Chapter 51: The Emperor

Three days after the Douwuchang battle, the imperial palace's emissary arrived at Wodun's Earl Mansion.

As the morning sun first spilled onto the mansion's blue stone steps, a rhythmic clatter of hooves sounded outside. Eight Imperial Guard riders, mounted on snow-white warhorses, lined both sides, with a pitch-black carriage in the center, its body inlaid with a golden imperial emblem—a pair of wings spread wide on a two-headed dragon.

The emissary stepped down from the carriage, clad in a deep purple robe with a golden sash at his waist—none other than Hadeli, chief eunuch and personal attendant to Emperor Qiaoan. This old eunuch, who had served in the imperial court for over forty years, now wore an expression of exceptional reverence.

"Lord Linlei, Earl Wodun, His Majesty requests your presence at the palace." Hadeli bowed slightly, his gaze lingering a moment longer on Linlei, his eyes brimming with unmistakable respect.

Who in the entire Didu didn't know that Wodun's elder brother, Linlei, was a Saint Domain powerhouse? Such a being commanded respect even from the emperor. Not to mention the Wushen Sect—anyone from that sect treated a Saint Domain master with utmost courtesy.

Linlei and Wodun exchanged a glance and nodded. He understood perfectly why the emperor had summoned them—the matter of Wodun's engagement to Princess Nina was due for resolution. Though Wodun had appeared calm these past days, Linlei could see the anxiety beneath his brother's surface. After all, Nina was an imperial princess and a disciple of the Wushen Sect's leader; this marriage involved far too many stakes.

"Diliya, wait for us here." Linlei turned to Diliya, who stood before the hall's entrance, and instructed her.

Diliya smiled gently, stepped forward, and adjusted Linlei's collar: "Go with peace of mind. Beibei and I will wait for you at home. By the way, if His Majesty brings up the engagement, please speak well of Wodun." Her voice dropped to a whisper at the end, her eyes glinting with playful mischief.

Beibei, perched on Diliya's shoulder, chirped twice, waving its tiny paws as if saying, "Come back soon."

Linlei chuckled, ruffled Beibei's head, then led Wodun and Aikesi out the gate. Aikesi had no desire to go—he always disliked court etiquette—but Linlei dragged him along: "Come along. It's good to have backup. Besides, you're a Saint Magus now. Let the empire get to know you."

Aikesi sighed helplessly but no longer refused. The three boarded the carriage; the wheels rolled over the blue stone road, emitting a dull rumble.

The carriage passed through the bustling streets of Didu, where shops lined both sides in orderly rows and crowds surged thickly. Since the Douwuchang battle, the people of Didu wore an added air of pride—the Dragonblood Warrior hailed from the O'Brien Empire, a fact any subject could cherish. Sharp-eyed passersby recognized the royal emblem on the carriage and saw its direction toward the palace; they began speculating whether it had anything to do with the Dragonblood Warrior.

"I heard His Majesty intends to betroth Princess Nina to Earl Wodun."

"Of course! A Dragonblood Warrior wed to a princess—perfectly matched!"

The murmurs seeped through the carriage's gaps; Wodun's ears flushed slightly, yet he unconsciously straightened his back.

The palace grounds were vast; from the outer gates to the inner halls, it took nearly half an hour. The carriage passed through three palace gates, each guarded by heavily armed troops, heavily fortified. But Hadeli merely displayed his token, and the guards immediately cleared the way, their gazes toward the carriage filled with awe.

Along the way, soldiers who saw Linlei step down and walk could not help but stare, their eyes brimming with reverence. Some young guards even blushed with excitement—seeing the legendary Dragonblood Warrior up close was a rare honor.

In the O'Brien Empire, strength commands respect. A Saint Domain master stands at the very peak of the pyramid.

At the entrance to the Wugong Hall, the emissary halted: "Gentlemen, please wait a moment while I announce your arrival."

Linlei and the others stood and waited. The Wugong Hall was where the emperor handled military affairs and warrior matters; it was rarely opened. Now, its doors were shut, and four silver-armored guards stood before it, spears in hand, motionless.

Moments later, the doors swung wide open. Hadeli bowed respectfully: "His Majesty invites you in."

