The crowd erupted in an uproar!

Hundreds of people, amidst the cheers of onlookers, surged like a tide along Kingdom Avenue towards Changge Fortress. Police officers serving as referees and rescuers followed closely on bicycles, flanking the renliu. These unconventional knights, clad in uniform zhifu and adorned with vibrant ribbons, captured the attention of many spectators.

The same scene unfolded at the starting point in the Changge District.

Over a thousand people, united by a common goal, set off on foot towards the finish line – not to escape for their lives, nor for a living, but to unleash their physical strength without reservation, unconcerned about future rewards. This unconventional sight was destined to spread the fame of Neverwinter throughout every corner of the continent.

Humanity's first ever organized long-distance race had begun in this new royal capital.

...

"Sister, why aren't you participating?" At the finish line grandstand, while Lance was leaning over the railing cheering loudly, Cole turned to Edith and asked, "If it's just an endurance test, you should be able to get a good ranking, right?"

Perhaps it was because he had brought Lance along from their father, but Cole had been in a good mood lately. Not only did he answer every question, but he was also spared from being teased. Otherwise, he would never have dared to bother his older sister with such trivial matters.

"Oh?" Edith glanced at him sideways. "What if I did get a ranking?"

"Uh – but weren't you very enthusiastic about these tests in the past?"

Otherwise, she wouldn't have earned the title of the Pearl of the North, Cole thought. In his eyes, his older sister used to be a completely hyperactive person. During the day, she would fight fiercely with a group of knights, single-handedly disarming and defeating peers all the way from Evernight Castle to the city gate. And at night, she was the most dazzling flower at banquets, skilled at drinking and socializing. Even Tifeike was unforgettable after seeing her once, demonstrating her charm.

Because her figure could be seen at most trials and banquets in the North, she became a household name. In the past, she would never have missed this kind of celebration hosted by His Majesty the King.

"Because the family needed me to do that before," Edith shrugged. "If I didn't expand the influence of the Kant family as soon as possible, Father wouldn't have been able to get that Duke's title – even if I had to act like a clown to attract the attention of those idiots and please them." Speaking of this, she sneered, "You don't think I liked doing that, do you?"

Cole couldn't help but feel a chill.

"No, I just..."

"But now, I don't need to sweat and toil to gain Roland's attention," Fortunately, she didn't pursue his slip of the tongue, "And... I'm not alone anymore."

Cole couldn't help but be stunned, "Not... alone?"

Edith glanced at Lance, who was shouting and cheering nearby, then looked at him, "I still have you, don't I?"

The chill instantly dissipated, and Cole subconsciously straightened his chest, wanting to say something, but didn't know how to start.

But Edith just smiled slightly and shifted her gaze back to the high platform, "Just do well in the Administrative Office, that would be the greatest help to me."

...

"Huff... huff," Gu'erzi slowed down, "How much... further do we have to run?"

"The sign we just passed said fourteen, which means we've only run half the distance." Luohan looked worried. "Father, are you alright? If you're too out of breath, we should stop and rest for a while. There are still so many people behind us anyway."

As the race progressed, the initially crowded crowd quickly stretched into an arrow shape, then from an arrow into a long line, and now even the line could not be seen.

Obviously, not many people could run for more than half an hour in one go. From the beginning until now, only a handful of contestants had overtaken them. At this rate, not to mention getting a ranking, finishing the race smoothly should be a sure thing.

Luohan was more worried about his father's health.

In fact, traversing the desert was even more difficult – at least the former did not limit the time. As long as the route was planned well and supplies could be obtained from the oasis, they could always reach their destination step by step. But running was different. In order to maintain a high speed, physical exertion would continue to increase, and his father had not engaged in such strenuous exercise for a long time.

"You want to give up again?" Gu'erzi glared at him. "Because you're not in last place?"

"I..."

"If it were Luojia, she would never say such a thing. When will you be able to be like her, to go all out for a goal, to forge ahead bravely? Have you never thought about winning everyone?"

If it were in the past, Luohan would only choose to remain silent, but for some reason, he felt a surge of frustration rising from the bottom of his heart, making his chest swell uncomfortably.

How can I win?

By poisoning my third sister's cup, or by announcing her lycanthropy to the public?

Otherwise, how could I defeat a goddess who has obtained the power of the Three Gods?

He couldn't even beat the family's head guard!

And if he wanted to secure the position of the leading clan in Iron Sand City, Kuangyan had to ensure ample combat power. Luojia's later rise to become the best heir in everyone's eyes was nothing to say. But his choice to remain silent and make concessions to avoid internal strife, wasn't that an act for the sake of the clan?

Why have you never noticed me?

Perhaps it was because this place was far away from the Southern Border, or perhaps he had been suppressing it for too long, or perhaps there was also a bit of the reason why his father's dress was too strange. Luohan argued out loud for the first time, "I'm worried about your condition! If you weren't here, I would have run ahead long ago!"

But as soon as he said it, he regretted it.

Such words were simply mocking the other party for holding him back.

He wriggled his mouth, wanting to remedy a few words before his father flew into a rage, but he heard Gu'erzi reply, "Then you can run alone."

"Father, what I meant was..." Luohan braced himself and turned his head away. He thought he would see the other party's angry face, but he didn't expect a smile to be hanging on his lips.

"This is the first time you've taken the initiative to reveal your thoughts, right?" Gu'erzi sighed. "Actually, what you said is right. I'm really old. No matter how majestic I was before, I can't change the effects of time." He paused. "In that case, don't worry about me – you're actually very good at long-distance running, right?"

Luohan was suddenly stunned.

"There's an old saying in the clan: if you practice anything for ten years, even the stupidest person will become outstanding." Gu'erzi slowly stopped. "Don't worry about me, I'll walk over slowly."

He clenched his fist, and after a moment of silence, he responded in a low voice, "Then I'll go ahead."

"Wait," Just as he turned around, Gu'erzi called him again, "Wear these two things."

"Father—"

"Even if Luojia has left the clan lands, she is still a member of Kuangyan and your own sister. We should do our part to help her in any way we can." Gu'erzi personally placed the Bu'er headdress on top of his head. "Go, let the Great Chieftain see the skills of the Mojingsha people."

Luohan didn't answer. He quietly looked at his father, and then strode forward.

The wind flowed again.

His speed became faster and faster. At first, he could still hear the exclamations of the roadside spectators, but later it was completely drowned out by the oncoming wind.

But Luohan didn't feel tired at all. He felt that he could go even faster.

At this moment, his body seemed to be full of strength.

His father had been watching him all along!

In order to make the third sister's position undisputed, he had endured countless criticisms – some from outsiders, and some from within. Whenever it became unbearable, he would quietly leave Iron Sand City at night and run alone among the small oases. It was both a way to vent and a way to prove himself from another aspect: he was indeed not good at martial arts, but perhaps he could surpass Luojia in other aspects, such as joint hunting. And endurance and persistence were the most important part of driving prey in joint hunting.

Although this idea ultimately failed.

Luohan had thought that no one would notice this little attempt, but now it seemed that this was not the case.

"You're actually very good at long-distance running, right?"

"If you practice anything for ten years, even the stupidest person will become outstanding."

His father's words echoed repeatedly in his ears.

Is that so? So you discovered it from the beginning.

Luohan sped up his pace again.

From the day he ran through the oasis until now.

Exactly ten years!