After obtaining a new Authority, Dongfang Jiang felt exhaustion wash over his body.
Controlling gravity consumed too much energy.
Even after harmonizing the absorbed Sun Energy into his own, he had expended so much that he collapsed onto the ground, sitting limp.
Seeing Dongfang Jiang sitting on the ground, Yisela bent down and extended her slender hand, a faint smile on her lips.
“How rude of me, young master. No, I should call you Lord now, shouldn’t I?”
“Hmm… Would you prefer to call me Mister Dongfang?”
Dongfang Jiang harmonized the energy within his body.
When he had recovered enough, he stood up and answered Yisela.
“That works too. Whatever you say, Mister Dongfang.”
Yisela twirled a strand of hair around her finger.
In front of Dongfang Jiang, she appeared relaxed and composed, but inwardly she was sizing him up.
In the earlier battle, everyone present had noticed that Dongfang Jiang was able to use at least three different types of energy.
After the crisis was resolved, Yigenaxiu was helped to his feet by his servants.
Watching Dongfang Jiang chat cheerfully with his daughter, his expression was extremely complicated.
“Just like the one from the legends… Except this young man uses a completely different energy from King Valen. Yixiulan, you’re well-traveled. Can you identify which energies that young man used?”
Yigenaxiu turned to his third son, Yixiulan, who had just gotten to his feet—a young man renowned throughout the kingdom for his erudition.
“It’s hard to say… But he can harmonize energy and then convert it to affect the environment. I’ll look for it in some books tomorrow morning. However, rather than investigating that young man, we should first check on Big Brother’s condition. He’s…”
Both of them looked at the unconscious young man on the ground and fell silent.
Although Yisela had used Illusion Magic in time to save him, the silver-haired youth had still severely injured him.
Dongfang Jiang looked up at the time.
Only about ten minutes remained until his agreed meeting with Pandana.
“What’s wrong? Did you make a date with someone?”
Yisela noticed Dongfang Jiang’s gesture and asked with a smile.
Dongfang Jiang nodded and replied.
“Yes. The time I arranged to meet Pandana is almost here.”
“Is this Pandana one of your other Guardians?”
“Yes.”
Dongfang Jiang nodded again.
Seeing his expression, Yisela felt a playful impulse.
She put her finger to her lips, tilted her head, and looked at him with a teasing glint in her eyes.
“So which is better—me, or Miss Pandana?”
‘My god, what a death question…’
“See… You hesitated…”
Yisela saw exactly what she wanted.
She turned around so Dongfang Jiang couldn’t see the slight curl of her lips.
“I…”
Dongfang Jiang didn’t catch what was on Yisela’s mind.
He genuinely thought she was upset and was about to say something, but Yisela waved her hand.
“Butler, please see this young master out. He still has to meet Miss Pandana.”
“Yes, Young Lady.”
And so, Dongfang Jiang was escorted out of the house by the butler.
Only after confirming that he had completely left did Yisela let out a laugh.
“How amusing. I think following Mister Dongfang from now on will be quite entertaining.”
After saying that, Yisela looked toward her father.
She restrained her smile and walked slowly over to Yigenaxiu.
Yigenaxiu didn’t mention Dongfang Jiang.
Instead, he looked at Yisela with relief.
“Whew. Thank goodness we had you this time, Yisela.”
“It was my duty, Father. How is Big Brother now?”
“Terrible. If that young man hadn’t stepped in when he did, I’m afraid…”
“…”
Yisela and Yigenaxiu fell silent together.
The heavy atmosphere didn’t last long.
Yisela took a deep breath, placed her hand over her chest, and spoke solemnly to Yigenaxiu.
“Father, I’ve decided… to go on an adventure with Mister Dongfang.”
Yisela recalled the earlier battle.
Dongfang Jiang had displayed four different types of energy.
“So, Sister, counting you, Mister Dongfang only has three Guardians, right?”
“Hiss… Third Brother, is your skin itching?”
Hearing Yixiulan’s words, Yigenaxiu’s blood pressure instantly spiked.
No father would stay calm in such a situation.
“Well, this day was bound to come. And Mister Dongfang seems to get along with Sister… Alright, alright, I’ll stop.”
Before Yixiulan could finish, Yigenaxiu’s glare pierced him like a sharp sword, and Yixiulan obediently shut his mouth.
“Of course, I won’t foolishly leave with him. At least, not until Kaxiu is dealt with.”
Yisela stared in the direction Dongfang Jiang had gone.
Her eyes were filled with determination.
Yigenaxiu knew that Yisela wouldn’t stay forever.
“…Very well. Yisela’s happiness is what matters most.”
Meanwhile, although Dongfang Jiang had been “escorted out” by the butler, the butler treated him with great respect along the way.
“I will see you off only this far, Mister Dongfang.”
“Thank you, Mister Butler. Without you, I wouldn’t have known how to get out tonight…”
Because the Badan family had been attacked, the Noble District was locked down.
If the Badan butler hadn’t shown the family token, Dongfang Jiang would have been trapped inside.
“This is the Young Lady’s wish. Then, I’ll see you tomorrow, Mister Dongfang.”
The butler bid farewell politely.
Dongfang Jiang didn’t quite understand why the butler acted this way.
Scratching his head, he headed toward the place where he had agreed to meet Pandana.
The timing was perfect.
Pandana was sitting on Swamp Moon, ready to support Dongfang Jiang at a moment’s notice.
When she saw him return safely, she let out a soft sigh of relief, jumped down from Swamp Moon, and ran over to him.
“Sorry I’m late, Pandana.”
Dongfang Jiang embraced the running Pandana.
She rested her head against his chest and caught a pleasant scent of perfume.
“Did you find a new Guardian?”
“Yes. She’s the young lady of the Badan family—Yisela·Badan.”
“Badan… Badan… Eh? Really? Duke Yigenaxiu’s daughter?”
“Yes, she’s the one…”
Dongfang Jiang told Pandana everything that had happened that night.
Pandana listened and absorbed the information from his words.
“So that’s how it is. I fought the guy who had the Sun Ring of the Valen Rings and saved the Badan family.”
Dongfang Jiang touched his chest.
Out of the two rings that had remained, only one was left.
“I see… Well, let’s head back to the inn and rest up first, Mister Dongfang. Tomorrow will be busy.”
“Oh? Why?”
Dongfang Jiang perked up at Pandana’s words.
She smiled, stood on tiptoe, and whispered into his ear.
“Because… if you want to take the Badan family’s young lady away, you have to pay a price.”
“Huh?”
Hearing Pandana’s words, Dongfang Jiang’s mouth twitched.
What the hell is she talking about?