Linlei took a deep breath and stepped into the hall. Wodun followed closely behind; Aikesi trailed leisurely at the rear.

Inside the Wugong Hall, Emperor Qiaoan sat upon the throne, flanked by two personal attendants. Today he wore a dark-gold dragon robe and a flat-topped crown, radiating solemn authority. Below, several figures stood on either side: on the left, Left Prime Minister Jade Daril, clad in a black official robe, lean-faced and sharp-eyed; on the right, Lanke and Kasuluote, both direct disciples of the Wushen Sect and both Saint Domain masters, exuding an air of distinction.

Linlei's gaze flickered. The Wushen Sect was here too—this matter would not be simple. The Wushen Sect's leader was the O'Brien Empire's guardian deity; his stance carried decisive weight in royal decisions. Lanke and Kasuluote's presence signaled that the Wushen Sect had its own considerations regarding Wodun and Nina's engagement.

"Your Majesty." The three bowed slightly, their manners precise yet neither humble nor arrogant.

Emperor Qiaoan smiled and waved: "No need for formalities. Please be seated."

Servants had already brought three chairs of purple sandalwood, cushioned with soft brocade. The three sat in turn: Wodun on the outermost seat, back straight; Linlei in the center, calm and composed; Aikesi leaning against Linlei, his gaze calmly sweeping the hall.

Emperor Qiaoan's gaze lingered on Linlei, a complex expression flickering in his eyes. He had reigned over twenty years and seen countless powerful figures, but never before had he encountered someone so young who had reached the Saint Domain.

"Master Linlei," Emperor Qiaoan spoke, his tone warm, "your younger brother has brought great honor to our empire. After the Douwuchang battle, the entire Didu has been talking of the Dragonblood Warrior's fame. These past days, every minister in court has praised Earl Wodun without exception."

Linlei smiled faintly, neither humble nor arrogant: "Wodun's achievements today are entirely due to Your Majesty's cultivation. Had you not permitted him to train in the military or granted him the title of Earl, he would never have reached this point."

This reply was perfectly worded—affirming Wodun's loyalty to the empire without overstepping propriety. Emperor Qiaoan's mood brightened; he laughed heartily: "Earl Wodun is indeed a fine talent. I've been considering his engagement to Nina these past days, and I've made my decision."

Wodun's heart tightened; he instinctively sat up straight, his hands gripping the chair arms. These past days, he had lain awake night after night, Nina's image haunting his thoughts. That day in the Douwuchang, seeing her cheer for him from the stands, he had silently vowed to win this engagement. Now, at last, the moment of truth had come—and he grew nervous.

Emperor Qiaoan glanced at him, his smile deepening: "Young man, don't be nervous. I'll give you a clear answer today—I approve of Nina's engagement to you."

"Your Majesty!" Wodun leapt to his feet, face flushed with emotion, eyes slightly reddened. "I—I—" He opened his mouth but found no words; a thousand phrases choked his throat, reduced to a trembling, "Thank Your Majesty for this great grace!"

"Sit, sit," Emperor Qiaoan gestured, his eyes filled with paternal affection. "I haven't finished speaking. I approve—but Nina is still young, only seventeen. My intention is to first betroth her. Later, when she's older, we'll choose an auspicious day for the wedding. What do you think?"

Wodun nodded vigorously, his voice trembling: "I leave it entirely to Your Majesty's judgment! I have no objections whatsoever!"

Linlei watched his brother's eager, almost jumping-with-joy expression and smiled inwardly, though more than amusement, he felt profound relief. These past days, Wodun had been so consumed by worry he'd lost his appetite and grown thin. Now, at last, it was settled—his brother could finally rest easy.

"Good!" Emperor Qiaoan beamed, then turned to Aikesi. "And this gentleman is..."

"Aikesi, my brother," Linlei introduced, pride evident in his tone. "Fire Saint Magus."

Silence fell over the Wugong Hall. Left Prime Minister Jade Daril's teacup paused mid-lift, his eyes flashing with shock. Lanke and Kasuluote turned their gazes to Aikesi simultaneously, surprise in their eyes. Such a young Saint Magus—apparently no more than twenty—was exceedingly rare across the entire Yunluo Continent.

