A few more days passed, and the final talent assessment completely came to an end.
However, the high-level officials of the Holy Sanctuary did not feel any sense of relief.
They remained seated together, staring at the light screen where the name “Lu Mo” was written in the knights’ column under Cecilia’s section, and they all began to worry. Although Lu Mo did not possess any divine power talent, she had demonstrated a high-level Transcendental rank of power during the tests. In fact… she was even slightly stronger than Solaris, who was at the same high-level Transcendental rank!
A peer without any divine power talent—a mere mortal—could reach such a terrifying level and suppress everyone else. This was something that had likely never happened in the entire history of the Holy Sanctuary!
“Lu Mo… is she a human or a monster?”
“How exactly did she step into the Transcendental rank when her talent and cultivation resources were inferior to those of her peers?”
“And during the six years she was missing… what exactly happened?”
But no matter how much they speculated or how much they were unwilling to believe it, all of this was a fact.
That young girl, whom they had never thought highly of and who lacked any divine power talent, had easily crushed the geniuses of classes like the Holy Dragon Knights and the Heroes during the talent assessment. Even when facing the strongest Hero, she did not show the slightest hint of fear.
It was just…
“That girl really is like a madman,” someone whispered.
When she was performing the fusion sublimation, he had been truly frightened. In his eyes, the girl was a complete lunatic.
When Lu Mo faced Solaris and prepared to fuse three types of attribute powers, she seemed as if she would raise her sword against any existence that stood in her way and strike it down—no matter the price she would ultimately pay.
Even if… doing so would mean destroying herself.
Just thinking about the look in Lu Mo’s eyes when she stared at Solaris made him shiver.
“But she certainly proved her strength to us, didn’t she?”
Another official said, “With a high-level Transcendental rank, she even defeated several Sequence Heroes. There is no doubt that she has the ability to protect the Saintess.”
“It’s just… is she really controllable?”
Someone else raised a concern. “Will a madman like that actually protect Cecilia?”
Lu Mo’s performance was simply too subversive and too rebellious. She was very likely to become an uncontrollable variable.
“Actually, I’ve also spent the past few days asking the Kalis and Helovite families about this,” a man said slowly. “Lu Mo and Cecilia have known each other since they were children. In the past, whenever Cecilia was bullied, Lu Mo was the one who stood up for her. Lu Mo’s personality was likely formed during that time—for herself and for Cecilia, she had no choice but to fight with her life.”
“Therefore, she will definitely protect Cecilia.”
“As for whether she is controllable… as long as Cecilia is there, she will not lose control.”
“Furthermore, putting Lu Mo in the First Sequence Squad will better stimulate Solaris, further activating her true potential and power, won’t it?”
Everyone present still believed that the future of the Holy Sanctuary belonged to Solaris.
This point was absolutely beyond doubt.
Powerful God-blood and divine power talent were things that could never be caught up to simply by risking one’s life or through hard work.
“Fine, we have discussed this topic enough.”
Finally, the elder spoke. “Let us begin. It is time to take a vote.”
After saying that, he was the first to raise his hand.
Soon after, the other high-level officials followed suit and raised their hands one by one.
Ultimately, the vast majority of people raised their hands.
This meant they acknowledged Lu Mo’s status as Cecilia’s knight. She remained the only candidate for Cecilia’s knight.
Soon, the list of Hero teams was also announced.
When Cecilia saw that her name and Lu Mo’s were clearly listed in the First Sequence Squad, the heart she had been holding in her throat finally settled.
“Hehe… hehehe…”
She couldn’t help but giggle in the crowd. Her cowlick was spinning in the air, and her eyes curved into crescent moons.
That day, she hugged Lu Mo’s arm tightly and didn’t let go for a long time.
But as her mood gradually calmed down and she saw the name “Solaris” written at the very top of the team list, Cecilia’s smile slowly vanished, replaced by a touch of displeasure.
“Alright, it’s fine.”
Lu Mo pinched her cheek and rubbed her head, comforting her. “There’s… some filth in the team,” she muttered under her breath.
Under Lu Mo’s gentle touch, Cecilia soon showed a satisfied smile again.
Solaris or whoever else… she didn’t care for now. As long as Miss Lu Mo could always be by her side, it was enough.
“I will definitely become the Holy Sanctuary’s strongest knight.”
“When that time comes, no one will be able to take you away.”
