Chapter Twenty-Five: Twelve Years Pass in the Blink of an Eye
Church of Light, Holy Island, ninth floor of the Church of Light Temple.
Haitins stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, a new furrow of worry etched between his brows. Back when Lin Lei had struck that agreement with the Church of Light, it had brought the Church a measure of relief. After all, without another Ultimate Warrior at his side, and with that terrifying magic beast mouse helping him, Lin Lei alone didn't pose that great a threat.
But they had enjoyed only nine years of ease.
Because in the ninth year after Lin Lei's marriage, the Church of Light's spies had uncovered a secret—Lin Lei had already reached the Saint Realm in his human form.
"Haitins." A cold voice rang out, and a figure with strangely beautiful purple hair drifted into view as Wusennuo appeared in the ninth-floor room.
Haitins didn't turn around. "Wusennuo, is something the matter?"
Wusennuo carried a hint of irritation in his tone. "Haitins, our Church's strong fighters have been stuck on Holy Island for three full years now. For three years you've ordered us not to leave the island without permission. Haitins… are we really going to be held here just because of Lin Lei?"
"And you need to understand, Haitins, this intelligence only came from our agents overhearing a conversation between Lin Lei's son and Wotton's son in the royal palace—that Lin Lei reached the Saint Realm in human form. Words spoken by a child aren't necessarily true!" Wusennuo said不满ly.
It was because of this intelligence—that Lin Lei had reached the Saint Realm in human form—that Haitins had ordered Wusennuo and the others not to leave Holy Island.
Haitins continued to stand with his back to Wusennuo, speaking calmly. "Wusennuo, first of all, Wotton's son 'Xini' is a very composed, perceptive young man. What he said is almost certainly true… Second, when Lin Lei was still hiding in the northwestern provinces of the O'Brien Empire, he had already reached the ninth rank. Now over a decade has passed. Given the training speed of a Dragon Blood Warrior, Lin Lei should have reached the Saint Realm in human form by now."
Haitins suddenly turned around, fixing Wusennuo with a stare.
"You know Lin Lei's strength. Twelve years ago, he was only slightly weaker than you. Now even his human form is at the Saint Realm… his power has increased more than tenfold. Even if his realm hadn't improved at all, he would already be able to defeat you. Do you really believe that in twelve years, Lin Lei's realm hasn't advanced even a little?" Haitins countered.
Wusennuo fell silent.
They all knew how fast Lin Lei trained.
Twelve years without any improvement in his realm? Who would believe that?
The ancestors of the Baruch Family who had reached the Saint Realm Dragon Blood Warrior level had only cultivated to the realm of 'Momentum,' yet with the terrifying defense and strength that came after reaching the Saint Realm, they could contend with the most powerful Saint-level magic beasts.
And Lin Lei?
His strength and Dou Qi were no less than those ancestors, and on top of that, he possessed a profound understanding of the Laws. He was even more formidable than the Baruch Family ancestors.
"Haitins, Holy Island's defenses don't really need me," Wusennuo said.
"Wusennuo, if you truly wish to leave Holy Island… I won't stop you," Haitins replied coolly. "But if you leave, you'll be gambling that Lin Lei won't discover you and hunt you down. Of course, your escape abilities are considerable. But whether you could actually survive against Lin Lei… I can't say for certain."
Wusennuo possessed the Shadow Clone technique and was fast.
But the odds of escaping with his life under Lin Lei's pursuit were only fifty-fifty at best.
"Hmph, fine. Once I've perfected my Shadow Clone technique, I'll go settle things with Lin Lei," Wusennuo snorted coldly, then his figure flickered and he vanished from the ninth-floor room. Though he spoke bravely, it was clear he had backed down.
A trace of bitter amusement crossed Haitins's face.
Monitoring a powerhouse of Lin Lei's caliber was nearly impossible. Lin Lei's current flight speed was far greater than before. He could cross the entire Yulan Continent in less than half a day. At that speed, pursuing any single person would catch the target completely off guard.
Yulan Calendar year 10022, May. On the outskirts of Baruch City, wild flowers and grasses swayed in the breeze, their graceful 'dance' lifting the spirits of those out for a stroll. At this moment, two luxurious carriages, escorted by an elite cavalry unit, were traveling through the countryside.
"Your Majesty, we've arrived at Black Crow Mountain!" a knight said respectfully as he rode up to the second carriage.
From the luxurious carriage emerged a couple and a young boy. The couple was Wotton and Nina. Wotton had matured considerably since the past—as King of the Baruch Kingdom and with his strength soaring dramatically, he now carried an air of power about him. Nina had shed her youthful innocence, filling out somewhat and becoming even more beautiful.
The boy in front of them looked about twelve or thirteen, with a gentle demeanor and an air of scholarly refinement. This young man was Wotton and Nina's son—Xini Baruch.
"Wow, we're at Black Crow Mountain!" An excited voice rang out from beside the carriage in front, and a lively boy jumped down from it.
"Taylor!" Xini called out with a smile.
"Big brother!" Taylor came running over happily enough. Taylor was a good-looking boy in his own right, though far more energetic and spirited than Xini.
At this moment, another beautiful woman and a lovely girl descended from the front carriage—Dilia and her daughter 'Sasha.' Sasha bore a striking resemblance to Taylor; the two were actually twins, but Sasha had been born just a little earlier, relegating Taylor to the position of 'younger brother.'
Xini was twelve this year, while Sasha and Taylor were both ten.
"I'm about to see Father! I haven't seen him in over half a year," Taylor said excitedly. A look of anticipation also flickered in Xini's eyes. As children of the Baruch Family, they both deeply admired the pillar of the entire family—Lin Lei.
Throughout the Baruch Kingdom, countless citizens likewise revered Lin Lei. He was the spiritual backbone of the entire Baruch Kingdom, without exaggeration.
Though twelve years had passed, Dilia's appearance had not aged in the slightest. If anything, she had acquired a distinctive air about her. Dilia gazed at her son and daughter, a blissful smile on her face. Twelve years of peaceful, happy life had truly brought her deep contentment.