Magic cultivation was far more difficult than warrior training. Warriors relied on battle qi and physical strength; with enough hard work, progress was inevitable. But mages required innate talent, spiritual power, and profound comprehension of elemental forces. Countless mages spent lifetimes unable to break past Level 9, let alone reach the Saint Domain. And here stood this youth—already a Saint Magus.

"Saint Magus?" Emperor Qiaoan was also startled; his gaze toward Aikesi grew warmer. "Master Aikesi, such an achievement at your age—your future is boundless."

Aikesi replied modestly: "Your Majesty flatters me."

His words were casual, yet all present understood: none who reached the Saint Domain did so by chance. Lanke studied Aikesi deeply, silently committing his name to memory.

Emperor Qiaoan nodded, exchanged a few more casual words with Linlei, inquired about some old matters of the Baruch Clan, then dismissed the three.

Outside the Wugong Hall, Wodun could no longer contain his laughter—a joy so unrestrained it burst forth: "Brother, did you hear? The emperor approved! Nina's going to marry me!"

Linlei patted his shoulder and smiled: "I heard, my Earl. Now go prepare properly for the betrothal. This is no small matter—don't take it lightly."

Wodun nodded vigorously, then suddenly remembered something and turned to run toward Nina's chambers: "I'll tell Nina right away!"

"Wait!" Linlei grabbed him. "What are you thinking? Go to her now? When you return, let Diliya tell her. A grown man barging into a princess's chambers—people would talk."

Wodun scratched his head, grinning foolishly: "You're right, Brother. I was impulsive."

The three returned to the Earl Mansion laughing and chatting, and from afar saw Diliya and Nina already waiting at the gate. Diliya wore a pale blue gown, her hair neatly coiled, elegant and refined. Nina wore a pink dress, a floral hairpin adorning her head, like a peach blossom just about to bloom.

Seeing Wodun's radiant smile, Nina knew the news was good—her eyes instantly welled with tears.

"Nina!" Wodun strode forward, swept her into his arms, and spun her around several times. "The emperor approved! We're betrothed!"

"I know, I know," Nina cried and laughed, clinging tightly to his neck, burying her face in his shoulder. "I knew you'd succeed."

The household gathered to offer congratulations. Xili the elder grinned ear to ear, his wrinkled face glowing with satisfaction. He had served the Baruch Clan his entire life, watching Linlei and Wodun grow from children—and now, at last, this day had come. His heart overflowed with joy.

Xierman, too, revealed a rare smile. The usually stern giant's eyes were slightly damp as he stepped forward and clapped Wodun's shoulder firmly: "Good lad."

"Uncle Xierman..." Wodun's nose tingled, nearly weeping.

Linlei stood aside, watching the scene, warmth rising in his chest.

"Today is a good day," Linlei raised his cup, amber wine swirling within. "To our little Wodun—to the Baruch Clan—cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Amidst laughter and chatter, the sky gradually darkened. The mansion was adorned with lanterns and decorations; servants set out a lavish banquet. Wodun was forced to drink quite a bit by the crowd, his face as red as Guan Gong's, yet he kept smiling foolishly and clinking glasses with everyone. Nina sat beside him, carefully serving him food, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Late at night, everyone went to rest. Wodun and Nina parted reluctantly, agreeing to go to the palace early the next morning to express their gratitude. One by one, the lights in the mansion went out, leaving only a few lanterns in the courtyard, swaying gently in the night breeze.

Aikesi sat alone in the courtyard, looking up at the star-filled sky. The night sky was clear as washed, the galaxy brilliant, with a crescent moon hanging in the western sky, casting a cold, clear radiance. The night breeze blew, bringing the faint scent of flowers from the garden.

"Ding—"

A long-unheard mechanical voice suddenly rang in his mind, crisp and melodious, like heavenly music. Aikesi's spirit instantly perked up, and all drowsiness vanished in an instant.

"Sign-in function triggered. Detected that the host participated in the important plot 'Wodun's Engagement.' Triggering special scene sign-in."

"Starting sign-in."

"Sign-in successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the rare treasure from the Legend of Sword and Fairy world — Bodhi Heart."

