Unleashing Lotus Internal Force

Du Chen sensed the warm current on his backside. It was incredibly fine, no thicker than a sewing thread, yet remarkably pliable.

With his inner strength obeying his every whim, Du Chen focused his attention on his right hand—the same hand so adept at both thievery and lock-picking. Instantly, that warm current *whooshed* from his backside, coursed through the right side of his chest and abdomen, and settled into his palm.

Suddenly, Du Chen felt a considerable surge in the strength of his right hand.

Imbued with the warm current, Du Chen punched the bluestone wall beside him. *Thump!* A muffled impact echoed as a one-inch-deep fist-print was literally punched into the solid stone!

"Heh! Fascinating!" Du Chen raised his right hand again, guiding the warm current into his index and middle fingers, then flicked them lightning-fast through the air before him.

A fly, impossibly, was pinched between his digits.

"By the Gods! If I used *this* to steal… I'd be richer than the Emperor!"

Enhanced speed, amplified power—this warm current, though nascent, possessed truly extraordinary effects!

A genuine smile spread across Du Chen's face; his long-term efforts had finally borne tangible fruit. After savoring the moment, he cautiously struck the wall a few more times, meticulously erasing any trace of the fist-print.

As he pulled on his pants, Du Chen suddenly felt a familiar weight in his pocket—the Level Three `Ramhorn Warhammer` was still on him!

A thought sparked in his mind. The `Precious Lotus Scripture` was a cultivation method of the immortals; surely, the `inner strength` it generated couldn't be inferior to the `battle qi` found on the `Aethelgard Continent`, could it?!

Pondering this, Du Chen retrieved the metal orb once more, then channeled his `Lotus Internal Force` as he reached for the `Ramhorn Warhammer`!

This time, the warhammer *stirred*. It felt utterly weightless in Du Chen's grasp, as if it possessed no mass whatsoever!

Immediately, a verdant light flared from the warhammer, coursing down its handle into Du Chen's hand, and then directly into his mind.

"In the name of `Aruman, the Storm Battle God`, from this moment forth, you are my master!"

The warhammer possessed no mouth, yet Du Chen distinctly heard a voice—ancient and solemn, like a resonant call from primordial times, it echoed deep and muffled within his mind.

"I am `Aruman's Storm Ramhorn Warhammer`. I shall empower you with the might of wind drawn from plants: swift speed, ferocious strength—these shall be the boons I grant you. When you require my aid…"

The `Ramhorn Warhammer` slowly narrated, astonishingly detailing its full instructions for use. Following them, Du Chen withdrew his `Lotus Internal Force` from the weapon, and it reverted to the metal orb. This time, he didn't resort to his usual thieving methods to activate the `sacred artifact`. Instead, he channeled his `Lotus Internal Force` in a peculiar sequence into the four small holes on the orb. *Whoosh!* The metal orb instantly transformed back into the `Ramhorn Warhammer`, ready for Du Chen to wield.

With each swing, the seemingly weightless little hammer felt as if it had been infused with the might of a thousand jun, whipping up fierce winds with its power.

Only at this moment did Du Chen realize he had not merely *forced* the `Ramhorn Warhammer` into submission, but had also genuinely won its allegiance!

Du Chen pursed his lips in a light chuckle, a new question forming in his mind: What was his current cultivation level?

"I just hope Big Brother hasn't gone to one of those skirt-chasing banquets!"

Having successfully cultivated the first stage of the `Precious Lotus Scripture` and secured the `Ramhorn Warhammer's` allegiance, Du Chen was in high spirits. He wasn't in a rush to perform good deeds anymore; instead, he jogged all the way home, his `Lotus Internal Force` flowing, making the run feel utterly effortless!

That delicate internal energy was like an indefatigable engine, endlessly supplying him with stamina—small, yes, but ceaseless, inexhaustible, and boundless!

Yet, upon reaching home, Du Chen was disappointed. He had intended to ask his elder brother, Steve, about the strength standards for `Battle Gods`, so he could gauge his own equivalent level. To his dismay, however, Steve had once again departed for a banquet.

