A World Worth Protecting

1

This was the first time Wang Baole had brought his parents on such a long trip after he had come of age. They went over mountains and crossed rivers. They traveled through forests and crossed the vast deserts.

It didn’t matter if it was a dangerous place filled with ferocious beasts, a barren, deserted land, or somewhere with atrocious weather that no ordinary human dared venture. Excluding the few forbidden areas on Earth, with Wang Baole’s current Core Formation realm cultivation, he would be able to bring his parents along and travel through the places without any difficulty.

The Nascent Soul realm was the highest cultivation realm that had been attained by anyone in the present Federation. Having entered the Core Formation realm… one would be identified as one of the most powerful cultivators in the Federation.

Besides, after being promoted to the Secondary Rank Two Noble, Wang Baole was able to access confidential information that only Secondary Rank Two Nobles and above were privy to. He read some documents about the Great Earth Array Formation. The documents stated clearly that… Secondary Rank Two Nobles and above had limited access to the Great Earth Array Formation. Even though the access was considerably limited, to even hold such access rights would ensure that few who were of lower ranks would dare to offend and cause him trouble.

The trouble-free vacation went on for more than a month, and Wang Baole could feel that his parents were beginning to tire, not physically but mentally. That was when he ended the vacation and brought them to… Ethereal City!

Ethereal City surpassed Phoenix City vastly. It was a grand spectacle that stood on the great lands. The size of the city and its population, as well as the number of powerful cultivators in the city and what it signified to Earth, placed Ethereal City comfortably in the top five of the seventeen main cities on Earth!

With the Ethereal Dao College right next to the city, its defenses were strengthened considerably as well. Furthermore, it sat in the center of the Federation’s southwestern region, and its influence and power blanketed the entire region like a wide web. It was akin to the leading power in the southwestern region.

That was why huge hordes of cultivators and ordinary folk came to Ethereal City every day. They either transited here, came seeking work, or to do business. As a result, the city was constantly bustling with life and noise. In the day, it was crowded with vehicles and pedestrians, while at night, it shone and dazzled with neon lights.

Consequently, the price of things in Ethereal City was higher than those in Phoenix City. Land, especially, was extremely valuable, as there was a greater demand than supply.

After all, Ethereal City was the regional city of the southwestern region. It had been the center of economic and political activity through both eras of peace and unrest. Many rich and wealthy people gathered in Ethereal City, and countless resources and wealth unknown to the public had also been invested or placed inside the city.

No one walking on the streets of Ethereal City should be underestimated, as a seemingly dull-looking character might surprisingly be hiding hordes of wealth. This was a common occurrence.

The various superiorities gave Ethereal City residents a sense of superiority when facing outsiders. Additionally, Ethereal City’s status and wealth often shocked the majority of visitors who were visiting the city for the first time. Awed by the majesty and grandeur of the great city, they couldn’t help feeling inferior.

Wang Baole’s parents were ordinary folk who had lived their entire lives in Phoenix City. Even though Wang Baole’s father had been to Ethereal City in the past for work, this trip was different. They were going to settle down here. As the cruiser approached the city, he began to feel a myriad of emotions, and Wang Baole’s mother felt the same.

“This city is too big… it’s not as nice as our Phoenix City…”

“It’s too big, and there are too many people. People won’t be as friendly…”

“Baole, I heard that the folks in these great cities often ostracize outsiders…” Such thoughts hadn’t passed Wang Baole’s mother’s mind during their journey here. However, as they approached, she was clearly feeling slightly hesitant, so she began to nag.

Wang Baole stood patiently by his mother’s side with a smile on his face. After comforting her, she finally seemed to calm down slightly. It was clear that she still had many concerns though. It didn’t matter that she knew how amazing her son was, or that she didn’t know what exactly she was worried about, she simply felt that everything happening now was surreal and unbelievable.

Wang Baole understood how she felt. After some thought, he sent a voice transmission to Lin You when the cruiser approached Ethereal City’s aerial port.

