"That's right. After advancing to an imperial dynasty, a nation gains fortune. Fortune determines the rise and fall of a country, and can even influence weather and natural disasters. Above an imperial dynasty is a sacred dynasty, but those are far too distant for the host. Even the conditions for a kingdom to advance to an imperial dynasty are extremely harsh," the system patiently explained.

At this moment, Ryan Foster sneered, "Do you really think the city lord can cover the sky with one hand? Today I'll take you back, and once the rice is cooked, maybe the city lord will have to marry you off to me!"

"You!"

"Shut up!"

Lily Brooks was trembling with anger, her dirty little face flushed red. Ethan Brooks even swung his fist directly at Ryan Foster, but he was no match for Ryan Foster.

Ryan Foster didn't even need to dodge. With one hand, he easily caught Ethan Brooks's right fist and casually pushed him away. Ethan Brooks staggered back three or four meters. Just as he was about to fall, a strong hand pressed against his back, keeping him from falling embarrassingly. He instinctively turned to look and saw Eric Carter's handsome, smiling face.

"Thank you."

Ethan Brooks said softly, then charged at Ryan Foster again.

Knowing he couldn't win, this guy still dared to go up against him. He was nothing like the bookish scholar Eric Carter had imagined. Could this be the effect of righteous energy?

Eric Carter shook his head. Ethan Brooks was still too reckless, but from his perspective, he really had no choice but to fight. Otherwise, should he just watch his own sister get taken away?

"Don't be impulsive!"

Eric Carter took a step to stand behind Ethan Brooks, pressing his right hand on his shoulder, making him unable to move. At this moment, Lily Brooks and Ryan Foster also looked at Eric Carter.

It's him!

Lily Brooks's clear eyes instantly lit up. The accidental bump at the city gate that afternoon was her first physical contact with a strange man, and coupled with Eric Carter's impressive bearing, she still remembered him.

Ryan Foster couldn't help but frown, because he recognized the clothes Eric Carter was wearing—the uniform of the royal palace guards.

Could this person be a palace guard?

"Why force people into a corner?" Eric Carter looked at Ryan Foster and spoke unhurriedly. The two servants behind Ryan Foster were only at the third level of Qi Refining, and Ryan Foster himself was at the fourth level. Maybe he was outstanding among the younger generation in Qing Tan City, but in Eric Carter's eyes, he was no different from a cat or dog.

"Are you a palace guard?" Ryan Foster asked in a low voice. Although the emperor was far away, they were now in the marketplace. If they went against a palace guard, it would be easy for other families to seize on it.

Palace guard!

Hiss—

The surrounding townsfolk all gasped, and some family spies' pupils shrank as they quickly retreated, preparing to report back to their families.

Qing Tan City barely ranked as middle-tier in the Qian Yue Kingdom. The palace guards were under the direct control of the royal family—even the city lord would not dare be disrespectful when meeting them.

"This has nothing to do with my identity. If you can let someone off, let them off. Let them go!" Eric Carter said calmly. Right now, he was a criminal; it would be bad if someone found out.

Ryan Foster's expression shifted back and forth, and finally he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! I'll give the palace guard some face! Let's go!"

As expected of a scion of a great family—he knew who not to offend.

Watching Ryan Foster and his two companions leave, Eric Carter shook his head and smiled, then turned to look at Ethan Brooks, who was staring at Eric Carter in a daze.

As a scholar, he naturally understood the ranks of officials in the Qian Yue Kingdom.

Are there such young palace guards?

Palace guards were basically selected from the army, and you had to be at least sixteen to enlist. He didn't believe Eric Carter could be chosen as a guard so soon after joining the army.

Most importantly, unless the emperor personally ordered it, palace guards were not allowed to leave the capital!

The last time the emperor mobilized the guards seemed to be about the third prince's demotion...

Ethan Brooks instantly thought of many things. If Eric Carter knew what he was thinking, he'd definitely click his tongue—damn, what a genius, to deduce all that?

Qing Tan City was far from the capital and didn't know much about the capital's news. Only the big shots of each family might know, but Ethan Brooks actually kept up with the latest developments in the capital. It showed his ambition had always been the royal palace!

"So, are you interested in following me?" Eric Carter raised an eyebrow and asked. He didn't want to give up on such a promising talent who could become a pillar of the state in the future.

"Follow you?" Ethan Brooks was stunned. Did he have to put it so bluntly?

Lily Brooks sized up Eric Carter, her beautiful eyes full of curiosity.

"Is this young man really a palace guard?"

"I don't know. I've never left Qing Tan City in my life."

"His clothes look extraordinary!"

"To make the eldest son of the Cheng family suffer, this person is definitely not simple!"

The surrounding townsfolk were all discussing. Not everyone recognized the palace guard uniform; otherwise, those soldiers at the city gate wouldn't have dared to charge Eric Carter an entrance fee.

The Howling Celestial Dog came up to Eric Carter, sizing up Ethan Brooks with a look of disdain in its eyes. This frail scholar was barely at the first level of Qi Refining, not much different from an ordinary person.

"No, my ambition is to become the top scholar, enter the court as an official, and serve the country!" Ethan Brooks declared righteously.

Lily Brooks couldn't help but hold her forehead. She really didn't understand what her brother was thinking. What's so good about being an official?

Cultivating immortality is the way to true freedom!

Pursuing immortality is the true path!