His perpetually cold father and his annoying second brother would certainly ignore him, and Du Chen had no desire to consult the family fighters whose gazes always seemed so peculiar. He could only suppress the questions swirling in his mind for now and retreat to his personal tower.

…

In the days that followed, Du Chen visited the impoverished districts of South City daily to perform good deeds. As his `Lotus Internal Force` grew steadily stronger and more robust, the second lotus on his backside began its journey towards blossoming. For the first time in their lives, the common folk of South City discovered that there were noblemen willing to help them. Thus, "Saint John City's Idiosyncratic Third Young Master" slowly became known to some as "Saint John City's Benevolence."

Concurrently, Du Chen was assiduously learning everything about the world of `Battle Gods`—er, starting from how to write, because the previous 'Little Francis' had been a complete illiterate…

On the eve of the `Divine Peace Day`, the most paramount festival in the world of `Battle Gods`, Steve—who had been recently indulging in banquets with noble ladies and was rarely seen—finally knocked on Du Chen's door.

After Old Fuyue opened the door, Steve bounded up to the third floor in a few swift strides, grabbing Du Chen and pulling him towards the exit.

"Big Brother, what's the urgency? I actually had something I wanted to ask you!"

Du Chen was just about to inquire about the `Battle God` strength standards, but Steve tossed him a set of noble attire and hastily declared, "Have you forgotten? I told you I'd take you to a banquet with noble ladies!"

He clumsily helped Du Chen change, then dramatically exclaimed, "My dear brother, do you know? By the Imperial noble customs, on `Divine Peace Day`, His Majesty `Bargnar` will host a grand feast for all ministers. And on the eve of `Divine Peace Day`, Her Royal Highness Princess `Yuna` will host a banquet for all noble scions! Tsk tsk, based on Big Brother's past experiences, my poor little brother, tonight you just might get to bid farewell to your virginity!"

Du Chen listened with a wry smile. Bid farewell to his virginity? He was cultivating the `Mutated Pure Yang Scripture`!

"Big Brother, I don't want to go!"

Steve shook his head resolutely. "My dear brother, I've already spoken to numerous ladies, promising to introduce my now-brilliant younger brother to them tonight! If you don't come, won't I lose a tremendous amount of face? And if I lose face, no beautiful ladies will deign to flirt with me. Can you *really* bear the burden of that responsibility!?"

Du Chen could only continue his wry smile.

At that moment, Old Fuyue chimed in happily, "Young Master, as a `Titled Battle God Scion`, you'll have to attend such banquets sooner or later! Hehe, this old servant doesn't have many years left, and I still wish to see you marry a beautiful young lady before I go!"

Du Chen glanced at Fuyue's aged face and sighed inwardly. "Fine, I'll go. But Big Brother, first tell me, what are the distinguishing characteristics of each `Battle God` rank!"

Steve froze for a moment, then quickly shook his head, declaring with mock solemnity, "My brother, tonight, your handsome Big Brother is about to be utterly seduced by countless beautiful ladies! Could you truly bear to make him recount gruesome tales of slaughter and fighting, ruining such a sacred moment before it even begins!?"

To have a Big Brother like this… Du Chen could only continue his wry smile.

Riding in a golden carriage adorned with a towering statue of Sigurd on its roof, Steve brought Du Chen to a church in the heart of Saint John City. It was a magnificent edifice, twenty to thirty meters high, its somber grey facade illuminated by countless lights, making it appear exceptionally grand in the twilight. Du Chen, however, paid particular attention to the statue above the church's main entrance. By now, he understood that such statues symbolized the ancestral glory of a family, and implicitly, the extent of privileges their current generation could enjoy.

Just like the church near the `City Watch` barracks, the main door bore the image of a self-immolating `Fiend Battle God`—the distinct emblem of the `Lanning Empire's` royalty. The statue depicted `Bovin`, the venerable ancestor of the Imperial `Calendor` Family!

"This is Princess `Yuna's` private estate!" Steve greeted the guards at the entrance, then pushed open the four-to-five-meter-tall black wooden double doors. They passed through a long corridor supported by a row of white crystal pillars, finally arriving before a pink crescent moon gate.

"My dear brother, remember this day: the 12th of September, in the 1277th year of the `Fallen Gods Era`! On this day, you will feast your eyes on more beauties than you have in the past fifteen years combined!"

