Free Web NovelChapter 152: Chapter 152: Journey to the Inner Province
Chapter 152: Journey to the Inner Province
The trial had officially come to an end.
Out of eight thousand prodigies, only thirty youths—including Rhain and Seris—had secured their path to the Inner Province.
"City Lord Cassian," Fabian spoke warmly that was rare in his otherwise stern voice, "I must thank you for your exceptional hospitality. The Outer Frontier has truly surprised me this time. The quality of talent produced under your governance has far exceeded my expectations for the Outer Frontier. Mirravele City has given the Stormveil Academy much to be grateful for today."
Cassian immediately shook his head, and bowed deeply with a flattering smile. "Elder Fabian is too kind! It is the honor of our Mirravele City to have our young talents recognized by the Stormveil Academy. We can only hope they bring glory to both our city and your esteemed institution."
Patriarch Aurelian and the Solari Patriarch also stepped forward, their faces glowing with immense pride, and joy.
"We thank Preceptor Fabian for your profound grace!" Aurelian cupped his fists, his eyes drifting toward Liana, who stood proudly among the selected twenty-eight.
It was a huge relief for him that his own daughter had successfully managed to enter the Academy.
The Solari Patriarch also stepped forward, his broad face split into a satisfied grin. "Our Solari Clan also owes the Elder tremendous gratitude."
Fabian accepted their gratitude with a brief nod.
After finishing up with the pleasentries, Fabian turned his gaze back on the twenty eight selected candidates.
"We will depart for the Inner Province tomorrow at the first light of dawn," Fabian declared, his gaze sweeping over them. "Gather at the central plaza early in the morning. If you are late, you will be left behind."
"We understand!" The twenty-eight candidates, along with Rhain and Seris, nodded in unison. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
With his final decree delivered, Fabian turned around. Accompanied by Calanthe, Navarre, and the rest of the Stormveil disciples, he strode out of the Colosseum just like they had arrived.
Cassian, Aurelian, and the Solari Patriarch respectfully trailed behind them, personally escorting the envoys back to the City Lord’s Pavilion.
In their wake, the hundred thousand spectators slowly began to disperse, but the buzzing conversations showed no signs of dying down.
"Ten thousand feet! I still can’t believe it happened right before my eyes!"
"Yes, if I tell this to someone, they will definitely not believe me. But I will still tell it proudly to my grandchildren that I saw the birth of a legend."
"That fairy’s husband who shattered the tablet and kicked the Inner Palace disciple out of the ring, he was also a monster!"
Within an hour, the mind-shattering news had spread like wildfire.
It became the explosive talk of every single tavern, teahouse, and street corner.
Even the normally reclusive Spirit Manifestation experts who rarely deigned to mingle with commoners could be found leaning against tavern counters, nursing their wine with expressions of profound contemplation.
Everyone was passionately discussing the fairy with silver-blue hair who had pierced the heavens with a pillar of light, and the dark-robed youth she called her husband.
The name "Seris" was on every lips, a story that would be retold for generations to come.
_______________
Night had already fallen by the time Rhain and Seris returned to the tranquil courtyard at the back of the Gilded Sparrow.
Seris sat on the edge of the bed, her pale purple eyes sparkling with an unconcealable anticipation.
"We are really leaving tomorrow," Seris murmured softly, her delicate hands resting on her face. "The Inner Province... I wonder what it will be like."
Rhain sat beside her, gently pulling her into his embrace.
"Whatever it is like, it doesn’t matter," Rhain said with a calm, unbothered smirk. "As long as we are together, it’s just another place to conquer."
Seris rested her head against his chest, a sweet smile blooming on her flawless face. "Mmm. As long as you are with me."
Buzz!
Just as they were enjoying the quiet intimacy, a faint vibration came from Rhain’s spatial ring.
Rhain flipped his palm, retrieving his communication token.
It was a message from Vulcan.
[Master, I have already informed my brothers in the mercenary group. They have dropped all their current commissions and immediately departed. They will arrive in Mirravele City within the next few days to secure the Azure Cloud Sect. You have my absolute word—no one will touch your home while they draw breath.]
Rhain’s dark grey eyes flashed with satisfaction.
’Good. The last loose end is tied.’
Rhain immediately injected his essence into the token, sending a swift reply.
[ Vulcan. Seris and I are leaving for the Stormveil Academy at dawn tomorrow. You stay behind, arrange everything here perfectly, and then make your own way back to the Inner Province. Contact me once you arrive.]
