“According to the system, my blood tested as from a four-star lineage.”
Xia Fei suddenly found the old demon lord looking at him with a very peculiar gaze after he said that. It was as if the Lionheart emperor was looking at a monster…
“What are you looking at me like that for? Is a four-star lineage really bad?” Xia Fei asked, his eyebrows knitted.
The old demon lord let out a deep sigh, doing his best to suppress the shock he was feeling inside.
“What are the exact words of the system?”
Xia Fei thought back to that time and said, “Seventh brain region 100% open. First activation requirement fulfilled.
“Four-star lineage. Second activation requirement fulfilled.
“Perception, intelligence, perseverance, memory, and charm—sufficient overall coefficient. Third activation requirement fulfilled.
“Test for the three main requirements complete; Heritage Planet activated. Estimated time until full activation: Two minutes fourteen seconds…
“After all that was said, I was mysteriously transported into Heritage Planet, where I struggled to survive for a full year before returning.” Xia Fei shrugged. He had quite a good memory, so he was able to regurgitate those words verbatim, even though so much time had passed when that incident happened.
Oro was silent. His eyebrows twitched as if he found everything to be very interesting.
After a moment, Oro began to ask Xia Fei about the conditions of the Heritage Planet.
Originally, Xia Fei could not tell anyone else about it. That was because the Heritage Planet had a genetic lock implanted in him, and the moment he revealed this secret to an outsider, they would instantly bleed to death from every orifice and die. However, Xia Fei was now a Law Adept, so the genetic lock itself had been removed.
Speaking of which, Xia Fei’s appearance in the Heritage Planet was purely by chance. The clan who had built that Heritage Planet had long since gone extinct. Common sense dictated that warriors would greatly benefit from getting a chance to enter a Heritage Planet, not only allowing them to train themselves but also to learn an introduction to law.
Unfortunately, Xia Fei was the only one on the planet when he got there, so he had to depend on himself for survival the entire time, and all he got in the end was the auxiliary ability of telekinesis.
This lonesome and dangerous experience was ultimately a blessing in disguise, for Xia Fei became a lot more decisive and mature after everything.
It was as if Xia Fei’s life was destined to be a maverick, always taking the path less traveled, down the roads overgrown with weeds. Even the Heritage Planet he ended up in was different from everyone. He was likely the only person in the universe who had visited it and the only one who had gotten out.
After Oro finished listening to Xia Fei’s recount of his experiences, he could only help but slap his thigh and laugh. “Interesting! Very interesting! This Heritage Planet that you speak of, Lionhearts have one as well; we just call it by a different name. Our warriors will have to learn a bit under the guidance of specialized instructors after entering, but you’ve got it going for you; you were made to fight upon entering the Heritage Planet, and you ended up doing it for a whole year!”
Xia Fei pouted. “The entire planet was left uncultivated; what else could I do about it?”
“Then how did you acquire your telekinesis?”
“After fighting all that time until there were practically no more enemies left on Heritage Planet, the system deemed me qualified and awarded me that,” Xia Fei answered.
“Do you mean to tell me that you, alone, under nobody’s guidance or aid, cleared an entire Heritage Planet?” the demon lord asked, blinking with incredulity.
“Perhaps.” Xia Fei did not answer with certainty in his voice. He only did just one thing during that whole year, and that was to fight. He did nothing else aside from non-stop fighting.
“No wonder you’ve got such abundant combat experience despite your age. This is all due to what you experienced then. Clearing a Heritage Planet isn’t something anyone can do. Though no one taught you the foundations to law, you accumulated plenty of experience no one else had,” Oro said solemnly.
“Then what’s with the four-star lineage thing?” Xia Fei asked.
“Where did you say your home planet’s from?”
“Earth.”
“Are there many high-level ability users from Earth?” Oro stared at Xia Fei, a burning gaze in his eyes.
“Not really. I doubt we even have many novice ability users,” Xia Fei answered honestly.
Oro burst into laughter. “That makes sense. You already said that the Heritage Planet you had visited was left to disuse, so the three requirements test must surely have been mistaken.”
“So you mean to say that the system made a mistake?”
“It must have,” Oro said decisively.
“Why so?”
“Let me give you a simple explanation, and I’m certain you’ll understand why I said that. “The Lionhearts are considered a two-star lineage, and the royalty is of a special bloodline, which can be considered a three-star lineage. If Earth really had a four-star lineage, then I’m afraid that you’d already have Law Emperors flying everywhere!” Oro said even as he stroked his chin meaningfully.
Oro was very confident about the Lionheart Royalty’s bloodline. If Xia Fei had said that he had a three-star lineage, Oro might very well have believed him. After all, Xia Fei’s potential was there for all to see, and there was no way to fake it.
As for the four-star lineage, Oro simply could not believe it at all. It was not because there was no four-star lineage in the Law Realm, either; rather, those who did were all monsters!
No matter what, Oro refused to believe the validity of that blood test Xia Fei had taken, and Xia Fei nodded after some thought. “What you said makes sense. If the Lionheart Royals are only three-star lineage, there’s no way Earth can be four-star.
“Actually, I personally don’t care what star I got.” Xia Fei stood up and looked out ahead. “Because to me, I am who I am, and I only care about what I want to do!”
He did not say this loudly, though the arrogance of such a statement was astounding!
The old demon’s two eyes shone, even as Xia Fei’s figure appeared to be big and tall at that instant.
…
The atmosphere in Hyacinth’s home was somewhat awkward.
Xia Fei had openly slain Shepherdian Chieftain Colin in front of everyone, and that had shocked them all greatly, but they had no way of making sense of what happened after, for Xia Fei somewhat anxiously used his spatial compass and left!
Xia Fei had saved Hyacinth and his people, killing their enemies as well, so that could all be considered a huge favor to them. Why did he leave without saying a word then?
