Chapter 117: Cultivation

Chapter 117: Cultivation

Bran was not careless enough to let the girl face a desperado on her first try. That kind of person was better left to the White Wolves first. Observation was also a great way to learn, and the White Wolves’ killings were very efficient. Their attacks mostly started from the side or rear, almost always achieving a fatal strike in one go. Even if they didn’t, the follow-up attacks one after another ensured the target had no chance to catch its breath.

After watching the White Wolves’ attack methods, the girl seemed very excited. Bran watched as she eagerly rushed into the arena and ran her sword through the poor guy. Though it lacked any spectacle, it still drew cheers and applause from the watching crowd. From a practical standpoint, it was a clean and neat thrust. However, Bran would have preferred to see a slightly clumsy girl create a scene of blood spraying everywhere. He believed that would have earned even louder cheers. Next time, he would try appropriately increasing the difficulty.

The tension and thrill from the just-ended killing left the girl somewhat hyper, her face turning pink. Bran did not cheer loudly for this kill. He just looked into the girl’s eyes. He wanted to find doubt and conflict deep within them, but there was none. These eyes held only brightness.

The girl returned to Bran’s side and asked excitedly, “How was it?”

“Not bad.”

“How about compared to you?”

Bran thought for a moment. “We are not comparable.”

“Why?”

Looking at the girl’s slightly furrowed brow, Bran smiled. “In a way, you and I could be considered two different kinds of beings. Dragon Riders, and the Hell Knights who came causing trouble recently, are the ones like me.

The level of mana within our bodies is far higher than yours. Because of mana, our reactions and strength far surpass yours. That is the source of our power.”

“But, most of you are not Wizards, so how can you have mana?”

“I don’t know either. But after killing Dragon Riders and Hell Knights, I found the mana content in their corpses was much higher than in ordinary people. This shows Dragon Riders and Hell Knights use mana to enhance themselves.”

Zoya asked with hope on her face, “Can we enhance ourselves like that too?”

“I’m afraid not. This has become our instinct, passed down through generations and continuously strengthened. Even if you were in the same environment as us, it wouldn’t have a noticeable effect.”

“I want to try!”

“You already are. These days you’ve been staying in the City Manor. That is an environment suited for our growth. But have you felt anything? It means our methods are ineffective for you. Perhaps the methods of Dragon Riders or Hell Knights would work for you.”

With a hint of uncertainty and pleading, Zoya asked, “Should I stay a while longer then?”

“You can stay as long as you wish. Once the growth period passes, the environment’s influence on you will gradually weaken. So now is the right time.”

After saying this, Bran took Zoya’s hand and gently led her back. He could feel the girl was a bit downcast. But there was no help for this sort of thing. One’s birth origin is a problem no one can solve.

…

After returning to the City Manor, Bran called Earl over. Today’s talk with Zoya made him think of some questions.

“Back when the Dragon Riders and the Royal Family were in their honeymoon period, did the two sides ever intermarry?”

Earl thought and then answered, “Yes, there are records of this in the family.”

“Did they have any children?”

“Yes.”

“What about their descendants? Is the bloodline that continues to this day the current Royal Family?”

“No. Their descendants left no offspring.”

Through questioning Earl, Bran learned of an interesting phenomenon. Back then, Green’s Royal Family earnestly intermarried with the Dragon Riders. Not only did a Dragon Rider daughter marry into the Royal Family, but a Princess from the Royal Family also married a Dragon Rider. As both sides hoped, they successfully produced several children. Just when everyone breathed a sigh of relief, the problem erupted twenty years later. Their mixed-blood children left no bloodline.

Some attributed this to a curse. This matter led to many deaths. Various rumors, retaliations, and so on, followed.

Interesting! This made Bran think of horses and donkeys. What an interesting phenomenon. Were they truly two different species? Thinking further of the Northlands’ tradition — not marrying outside their own people — there must have been a similar lesson long ago. Thinking of this, Bran suddenly realized that the initial plan to send him out for a political marriage might have also considered that no bloodline would continue, so…

As this thought rose in his mind, Bran felt a vein throbbing in his forehead. He waved Earl away. He really needed quiet now…

Was I the only one kept in the dark all along?

Although he had sorted out the cause and effect of some things, this discovery came with deep frustration.

This discovery made Bran understand that Fairies and Northlanders becoming partners was not an accident. It was also because Northlanders themselves had an affinity for mana. Mana was the foundation of everything. On this foundation, everything began to change and become different.

Then what about Wizards?

…

While Bran was idly wondering what kind of beings Wizards were, Pachu was also troubled. The delegation from Lava City was coming. After learning this, he began to hesitate about whether he should pass this news to Bran.

He had originally planned to go to Northland City after his mission ended. But the delegation was stuck here, showing no sign of moving. How long would this drag on? Anxious and uneasy, Pachu found himself in a dilemma. Although he very much hoped for a perfect outcome, it was no longer possible. Now a greater crisis was coming. What should he do?

Pachu walked towards Tirui’s room, slowly and heavily. When he stood before Tirui, all his inner conflict was hidden, leaving only resolve.

In a calm tone, Pachu spoke to Tirui, who wore an inquiring expression. “I’ve come to bid you farewell.”

Tirui didn’t grasp it immediately and reflexively asked, “Where to?”

“Northland City.”

Tirui’s hand trembled. “You’re mad! Going there now? This is betrayal!”

“If the situation were unfavorable, it would indeed be betrayal. But now, who would consider this a betrayal?”

Faced with Pachu’s counter-question, Tirui had no reply.

Pachu left, alone and lonely. Those former companions, who had once planned to go to the Northlands together to seek the secrets of Wizards, did not stand by his side again. They were different from Pachu. Pachu was already old and did not have much time to waste or wait. They gave Pachu their blessings, hoping he would achieve his wish. They also hoped that when a certain day came, he would accept them.

…

The Lava City delegation that Pachu worried about was still on the road. As for when it might reach the Northlands, it seemed a distant future.

This eye-catching team was a laughingstock at first. The helpers recruited from different families made managing the delegation a huge headache. The large number of people, the complex membership, and the constant conflicts and clashes were all quite vexing.

Finally, as the team moved forward, people spontaneously finished dividing and regrouping. Actions gradually began to coordinate, and the team gradually gained momentum, letting everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

As the delegation became unified and coordinated, the speed of travel gradually increased.