She would never forget the promise Lu Mo had made to her. When she was with Lu Mo, she felt very at peace, as if she could forget all her troubles and unhappiness.
Once everyone’s team had been confirmed, the Holy Sanctuary officials also announced the subsequent training plan. The various teams would be dispatched to different locations to carry out missions.
This time, they would completely leave the greenhouse to face the real and cruel world, and to confront those bloodthirsty and crazed Demons.
“Among you, some will become the core of the next generation of the Holy Sanctuary.”
“Some will surpass their fathers and grandfathers.”
“Some will go down in history, their names written into stories to be passed down through the generations.”
“And some… will be crippled, or die.”
The voices of the high-level officials were clear and loud.
The young men and women listened intently. Some felt their blood boiling with excitement, while others fell into deep thought. There were also those who, upon realizing they might die in battle against the Demons, showed fear of the unknown.
The day of departure was set for one month later.
The youths returned to their respective families one after another. The atmosphere of parting quietly began to spread. At the thought that they would soon be leaving this place to begin a long expedition, many people showed reluctance.
Some parents suddenly hugged their children and burst into tears.
There was a man who carried a large barrel of wine to find his son. At first, he remained silent, but as they drank more and more, they both began to talk more. In the end, they got dead drunk and nearly swore brotherhood on the spot.
There was a woman who stayed by her daughter’s side, and the two of them talked all night long.
It was naturally no different for Lu Mo and Cecilia.
“Finally, this day has arrived after all…”
“In the blink of an eye, the children have grown up. In another blink, they are about to embark on the path we once walked.”
The heads of the two families sat together, lamenting as they drank one glass after another. It was strange; even though there were other children who were also about to travel far, the figures that kept appearing in their minds were always those of their own daughters.
They talked about Lu Mo and Cecilia, constantly raising their glasses, yet they did not use their realm power to dispel the effects of the alcohol. Eventually, both of them were drunk.
“I’m sorry… Cecilia… I’m sorry…”
“It’s your father’s fault for not giving you a happy childhood…”
“Lu Mo… your father was wrong… I shouldn’t have chosen to ignore you when you were most helpless…”
“Forgive your father… it’s all my fault…”
The two men held each other and wept.
Outside the door, Cecilia watched this scene with some concern.
“Will they… be alright?”
“They’re fine, don’t mind them,” Lu Mo said. “Once they sober up, they’ll naturally go back to normal.”
Before leaving, Lu Mo looked back at the two men who were still crying bitterly.
“Let’s go.” She pulled at Cecilia.
“Okay.” Cecilia nodded and followed her.
In the end, Lu Mo said nothing and led her away.
The day of the long journey approached day by day. The youths began to pack their bags.
Some filled their spatial rings with purple-gold coins, wealth enough to buy a small city. Some brought a large number of high-level combat technique scrolls and even prepared several life-saving treasures. Others brought powerful weapons in which the remnant souls of their ancestors slumbered.
The parents also desperately stuffed all sorts of supplies into their spatial rings. It was as if the more they brought, the safer they would be, and the sooner they would be able to return.
As for Lu Mo and Cecilia, although the heads of the two families had also prepared many things, their own luggage was very minimal.
Lu Mo remained as usual, only taking some essentials and the sword that had accompanied her for many years. To her surprise, this time, Cecilia actually didn’t bring many things either.
“Your luggage is so light?” Lu Mo couldn’t help but ask.
“I’m not bringing much,” Cecilia answered softly.
“You’re not crying either?”
“No.”
Cecilia looked at Lu Mo and smiled. Her clear eyes reflected the girl’s figure and the entire blue sky behind her.
“Because I’ve already brought all my most precious things with me,” she said softly. “My diary, my dome hat… my childhood treasures, and the song you taught me to sing, ‘Scarborough Fair.'”
“Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme…”
She began to hum softly. Her song was ethereal, and her voice was pure. In an instant, it seemed to transport one back to a lazy afternoon from many years ago—
The sunlight was just right, and the breeze was gentle.
Lu Mo turned around at that moment, tilting her head back and closing her eyes. She slowly spread her arms, feeling the rhythm of the world while quietly listening to the girl’s singing.
She didn’t notice—
Cecilia was staring at her back.
That gaze was earnest, joyful, and filled with happiness.
‘Actually, my most precious possession…’
‘Is you, Miss Lu Mo.’
She said softly in her heart. To her, Lu Mo was far more important than those childhood treasures or that song.