“To be able to control one’s own inner energy so that not a trace leaks out with each strike… Even an ordinary master of the qi path might spend decades of hard work and still not reach such a level…” Logan Bennett was just about to say something when a burst of loud laughter came from the corridor not far outside the courtyard. Immediately after, a tall, imposing young man appeared, speaking in a booming voice: “Haha, Sir Logan Bennett, you really made me search all the way for you! I didn’t expect you’d be at the Marquis of Wuwei’s residence, and looking quite at ease!”

Logan Bennett gave a slight nod to the young man. “So it’s Your Highness, the Second Prince Ryan Bennett!”

“Enough with the ‘Your Highness’ business.” Ryan Bennett waved his hand. “If you, Brother Logan, think well of me, how about just calling me Ryan?”

Logan Bennett unconsciously furrowed his brow slightly, but quickly concealed the emotion, maintaining his previous composure. “It would be my honor.” He did not directly address Ryan Bennett by name, clearly unwilling to accept the Second Prince’s overture; his words were merely polite.

As one of the most outstanding princes of the Great Qi Dynasty, the Second Prince naturally heard the meaning behind his words. Though displeased, he did not show it in front of this sword saint whose reputation, strength, and swordsmanship all surpassed his own. “Sir Logan Bennett, for you to leave Ten Thousand Swords Mountain and personally come to our capital to attend my royal father’s birthday celebration—if my father knew, he would be overjoyed! There’s still a day before the banquet. Why don’t I play host and show you around the famous sights of the capital, lest my father blame me for neglecting such an honored guest!”

“Well…” Logan Bennett pondered for a moment. Seeing this young master, nearly his equal in fame, insistently inviting him, he finally nodded. “Then I’ll trouble Your Highness.”

“Haha, to have the sword saint Logan Bennett accompany me on a tour is my honor! Sir Logan Bennett, this way, please!” As Ryan Bennett spoke, he made a slight gesture of invitation, leading him out of the courtyard. From start to finish, he did not exchange a single word with the Marquis’s eldest son, Owen Brooks.

Although this attitude left Owen Brooks quite dissatisfied, considering the other’s status and formidable strength, he could only suppress his displeasure.

“Young Master Brooks, I’ve disturbed you today. I’ll come pay my respects another day.”

“Come pay your respects another day…” Owen Brooks was momentarily stunned, then a hint of delight appeared on his face. “The Marquis of Wuwei’s residence always welcomes your esteemed presence, Sir Logan Bennett.”

Just moments ago, he had been lamenting whether he would ever have the chance to invite the young prodigy Logan Bennett to the residence and build a good relationship. Now, hearing him take the initiative to mention visiting another day—even if it was just a polite remark—still left him feeling flattered.

Logan Bennett nodded, and under the guidance of the Second Prince Ryan Bennett, left the Marquis of Wuwei’s residence and went off to tour the famous sights of the capital.

As soon as Logan Bennett left, Owen Brooks turned and fixed his gaze on Ethan Brooks, who was practicing boxing in the courtyard. “For Sir Logan Bennett to hold Ethan Brooks in such high regard, there must be a reason… Could it be, as Grace Cooper—Miss Cooper—said, that he is actually a hidden master?”

The thought arose, but he immediately dismissed it.

He still remembered clearly what happened three years ago: his seventh brother, after causing trouble outside, was beaten to the ground by an ordinary master of the sixth level of the qi path, utterly disgraced. Since then, he had become reclusive, hiding deep within the residence and not daring to step outside unless absolutely necessary.

If someone so timid and fearful could cultivate to a level that even a ninth-level qi path master like Logan Bennett would admire, he simply couldn’t believe it!

Still, the image of Logan Bennett in Owen Brooks’s mind was so lofty and mysterious that every action seemed to carry hidden meaning. Thinking this far, he decided to report the matter to the Marquis—his father—and let him decide personally.

Volume One: Meteor Festival

Chapter Five: The Invitation

Jack Brooks, the true master of the Marquis of Wuwei’s residence, though now out of favor, still wielded enormous influence throughout the capital.

At this moment, the true master of the residence was sitting with a slight frown, listening to a report from his most accomplished son—Owen Brooks. As Owen Brooks finished recounting all that had happened that day, the look of contemplation on his brow only deepened.

“Father, even I find it hard to believe, but Sir Logan Bennett truly holds our seventh brother Ethan Brooks in the highest regard!”

The Marquis of Wuwei nodded but said nothing, clearly still digesting this astonishing news.

In his view, his seventh son, after being defeated three years ago by an ordinary sixth-level qi path master, had been so frightened that he shut himself away for three years, not daring to have much contact with the outside world. For such a son to be a young master whom even the sword saint Logan Bennett would treat as an equal was simply too incredible to believe.