Hyacinth could not understand this point, and Seth was even more confused by this. He had turned into a master-less slave in the blink of an eye, and what made it worse was the fact that the restriction placed upon him was not undone, meaning that he was still a slave.
Seth was glumly resting in a guest room. Given how things were, there was nothing else he could do except to wait for Xia Fei’s return. Every day that Xia Fei did not come back meant another day where he had to wait. If it was a year, then that would be a year of waiting he had in store ahead of him!
Hyacinth and his father Otter were seated in the study, discussing matters related to Xia Fei. He had killed Colin, so everything else after was simple. With the large batch of reinforcement they brought and the thousand or so Shepherdians that Colin had taken with him all handily wiped out, there were minimal losses on their end.
Those reinforcements that they had gathered at the last minute had already left, and the Purple Blooded Rockies sent a new group of guards. After all, Hyacinth was the face for the Rockies, and the species as a whole would be affected if anything were to happen to Hyacinth.
Everyone who came to Hyacinth’s aid, be they just individuals or entire mercenary squads, all got rewarded by Hyacinth for their efforts. Of course, the payout was only secondary, and it was the friendship with Hyacinth that these people valued. If there was ever a need in the future that they could use the help of Hyacinth for, there was no doubt that Hyacinth would not say no over lending a hand.
“I didn’t sleep again last night.” Otter was rubbing his temples with two hands as he spoke.
Hyacinth was somewhat surprised and hurriedly poured him a cup of tea out of concern. “Just what is it that worries you so much?”
Otter took the cup and sipped it, before sighing, “What else but Ah Fei? We’ve thanked everyone who came to our aid, and he’s the only one whom we have yet to repay.”
Hyacinth let out a bitter chuckle. “If not for Brother Ah Fei, the three hundred civilians in our tribe might have all been slaughtered this time around. It’s quite the favor we need to repay, indeed.”
“Not just that. You seem to have forgotten that we lost the ruse-off, too, and we still owe the man three lives.”
Saying this, both Hyacinth and Otter heaved a sigh at the same time. It was fine that they could not beat Xia Fei in a fight, but to have also lost the ruse-off, that was the first time Hyacinth had suffered a loss in twenty-five years, and the members were all lamenting this outcome.
“That’s why I came to discuss this matter with you. If Ah Fei returns, just how are we going to repay this debt we owe?” Otter leaned back and stroked his beard.
This was when his daughter in law Porio came in with a platter of fruits and just happened to have heard Otter’s word. As she set the platter down, she remarked, “What father-in-law said is indeed a problem. The elders, women, and children in our tribe all have a great impression of Ah Fei, and even Sakura is the same. She’s been sitting by the entrance, waiting for Ah Fei’s return these last few days.
“I feel like Ah Fei is a fairly righteous person and an exceptional individual to boot. The bet with our lives must’ve been said out of spite then, and as long as we properly repay him, he won’t really take our lives. No matter what, we shouldn’t make any more mistakes again.”
Porio glanced at Hyacinth as she said this. She was afraid that Hyacinth might not relent and, instead, worsen the situation by getting people to have Xia Fei killed. That would be a tidy resolution, not needing to worry about Xia Fei making excessive demands, but those who had been saved by Xia Fei would definitely not agree to it.
This was especially true for the old folks, who were all Purple Blooded Rockies elders. If anyone were to blame them, Hyacinth’s family would most likely have a very hard time finding a place here in Exiled Grounds.
Hyacinth knitted his eyebrows. “What are you saying? Your husband, Hyacinth, has been around Exiled Grounds for so many years; when have I ever been the sort to be so unprincipled? Since we owe gratitude toward Ah Fei, it only makes sense for us to repay him accordingly. Aren’t I discussing this matter with my father right now?”
Otter also understood what Poria implied and said, “That’s right. We’re both discussing just how we can show our appreciation on behalf of the tribe right now.”
If Xia Fei had forced Hyacinth to serve him, these people might have perhaps accepted the task, though they would not be in the least bit dedicated or willing.
However, the situation now was vastly different from before. Xia Fei had saved over three hundred of their people, and Hyacinth was already pondering just how he could repay this debt without needing Xia Fei to even mention the fact. In fact, Hyacinth wished he could repay his benefactor as soon as possible, and he would really give his all in reciprocation. This outcome was far greater than having Xia Fei hire them or oppress them with betting stakes.
The way of the gentlemen emphasized on kindness and coercion being the same; saving someone was kindness, while winning against Hyacinth was coercion. Having the two entwined would create the best reaction possible when applied.
Poria set down the fruits and did not leave; instead, she took a seat beside the two men.
“Father, Hyacinth, I do have a suggestion on how we can repay Xia Fei’s kindness.”
“Oh, then let’s hear it. Just how should we repay the kindness of him helping us save our fellows?” Otter anxiously asked. He had lost plenty of sleep fretting over this, and he was interested in hearing this idea that Poria was now suggesting.
“Look, Ah Fei came to us for help in his business, aiding him in setting something up in that circle. Let us agree to that and then do our best to create the most ideal situation in accordance with his wishes,” Porio softly answered.
“That’s but a given. Even if Ah Fei doesn’t raise this again, I’ll surely take the initiative to offer our service. No matter what he desires of us, we’ll help him make it happen, but that’s only enough for us to repay him for saving our tribesmen, while Hyacinth, Sakura, and my life still belong to him,” Otter’s forehead wrinkled as he said.
Porio giggled and pointed to Sakura, still seated outside the entrance. They saw her just sitting on a stool with her two hands on her chin, looking as if she were deep in thought.
Hyacinth was startled but immediately understood what his wife was thinking. He urgently asked, “Is this coming from you or from Sakura?”
