stream. They had all come to pay their respects to Lin Lei.
The rear courtyard of the baron's manor.
Lin Lei, Yeru, and Rein sat together, drinking wine and chatting with laughter. Though the capital's nobles and luminaries had gathered in the front courtyard, Lin Lei couldn't be bothered to receive them.
In truth, those nobles understood perfectly well what Lin Lei's status was. Would he really come out to greet them?
At Lin Lei's level, worldly power could no longer bind him. Even the Emperor of the Empire treated Saint-level powerhouses with the utmost courtesy and dared not put on airs.
Without question—
The Baruch Family had produced a Lin Lei. Even though Lin Lei held no noble title in the Empire and Wotton was merely a baron, the Baruch Family had naturally become one of the most exalted families in the entire capital.
"Old Third, you sure played it close to the chest. This sudden explosion of yours really scared the living daylights out of people." Yeru laughed heartily.
Rein nodded eagerly. "That's right, that's right. I'm sure the Church of Light has quite the headache now."
Both Rein and Yeru knew full well about Lin Lei's history with the Church of Light. With the Church's current strength, killing Lin Lei was virtually impossible.
Especially since Lin Lei was in the capital of the O'Brien Empire—the Church of Light wouldn't dare send a Saint-level expert here, for fear of being misunderstood by the War God. After all, the capital was the War God's domain.
"Deal with the Church of Light?" Lin Lei smiled faintly. "I've already killed my direct enemies. As for the Church of Light itself, I can't rush things. I'm not afraid of anyone currently in the Church. But to truly take them on… my strength isn't enough yet."
The Church of Light had several peak Saint-level powerhouses.
Pope Haitins, the ascetic spiritual leader Lord Luoye, the High Inquisitor Usenuo, the Special Deacon Sittler, and the leader of the Fanatic Legion…
Of these five, Sittler was likely the weakest.
The other four were not to be underestimated. But even against Sittler, winning wouldn't come easy for Lin Lei. The only reason Lin Lei had defeated Kenion so effortlessly was that Kenion was merely at the mid-stage of the Saint realm.
"Once I reach the Saint realm in human form, and step into the Saint realm in magic as well… then…" A sharp light flashed through Lin Lei's eyes.
"Reach the Saint realm in human form?" Yeru and Rein exchanged a glance, involuntarily feeling a twinge of concern for the Church of Light's future.
If Lin Lei reached the Saint realm in human form, then upon transforming, his raw power, Battle Qi, defenses, and speed would all reach terrifying levels. The Ultimate Warrior was said to be the strongest in the Saint realm—no idle boast.
With such a formidable foundation, and on top of that Lin Lei's Profound Truths of Wind and Profound Truths of Earth…
Once Lin Lei's human form stepped into the Saint realm, his comprehension of both Profound Truths would surely advance further. And with magic also reaching the Saint realm…
In close combat—unstoppable. In ranged combat—Saint-level magical attacks even more so.
If an enemy resorted to a war of attrition, a single annihilation spell would settle the matter.
"Too terrifying." The very thought made Yeru and Rein shudder. Lin Lei was already at the peak of the Saint realm. If everything about him increased tenfold—who could possibly stand against him?
"Enough about that topic." Lin Lei smiled serenely.
Yeru grinned and nodded. "Old Third, did you know? My old man used to make me run errands day in and day out. But once he found out I was here with you, he hasn't bugged me at all. Instead, he tells me to spend more time with you. I have to say… our trading company really hit the jackpot—gaining an elder like you so easily."
Back in the provincial capital of Bazier, Yeru had given Lin Lei an elder's token.
"Even without that token, for your sake, Elder Yeru—how could I not help if the Dawson Trading Company needed anything?" Lin Lei said with a smile.
Yeru felt a warm swell of emotion in his heart.