New members, new tree

As the tree spirit was speaking, his right arm was conjuring a mirror which reflects everything going on inside the illusion realm Ace was in.

Ace's robe was dyed red by his own blood, his breath was so heavy that his chest was heaving up and down, his body was collapsing, barely standing on two quivering legs. Yet, his sword was still held in position as he exchanged moves with his own phantom again.

"Tree spirit, I don't sense anything unique about his sword moves. Yes, they're fast and catching up to the phantom which was designed to be much faster than him. But, that shouldn't be enough to have caused such a ruckus."

The tree spirit laughed as he pulled on his long beard, his expression heavy as he told Jay solemnly, "it's been forty years since you blindfolded your own eyes and suppressed your cultivation, but maybe for the first time you should take off that blindfold of yours."

Jay remained silent, this was the first time the tree spirit had gotten him to take off the blindfold. It wasn't because the tree spirit didn't have the intention to, but because the tree spirit understood his reason doing so.

"Tree spirit, I hope you won't let me down."

Jay replied after taking a few deep breaths, the blindfold sliding from his eyes. His eyes were beautiful, as though it has been nourished by countless treasures over a long period of time to maintain its beauty. They were pure as though they had only seen the beauty of this world.

"Tree spirit, I'm betting my future on what you just said." Jay said coldly, but the tree spirit merely laughed it off.

Jay, you hold no malicious intent towards me. Being a tree spirit, he had already been hunted and chased down for countless years, being able to discern a person's true motive for approaching him was simple to him.

"Look at his expression." The tree spirit said with a warming smile which surprised Jay as he looked towards Ace who was currently putting his life on the line just to fight against a phantom of himself.

He's smiling? Jay rubbed his eyes, wondering if it's because his eyes had taken a rest for too long, but he himself knew that wasn't the case. Someone was truly enjoying the wielding of his sword, even though he was already beyond the limits of his physical body.

"Tree spirit, thank you for helping me to see the beauty sword masters can hold once again. He possessed something that those three youths lack, enjoyment and most importantly, his willpower can go beyond the limits of his body." Jay bowed down and gave his sincere thanks.

"Now then, you have two choices right now. Firstly, you can choose to stay here with me and operate the Sword Haven. Secondly, you can choose to bring me along and leave this place to follow this youth. What's your choice?"

The tree spirit asked, but the excitement couldn't be hidden just at the mention of leaving this place. The tree spirit was tired, what point was there in staying here for sword masters who only grow stronger to abuse their strength?

As for the few potential youths, he would talk to Ace to give them the chance to serve under him after proving himself worthy of leading them.

"Tree spirit, are you giving me an option or are you just telling me? Of course it's the latter for us." Jay laughed out loud for the first time in his life in these forty years, he was already in his forties after having blindfolded himself since young, but it seems that it was worthy.

"While we wait for this youth to exceed his limits and defeat this phantom, why don't you share with me about your current progress?" The tree spirit asked as he leaned against his true body which was the tree.

"I have finally awakened the celestial eye and gained full control of all ten celestial swords. The only thing I need to do right now is fully awaken my bloodline and step out of the four domains, hopefully this youth can catch up to my footsteps within ten years…"

*Exhales*

Raising his sword, Ace didn't go on the offense this time. Since it wasn't possible to be faster than the phantom of himself, then he would bring out his sword intent externally.

Gathering the scorching heat and chilling cold to his hand, he transferred them to his sword and slashed down.

This is...my final slash!

Without any spirit energy, the sword wave broke through the defensive stance of his phantom and exploded, ending the battle as he got transported out of the illusion realm.

"Young fella, look at what you've done to this place." The tree spirit said in laughter upon seeing the confusion in Ace's eyes.

"What happened to the crowd here just a moment ago?"

"The commotion you caused in that intense battle actually affected my origin spirit which caused me to lose control of my energy for a moment, disrupting all the sword masters who were present and causing them to get injured." The tree spirit answered honestly, his eyes demanding an explanation.

"It's fine, they can only blame themselves for being unable to adapt to sudden changes."

Ace expressed his thoughts simply as he turned towards Jay.

"That sudden explosive sword energy was from you, wasn't it?"

"Does it matter?" Even though Jay didn't answer, Ace was satisfied to have his doubt clarified.

This youth, he definitely isn't simple.

"Senior, you're the spirit of this tree I presume?" Ace asked again, since there were only two people who are qualified to be here now. The master of this place and the mysterious spirit of this tree capable of all those illusions.

"Not bad! Not bad! Young fella, you sure are a peerless genius who isn't only talented with the sword, but with mature thinking as well…"

After a long passage of praises, Ace couldn't keep his calm anymore and said impatiently, "Senior, please cut to the chase or I'll take my leave soon."

The tree spirit who was still busy speaking a moment ago, stopped awkwardly with his hands still in the air.

*Ahem*

"There's no way you don't have any backing, take me to the force where you belong and hide me somewhere others can't locate until you inherit the position you deserve." The tree spirit explained, only to be slapped in the face soon enough.

"Senior, I'm the sect master of my sect so you won't have to worry about that. If fact, I would be glad to take you in so that those disciples of mine that cultivate the sword can benefit greatly."

Ace assured the tree spirit, only to realise that he was laughing at him.

"Young fella, are you underestimating me right now? Yes, I can create illusion realms for sword masters, but who said that I can't do so for elemental intents and other weapons? Even so, I'm not even in the top hundred treasures in the entire universe." The tree spirit boasted confidently, but still sighed at the harsh reality.

"Senior, if possible, I would like to invite you to join my sect." Ace then turned towards Jay, only to realise that he had dragged three youths to his side by reaching his arm out and tearing through space to pull them here.

"Sure, but my three disciples will be joining as well, or they will fall behind because the tree spirit suddenly vanished." Jay explained while the three youths looked at each other dumbfounded by the current situation.

"Trust me if you want to become stronger."

Jay told the three youths through telepathy as they soon calmed down and realised one fact, someone who can drag them here suddenly definitely isn't simple.

"By the way senior, what's your cultivation realm at?" Ace asked again, only to receive a profound smile from Jay.

"You might know my cultivation one day after you hear of the four domains and beyond."

Four domains? Ace was curious, but he didn't ask as he led the way with Jay and his three disciples following closely behind.

As for the tree spirit, it was in its seed form for now and will only appear again after Ace plants him.

"Charlotte should benefit the most from this."