’Fine, fine, fine. So you’ve done it too! No longer loyal to the Divine Ancestor, are we?’
Westheid gave a relieved laugh at the sight.
A long ti had passed since the Divine Ancestor’s departure severed the Mortal World from the gods, yet most people were still lost, searching for a way forward. Transcendents, in particular, stubbornly clung to their established paths. Even when the Divine Ancestor was present, there was a small chance of sothing going wrong while advancing along one’s path. With him gone, wasn’t it inevitable that the way forward would be severed, leading one to succumb to madness?
It had to be said that the habits of the past millennium had constrained people’s capacity for thought. The vast majority of Transcendents in the Realm of Order, aside from those on the Celestial God Path, had lost the innovative spirit to explore other ways.
It wasn’t until the situation stabilized during the Age of Strife that Transcendents, one by one, ca to realize that heavenly changes were not to be feared, idle gossip was not to be heeded, and the ways of the ancestors were no longer sacred. Only then did they begin to absorb powers from beyond their established paths.
’As expected of soone who will one day beco a Transcender. She’s recovered her senses so quickly and has already begun to actively step outside the comfort zone of the Celestial God Path. If I was the first to begin preparing for the coming Age of Strife, then Alexia and the other veteran Legends are the second wave to realize what’s necessary.’
’At this rate, my head start will soon be gone... but it doesn’t matter. The Country of Yonglan is already mine. I leveraged their weakness and seized the throne of the Knight King with overwhelming power. This is already the best outco I could have imagined.’
Westheid said, "So you did it too... Excellent. From the very beginning, I never expected the existing paths to show us the way. I refuse to walk the Celestial God Path, and as for my own family’s path... it’s even less sothing to be counted on."
Even in front of an outsider, Westheid couldn’t help but complain about the shortcomings of his Holy Spirit Ancestor.
"The Pure Holy Spirit... Among the Imperial’s Holy Spirits, the Divine Ancestor naturally reigned supre. But now that the Divine Ancestor has departed from our world, the slightly weaker Holy Spirits are instead able to shelter their own domains. A blessing in disguise, wouldn’t you say?"
"Ha, you’re not wrong about that,"
Alexia said with deep aning. Westheid replied in a similarly profound tone:
"That is precisely why we of the Qinghui Territory must shoulder a greater responsibility."
This Legion Commander of the Wall of Immortality was a staunch loyalist, but she was also an undeniable anomaly. Mortals typically view ideology as paramount; a shared faith is the most crucial point of commonality.
In the eyes of others, Westheid running off to the Country of Yonglan to beco its Knight King was an act of supre disloyalty. If not for the unique circumstances surrounding the Branch of Prosperity, he would have long since been branded a traitor.
Since the Pure Holy Spirit had said nothing, it wasn’t the place of the Radiant Holy Tree’s followers to interfere.
But Alexia, more than faith, cared for the nation itself. She was loyal to the Divine Ancestor, but even more loyal to the Imperial!
But as long as the Qinghui Territory remained within the frawork of the Radiant Holy Tree Empire, she would consider Westheid a man devoted to the good of the nation. After all, his previous words had practically voiced her own innermost thoughts, making it difficult not to support him.
The Expeditionary Army continued its march. Composed entirely of Transcendents, the Knight Army advanced at an incredible speed, completing their journey across the Province in just one day.
"This is as far as I’ll go. Further on lies a vast swathe of fallen territory. The neighboring Provinces have already been evacuated, as there are no troops to garrison them. The Chaos Corruption has yet to spread this far. The Provincial Guard Legion left a fortress base over there; you can use it to establish a forward operating base."
Alexia had accompanied them all the way to the border of the defensive zone before she indicated her intent to turn back.
However, after running through a list of precautions, the heroic, flaxen-haired beauty paused and looked at Westheid.
"I felt my strength improve a few months ago, and I had intended to request a sparring match with Duke Qinghui. But on second thought, I’d rather not embarrass myself."
Westheid glanced at Alexia’s bandaged arm and smiled.
"You’re being far too modest. With your current strength, you could probably last two hundred rounds against . I’m sure it would be an excellent exchange. I’ve always enjoyed sparring with others. It’s a good way to learn from one another, after all."
Alexia seed tempted for a mont, but ultimately shook her head and declined.
"Perhaps another ti. I have official duties to attend to, so I wouldn’t be able to give you a proper match. Please excuse , I must take my leave."
’Heh, so she’s hiding her strength from .’
Westheid’s gaze lowered, his expression thoughtful as he watched Alexia depart with the Imperial Legion.
phit chose that mont to speak from behind him.
"My Lord, can that Imperial citizen really last several hundred rounds against you?"
"Yes, she’s about on par with you. Both of you are at the pinnacle of the Legend rank, with imnse potential for future growth. In the era to co, only a select few like you will be considered true Powerhouses."
The Mortal World never lacked individuals of exceptional talent. This was especially true in the Age of Strife, when geniuses were a di a dozen, springing up like mushrooms after a rainstorm.
However, those who could surpass the power of a conventional Legend were few and far between, and those with the potential for Ascension could be counted on one hand.
Generally, such individuals were designated "Tier 0." Just below them were people like phit and Alexia.
"My Lord, you... you truly consider a Powerhouse? I am eternally grateful!"
The blue-haired girl, deeply moved, stepped forward and hugged Westheid’s arm. This action imdiately displeased Mivana, who stomped over and pulled her away.
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