Chapter 267: AN UNEXPECTED WELCOME

While the carriage rolled ahead, a silence prevailed inside for quite some time until Daliah took the initiative to break it. “So, Logan, what had you been doing in these past three years?”

Although she and Rowan had both met Logan two weeks ago, they hadn’t talked much during that time. So now that it would take some time to reach the royal palace, she thought now would be the perfect time to talk.

“What I had been doing for the past three years, huh?” Logan whispered as he began to share his experience. Both Rudeous and Alice also concentrated on what Logan was saying because, as parents, they also had the urge to know what Logan had been going through.

Logan began to recount everything from the very beginning.

He spoke about the entrance test, how he had unexpectedly caught the eye of Guildmaster Ali Arkman on the very first day, and how he’d been offered a chance to become his personal disciple. He described the start of his hunter life, the solo raids, lurking through shadowy dungeons, and the raw thrill of facing monsters head-on.

When he brought up the strange behavior of the monsters, how they seemed to strategize, to think, Rowan instinctively leaned forward, his eyes narrowing with interest. That detail alone was enough to shake anyone.

As Logan described the dangers he had faced, Alice sat beside him quietly, her fingers clutching the hem of her clothes, worry flickering in her eyes. But every time he reassured them that he had come back unharmed, she would let out a soft sigh of relief.

And then came the part that drew everyone in… the dungeon break from two years ago.

Even Rudeous, who had remained composed till now, found himself listening intently, his expression turning grave as he imagined what might have happened next.

Logan then spoke about how, by sheer luck, he had discovered an orb deep inside that chaotic dungeon, an orb overflowing with spiritual energy. He didn’t say that he actually got it from Nolan because he didn’t want questions he couldn’t answer.

The moment those words left his mouth, Rowan and Daliah’s eyes lit up.

After stepping onto the path of cultivation themselves, they had quickly realized one truth: spiritual energy was exceedingly rare. The traces in nature were practically nonexistent, like trying to quench your thirst with a single drop of rain.

Rowan, despite his curiosity, felt it would be impolite to ask Logan to reveal such a treasure.

But Daliah had no such reservations.

“Logan, can you show us the orb? Pretty please?” she asked sweetly, her voice laced with innocent excitement. Her eyes sparkled so brightly that it would have taken a blind man not to be moved.

Logan smiled. “Why not?”

He raised his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, the orb popped out from his storage ring and started hovering just above his palm.

The moment it emerged, the atmosphere inside the carriage shifted.

Both Rowan and Daliah felt it immediately.

Their breathing paused. The air felt denser, purer…. Filled with an abundance of spiritual energy.

They stared at the orb, completely mesmerized, as if entranced by the very essence of cultivation itself.

Logan chuckled, clearly amused by the way both siblings were staring at the orb as if they’d seen a treasure from heaven.

“Once we reach the palace,” he said with a relaxed smile, “you both can try cultivating with it.”

“R-Really?!” Daliah stammered, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

But Rowan, more cautious, raised a concern. “But if we cultivate using it… won’t the spiritual energy inside get used up? I mean, how will you cultivate then?”

Logan shook his head gently. “Don’t worry. There’s more than enough. Even if a thousand people used it to reach the Martial Emperor Realm, it still wouldn’t run dry.”

“What?!” Daliah gasped. “That much? And all of it inside this tiny orb?!”

“Yes,” Logan replied calmly. “Though it looks small, it’s actually more like a spiritual storage orb. The space inside is vast, far bigger than what you see on the outside.”

“I see…” Rowan nodded, realization dawning in his eyes. But then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he asked, “Logan, what level are you at now? I mean, I know you’ve already surpassed S-Class… but in terms of cultivation, what realm are you in?”

“I’m at the Ultimate Grandmaster level,” Logan answered without a hint of pride, as if it were no big deal.

But his calm words hit the siblings like thunder.

“Y-You’re… already an Ultimate Grandmaster?!” Rowan blurted out, completely shaken. “Didn’t you say each breakthrough takes years? Then how did you reach so far so fast?!”

