Farewells

Henry materialized before the Fu kingdom in the 5th realm, and the sheer force of his aura caused the entire realm to tremble. Inside the halls, the advisors were in a state of distress and confusion, speculating whether an attack from the 3rd or 4th realm had occurred. A soldier arrived with news that it was just one man, further perplexing them.

Long Fu, along with his generals and an army of over 100,000, flew towards Henry with aggression. As they approached, they saw Henry's figure dressed in simple clothing, his face concealed by a mask. Long Fu demanded an explanation.

Long Fu: "Who are you, and why did you come here?"

Henry smiled in response.

Henry: "You have crossed a line that you should not have."

With those words, Henry released an aura befitting an infinite being. Suddenly, everyone in the 5th realm felt an overwhelming compulsion to kneel. Those in close proximity to Henry were affected more intensely, falling to the ground under the tremendous pressure. Even Long Fu, a peak immortal, struggled but found himself unable to resist. In a fit of rage and desperation, Long Fu shouted, attempting to defy the force crushing him.

One by one, his soldiers were turned into blood pools, the kingdom consumed by flames. Long Fu, witnessing the horrifying scene, cursed his younger son for leading them into such a calamity. Eventually, under the relentless pressure, Long Fu succumbed to his fate. In a matter of minutes, the entire Fu royal family vanished from the fabric of the 5th realm.

When Henry had completed his task, he withdrew his oppressive aura, allowing the remaining inhabitants of the realm to breathe again. Before departing, he left the fate of the 5th realm in the hands of those who remained.

Gu Xun, an outer court elder from the Crystal Cloud sect in the 3rd realm, materialized before Qiu Ya in a lovely garden. Qiu Ya, now the ruler of the 5th realm, was in the midst of her cultivation. Gu Xun was a powerful individual, and her sect was among the ten leading sects in the 3rd realm. Although she was an inner court elder, the forces backing her were formidable.

Gu Xun had taken an interest in Qiu Ya's unique charm and talent, and she had been visiting her to provide guidance. The Crystal Cloud sect, being unorthodox, allowed its disciples to have multiple mentors outside. Gu Xun informed Qiu Ya about the approaching sect games in five years and expressed her desire for Qiu Ya to reach the inner court before that, making her the main disciple.

During their interactions, Qiu Ya's heart was conflicted. She harbored feelings for a man in the 5th realm, a secret she hadn't shared with her master or her parents. Gu Xun, sensing Qiu Ya's internal struggle, emphasized the limited time available. Qiu Ya had already reached the ascendant realm in her sect, making her qualified to become an outer court disciple. If she could achieve immortality within three years, she could advance to the inner court and participate in the upcoming matches.

Despite her reservations and the undisclosed details, Qiu Ya felt the weight of the decision before her. The path to inner court discipleship and the sect games offered both opportunities and challenges that she would have to navigate carefully within the Crystal Cloud sect.

Qiu Yan, with determination in her eyes, nodded as she made the decision to embark on the journey set before her. Before leaving, she took the time to write a heartfelt letter, entrusting her best friend with the task of delivering it to the specified address.

With her letter sent, Qiu Yan approached her parents and disclosed the impending changes in her life. To her relief, they offered unwavering support, taking charge of matters while she prepared for her journey.

Soon after, she boarded one of the ships designed for inter-realm travel. These vessels, capable of teleporting between different realms, were a privilege reserved for those bearing the aura of sovereigns and above. While sovereigns and higher beings could traverse realms freely, others had to rely on these specially crafted ships. The duration of travel between realms varied based on the distance; a journey from the 5th realm to the 8th realm would take approximately three months, a significant but necessary investment in her path to inner court discipleship.

Within the 8th realm, Kayden found himself in a state of rest, recovering from the trials and battles he faced. He lay in a comfortable bed inside a splendid mansion provided by King Ren Kui, a gesture of gratitude for Kayden's role in saving the realm.

Beside him lay Eliana, a comforting presence that brought solace to Kayden's heart. The room was adorned with intricate designs and luxurious furnishings, a stark contrast to the chaos and battles that had unfolded just days before.

The soft ambient light filtered through the elegant curtains, casting a warm glow upon the couple. The air was filled with a sense of peace, a stark departure from the turmoil that had plagued them in the previous days.

As they rested, Kayden reflected on the events that led them to this moment. The battles, sacrifices, and the debt he had paid with both his strength and pain flashed in his mind. However, with Eliana by his side and the support of newfound allies, there was a glimmer of hope and a chance for a brighter future, eliana turned her face to kayden her hearth fully locked into kayden "kayden I want you tonight." she softly whispered 

Eliana's whisper hung in the air, a gentle invitation that carried a mix of longing and affection. Kayden turned his gaze towards her, his eyes meeting hers in a moment of understanding and connection. In the quietude of the room, the weight of their shared experiences and the battles they faced outside seemed to momentarily fade away.