"Bodhi Heart: A supreme treasure of the Buddhist sect, crystal clear, containing supreme wisdom. After use, it can greatly enhance soul comprehension ability for a short time, helping the host comprehend Profound Mysteries of the Laws. A one-time consumable; duration depends on the host's soul strength."

Aikesi's heart gave a jolt; a transparent bead the size of a thumb appeared in his hand.

It was crystal clear throughout, like a solidified dewdrop, with faint radiance flowing within, as if something were slowly swimming inside. Held in the hand, it felt warm and smooth like jade; a cool aura spread from his palm to his entire body, clearing his mind and making his thoughts feel several degrees sharper.

Bodhi Heart!

In the world of Legend of Sword and Fairy, this was the supreme treasure of the Buddhist sect, said to be condensed only when an enlightened high monk passed away, containing the essence of wisdom from a lifetime of cultivation. He never expected the system to give him such a good thing.

Aikesi took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart. He closed his eyes and pressed the Bodhi Heart against his brow.

In an instant, a cool aura surged into his mind like a tide; the entire world seemed to become clear.

He "saw" fire.

The Fire Elements everywhere in the air, each emitting a faint glow, were leaping, colliding, merging, and separating. Some were warm like spring sunlight, some scorching like summer flames, some violent like a volcanic eruption, some quiet like embers in a furnace.

He had never felt the existence of the Fire Elements so clearly before.

In the past, although he could cast fire magic and control flames, it was a crude control, like whipping a herd of cattle. He knew fire was hot, fire could burn, fire could destroy, but he had never truly understood the essence of fire.

And now, with the support of the Bodhi Heart, he finally "saw" it.

"Is this the essence of the Fire Element Profound Mystery?" Aikesi murmured, his voice so light as if afraid to disturb something.

Before transmigrating, he already knew the classification of elemental laws in "Sovereign of the Three Realms." The Fire Element Profound Mystery contained six Profound Mysteries in total: Profound Mystery of Fire Element, Fire Body Technique, Profound Mystery of Explosion, Fire Movement Technique, Fire Soul Profound Mystery, and Combustion Profound Mystery.

Each Profound Mystery was an ultimate comprehension of one aspect of the Fire Elements.

Among them, the Profound Mystery of Fire Element was the most basic, an understanding and control of the Fire Elements themselves.

What is fire?

Fire is the release of energy. When matter transforms from one state to another, excess energy is released in the form of light and heat; that is fire. Fire has no fixed form; it can be a single spark or a sea of flames; it can be gentle like a mother's hand or violent like a furious dragon's roar.

Fire is dynamic, alive. It is born from collision, grows through combustion, and dies in cooling. It has its own life cycle, its own joys and sorrows. When fuel is abundant, it leaps joyfully; when fuel is exhausted, it extinguishes helplessly.

The Profound Mystery of Fire Element is to master the essence of fire, understand every slight change of fire, and feel every breath of fire.

Aikesi immersed himself in comprehension, forgetting time, forgetting everything around him. His soul, supported by the Bodhi Heart, spun wildly, deducing every change of the Fire Elements. Concepts that were once vague became clear; phenomena that were once incomprehensible became natural.

Time passed, second by second.

After an unknown duration, Aikesi suddenly opened his eyes.

Deep in his pupils, flames were leaping; golden firelight reflected in the night, like two brilliant stars. The corners of his mouth curved slightly upward, revealing a faint smile.

"So that's how it is," he said softly, extending his right hand.

A ball of flame appeared in his palm.

But the flame at this moment was completely different from before. It was no longer a dead thing that required spiritual power and magical power to forcibly drive; instead, like a living creature, it naturally leaped, rolled, and burned in his palm. Every wisp of flame was full of spirituality, as if possessing its own independent will. The temperature of the flame was just right, neither scorching nor weak, warm like a hearth fire in winter.

Profound Mystery of Fire Element, entry level achieved!

Aikesi felt a sudden realization surge in his heart. He felt his control over flames had improved by more than one level. In the past, casting fire magic required consuming large amounts of spiritual power to control and guide; a slight mistake would lead to loss of control. Now, those Fire Elements seemed to have become part of his body; with just a thought, they would operate according to his will.

This is the power of the Laws — not forcing them, but resonating with the elements.

