After some thought, You’er decided to temporarily set aside the idea of awakening Timobi’s elemental energy right away. Timobi had only just begun, or rather, hadn’t even truly started, and awakening his elemental energy too early might even prove counterproductive.
They needed to take it one step at a time; there was no need to rush.
However, while he couldn’t awaken Timobi’s elemental energy, strengthening his physique was certainly feasible.
You’er channeled his elemental energy into Timobi’s body. This Spirit Ice Elemental Energy, stemming from the Elf King’s bloodline and brimming with vitality, could nourish Timobi’s body and bones, ensuring he wouldn’t wake up with sore muscles the next morning.
****
As they journeyed, more than two months swiftly passed. The red route on their map had significantly shortened, indicating their deep penetration into the Eastern Imperial heartland. Soon, they would reach their destination: the Eastern Imperial Capital and the Gatania Academy within it.
Over these two months, Timobi diligently practiced his sword swings every day. After he fell asleep, You’er would nourish his body, a regimen that considerably improved his physique, and he even seemed to have grown a little taller.
In the initial days, Timobi struggled to even swing his wooden sword five hundred times. Now, he could swing it a thousand times without breaking a sweat, a truly remarkable improvement.
More than half a month ago, You’er stopped having Timobi simply practice sword swings. Instead, he began sparring with him face-to-face.
You’er showed little mercy in his attacks, never hesitating to leave Timobi with a lasting impression where it was due. Thanks to this rigorous training, Timobi gradually came to understand the experience of direct combat against an opponent.
Over these two months, the Ice Elemental Star Vortex within You’er had shown no substantial progress or change; it had merely solidified his realm as an Elementary Sword Master. After all, using elemental energy to nourish another’s body was not without its cost. In contrast, his Dark Elemental Star Vortex had subtly grown considerably stronger, now likely rivaling the level of a High-tier Swordsman.
There was a logical reason for the rapid growth of his Dark Elemental Star Vortex. Within his body, the Dark Seed continued to absorb energy from the Blood Ink Pearl, periodically bestowing a portion of this energy upon the Dark Elemental Star Vortex, proving greatly beneficial. Moreover, You’er’s own cultivation had already reached the Sword Master level, meaning the Dark Elemental Star Vortex would not encounter any bottlenecks until it caught up.
As most of his time had been spent traveling these past days, there had been little opportunity to practice sword techniques. Consequently, his comprehension of [Twin Heavenly Blade Style] and [Sword Draw – Sky Ascent] had seen no breakthrough progress. However, You’er was not in a hurry, knowing it was only a matter of time.
Now that he no longer needed to expend elemental energy to nourish Timobi’s body, he found himself with ample time and energy.
Timobi, too, was nearing a bottleneck in his training. Therefore, You’er decided against continuing their leisurely journey on foot. Upon reaching a colossal city marked on their map, he purchased long-distance tickets directly to the Eastern Imperial Capital, and with Timobi, completed the final leg of their journey.
****
The elemental energy train halted outside a colossal city, a behemoth as vast as a celestial dragon.
This dragon-like metropolis was the very destination of You’er and Timobi’s journey: the Eastern Imperial Capital!
The Eastern Imperial Capital, originally known as Gatania Dragon City and also referred to as the Holy Dragon Capital, was considered the most exalted and sacred city by the people of the Eastern Continent. Its status was in no way inferior to the Holy City of Light in the eyes of pilgrims from the Holy Land of Light on the Northeastern Continent.
Stepping off the train with Timobi, You’er gazed up at the Dragon City, his eyes filled with inexpressible awe. He swore that never in his life had he seen, or even imagined, a city of such magnificent grandeur.
Its city walls towered a hundred meters high. Its overall appearance resembled a colossal, sky-obscuring dragon sprawled upon the earth. From You’er’s vantage point, however, he could only discern a massive, majestic dragon head, proudly raised.
High above, dark silhouettes constantly circled. These were countless flying dragons, each bearing a proud knight upon its back.
As a child, You’er had heard the legends of Gatania more than once. Dragon City was said to be a paradise for dragons, where its ancient emperors had forged covenants with the Dragon Emperor. Consequently, Dragon City was renowned for producing a powerful and noble profession: Dragon Knights!
He hadn’t expected that immediately upon their arrival, they would witness such a breathtaking scene.
“Wow! So… so cool!”
Unlike You’er, whose emotions remained unexpressed externally, Timobi more frankly revealed his inner excitement. Gazing up at the flying dragon knights soaring overhead, Timobi was so thrilled he nearly leaped off the ground.
“We’ve finally arrived…”
You’er, lowering his gaze, uttered this sigh of wonder.
“Big Sister You’er, Big Sister You’er, are we going in now?” Timobi tugged at You’er’s arm, appearing quite impatient.
“Of course. Come on, Little Ti, let’s go in.”
“Yay!”
You’er smiled softly, took Timobi’s hand, and stepped forward.
As they approached the city gate, You’er noticed that the guard team stationed there was composed entirely of Great Swordsmen. This was truly formidable.
‘As expected of the Eastern Imperial Capital,’ You’er mused.
There was one more thing You’er didn’t know: the Dragon Knight Guard hovering in the sky was composed entirely of Great Sword Masters!
Because the Imperial Capital’s gate was incredibly wide, You’er and Timobi didn’t have to endure a long queue like in other cities. However, the moment they stepped inside, an incredibly powerful mental presence swept down and then quickly passed.
