Shi Kai waved his hand.
"That's not what I mean," he said.
"What I'm trying to say is, if in the end it is Brother Luo who wins, please show mercy. He is, after all, a pillar of talent for Our Great Xia," he continued.
"And if you lose, I will step in to protect you," he added.
"Do you think I will lose?" Luo Yu's eyebrows rose, surprised to find himself doubted after having demonstrated the power to kill Quasi First-Rank Xue Can in seconds, and having just made a breakthrough.
Shi Kai gave a wry smile: "It's not that I don't believe in you, but after all, you haven't been cultivating for a long time, and that Qin Qi is certainly a once-in-a-century monstrous talent in Our Great Xia."
"Luoshenzi, you still have to be cautious," Yang Cang also joined the conversation at this point.
Cao Ying nodded, "Indeed, Luoshenzi cannot be careless. That Qin Family's Qin Qi is a born killer, and with the Qin Family's no-expense-spared cultivation, plus years of training, his strength is likely to surpass even us old folks."
First Rank Summit's Chang Yin Shan also nodded and said, "I haven't seen that Qin Qi, but I have encountered the Young Martial God of the Zhao Family who is considered Qin Qi's peer. With Second Rank strength, he could slay a First-Rank level ferocious beast within ten moves – his strength is evident and truly remarkable."
Luo Yu bowed his hands, knowing the many seniors meant no harm.
"I understand, and thank you all for the kind reminders," he said.
Seeing Luo Yu accomplishing such a great feat without any airs of arrogance, displaying humility and politeness, everyone couldn't help but give a warm smile.
Chang Yin Shan offered words of comfort: "Even if the Divine Child should lose, it doesn't matter. Don't be disheartened, for if you lose, it is due to age, and you will surely win back in time."
"Shi Kai, you must protect the Divine Child well. If anything truly goes wrong, our Cao Family will not stand for it," Cao Ying declared boldly.
"Nonsense, who asked for your opinion?" Shi Kai retorted: "Even though Qin Qi is my student, the Divine Child is my brother."
"Ahem."
Luo Tiance coughed.
"Have you forgotten about me?"
As Luo Tiance spoke up, the others immediately fell silent.
Having just displayed such a grand Dao Ze World, everyone's awareness of the abilities of this top figure of Great Xia deepened.
At this moment, Shi Kai spoke up, "My Brother Luo first defended the entire population of Guangyuan City, and now he has rescued over a hundred elite members of the Martial University, even slaying a First-Rank Summit Mountain Lord. Such meritorious deeds should suffice to obtain a top title from Great Xia."
The round and plump elder beside, a First Rank Summit and the head of the United Front Work Department of Great Xia, Song Jingang, responded upon hearing this, "How could I have forgotten this matter? Since he has accomplished such a great feat, of course there should be a reward, and it shall be publicized throughout the country to truly inspire and set an example."
"In my view, such meritorious deeds deserve one of the top three honorary titles of Great Xia," said Shi Kai, his eyes sparkling.
"One of the top three honorary titles?"
Not only were the older seniors around him startled, but the elite students of Martial University below had not expected Shi Kai to be so bold.
The three highest honorary titles of Great Xia, from highest to lowest:
"National Pillar."
"Wolf-slayer, Welcomer of Guests."
"Horse-drinker of the Vast Sea."
These are the highest honors that all military martial artists dream of obtaining.
Even Luotian, the top figure who serves the country and the people of Great Xia, has not yet received any title.
Strictly speaking, it's not that he doesn't want it, but rather that he and the other old folks of Great Xia have discussed it; these honors are meant to stimulate the youth.
They, remnants of an older era, would not get involved.
And now, of the three topmost honors, not a single one has been granted, as despite foreign forces stirring and the undercurrents being turbulent, there is a lack of grand battles on the surface and hence a lack of opportunities to establish one's achievements.
Luo Yu's heroic actions, however, have created tremendous merit.
"Why are you all looking away? Do you mean to say that the Divine Child's battle achievements are undeserving?" Shi Kai pointed down at Cao Ritian and the others, raising his voice, "They are the future mainstays of other Martial Universities and the future pillars of Our Great Xia. Is saving them not the same as saving Our Great Xia?"
"And among us here, who has killed a First Rank Summit, especially a terrifying existence that has survived since two millenniums ago?"
"For such a grand merit, bestowing one of the top three honorary titles is not excessive," Shi Kai said fervently, causing those hesitant ones like Chang Yin Shan to feel somewhat embarrassed.