"Let's try," he stood up and formed hand seals with both hands.

"Hiss—"

A line of fire shot from his fingertips, transforming into a fire dragon in the air, circling and dancing in the courtyard. The fire dragon was lifelike; every scale was clearly visible, the dragon whiskers fluttered in the wind, the dragon horns were sharp and imposing, and it could even emit a low dragon roar. The fire dragon tumbled in the night sky, sometimes soaring upward, sometimes diving down, as agile as a real creature.

"Go!"

The fire dragon shot upward, exploding at a height of a hundred zhang, turning into a rain of fire across the sky. Golden firelight fell, breathtakingly beautiful. Every spark was like a blooming lotus, unfolding, spinning, and falling in the night sky, covering the entire Earl Mansion in a golden rain of light.

"Who!" The guards' startled cries rang out, quickly suppressed by Linlei's voice, "Don't panic, it's one of us."

Linlei, wrapped in an outer robe, walked out quickly, looking up at the rain of fire filling the sky, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Broke through?" Linlei asked.

Aikesi nodded: "Gained some comprehension."

"This is... the Laws?" Linlei asked uncertainly. He could feel that the flames Aikesi cast were completely different from before. The rhythm contained in those flames had a similar effect to something he felt while cultivating the Earth Profound Mystery's Earth Pulse.

"Mm." Aikesi did not hide it. "The Profound Mystery of Fire Element within the Fire Element Profound Mystery has been entered."

"Profound Mystery?" Linlei was stunned; this was the first time he had heard this term.

"Simply put, every elemental law contains several Profound Mysteries," Aikesi explained, casually condensing a ball of flame in his palm to play with. "For example, the Fire Element Profound Mystery has six Profound Mysteries. What I just comprehended is the most basic Profound Mystery of Fire Element, which is the understanding of the Fire Elements themselves. Only by truly understanding what fire is can one comprehend deeper Profound Mysteries on this basis."

"Six?" Linlei's heart stirred, vaguely grasping something. "What about the Earth Profound Mystery?"

"Also six." Aikesi paused, recalling the knowledge about the Earth Profound Mystery in his mind. "There are the Profound Mystery of Earth Element, Strength Profound Mystery, Earth Movement Technique, Gravity Space Profound Mystery, Earth Pulse, and Profound Mystery of Life."

Linlei's heart gave a jolt. Earth Pulse! Wasn't what he had been cultivating all along the Earth Pulse? So it belonged to one of the six Profound Mysteries of the Earth Profound Mystery!

"Then I now..." Linlei was somewhat excited, his voice unconsciously rising by half a tone.

"What you comprehended should be the Earth Pulse Profound Mystery," Aikesi affirmed, looking at Linlei with sincere eyes. "And you have already entered the level. As long as you continue to delve deeper, one day you will achieve mastery. At that time, you will become a god."

Become a god!

In the Yunluo Continent, gods were legends, beings high above, figures like the Martial God or the High Priest.

"Thank you," Linlei said solemnly, his eyes filled with gratitude. Aikesi's words not only pointed out the direction for him but also gave him confidence.

Aikesi waved his hand: "We are brothers; why speak of thanks?" His tone was sincere and open.

The two exchanged a smile and stood side by side in the courtyard, gazing at the star-filled sky. The night breeze brushed past, carrying the scent of flowers from a distant garden. The river of stars above shimmered brilliantly, as if within reach.

In the distance, the eastern horizon turned the color of fish belly, a faint golden light rising from the horizon to dispel the darkness of night. A new day was about to begin.

Aikesi withdrew his gaze, secretly calculating within his heart. The Profound Mystery of Fire Element was merely an entry-level understanding; there was still a long road to walk before truly achieving mastery.

Yet he was not in a hurry. Although the Bodhi Heart was exhausted, that brief moment of realization had shown him the way. He knew how to proceed; the rest was simply a matter of time. In this world, he had ample time to cultivate, to realize, and to climb higher peaks.

"Let's go, return to rest." Linlei patted his shoulder, "Wodun's engagement banquet will likely require our help."

Aikesi nodded, turned, and walked toward his room. Upon reaching the doorway, he glanced back at that streak of golden light in the east, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.