‘What terrifying spiritual power!’ You’er’s heart violently quickened. The owner of that mental presence was likely at least a Sword Emperor or even a Sword Venerable, though a Grand Magus or Sky Magus was also a possibility.
‘I’ve come to the right place…’ After the initial shock, You’er’s heart gradually filled with excitement and joy. He knew that here, he would undoubtedly grow stronger.
Moreover, Lilinai, his younger sister, was very likely somewhere within this Dragon City!
You’er first took Timobi to a general store. There, he purchased a map that provided an overview of the entire city, clearly marking all the important locations within Dragon City.
The Adventurers’ Guild Headquarters, the Eastern Imperial Royal Court, the Imperial Central Plaza, the Imperial Public Library, the Imperial Flying Dragon Knight Training Camp… and, most importantly, the Eastern Imperial Gatania Holy Academy!
Dragon City was truly immense. Its main city area alone could probably rival the size of a small kingdom, and if they were to travel on foot, it would likely take several days just to traverse it once.
The map in his hand further demonstrated the Eastern Imperial’s immense wealth. Scattered across it were hundreds of white markers: teleportation gates, numbering in the hundreds!
Bringing Timobi to the nearest teleportation gate, You’er nearly had a heart attack upon seeing the fee marked on the sign beside it. Fifty gold coins! It was an exorbitant sum, clearly not meant for ordinary people.
He recalled nearly losing his life to complete an A-rank commission, only to earn five hundred gold coins through sheer luck. To use a teleportation array once meant parting with a tenth of that sum; he found it truly difficult to accept.
“Big Sister You’er, perhaps we should just walk.” Timobi, aware that the teleportation fee was far too expensive for them, tugged at You’er’s sleeve and spoke with thoughtful understanding.
“Yes, let’s walk.” You’er nodded. He still didn’t know if the money they had was enough for the registration fee, so it was best not to waste it carelessly.
Dragon City was divided into distinct zones. For example, the Eastern Imperial Royal Court, the Adventurers’ Guild, and Gatania Academy each had their own dedicated districts. Gatania Academy, You’er’s intended destination, was located in the innermost area of Dragon City, directly adjacent to the Royal Court. The Adventurers’ Guild was a bit further, though still within the inner regions.
“Are you tired?” By the time the sun began to set, You’er and Timobi had still not exited the outer, ordinary residential areas. After a long journey and several more hours of walking, You’er worried Timobi might be overexerting himself.
“Not tired, Big Sister You’er! Little Ti can keep going!” Timobi grinned, a smile curving his slightly pale young face. “With a beauty like Big Sister You’er by my side, Little Ti has endless energy!”
“You little rascal, when did you learn to be so smooth-tongued?” You’er felt a touch exasperated. He found that now, hearing Timobi’s repeated calls of ‘Big Sister You’er’ was becoming increasingly pleasant and agreeable, devoid of the initial awkwardness or annoyance.
‘Perhaps I’ve just heard it so much I’ve grown accustomed to it,’ You’er thought.
You’er hailed a carriage.
The carriage driver was an elderly man with white hair, appearing quite advanced in years. Upon seeing the old driver’s gaunt appearance, You’er’s expression involuntarily faltered.
“Haha, little one, don’t worry yourself. Don’t let this old man’s appearance fool you; my bones are still sturdy!” As if guessing You’er’s thoughts, the old driver laughed heartily, patting his chest. “After all these years scrambling around this city, I may not know much else, but I certainly know which roads lead where, and which ones have shortcuts.”
“Then we’ll trouble you, Master. Please take us to the entrance of Gatania Academy.” Hearing this, You’er no longer hesitated. He nodded and, taking Timobi’s hand, helped him into the carriage.
“Yes, thank you, Master,” Timobi said, pulling back the curtain to express his gratitude once inside the carriage.
“Haha, it’s rare to see children as polite as you two,” the old driver chuckled, stroking his beard. He flicked the reins, then, with his back to You’er and Timobi, asked, “Little ones, are you also here for the Gatania Academy entrance examination?”
“Yes, Master. Do you know when the academy’s assessment begins?” You’er only knew the approximate time was late winter or early spring, but not the exact date, so this was a good opportunity to ask.
“You don’t even know that?” The old driver seemed surprised, but then recalled that some people traveled from very far away and might not be privy to such details, so it was understandable.
“This winter is shorter than usual, so this year’s enrollment time has been moved up. If I recall correctly, it should be tomorrow. However, some have already started early registrations this morning. If I push the horses, we should be able to make it before dawn tomorrow.”
“Thank you very much, Master,” You’er said with a smile. The old driver was truly kind-hearted.
“Little Ti, get a good night’s sleep and recharge your energy. We’ll register tomorrow. Promise Big Sister you’ll definitely pass the assessment, alright?” Sitting on a pile of dry straw, You’er leaned against the hard carriage railing, letting Timobi rest his head on his lap, encouraging him in this way.
“Big Sister You’er… thank you…” Feeling the softness beneath his head, Timobi’s eyes grew slightly moist. He knew that You’er had been selflessly giving to him like this for days.
“Alright, boys shouldn’t always be teary-eyed. Be careful, Uncle Tilu might come to lecture you while you’re asleep.” You’er playfully flicked Timobi’s forehead with a bent finger, smiling. “Sleep now. Big Sister will always be by your side.”
“Okay, Big Sister You’er, goodnight…”
“Goodnight, Little Ti.”