The next morning, at the north gate of White Stone City.
Lin Fang and Duke Song followed by an entourage of guards entered the shabby-looking carriages stationed outside.
"Martial Brother Fang, are you sure these carriages can survive the journey to the capital?", Duke Song asked skeptically.
"Don't worry, brother Song, these carriages are my village's prized treasures, and despite their shabby appearance, they are quite sturdy", said Lin Fang emotionally.
According to the last simulation, they crossed multiple bandit groups on the way to the capital, but the bandits were scared off due to the carriages's emblems.
So he decided to buy the cheapest carriages available in the city, and casually make up a lie to convince Duke Song.
"Won't brother Xiao be joining us?", Lin Fang asked changing the subject.
Duke Song shook his head, "one of us needs to stay behind because without an innate master protecting the city, the bandits would storm in and loot the place not even sparing the chickens"
Lin Fang nodded his head in understanding before closing his eyes to meditate, making Duke Song's respect for him soar even higher, 'using every second to cultivate, no wonder he reached such heights at such a young age'
If he knew that Lin Fang was simply observing his growing interface with approval, he would have probably spat out a mouthful of blood.
Just when they were about to stop the carriages and set camp, they heard a deep voice rumble throughout the forest.
"HALT!"
A group of fierce men stepped out of the forest's cover, flashing bloodthirsty smiles and waving their weapons menacingly.
One of the bandits, a bald-headed man with bulging muscles, and scars adorning his explosive frame, spoke out, "I opened this mountain, planted this tree", he said pointing to a random tree.
Lin Fang's face turned ugly, 'so that cliche was true?', he thought.
"And built this road, if you want to pass pay the mountain toll, break this rule at your own peril!", Said the bandit with a proud smile.
Another bandit with a crooked nose interjected with a fawning smile, "The leader is wise, if it weren't for his superior talent in martial arts, he would have been a great scholar!"
The bandit leader laughed pleased with his lackey's praise, but his laughter was suddenly stuck in his throat as he felt a stabbing pain in his neck.
He looked around with horror-filled eyes as he only saw headless bodies around him, looking back at the carriages, he spotted a young man sheathing back his sword with a bored expression.
As his eyelids turned heavy, he finally understood that he had kicked a steel plate.
'I'm way stronger with a sword!', Lin Fang noticed. He recently got a good sword from one of the nobles at the banquet, but he didn't expect that his sword genius talent would be so domineering.
...
A couple of days later, at the main gate of the capital of the Radiant Sun Empire.
A dozen tall guards moved aside with a respectful expression as a couple of shabby carriages entered through the gate. The guards were confused as Duke Song who always moved in a high-key manner decided to be so discrete.
The carriages continued moving and only stopped when they reached the massive castle in the inner city.
Lin Fang jumped out of the carriage with a puzzled expression, for the last few hours, a strange feeling has been growing from the depths of his being, he didn't fully understand it, but it was strangely guiding him towards the castle.
He followed Duke Song inside, shocked by the extravagance of the castle. On The way, he met various nobles bringing their children for the sect recruitment.
The teenagers had stars in their eyes as they knew that getting accepted would not only change their lives but also elevate their families' status.
"They all look pretty excited", remarked Lin Fang.
Duke Song nodded, "of course, after all, being recruited by the Divine Wind Sect is the greatest honor"
Lin Fang chuckled, "Honor? What use is that in this world"
Duke Song's smile grew, "you're right, honor is just part of it. Since their birth, their families have groomed them with the ultimate goal of getting accepted into the sect"
"What do they stand to gain? do they also get those pills?", Lin Fang asked curiously.
"Not only that!", he paused taking a deep breath, "Have you heard about the origins of the four great duke families?"
Lin Fang shook his head prompting Duke Song to continue, "Each of them only got elevated to such a position after one of their family members got recruited into the sect as inner disciples.", he paused continuing with a proud expression, "Our ancestor Song Yi, was also such a formidable character"
Lin Fang was enlightened, 'So these kids hold the expectations of generations on their back'.
Duke Song suddenly stopped making Lin Fang break out of his thoughts. They had somehow reached a vast hall with a golden throne elevated in the middle.
On the throne sat a long-haired middle-aged man, his eyes filled with the vicissitudes of life. He was emitting a confident and regal aura.
Seeing the two enter, he smiled his eyes locked on Lin Fang, "is this the new innate master of the kingdom?", he paused continuing to analyze Lin Fang from head to toe, "So young! Our empire is truly blessed by the heavens"
Lin Fang bowed slightly, "The emperor is overpraising me, I was just lucky!".
"Luck is also a skill", said the emperor, approval filling his eyes.
"GUARDS!", he called out.
A guard suddenly entered a couple of papers on his hands.
"I hereby award you with the noble title of Earl of the Radiant Sun Empire!", announced the emperor with a majestic voice.
The guard kneeled handing the papers to Lin Fang respectfully. Which in turn, took them and carefully stored them in his robes.
The hall slowly filled as nobles and high-ranking commanders came in to congratulate him for his breakthrough and new rank, while also 'discretely' introducing their daughters to him.
The party continued as the crowd awaited the arrival of the examiners of the Divine Wind Sect.