Chapter 1324

"My lord."

Golden Lei Guang flashed, and in the villa of Yunhai Community.

Xu Jingming, sensing the disturbance, flew straight into the sky and appeared before Lord Noah, bowing slightly in respectful greeting.

Whoosh—

The endless light faded, revealing Lord Noah's form.

He wore a star-robed garment, his face cold and stern.

His eyes were as deep as a galaxy, radiating boundless authority.

Merely standing there, the surrounding space seemed frozen, even the light of stars dimmed before him.

"Xu Jingming."

Lord Noah looked at Xu Jingming.

His voice did not travel through air.

It echoed directly within the minds of all living beings, as if the cosmic origin itself proclaimed a decree.

"In the Talent War, you brought unprecedented glory to my Noah Empire."

Lord Noah raised his hand, and a token shimmering with eternal starlight appeared in his palm.

"Today, I bestow upon you the title 'Guardian Prodigy of the Nation,' with the status of a Cosmic-tier powerhouse!"

As his words ended, the token became a streak of light and landed in Xu Jingming's hand.

At the same moment, across the entire Noah Empire.

Every virtual network and AI system simultaneously displayed an announcement.

"Noah Empire: Guardian Prodigy of the Nation, Xu Jingming!"

The Empire trembled!

On the Imperial Capital Star, countless beings gazed upward at the figure personally granted this title by the Lord, their hearts surging.

Cosmic-tier beings are already powerful enough to rule entire star regions!

The Noah Empire's treatment of Cosmic-tier powers is also extraordinarily generous!

Not only do they provide vast resources, but even their homeworlds are guarded by Star Peak-tier experts!

Yet now, such treatment is granted to a Starlight-tier cultivator.

This alone shows how highly Lord Noah values Xu Jingming.

"Thank you, my lord."

Xu Jingming bowed solemnly.

"You fought for my Noah Empire—this reward is yours by right."

Lord Noah nodded slightly. "If you achieve even greater results in the upcoming Talent Wars, I shall grant further rewards."

"Also, I am already aware of the matter concerning Di Er. You need not worry about it."

"Di Er acted recklessly—this is my fault for failing to discipline him properly."

"Here, I offer you my apologies."

"I hope you will not harbor ill will toward our Noah royal family, or the Noah Empire."

Unlike the earlier proclamation that echoed across the entire Capital Star,

Lord Noah's words reached only Xu Jingming's ears.

Upon hearing that Lord Noah already knew of Di Er's fate, Xu Jingming's heart jolted.

But when he heard Lord Noah would not pursue vengeance—and instead apologized—he was left stunned.

I killed your son, and you apologize to me?

Is this even possible?

"Good, good, good! This Lord Noah has great vision!" Eva's excited voice echoed in his mind.

Yet Xu Jingming remained silent.

Could this Lord Noah be pretending to be magnanimous, just to test him?

As if sensing Xu Jingming's thoughts, Lord Noah spoke:

"You need not worry. If I truly intended to harm you, I would not go through such trouble."

"A mere suspicion would be enough for me to act against you."

Xu Jingming pondered briefly, and realized this made sense.

To an immortal deity, the life or death of a Starlight-tier cultivator was truly insignificant.

"Originally, Di Er hired assassins to kill me—I barely escaped."

"Had I not struck first, I likely would have faced further threats. I beg your pardon, my lord."

"As for the royal family and the Noah Empire, I harbor no special grudges."

Xu Jingming spoke with a hint of apology.

"Good." Lord Noah gave a slight nod.

Though Xu Jingming was still only a Starlight-tier cultivator,

his current displayed talent suggested he might one day rise to a level even Lord Noah could not hope to reach!

Though the probability was but a sliver, it was enough to warrant caution.

After all, in the entire human cosmos, there had been cases where a single rising prodigy toppled an entire cosmic empire.

"Additionally, there is one more matter to note."

"Di Er's maternal grandfather, Yi Sen, a Level Six Immortal, has arrived at the Empire."

He is investigating the truth behind Di Er's death—he has few blood relatives and cherished Di Er deeply; once he uncovers the truth, he will likely act.

Of course, you need not worry too much.

As long as you remain on the Imperial Capital Star, you face no mortal danger.

Added the Lord of Noah.

He had no need to tell Xu Jingming this in the first place.

But saying it out loud was a way to show he valued him.

"Tier's maternal grandfather?"

Xu Jingming's expression froze; he quickly said, "Thank you, my lord, for safeguarding me."

He had never imagined that Tier's maternal grandfather had come personally to investigate the truth!

"You are Noah Empire's prodigy; the Empire must protect your safety."

Seeing Xu Jingming's demeanor, the Lord of Noah could not help but smile slightly.

Thus, the negative impact caused by Tier should be completely erased.

As they spoke, the entire sky suddenly turned crimson.

A flame meteor shot skyward and erupted in blazing heat less than a kilometer before them, as if burning all things to ash.

The man was towering, over three meters tall, wreathed in flames.

It was none other than Eison, of Eternal Life Sixth Stage!

"Good heavens! An Eternal Life deity!"

"An Eternal Life deity I've never seen before!"

"Has Noah Empire birthed a new Eternal Life deity?"

"......"

On the Imperial Capital Star, countless beings stared in shock at this sight.

"Eison, what are you doing here?"

Looking at Eison in the distance, the Lord of Noah frowned.

Xu Jingming could not help but be surprised.

Tier's maternal grandfather had appeared now?

"You ask why I'm here? Noah! Tier was killed, and yet you dare shelter the killer?!"

Eison stared at Noah, the flame mark on his brow twitching like a living thing, his eyes spewing actual tongues of fire.

In five days, he had fully uncovered Xu Jingming's origins.

He had originally lurked in the shadows, waiting to see how Noah would handle this matter.

But he never expected Noah not only to refrain from punishment, but to reward him!

That was why he was so furious!

Was his grandson Tier's life not a life? Did he deserve to be killed?

"Eison, I believe I already said this matter ends here."

The Lord of Noah's silver robe stirred without wind, his eyes swirling with galaxies, his voice deep and grave.

"Ends here? Impossible!"

Eison snorted coldly, looking at Noah:

"I won't make things difficult for you—hand over Xu Jingming, who killed Tier, and this matter is settled!"

His voice was not restrained; it echoed across the sky.

As his words fell, the crowd below erupted in uproar.

The incident of Tier's death had stirred great controversy; no one imagined it was Xu Jingming who struck him down!

Of course, many secretly felt satisfied.

"Do you need to teach me how to act?" The Lord of Noah nearly laughed in anger.

"I know I, a Sixth Stage Eternal Life, cannot defeat you—but what if I add Lord Betto?"

Eison gazed coldly at Noah.

"Lord Betto? What do you mean?"

Noah frowned.

Not all Sovereign-level experts possessed their own cosmic nations.

Many Sovereign-level experts preferred solitary cultivation.

Betto was an extremely renowned Sovereign-level expert within the Star Torch Empire.

Now that Eison mentioned him, could there be some connection between them?