Chapter 166: 166 Good Brother

Chapter 166: A Good Brother

The conversation between Luo Ning and Rulans lasted a long time.

Beyond matters concerning the Sein Domain, the discussion eventually shifted largely to Rulans imparting to Luo Ning insights on cultivation.

For instance, when Bronze Knights refined their internal organs with aura, they could supplement their training by coordinating with external impacts.

Moreover, after each session, they could purchase potions from the Magic Energy Guild for medicinal baths to strengthen their physiques.

Luo Ning had never heard of medicinal baths in this world—it was his first encounter with the concept.

Fortunately, he had his attribute panel; otherwise, this would have been yet another expense.

Night deepened. When the clock struck past midnight, Luo Ning opened his monthly check-in interface and claimed the Warmth Gift Box.

This was the fifth month-end Warmth Gift Box he had received since his transmigration. As the box opened, his attribute points and energy essences surged dramatically.

[Check-in Successful: Attribute Points +40, Energy Essences +40]

Luo Ning allocated all newly acquired attribute points to his Knight rank. An invisible force strengthened his internal organs, and his physique ascended at an astonishing pace.

[Level]: 4—Bronze Knight (93/800); 4—Grand Mage (0/1200)

[Attribute Points]: 0

[Energy Essences]: 451

This time, he chose to prioritize his Knight rank. After enduring two assassination attempts, he understood that some battles erupted too suddenly—elevating his Knight rank offered crucial advantages in unforeseen confrontations.

Moreover, his future combat style would center on Knightly prowess and aura. Raising his Knight rank first was only logical.

“If I can successfully secure the title of Viscount this time, I’ll earn 278 attribute points each month. At this natural growth rate, it’ll take me seven months to break into Silver Rank.”

Seven months sounded long—but also short. After all, Luo Ning had already lived here five months without even realizing it.

The night passed in silence. When the sun rose again, it marked the final day of the Imperial Year 968.

The nobles gathered at Wushan Castle still mingled in small groups, chatting animatedly.

Servants bustled about, preparing for tonight’s banquet.

The First Knightly Regiment of Wushan Castle remained on high alert, guarding the fortress.

Luo Ning rose early, stretching his body. After a night’s rest, his condition had fully recovered—and thanks to yesterday’s power surge, his vitality and spirit had climbed to a new peak.

As he enjoyed breakfast, his first visitor arrived at his courtyard.

“Brother, there was so much going on last night—I didn’t get a chance to come see you.”

Breton sat down beside Luo Ning’s table, his voice trembling with excitement and concern. “I heard you suffered mental injury—how are you feeling now?”

Luo Ning took a bite of cake, then sipped milk. He hadn’t expected the first visitor to be this so-called younger brother.

“It’s nothing serious. I’m completely recovered.”

Luo Ning smiled. “You must be swamped today—how did you find time to come here?”

“I just wanted to see you!”

Breton leaned closer, disbelief flickering in his eyes. “Princess Diana said you’re a High Knight—is that true?”

Luo Ning’s status as a Bronze Knight was known only to Rulans. And after last night’s conversation, he intended to keep his true strength deliberately vague.

Thus, the outside world still believed him merely a High Knight.

“It’s true.”

Luo Ning smiled, opened his palm—and instantly, aura enveloped it like a silken armor.

Breton’s eyes widened in shock. “Whoa! It’s real! I couldn’t believe it last night!”

He leapt to his feet, pacing excitedly. “Brother, you’re already a High Knight at seventeen—this is incredible! Absolutely incredible!”

“You’re not bad either.”

Luo Ning encouraged him. “By the time you reach my age, you might even reach Bronze Rank.”

But Breton shook his head. Unlike Luo Ning, he’d received more refined education—he understood the staggering difficulty of becoming a Bronze Knight.

“I’d be perfectly content if I reached your level by seventeen.”

Breton was simple-minded, yet his lineage was complex—that was Rulans’s assessment.

Thinking of this, Luo Ning felt a stirring in his chest. “Whether or not you become a Bronze Knight, you and I are destined to surpass Father and become the pillars of the Wushan Clan.”

He gestured to the chair beside him, assuming the authoritative tone of an elder brother. “Sit down, Breton. I have something to say to you.”

Sensing Luo Ning’s seriousness, Breton obediently sat. “Brother, speak.”

“I know that now that my strength has been revealed, many will whisper lies around you.”

“Like—my sudden rise threatens your right to inherit the Marquis title. Some even say I’ll kill you to seize power.”

Time twisted—these were the very words Breton had once spoken to Luo Ning when he first approached him.

“But as you once told me—we are both of Wushan. We share the same silver hair and black eyes. We are brothers. I would never harm you.”

He paused, then continued: “Our rise, our strength—all serve to make the Wushan Clan stronger. Isn’t that your wish?”

Breton’s eyes shimmered, as if moved by Luo Ning’s sincerity.

He grinned widely. “Brother, you’re right—that’s exactly my wish!”

“Before, I thought I was more suitable because you weren’t strong enough. But now? You surpass me in cultivation. I believe the inheritance should return to you. I’ll be content to support you—as I always have!”

Indeed, Breton had no hidden motives. He simply believed strength determined worthiness.

Such a person was easy to get along with—but also easy to manipulate.

Yet if Luo Ning could truly win Breton’s heartfelt loyalty, he would gain a fiercely devoted, immensely powerful lieutenant.

Breton’s talent likely rivaled Ridal’s—crucially, he possessed an unyielding ambition to become strong.

Luo Ning’s task was to eliminate any possibility of fraternal strife, to wait until Breton matured, his mind hardened against manipulation by schemers.

“No,” Luo Ning smiled. “I don’t need that title.”

“Eventually, you’ll become Marquis of Wushan.”

Rulans still lived. Viggins was alive. The third generation inheriting the Marquis title? That was decades away.

By then, what heights would Luo Ning and his followers have reached?

“You don’t?”

Breton was stunned. Since last night, Diana had relentlessly insisted Luo Ning would come for his inheritance, painting their relationship as perilous.

He inwardly sighed with relief—thank heavens he’d come to speak with Luo Ning this morning. Otherwise, he might have been misled.

“Breton, sometimes you must raise your horizon.”

Luo Ning made a sweeping gesture. “Fixating on one thing often turns it into your chain.”

“Take swordsmanship, for example. When your skill reaches a certain level, clinging rigidly to one stance or technique will block your breakthrough.”

“At that point, you must elevate your perspective—view the art as a whole, examine it from every angle, feel its essence.”

He spoke at length, primarily to cultivate the image of a good elder brother in Breton’s heart.

And this example, while naturally correct, feels more like a lecture on grand principles—whether one grasps its meaning depends entirely on personal insight.

Bretton’s eyes sparkled; he felt his brother was imparting to him extraordinary wisdom, and he listened with rapt attention.

“Brother, your words have deeply moved me—I think I understand!”

Ronin cleared his throat, shifting the subject. “Did you bring your sword?”

Bretton leapt to his feet, knowing Ronin meant to test him. “I’ll go get it right away!”

“No need.”

Ronin rose and walked toward the courtyard. “Tom, lend your sword to Bretton. I’ll give him a few pointers in swordplay.”

(End of Chapter)