Lin You was in his residence, looking at the ancient tree before him when he received Wang Baole’s voice transmission. He had a Spirit Stone in his hand. He wasn’t cultivating though, only thinking about some matters concerning the Senate. He had a habit. He liked to touch the smooth surface of a Spirit Stone while he was thinking. This was something he had cultivated during the Beast War.

Lin You set his thoughts aside after receiving Wang Baole’s voice transmission. He turned his voice transmission ring on, looked at it, then laughed. He had high expectations of Wang Baole, and Lin Tianhao was working extremely well with Wang Baole now. Besides, Lin You and Wang Baole currently shared a similar status. He placed great importance on Wang Baole’s moving his family to his city, so he immediately made arrangements.

As a result, when Wang Baole’s cruiser landed in Ethereal City’s aerial port, he saw Lin You and his escorts waiting there to personally welcome his arrival. As soon as Wang Baole got out, he immediately cupped his fists and saluted Lin You as a junior would his senior. Lin You simply laughed, stepped forward, and gave Wang Baole a pat!

They shared few meetings with each other but had been communicating quite frequently. They didn’t feel awkward or unfamiliar with each other at all as they chatted merrily. Lin You was also extremely cordial to Wang Baole’s parents.

After learning that the man before them was the city lord of Ethereal City, Wang Baole’s parents instinctively felt slightly nervous. Lin You sensed their nervousness. His smiles were kind, and he behaved like an ordinary person, like a neighbor who was friendly and not disinclined towards the occasional teasing.

“Brother Wang, Lady Wang, after settling down, please help me say a few good words to your son, Baole. It’s really quite embarrassing, but my only son, that useless child, is now working for Baole.”

Wang Baole’s parents burst out into laughter as soon as they heard that. They knew that Lin You was joking. He was trying to put them at ease. At the same time, he was trying to remind them that Wang Baole was no longer just a typical, ordinary person. He was trying to strengthen their faith in him.

Wang Baole was extremely touched by the scene, and he bowed towards Lin You again.

Lin You had made comprehensive arrangements. After receiving Wang Baole’s family, he brought them to the inner city area near the City Lord’s residences. He lent a considerably-sized house to Wang Baole.

It was a loan in principle, but a gift in practice.

The residence’s land area was vast. It had a lawn and gardens, as well as three pavilions. The place was elegantly decorated and quiet. Such quiet spots in the bustling city were worth a fortune. In addition, it was situated in the inner city area, and this set Wang Baole’s heart at ease with regard to any safety and defense concerns.

Lin You had also made arrangements for servants. However, Wang Baole’s parents weren’t used to having servants. After Wang Baole tactfully turned down the offer, Lin You took his leave.

Even after Lin You left with his men, Wang Baole’s parents continued to stare at the huge residence. They felt as if they were in a dream. Pride for their son unfurled in their hearts once again.

Lin You had made further arrangements. A few days later, after a discussion with Wang Baole’s family, the city’s archeology department welcomed an additional supervisor. It was Wang Baole’s father!

A new position with considerable authority was created concurrently in the city’s education department. The person appointed to the post was Wang Baole’s mother!

Lin You believed that the best way to assimilate into a new city wasn’t to go around announcing who Wang Baole was and having countless hordes of sycophants gathering around the family. It was to create a place for Wang Baole’s parents within the Ethereal City’s administrative system. This would allow them to form their own social circles.

There was no need to flaunt or intentionally hide who they were. Let nature run its course. After all, regardless of what happened, and regardless of any trouble that Wang Baole’s parents might encounter, as long as it was something Wang Baole and Lin You could resolve, it wasn’t an insurmountable problem!

The elderly couple started work in their new workplaces. They got familiar with their new environment and began to have something to fill their time with. Gradually, the family settled down in Ethereal City.

Wang Baole’s father concentrated on work. In comparison, Wang Baole’s mother had prioritized Wang Baole’s marriage. She spent most of her time assessing potential partners for her son.

Wang Baole started to consider whether he should make a trip back to Ethereal Dao College now. He had to get his new Core Formation realm cultivation technique and settle some other matters.

A few days later, Wang Baole left his house in the morning. He transformed into an arc of rainbow and raced towards… the Ethereal Dao College!