I reign supreme in the Western fantasy world for eternity.

Mia's mother visibly relaxed. "That...that puts my mind at ease. With the Hero's words, I have nothing to worry about."

Is it right to be so easily persuaded?

Ji Tian thought he would have to say a few more words to dispel her concerns, but he was surprised that she agreed so readily.

Could it be that he knew most heroes were kind-hearted people and had been waiting for me to say that?

That shouldn't be the case. The hero isn't an omnipotent wish-granting machine. She's overestimating the hero a bit.

He glanced at Mia subconsciously; she was standing a few steps away in the courtyard with Xiaohua, looking completely at ease.

Ji Tian thought for a moment, then asked a question via telepathy:

"Has your mother always trusted heroes this much?"

"Who's speaking? Little Flower, when did you learn to change your voice?"

Mia looked around in surprise. After Ji Tian explained that it was a telepathic technique and that she could respond directly in her mind, she collected her thoughts and replied:

She didn't actually know anything about the "Liberation Holy Sword" or the "Legendary Archmage," nor did she know about the intricacies between those major powers.

In her mind, a hero is like the one in stories—someone who doesn't lie, doesn't harm others, and keeps their word. So if you say it, she believes you.

"It's that simple?"

"It's that simple."

Ji Tian was silent for a moment after hearing this, and was about to speak when Mia added:

"When I was little, I listened to her tell stories of heroes. When she told me about a hero who made a promise to a villager and eventually fulfilled it no matter how difficult it was, she would always say, 'That's what a hero is like.'"

"It took her a long time to teach me to protect myself when taking risks, but I never learned how to doubt others when it comes to trust."

Ji Tian was speechless, but Mia's mother obviously didn't notice the silent conversation.

She carefully placed the cloth bundle on the coffee table, then gently arranged the cured meat, flatbread, and honey jar inside, before turning to Mia and taking her arm.

"Alright, we won't bother you any longer. Your dad and I will go back to our place first. You get some rest, and we can talk about it tomorrow."

Mia was pulled by her towards the door. As they crossed the courtyard, she glanced back at Ji Tian, ​​who nodded slightly in farewell.

Ji Tian watched as Mia and her adoptive parents disappeared through the courtyard gate before turning his gaze away.

The cloth bag was still on the coffee table, the cured meat inside wrapped in oil paper and tied very tightly.

Lilith leaned closer, her nose twitching. "The smell of cured meat... it smells pretty good."

"That was given to you by Mia's mother. You can have some if you want."

"Really? Then I won't hold back."

Just then, the butler strode in through the side door, bowed, and said:

"Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is ready. Please proceed to the dining room."

Mason put down his teacup, stood up, and greeted everyone, "Let's eat first."

The dining table was long and narrow, covered with a dark tablecloth, and the silver cutlery gleamed softly in the twilight.

The butler arranged a very lavish spread of food, with several hot dishes steaming and the air filled with the rich aroma of meat and spices.

Lilith sat down at the table, glanced at the dishes, and then looked at Ji Tian: "This is much better than the shoddy food from our sect in the Eastern Territory."

"That's natural. The Eastern Territory is remote, and the ingredients there can't compare to those here," Ji Tian said, picking up a piece of stewed meat and putting it in his mouth. "But each has its own unique flavor."

Elena took a sip of the soup and said softly, "This soup does taste quite good."

Mason smiled and said, "I'm glad your wife likes it."

As they were talking, Ji Tian suddenly stopped.

He put down his chopsticks, tapped his fingertips lightly on the edge of the table, his expression remained unchanged, but his eyes sharpened in an instant.

Lilith was the first to notice his change: "What's wrong?"

"Alex is in trouble."

Mason's hand trembled violently. "What?!"

Ji Tian had already taken out a palm-sized communication rune from his sleeve. The surface of the rune was emitting a rapid, pale golden light, and with each flash of the light, a faint and intermittent aura emanated from it.

That was Alex's aura, weakening with each flicker.

He's in danger.

Mason instinctively pushed back his chair and stood up: "Where is it? I'm coming—"

"Need not."

Before Mason could even take a step, Ji Tian had already raised his right hand and lightly swept it across the air.

A long, narrow golden crack appeared in the air beside the dining table, and a phantom light portal appeared on the spot. Ji Tian reached out and grabbed a figure, which was then placed on the ground.

Alex.

He was covered in blood, with a deep, bone-revealing wound on his thigh still oozing black blood that exuded an eerie aura, and even his face was covered in purplish-blue bruises.

As soon as he landed, he instinctively tried to dodge, but when he looked up and saw Ji Tian, ​​and then Mason by the dining table, he froze for a moment:

"...Where am I? Why am I here?"

Ji Tian explained:

"Horrington, the communication rune has a location tracking feature. Next time, remember to attach it to your clothes, not put it in your storage ring. Otherwise, the signal will be blocked."

"Sorry, I was undercover in that village at the time, so I put all those things in my storage ring, cough cough cough..."

Alex was about to say something when he suddenly coughed, not expecting the toxins in his wound to spread so quickly.

Mason instinctively used a Holy Light spell to heal him, but to his surprise, it had no effect whatsoever; the toxins on the wound actually spread even faster.

"How could this happen?"

Seeing this, Ji Tian snapped his fingers, and a soft light appeared on Alex.

The wound was healing at a visible speed, the torn muscle fibers were reconnecting, and blood was flowing backward.

Ji Tian casually pointed to the remaining food on the table, "Everyone is eating dinner, you can take a break first."

Alex looked down at his rapidly healing wounds, and before he could even express his gratitude, Mason rushed over:

"Are you alright?! Where are you hurt? Does it still hurt? Are there any people from that area—"

Alex held her hand and smiled. "Mason, I'm fine."

"You were covered in blood!"

"That's their blood."

"Your clothes are all torn!"

"It was scratched by the bushes."

Mason stared at him for a while, making sure he wasn't just putting on a brave face, before loosening his grip on his clothes, taking a half-step back, and letting out a heavy sigh: "You idiot."

Alex turned his gaze back to Ji Tian, ​​his voice becoming more serious:

"Master, there's something wrong with that village. The cult members there can actually resist holy light and most spells."