With that, Steve pushed open the crescent moon gate and raised both arms high within. "Distinguished ladies, handsome gentlemen, please allow me to grandly introduce the scion of `Sigurd Saint-Shine, Battle God`, the third son of the `Saint Sigurd Cain Estate`, Francis!!!!"

His voice was prolonged and remarkably infectious—he truly had the makings of a master of ceremonies!

Du Chen gazed inside, a gasp of quiet astonishment escaping him. Beyond the gate lay a grand hall, its walls surprisingly crafted from milky-white crystal. The spacious room comfortably accommodated over a hundred guests without feeling crowded. A long central table was laden with various fruits and beverages. To the left of this centerpiece was a bustling dance floor, while to the right, numerous plush chairs were arranged for weary revelers.

*This* was a banquet for the young nobility of the `Aethelgard Continent`!

The young nobles all turned their gazes to Du Chen, some with undisguised surprise, others with thinly veiled mockery.

And more than a few with outright jealousy!

It had to be admitted, Du Chen's appearance in this life—the visage of 'Little Francis'—was truly exceptional. With golden-blonde hair, sky-blue eyes, a high-bridged nose with a slight aquiline curve beneath sword-like brows, and now clad in a pristine snow-white noble robe, he was undeniably captivating. Perhaps his only drawback was his slightly slender physique.

The moment he made his entrance, he instantly captured the gazes of most of the noble young ladies present.

Steve draped an arm around Du Chen's shoulder and slowly advanced, greeting acquaintances while whispering in Du Chen's ear, "Francis, remember: you are no longer the disgrace of the `Saint Sigurd Cain Estate`. Wield all your intelligence to remember every single person here. In the future, they might be your allies, or your political rivals!"

A flicker of warmth touched Du Chen's heart. So Steve hadn't brought him to the banquet just for women today; he was using this opportunity to introduce Du Chen into the high society of the `Lanning Empire`, paving the way for his future!

His Big Brother was truly so thoughtful!

Du Chen smiled, chuckling softly in return, "Don't worry, I won't bring shame upon the family!"

Steve smiled too. His brother had understood his true intentions, and that alone was damnably gratifying. Francis might not be able to cultivate `battle qi`, but serving as a civil official was still a respectable path.

Du Chen's second brother, `Charles`, was also present. He had initially intended to greet Steve, but the moment he spotted Du Chen, he immediately turned away to flirt with some young ladies, as if terrified of being labeled the 'idiot's older brother'.

Furthermore, `Kaman` and `Frith` were also in attendance, but upon seeing Du Chen enter, they swiftly retreated to a discreet distance. After all, they had lost face before Du Chen and feared having their shortcomings exposed.

Steve led Du Chen directly to the depths of the dance floor, stopping before a noble young lady.

She wore a flowing pink gown, her golden hair matching Du Chen's own. The low-cut neckline revealed a dazzling expanse of snow-white skin. Around her neck hung a precious necklace, its thumb-sized diamonds sparkling brilliantly, yet even their radiance seemed to dim in comparison to her exquisite beauty.

"Francis," Steve introduced with perfect decorum, "this is Her Royal Highness, Imperial Princess `Yuna`!"

Du Chen offered a small smile, which he considered a sufficient greeting.

"Francis, is it?" the young lady began. "I apologize for any previous misunderstanding. Your captivating eyes are brimming with wisdom; you cannot possibly be the disgrace of the `Saint Sigurd Cain Estate` that rumors claimed! Moreover, I've heard that many people in South City now refer to you as 'Saint John City's Benevolence'!"

"May the `Battle Gods` preserve us!" Dozens of gazes, sharp enough to devour, immediately pierced Du Chen from across the hall. *Heavens above*, Princess `Yuna` had actually taken the initiative to request a kiss-hand salute from Francis!?

The disgrace of the `Saint Sigurd Cain Estate` had the chance to kiss the most beautiful maiden in the Imperial Capital!?

This was an honor that Imperial Capital's young nobles only dared to dream of!

Du Chen, however, merely offered a slight smile, and stated calmly, "Princess, I never kiss anyone's hand!"