After sending the message, Rhain tossed the token back into his spatial ring.
He looked at his beautiful, sleepy-eyed wife resting in his arms and smiled. "Let’s rest tonight."
____________
The night passed peacefully.
[Ding!]
[Sign-In successful!]
[Congratulations! You have received the Rare-Grade Artifact: Blazing Iron Longsword]
Information regarding the new reward flooded Rhain’s sleepy mind.
Forged from deep-earth magma-iron and tempered in the heart of a volcanic vein, this three-foot longsword is naturally imbued with a volatile fire affinity, and is a perfect weapon for fire martial arts users.
"Quite useful." Rhain mumbled, as he read the description.
Although it was only a rare grade reward, it may bring unexpected results when paired with his Red Tribulations Heavenly Flame.
"Time to wake up, sleepyhead," Rhain murmured, gently pinching Seris’s rosy cheek.
After a flurry of blushing complaints and a quick freshening up, the two changed into elegant, unadorned robes.
An hour later, Rhain and Seris stepped out of the Gilded Sparrow for the final time.
Before leaving Rhain didn’t forget to reward Rossana with a few rare, and epic grade pills for her dutifull service.
Rosanna stood at the entrance, bowing deeply with tears of gratitude as they departed. "Safe travels, Master Rhain, Lady Seris. The Gilded Sparrow will always welcome you."
They made their way through the early-morning streets toward the main plaza outside the City Lord’s Pavilion. freēwebnovel.com
Despite the hour, the avenues were already crowded with onlookers who had come to witness the historic departure of the Stormveil Academy’s newest recruits.
When Rhain and Seris arrived at the designated assembly point, the scene before them was already impressive.
Elder Fabian stood at the center of the vast plaza, radiating an aura of authority that kept the surrounding crowds at a respectful distance.
Flanking him were the Stormveil Academy disciples, including a stone-faced Navarre and a cold-eyed Calanthe, all standing in rigid formation.
All of the twenty eight newly selected recruits were gathered in a loose cluster nearby.
Liana and Sylvan stood among them.
Liana saw Seris approaching with Rhain, and warmly waved her hand.
City Lord Cassian, Patriarch Aurelian, Solas, and the Solari Patriarch had all come to see them off, their faces carrying the gravity befitting such a monumental occasion.
"You’re here," Fabian nodded approvingly as his eyes landed on Seris. "Excellent. Now that everyone is accounted for, it is time to depart."
Fabian took a step forward and casually waved his sleeve.
RUUUMBLE—!
The sky above the plaza suddenly darkened.
A blinding flash of spatial light erupted from a massive storage ring on Fabian’s finger, and an enormous shadow blotted out the rising sun.
"What in the world...?" Sylvan gasped, instinctively looking up.
Even Rhain’s dark grey eyes narrowed with genuine curiosity as he looked up at the object in the sky.
It was a ship.
Hovering high above the plaza was a colossal ship forged entirely from crimson wood, stretching over three hundred feet in length. It suspended in the air with an aura of majesty.
The ship’s hull was meticulously carved in the shape of a soaring bird, its massive wings glittering with an array of profound light that seemed to swallow the morning sun.
Just by looking at it, the ship radiated an overwhelming pressure that caused the spectators below to feel a heaviness upon their chests.
"My god..." someone exclaimed in the crowd, "It’s the legendary flying warship."
With a light push off the ground, Fabian’s body floated upward, ascending the hundred feet into the air and landing softly on the ship’s expansive deck.
Behind him, Calanthe, Navarre, and the rest of the Stormveil Academy disciples followed suit.
They leaped into the sky, their faces bearing the haughty, unconcealed pride of those who were accustomed to such miracles, looking down at the gaping commoners below.
"What are you waiting for?" Fabian’s voice drifted down from the deck, carrying a tone of strict authority. "Board the ship!"
Hearing the command, everyone finally snapped out of their daze.
Sylvan, Elian, and Liana immediately circulated their essence, leaping high into the air and landing gracefully on the crimson wooden deck.
The rest of the prodigies scrambled to follow, their faces flushed with a mix of nervousness and exhilaration.
Rhain stood at the back of the group. He wrapped his arm securely around Seris’s slender waist.
With a casual kick against the stone plaza, he carried them both into the air, landing gracefully on the deck.