Logan nodded, acknowledging the confusion. “You’re right. Normally, every breakthrough takes a few years. But as I mentioned before, the speed of cultivation depends on several things.. first and foremost, your breathing technique. A high-level breathing technique can increase your cultivation speed by many folds.”

He paused for a moment before continuing, his tone taking on a more instructive edge, like a master guiding his disciples.

“Secondly, there’s the issue of spiritual energy. When you cultivate, the spiritual energy in the surrounding area gets absorbed and thins out. It takes time to replenish. And you can’t always keep moving from place to place whenever that happens. So progress becomes slow.”

“But with this orb, I didn’t have to worry. It gave me a steady and abundant flow of spiritual energy. I didn’t have to pause or relocate. That alone gave me a massive advantage.”

He glanced at them briefly, but didn’t mention the final and most important factor.. talent. The more talented you were, the faster you progressed. And Logan’s talent was… monstrous. Or else, how could he be the only one standing at the peak of cultivation, Martial Emperor realm in his previous life?

Meanwhile, Rudeous and Alice sat quietly, listening to their conversation without interrupting.

They didn’t say much but their expressions said everything.

Their son had returned.

Safe. Accomplished. Respected.

Seeing how naturally he interacted with royalty, and how warmly Rowan and Daliah spoke to him, the pride in their hearts overflowed.

For them, this was more than enough.

Amidst their lively conversation, none of them noticed how quickly time had passed. Hours had slipped by unnoticed, and it wasn’t until the carriage finally came to a smooth halt that they realized they had arrived.

The moment the door was opened, Logan stepped out first and he was taken aback instantly.

His eyes widened slightly at the sight before him.

Standing at the entrance of the grand royal palace were none other than the King and Queen themselves, waiting.

Not seated. Not surrounded by attendants. But standing.

A sight so rare it could leave anyone stunned.

Moments later, Rudeous and Alice stepped down. And just like Logan, their jaws tightened with disbelief.

Who were they, after all? The King and Queen, undoubtedly the most revered, powerful figures in the entire kingdom. And yet here they stood, personally awaiting the arrival of a guest.

Standing.

It was a gesture that spoke volumes. And anyone who witnessed it would be nothing short of shocked.

Daliah came out next, her steps faltering for just a moment when she too saw her parents standing like that.

But when Rowan came down and saw it, he remained composed.

He understood.

He knew his parents well and this wasn’t just about manners or formality. This was politics.

Considering Logan’s performance, it was only natural.

A 15-year-old who had already surpassed the S-Class threshold, someone with the power and presence that could shake all other kingdoms… Who wouldn’t want to be on his good side?

To the world, Logan might still be young.

But to the royal family, he was already a force.

And in the realm of power, no one wasted time forging alliances late.

The moment they stepped out and saw the king and queen, Rudeous and Alice instinctively bowed, not daring to show the slightest hint of disrespect.

“G-Greetings, Your Highness,” they said in unison, their voices steady but their backs already damp with nervous sweat.

Logan, too, gave a polite bow, though his was more relaxed, a mere lowering of the head.

Back during the tournament, only Rowan had approached the royal carriage when it appeared outside the arena. He had spoken to the king and queen alone, and Logan’s parents had remained at a distance.

So this was the first time Rudeous and Alice were meeting the heads of this kingdom face-to-face.

And now that they were standing in front of them, the King and Queen of Arcadia, the pressure hit them like a wave. Their minds raced, hands slightly trembling, unsure of what to say or how to act. Who wouldn’t be overwhelmed?

But then, something happened that left them completely stunned.

The King and Queen… greeted them as well.

And not just politely, but warmly, with genuine enthusiasm.

“Greetings, Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” the King said with a dignified smile. “It’s truly a pleasure to have you as our guests today.”

“Please,” the Queen added, her voice gentle yet regal, “let’s head inside.”

“W-What?!” Rudeous and Alice exchanged a look, utterly stunned.

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