Finally out of that goddamn place," a young man with long black hair and eyes like the primordial sun said. This was naturally Adams. It had been five days since he left the forbidden forest. He could have teleported to his destination but decided against it. Instead, he bought a primordial-grade horse that had comprehended the laws of wind and lightning to their peak. He decided to move at a slow pace, taking in the uniqueness of this world. He planned to stay in the next city to wait for Anderson to finish his evolution before heading to the capital city.
"Anderson still has two more days before he finishes his evolution," Adams sighed, remembering. "Jarvis, buy a cultivation technique of the Hellfire type and increase his cultivation to the True Immortal level. Also, give him complete comprehension of the laws of fire and darkness. He's going to need that."
Adams smiled, thinking about the future events. Now, he was standing in front of Grelin, the city of adventurers. It was the only city near the forbidden forest in the entire Divine Plane. One could find people of different races here.
"So the highest here is at the Emperor Realm, and that's the city lord," Adams mused, using his divine sense to scan the entire city. Grelin was situated at the borders of the human continent, in an empire named Lovigary after the Imperial family. The Lovigary Empire was created by five friends who became the ancestors of the five families of the empire, making the Lovigary family the Imperial family and the rest dukes: the Albert family, the Lockhart family, the Baston family, and the Kent family.
"Too bad there will be one less family," Adams said, thinking about the Albert family. He started moving toward the city, ignoring the crowd at the gate. His concealed presence made him invisible to them. When he passed through the city gate, he became visible. Due to his handsome appearance and the majestic horse, he attracted a lot of stares and glares, but he paid no attention.
He walked to the nearest stable to drop off his horse. The horse glared at the stable boy and moved to a quiet corner to wait for his master. Adams smiled at its antics and said, "Be a good boy for a few days, okay?"
"Neigh," the horse replied.
After dropping off his horse, Adams went to an inn to book a place for his stay in the city. "Give me your most expensive room and prepare a table for me," he said to the receptionist.
The receptionist was stunned when she heard the voice of the young man and more so after she saw his face. "Miss, hello," Adams interrupted her daydream.
"Ahh, sorry, sir. What did you say you wanted again?" the flustered receptionist asked.
"Sigh, I want your most expensive room and also prepare a table with your most expensive meal," Adams repeated, sighing.
"Okay, the room will cost you 10 medium mana crystals while the meal is 5 medium mana crystals."
Adams took out 10 top mana crystals after exchanging them from the system. "Here, I'll be staying for 2-5 days. This is for the meals and the room. If there is any change, keep it."
"O...k, tha...n..k yo..u," she said, stammering from the shock at how casually the young man spent money, thinking he was a young master from an influential family. Knowing her thoughts, Adams just flashed a smile at her. He took the key to his room and walked to a table arranged for him. Since he had nothing to do, he decided to listen to some of the adventurers' discussions.
At a nearby table, four adventurers were discussing recent events in the empire. There were three males: an old man in his 70s, a middle-aged man, and a young man. The fourth was a young girl. Looking at them, Adams guessed they were family. "Let me see their stats," he thought.
**STAT (old man)**
Name: John Connor
Race: Human
Realm: Early rank 7
**STAT (middle-aged man)**
Name: James Connor
Race: Human
Realm: Early rank 7
**STATS (young boy)**
Name: Jack Connor
Race: Human
Realm: Middle rank 5
**STATS (young girl)**
Name: Janice Connor
Race: Human
Realm: Early rank 5
"A family of J's," Adams chuckled. "The old man must be the grandfather, the middle-aged man the father, and the young ones his grandchildren. The old man isn't talented, the father has average talent, but the children are good seedlings if given enough resources."
As he thought this, he remembered a character from the novel who was a very successful information broker with the same name, John Connor, which made him smile.
"Have you heard? The Imperial Examination is coming up in four days," John said.
"Yes, I heard," James replied. "A shame I won't be able to participate."
Jack laughed. "You're still thinking of taking part in the sect examination, old man?"
"Watch your tone, brat. If not, you might not have the chance to participate in the exams," James warned.
Jack immediately stopped laughing and said with a cute face and puppy eyes, "I was just joking, Dad."
"That sure works," John laughed.
"Tsk, tsk, count yourself lucky," James said. "If not for your mother, I would beat you to a pulp." He shivered, remembering how scary his wife could be when she was angry.
"I also heard the Imperial Princess will be present at the entrance examination," John added.
"Are you sure, old man?" Jack asked, eyes wide with excitement.
John smacked Jack's head. "Brat, who are you calling old? And who do you think I am?"
"Sorry, Gramps," Jack said, rubbing his head.
"The Imperial Princess is going to be at the sect entrance examination. I have to look good, you know," Jack continued.
"What's so special about her?" Janice, who had been silent, huffed.
Adams stopped listening as an impossibly captivating jade beauty, slim and about 5'7" tall, with long blond hair, red lips, and emerald green eyes, appeared in his memory. Adams smiled, knowing who she was. She was the Imperial Princess the Connors were talking about. He had seen her once when his father visited the Imperial Palace for a meeting and he tagged along. The previous owner of his body had initiated a conversation with her, which she responded to politely. But before he could ask her name, his father interrupted. "Funny, he didn't even know the name of the girl he took a fancy to," Adams thought.
His thoughts were interrupted by the Connors' conversation.
"I also heard that the Albert family is trying to get their young master engaged to the Imperial Princess but was rejected," John said.
"Hahaha, nobody can win the heart of our empire's beauty, not even some stupid young master," Jack laughed.
"Keep your voice down," James warned. "Are you looking for death? That's a Duke's son you're talking about."
Adams smiled at their conversation. "This John guy has a rare talent for getting information. I must have him," he thought, standing up and walking towards the Connors. As he approached their table, everyone in the inn looked at him.
"John Connor, I have an offer for you," Adams said, smiling, leaving the Connors stunned.