Chapter 82. Flattery and Arrangements
The invisible pressure radiating from Xilan made the gathered nobles hurriedly withdraw their gazes, and the atmosphere in the hall turned somewhat stiff for a moment.
William noticed none of it. He remained focused on checking the aptitude of every person who came forward, his spiritual perception never relaxing for even an instant.
Two hours later, the York Family had finally all been screened.
William picked up the High-Grade Healing Potion on the table and drank it. A gentle stream of energy flowed through his body, dispelling the fatigue brought on by maintaining such intense concentration for so long.
Count York quickly walked over to the record keepers, carefully collected the parchment recording the aptitudes of his family’s descendants, and stored it in his Spatial Ring.
He then turned and bowed to Xilan before smiling at William. “Your Highness has worked hard. This small token is hardly worthy of mention, but I ask that Your Highness accept it.”
As he spoke, he offered over a Spatial Ring, then tactfully withdrew back into the crowd.
William looked toward Xilan. Seeing him give a slight nod, he accepted the ring and tucked it away.
At Xilan’s command, the second family began stepping forward one after another.
Time slipped by quietly. When three descendants with Domain Aptitude appeared in succession within that family, Count York’s face, which had been full of springtime cheer a moment ago, instantly fell.
Looking at the middle-aged woman who was beside herself with joy, he could not help cursing inwardly, and even secretly spat on the ground.
Before long, it was noon. Surrounded by the nobles, William was led into a spacious and luxurious banquet hall.
After everyone took their seats in order, exquisite dishes were brought to the table one after another. Crystal goblets were filled with amber-colored fruit wine, and the air was filled with the aroma of food and a faint magical incense.
“Your Highness, please try this glazed fish. It’s a special species found only in the lakes of the Secret Realm, smoked over the plume feathers of a Silver Rank Flamebird. The taste is exceptionally fresh.”
A noble eagerly served William some food, his face wearing a perfectly measured smile.
William tasted a bite out of courtesy. The flavor truly was excellent, but what interested him more was the atmosphere at the banquet.
On the surface, it seemed harmonious and cheerful, but in truth, everyone was probing one another. Especially when the aptitudes of each family’s descendants were mentioned, the competition and rivalry hidden in their words was nearly spilling over.
Xilan did not remain in the banquet hall. Instead, he took the four record keepers with him to a secluded room.
Inside, there was only a long table and several chairs. The lighting was somewhat dim, making it feel like a completely different world from the lively bustle outside.
He turned around, his gaze falling on the four of them as his tone turned stern.
“Make another copy of every aptitude from the York Family and the second family just now. Not a single detail may be omitted.”
The four immediately bowed. The lead clerk replied respectfully, “Yes, Lord Xilan. Please rest assured, my lord. We have all undergone special training and possess perfect recall. There will not be the slightest mistake.”
Xilan gave a slight nod and said nothing more before turning and pushing the door open to leave.
He knew these clerks belonged to the Royal Family’s secret investigators, and neither their loyalty nor their ability needed to be questioned. But the matter was too important. The records had to be absolutely accurate.
Especially when it came to the aptitudes that had been deliberately concealed or misjudged, those often hid the deepest intentions of those families.
Inside the room, the four quickly divided up the work, spread out clean parchment, and began writing at once.
The rustling of their pens sounded especially clear in the silent room.
They recalled every name and every aptitude, even recording the appearance of the infants in exact detail, comparing everything line by line with the previous records to ensure not the slightest discrepancy.
After leaving the room, Xilan did not return to the banquet hall. Instead, he headed straight toward the depths of the castle.
There was a magic communication chamber there connected directly to the Royal Family. He needed to report the preliminary screening results to Ancestor as quickly as possible.
Xilan knew very well how important these five people with Domain Aptitude were. If they only stopped at Legend, that would be one thing. But if they advanced into the Domain...
So he quickened his pace toward the arcane communication chamber, intending to inform Ancestor about the five individuals who had been identified as possessing Domain Aptitude.
Upon entering the chamber, Xilan gently shut the heavy stone door, and the room immediately fell into silence.
He walked up to the communication crystal inlaid with ancient Runes, formed hand seals with both hands, and began chanting under his breath.
As strands of faint light lit up one after another among the Runes, Fenlilan’s image gradually surfaced on the crystal’s surface.
“Ancestor, there has been a major discovery in this aptitude screening. A total of five people with Domain Aptitude have appeared in the York Family and the second family,” Xilan said with a grave expression.
When Fenlilan heard that, a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes. After a moment of thought, he said, “I didn’t expect those two families to have some talent after all. Five with Domain Aptitude... killing them would be quite a pity.”
“Especially now that those neighboring countries have been growing increasingly restless lately. I understand. We’ll talk after the testing is finished.”
Xilan nodded and continued, “Ancestor, should I speak with little William and have him falsify the results?”
Fenlilan frowned slightly and thought for a moment.
“No need. Those families are not fools either. If they hadn’t gone too far before, secretly murdering a girl from the Royal Family who was suspected to have Domain Aptitude...”
“I would not have gone so far as to bury two of the Royal Family’s Legends alongside theirs just to set a trap and kill their Legends. Keep watching them.”
Xilan nodded.
“Yes, Ancestor.”
“Oh, right, Ancestor. Little William has now become a prized treasure in the eyes of those nobles. Do you think we should send more people to protect him in secret?”
“I already arranged that long ago. I’ve already assigned Meiying to follow him. Meiying is both a Legendary Knight and a Professional of the Shadow Assassin class. There is no need for you to worry.”
The great weight in Xilan’s heart finally lifted. Meiying’s name was like thunder in the Secret Realm.
A Legendary Knight, and at the same time a Shadow Assassin Professional. With someone like that protecting him in secret, little William’s safety truly required no further concern.
Looking at Fenlilan’s figure in the crystal mirror, Xilan could not help but begin to imagine the future.
William’s eyes, which could see through aptitude, were practically a gift from heaven to the Royal Family.
If they could use his ability to uncover, one by one, those gifted members of the Royal Family hidden among the various branches, then supplement them with the Secret Realm’s resources and the guidance of famous teachers...
It would not take many years before batches of top-tier powerhouses would inevitably emerge under the Royal Family’s banner.
By that time, not only would they be able to completely suppress those restless families within the kingdom, but even the neighboring countries eyeing them like tigers from the sidelines—who would dare challenge their edge again?
Perhaps the entire balance of the continent would truly be rewritten because of this.
Xilan took a deep breath, suppressing the surging excitement in his heart, and respectfully bowed to the crystal.
“Ancestor has considered everything thoroughly. I understand.”
The faint light on the crystal gradually dimmed, and Fenlilan’s image vanished with it.
Xilan remained standing where he was, unconsciously rubbing the embroidery on his sleeve with his fingertips. His eyes flickered with longing for the future—a vast new era led by the Royal Family.