Chapter 0003 The Treatment of a Bastard

Watching Edward Benson's figure grow more and more distant, the maid Little Grace gripped her sword hilt and couldn't help but ask, "Miss, are you just going to let him go like that?"

"If I don't let him go, should I keep him for dinner?"

"But... he... he took advantage of you, Miss, he saw everything! You're of noble birth, how can you..." Little Grace was clearly very concerned about this matter.

She was also certain that her lady had always cherished her reputation, valuing her honor more than anyone.

"Little Grace, as cultivators, we act with decisiveness and repay kindness and enmity as they come—there's nothing wrong with that. But this young man saved my life. If I were to kill him, it would be repaying kindness with enmity. Remember, there are gods three feet above our heads. Even if no one else knew, could I really live my whole life with a guilty conscience?"

It was clear that this woman was not the type to act against her conscience for her own selfish gain.

But Little Grace's mouth hung wide open, staring at her lady in disbelief, still unconvinced. "He's just a youth from Qingluo Kingdom, how capable could he be? With your skills, Miss, would you really need him to save you? Could you really have drowned in such shallow water?"

The stunning woman let out a faint sigh, her tone somewhat desolate. "This time, I used the Cold Profound Pool in Starfall Valley to try to break through to the seventh level of the 'Netherfire Profound Art.' Not only did I fail, but the cold invaded my organs. At that moment, I was truly at death's door..."

"What?" Little Grace's face turned pale at these words. She tossed aside her longsword and hurried forward in concern. "Miss, are you all right now?"

"It's nothing serious anymore."

"Cold invading your organs, and you were able to expel it yourself? It seems that even though you failed to reach the seventh level, your cultivation has still improved." Little Grace turned from worry to joy.

A bitter smile appeared at the corner of the stunning woman's lips. "It wasn't me who expelled the cold poison."

"Then who was it?" Little Grace was taken aback.

"That's why I said that Edward Benson saved my life. He has a unique, vigorous yang energy in his body. I unintentionally drew upon it, guiding it into my organs and expelling the cold poison."

Little Grace found it hard to believe. "That guy is at most at the third stage of Mortal Transformation, right? He's still far from establishing his Dao foundation! With that little cultivation, he could expel cold poison for you?"

"That's the most puzzling part." The stunning woman gazed in the direction Edward Benson had left, deep in thought, but by now Edward Benson's figure had already vanished without a trace.

"Maybe he has some fire-attribute treasure on him?" Little Grace guessed.

"Unlikely! If he had a treasure, no matter how well he hid it, there would be some sign of its aura. With my eyesight, I would have noticed."

"If it's not a treasure, and it can't be his own cultivation, then what could it be?" Little Grace was a bit confused. "Could it be a bloodline awakening?"

"Enough, whatever the reason, he saved my life. I owe him a favor. Since this Cold Profound Pool can't help me break through, there's no point staying here. We should leave as well." The stunning woman was decisive.

"Miss, where are we going?"

"What is my mission on this trip?"

"To inspect the seven nations of the Yanluo Domain, investigate the operation of each nation's Yin-Yang Academy, recruit talent for headquarters, and recommend outstanding individuals," Little Grace replied seriously.

"Then, the Yin-Yang Academy of Qingluo Kingdom failed in its oversight, allowing the Qin family to pull off a switch and impersonate someone! Isn't that within my responsibilities?"

"Of course it is. Miss, are you saying we should go to Qingluo Kingdom?"

"I don't like owing favors, and I dislike it even more when the world's martial artists think the Yin-Yang Academy is unjust!"

...

The earlier intimate encounter was not something Edward Benson, at his age full of youthful vigor, could simply put out of his mind right away.

However, Edward Benson didn't have any particularly lewd thoughts either. As he walked along the road, he was mostly thinking about this new identity and the path he should take in the future.

The Qin family might be detestable, but for now, he still had to return to the clan.

If for nothing else, then to reclaim the dignity that the previous Edward Benson had lost—he had to get it all back. Besides, there were still one or two close relatives in the family.

This was a dangerous world, but also a wondrous one.

Along the way, Edward Benson finally understood why that stunning woman had said Starfall Valley was not a place he should linger.

On the way, giant birds the size of helicopters would sometimes swoop down from the sky, gliding past; sometimes, a beast as large as a dinosaur would leap out of the forest, roaring as it passed.

Every tree, every blade of grass, even every inconspicuous creature here seemed to contain boundless vitality, but also boundless danger.

Several times, Edward Benson clearly felt a murderous intent envelop him. But for some reason, just as these fierce creatures were about to unleash their killing intent, it was as if they suddenly received a stern warning, and sensibly withdrew, casting a wary glance back at Edward Benson.

At first, Edward Benson didn't notice, but after it happened several times, even he, slow as he was, began to sense something.

But every time he looked back, everything behind him was calm and peaceful, with no suspicious clues.

Edward Benson pondered, and simply stopped looking back. Relying on the remnants of his predecessor's memories, he made it out of Starfall Valley without incident.