474 Going Home (1/2)

Even though Wang Baole didn't know the other man's exact rank and office, he had been working in the Federation administration for such a long time. He was long used to the social etiquette required of him at such events. After stepping off the cruiser, he first stood and returned a bow to those who had greeted him. Then, he cupped his fists and saluted the middle-aged man with a smile on his face.

The leading middle-aged man saw his reciprocal bow and smiled lightly. He had heard Wang Baole's name many times. Now that he was finally meeting him, he could tell from this small detail that Wang Baole was someone who knew how to conduct himself and play the crowd.

He liked such people. Even though they were more complicated, they suited the current Federation climate. As a smile surfaced on Wang Baole's face, he too laughed aloud. He took a few quick steps forward and approached Wang Baole. Wang Baole got to know who he was after a brief cordial exchange.

He was also a Secondary Rank Two Noble. However, unlike Wang Baole, who had been sent into space as an ambassador to colonize new lands, he was the head secretary of the Federation President's office. He was akin to the capital city's chief minister, and the loyal subordinate to the Federation President.

His reception was an expression of the Federation President's attitude towards Wang Baole. After realizing who he was, Wang Baole also realized what his presence meant. His smile widened as they chatted merrily. After clarifying why Wang Baole was heading towards Phoenix City, the middle-aged man immediately made arrangements for a cruiser to send him over.

”Even though we are tasked with protecting the whole of humanity and the Federation, we are still cultivators at heart. We are unable to travel through space, that's why we use cruisers, but now that I'm back on my home planet, there's no need for cruisers. I'll simply fly there.” Wang Baole smiled as he turned down the offer tactfully. The middle-aged man gave his answer some thought and didn't insist further.

Wang Baole instructed the Combat cultivators who had escorted him back to Earth to await further orders in the capital city. He then bade farewell to the head secretary. With a single step and a wave of his hand, a flying sword flew out from his storage bracelet. He lifted one foot and got onto the flying sword before it dashed through the sky like a sudden rainbow arc and sped into the heavens.

The reception party gazed from the grounds beneath as Wang Baole stood on his flying sword. With the wind in his face, his hair stirred. Despite his rotund figure, he still appeared as if he were an immortal wandering the lands, ethereal and without a tinge of the earthly desires and needs that ruled the ordinary folk. In that manner, he disappeared gradually into the distance.

”We cultivators should be just like that!” the head secretary of the Federation President's office smiled and said. His words resounded in the air, and envy colored everyone's eyes when they heard what he had said.

After all, only a Core Formation realm cultivator could travel the skies via long-distance flight. A Foundation Establishment realm cultivator might be able to do the same for short distances, but once the journey lengthened, they would find it difficult to sustain such a mode of travel.

”I wonder when we'll get to be just like City Lord Wang Baole, traveling between cities on a flying sword!” The crowd sighed and slowly dispersed. As for Wang Baole, he was currently on his flying sword and had just left the parameters of the capital city—speeding towards Phoenix City.

His mood was merry, and his spirits high. He hadn't chosen to travel on a cruiser because he felt that, as he was already a Core Formation realm cultivator, it would be beneath his status to still take the cruiser.

Core Formation realm cultivators should be flying. That's the only method that befits their status. Wang Baole was brimming with happiness and pleasure. He increased his speed against the incoming winds.

He stirred a series of rumbling as he shot through the air, causing the beasts on land to freeze as they listened to the thunderous booms resounding above their heads. The Core Formation realm cultivation that Wang Baole exuded drove the Ancient Martial realm and True Breath realm beasts cowering, too frightened to lift their heads from the ground.

When he passed some of the smaller cities, the people in the cities also heard the loud thundering in the sky. When they looked up, they saw an indistinct figure dashing across the heavens like a bolt of lightning.

Gasps rose to the air. In the Federation, it was common to see a cultivator at the Ancient Martial realm. True Breath realm cultivators were also regular sightings. One might even cross paths with a Foundation Establishment realm cultivator. Core Formation realm cultivators though… were all important figures and numbered in the few. Rarely could anyone see one in person.

Wang Baole's flight via flying sword naturally drew too much attention during his journey back home. Even though there were many who didn't know Wang Baole's actual level of cultivation and didn't get a clear look of him, the Foundation Establishment realm cultivators inside the cities could still clearly sense the overpowering authority that exuded from the fleeting figure passing over their cities! It was a power that made them quake in their boots!

”A Core Formation realm cultivator!”

”There's a Core Formation realm senior flying past on his sword!”

Gasps of shock resounded in the air. As Wang Baole flew faster and faster, like a lightning bolt snaking through the air, he even managed to glimpse a few long-distance passenger cruisers as he passed them by. As he overtook them, he would catch the shocked looks in the passengers' eyes.

News began to appear on the Spirit Internet and even on some media outlets.