A soft smile played on Kayden's lips as he reached for Eliana's hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. The warmth of their connection spoke volumes, a silent affirmation of their bond amid the chaos that surrounded them. He leaned in, brushing a tender kiss against her forehead, and whispered, "I want you too, Eliana."

The room, adorned with opulence, became a sanctuary where the two sought solace in each other's presence. The world outside might have been filled with challenges and uncertainties, but within the embrace of the moment, they found a haven—a haven where their love could flourish amidst the echoes of battles fought and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

The royal courthouse, adorned with regal embellishments, served as the backdrop for an auspicious occasion. Kayden and Eliana, summoned to this grand hall, were to be bestowed with badges of honor and noble titles. As the ceremony unfolded, they would be named Dukes, granted ownership of lands within the city's bounds. With an air of formality, they bowed in reverence before King Ren Cui, whose countenance reflected satisfaction.

Following the public acknowledgment, Kayden found himself summoned to a more intimate setting – King Ren Cui's private quarters. The king, a figure of wisdom and authority, engaged Kayden in a conversation that would shape the course of events to come. The opulent surroundings bore witness to a dialogue that delved into matters of destiny and leadership.

Within the confines of the private chambers, King Ren Cui broached a proposition that carried the weight of both history and future. He asked Kayden if he harbored aspirations to ascend to the throne and become the king. In response, Kayden's laughter resonated through the room, rejecting the notion with humility. He confessed to a lack of aptitude for leadership, advocating for King Ren Cui's continued rule.

Yet, the conversation took an unexpected turn as King Ren Cui's thoughts meandered toward his daughter, Eliana. Love, a complex and delicate emotion, lingered in the air. The king, aware of the divide between worlds that separated Kayden and Eliana, harbored a paternal desire for the two to be united. Despite this wish, he acknowledged the individuality and unrestrained spirit that defined Kayden.

In a moment of revelation, King Ren Cui recounted an episode from his own past. He had received an invitation from the 3rd realm, a proposition that had sparked the curiosity of a younger Ren Cui. Although uncertain of the invitation's current validity, the king urged Kayden to explore this opportunity. A spirit letter, passed into Kayden's hands, held the promise of a chance to join a sect in the 3rd realm. King Ren Cui detailed the overseer's presence from over a century ago, emphasizing the power that still sent shivers down his spine. With encouragement and a sense of urgency, King Ren Cui implored Kayden to seize this opportunity.

Kayden and Eliana, determined to pursue the opportunity presented by the spirit letter, activated the spirit stone. In the serene surroundings of the 3rd realm, an elder from the Crystal Jade sect, named Wei Zhan, felt a sudden disturbance. Lazily overseeing his disciples, Wei Zhan was intrigued by the unexpected call.

As the communication link opened, Wei Zhan, a powerful figure concealed from view, confronted the unfamiliar voices. Threatening consequences if they refused to identify themselves, the elder exuded an overwhelming pressure that startled Kayden and Eliana. With respect and a tinge of fear, Kayden explained their origin and the purpose behind the spirit letter received from King Ren Cui.

Using his profound senses, Wei Zhan examined their cultivation levels. While Kayden had reached the peak of the celestial realm, Eliana's beauty outshone her current cultivation. The elder acknowledged Kayden's potential, suggesting that he could easily qualify for the outer court. However, Eliana's situation was different; her limited cultivation might require an exceptional display of talent or an alternative approach, such as applying as Kayden's mate.

Expressing gratitude for the guidance, Kayden inquired about the elder's name. Wei Zhan, the inner court elder of the Crystal Jade sect, responded with a brief silence, sensing a familiar aura emanating from Kayden that triggered elusive memories.

"I'm Wei Zhan, an inner court elder," he finally revealed, leaving Kayden with tokens for the entrance exam and a generous supply of spirit stones. Wei Zhan explained that the tokens were essential for participation and registration, and the spirit stones were provided to cover the substantial cost of travel.

In shock at the elder's generosity, Kayden pledged to repay the debt. Wei Zhan, wearing a subtle smile, assured them that repayment would come in the form of their achievements in the sect.

Afterwards, Kayden informed King Ren Cui of his impending departure. The king, understanding the significance of this opportunity, bid farewell, expressing both gratitude and sadness. Sun Cui, torn between her feelings and the reality of their paths diverging, joined in the farewells, accepting the inevitable separation from Kayden.