"Old Shi, it's true as you say, but after all the Divine Child is still young..." the head of the United Front Work Department, Song Jingang, said softly.
"When we established this national policy, did we value merit or age?" Shi Kai glared, arguing his case strongly.
Cao Ying gave a wry smile, "Old Shi, we can't decide on this matter. To avoid any conflict of interest, even Director Luo shouldn't decide on his own. It will have to be Director Luo to chair a meeting where the heads of the Eight Great Families discuss and vote on it."
Luo Yu looked at everyone discussing and spoke up:
"Actually, I don't care much about vying for these empty honors. As long as I do things without any shame in my heart, that's enough. The stronger the power, the greater the responsibility one bears for Great Xia. Isn't patriotism a matter of course?"
Shi Kai swept his gaze across the others: "You all see, this is what a good son of Our Great Xia is like. However, Luo Brother, fame can be disregarded, but honor must not. Heroes must be remembered and should not let their blood be shed in vain."
"Alright, let's stop here," Luo Tiance spoke up, and everyone's gaze converged on him.
"Boom!"
Luo Tiance immediately opened up the Dao Ze World, instantly encompassing everyone in the Secret Realm within it, as the terrifying aura of the sword circulated in the Dao Ze World.
In the world above hung thousands of swordsman's light blades, breathing out edges that could shatter everything, causing everyone's skin to unconsciously tense up, emanating a chill all over.
This scene directly stunned everyone there, not knowing why Luo Tiance suddenly became so serious.
Luo Tiance declared loudly:
"I'd like to discuss something with everyone here."
"My grandson has not yet grown up. You may think that killing a First Grade has given you the power to protect yourself, but I think it's far from enough."
"First Grade is not enough?" At this moment, Shi Kai was one of the few who dared to speak with solid strength.
"Of course it's not enough," Luo Tiance said solemnly. "If the Foreign Forces knew that Xiao Yu's progress in less than half a year was so swift, how could they remain seated?
"If only a single country's forces were to invade, I alone with a sword would dare to stand at the border, fending them off with my blade."
The others nodded; these words might seem arrogant, but they trusted Luo Tiance's strength.
"But if several countries from beyond our borders join forces to come to kill Xiao Yu, could I, along with everyone here and the many powerful individuals not present, withstand them?"
The expressions of the experts turned ugly, even those like Cao Ritian below realized the severity of the issue.
Indeed.
The talent displayed by Luo Yu now was indeed too terrifying, so terrifying that it made one's scalp go numb. They were on his side, and thus they felt overwhelmingly fortunate.
But what if they were the enemy?
They would likely be restless, wanting to eliminate Luo Yu by any means necessary, even willing to join forces if needed.
After all, such acts of alliance are not beyond what the Foreign Forces would do.
"So you mean, we should continue to keep Godchild Luo Yu's identity a secret?" Shi Kai and the others quickly grasped Luo Tiance's intention.
Luo Tiance nodded:
"That is indeed my intention."
"I hope that once you leave the Secret Realm, do not reveal my grandson's true identity, let alone his combat strength."
Shi Kai sighed: "With so many people, to ensure that no information is leaked out—this is difficult."
Luo Tiance swept his gaze over the Martial University team members, making many of them feel a tingling on their scalp, involuntarily stepping back.
Luo Tiance's mouth twitched, and he couldn't help but curse:
"Do you really think I would kill people to silence them?"
"This is Great Xia!!"
"I won't do anything to you; I just hope that if you identify with being a person of Great Xia, then do not let the news leak out."
The Martial University team members, looking into the elderly man's clear eyes, felt ashamed, realizing they had thought too darkly of the situation.
"As for my grandson's deeds, let's accumulate them together and bring them up later."
Luo Tiance put away the Dao Ze World and gave some instructions to everyone on how to respond to inquiries from outside, to ensure Luo Yu was well-protected, and to give him time to grow.
As the people gradually left the Tiger-Dwelling Mountain Secret Realm, Luo Yu's spiritual power boiled over, as the Ancient Spirit of Emperor Qin Shi Huang spontaneously appeared.
Staring into one direction within the Secret Realm.
"Hmm?"
"Is there something in that direction?"
"What's wrong, Xiao Yu?" Luo Tiance was still by his side, having not seen his grandson for a long time and having much to say but not having had the chance to catch up.
Luo Yu pointed in one direction of the Secret Realm.
"There is something over there, I think it might be treasure. It can't possibly be another Mountain Lord, that would be too exaggerated."
"I'll take you there," Luo Tiance sent the others out of the Secret Realm and vanished from the spot with Luo Yu in an instant teleportation.