Chapter 981: Eventuality P5: Half-step Nascent Soul Lord Kanis Kinwind

A Half-step Nascent Soul cultivator was different from False Nascent.

They had already touched the threshold of Nascent Soul while retaining their potential to advance further. Their Spirit Essence, soul, comprehension, or other fundamental aspects had begun undergoing a transformation toward the next realm.

But they hadn’t crossed the final threshold.

As long as they obtained the right opportunity and fulfilled the necessary conditions, they could still condense a genuine Nascent Soul and become a true Nascent Soul King.

That distinction alone made the young sword cultivator terrifying.

Technically speaking, a False Nascent and a half-step Nascent belonged in the same realm and as such they should be seen on the similar levels. However, the reality was different.

This was because a half-step Nascent had a much higher status in their respective organizations than their False Nascent counterparts. This higher status meant better access to special resources and precious artifacts. Thus, a half-step Nascent typically had much higher battle prowess than a False Nascent in real life situations.

Mirelle’s expression became solemn.

"He’s younger than both of you. As a young true sword cultivator Lord with a potential to become a King in the future, he is not an ordinary member of his faction."

Anaah didn’t answer.

Neither did Rumaal.

The three Lords exchanged a brief glance.

Then, without needing to say anything, they unanimously stopped.

Their flight came to a complete halt.

Nobody wanted to approach that group.

The reason wasn’t merely their cultivation.

It was the identity of those cultivators.

The trio paid close attention and managed to recognize the insignia on their robes even from a considerable distance separating them.

A sword descending through a mountain.

The emblem of the Swordfall Domain.

The Swordfall Realm was one of the Eight Major Faction powers of the Shinayin Empire, ruled by King Yuan.

Technically, the trio and the group of sword cultivators were on the same side.

All of them were imperial cultivators dispatched to Orveth.

The entire Orveth Subcontinent was currently being treated as a region that would eventually be brought under the Empire’s influence.

So, logically speaking, there was no reason for Rumaal and his wives to fear encountering another imperial faction. Especially in Orveth.

Unfortunately, that logic didn’t account for sword cultivators.

Everyone in the Shinayin Empire knew that Swordfall cultivators were eccentric.

They were obsessed with swords and notorious for having an unusual appetite for valuable resources. And when they wanted something, they rarely cared whether the owner was technically an ally.

A sword cultivator could find a reason for almost anything.

You possessed a valuable artifact?

They wanted to inspect it.

You possessed a rare Spirit herb?

They wanted to discuss its origin.

You had a powerful cultivation technique?

They wanted to exchange pointers.

And if none of those excuses worked?

They could always find another one.

Rumaal’s mouth twitched.

Sword lunatics.

He had no intention of finding out what kind of excuse they would invent if they noticed the valuables on him.

They might not kill him but they could harass him until he is forced to give them some benefits.

Swordfall cultivators were essentially bullies who only needed a convenient justification to act. Rumaal had absolutely no intention of giving them one.

He looked at Anaah.

Then Mirelle.

Both women understood immediately.

’We’re leaving,’ Rumaal said quietly.

Anaah nodded immediately. Mirelle had also already begun turning around.

The three began flying back in the direction they had come from silently. Rumaal even increased his speed slightly.

Let’s pretend we never saw them.

He had barely flown a few meters when something suddenly changed.

The sharp Sword Intent in the distance shifted.

Rumaal’s expression froze.

FUUUUCK!

The young leader of the Swordfall cultivators had turned his head.

His gaze passed across the vast sea.

Then—

It landed on Rumaal.

The man stared at him for several breaths. There was no hostility in his expression but a faint trace of curiosity. He seemed to ponder something.

Rumaal’s heart sank.

Don’t. fuc*king don’t try to approach us. Our two factions aren’t even on friendly terms.

The young sword cultivator suddenly smiled.

Then he turned toward his subordinates.

"Maintain your distance."

His voice wasn’t particularly loud, but it carried clearly across the sea.

The hundreds of sword cultivators immediately slowed down.

The young man stepped forward before his body transformed into a streak of sword light. He flew directly toward Rumaal.

Rumaal stopped mid-flight, his face twitching.

’Fuc*k. I sure hope this encounter doesn’t lead to faction wars. King Runiye is already going to be mad at me. I don’t want to add to that madness directed entirely at me.’

He immediately cursed under his breath as he thought of many possibilities at once.

Rumaal then took a deep breath. His expression changed several times before he finally forced a warm smile onto his face.

The next moment, he turned around and flew toward the approaching sword cultivator. He deliberately left his two wives behind.

There was no reason to drag them into a conversation with a sword lunatic unless absolutely necessary.

As he approached, Rumaal’s smile became increasingly cordial.

"Fellow cultivator from Shinayin, I present to you my humble greetings."

The young sword cultivator also slowed down.

He stopped several dozen meters away from Rumaal, maintaining a polite distance.

His faint smile remained.

Up close, his Sword Intent was even more terrifying.

Rumaal could almost feel an invisible sword resting against his throat.

Yet the young man appeared completely relaxed.

His gaze swept over Rumaal for a moment before returning to his face.

"Oh? It’s Lord Rumaal from King Runiye’s faction? You seem to be traveling in a hurry."

Rumaal’s smile stiffened. He didn’t even bother to look at the young man’s face before offering a light bow.

"Not at all."

He lied without blinking.

"We were simply changing our route."

The young man’s smile deepened slightly.

"Hahaha. Well... I’m glad to see you here. But it seems you haven’t noticed me yet, Lord Rumaal. I am Kanis Kinwind of the Swordfall faction. We have met each other before, and I owe you a favor because of it."