True identity of Ace's master

The man's sudden invitation surprised everyone present, but none of them made a rash decision just because the man helped them out once.

Even the disciples understood that in such circumstances, they should allow their elders or sect master to handle the conversations.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself!" The man clapped his hands, his ranger hat sliding off his hat which revealed his golden hair combed backwards neatly, two strands of loose hair sliding behind his ears almost too perfectly to be called a coincidence.

Noticing that everyone was looking at him as though they have just met a lunatic, the man clapped his hands once again before speaking up.

"My name is Fawkes, one of the Grand Paladins of the Paladin Haven which strives to maintain peace and righteousness in this cultivation world. Whatever adversities we face, we will overcome it and bring peace to this world."

"Elder Cidd, what happened to him?"

Garen being an inquisitive person ever since he understood the importance of knowledge in the war, would always ask any question even if it didn't hold much significance.

Instead of saying it was a bad habit, it might be a unique side to his personality which might lead to unexpected discoveries one day when the time comes.

Cidd was thinking about the next course of action to take only to hear Garen's question as the corners of his lips twitched briefly before he explained, "The solemn attitude of his just now might be another personality of his when dealing with formal matters."

"I see, but wouldn't we have to make him serious once again before communicating?"

"The problem is how though…"

Before Cidd could finish his sentence, the dominant anger of a woman shocked him as he kept his mouth shut.

"Fawkes! How many times have I told you to be more serious when suggesting an alliance to others!"

The woman was tall and slender, her long golden hair was tied up in a ponytail and swaying behind her head. Wearing a robe made of high quality fabric, it only accucuented her curves which could be vaguely seen under the loose robe.

The man, who goes by the name of Fawkes, came back to his senses miraculously as the solemn aura returned to his body.

"Sorry for my behaviour, let me reintroduce myself again. My name is Fawkes, one of the eight Great Paladins of the Paladin Haven and my job is to form alliances with any cultivation forces that are determined to maintain peace in this world. In fact, despite my years of seeking potential alliances, your sect is one of the few which has proved yourself worthy of being an alliance partner."

Fawkes's introduction followed with any explanation was long, but detailed enough to answer Cidd questions as he replied, "I appreciate your suggestion in forming an alliance with our sect, but I'm afraid that I'm unable to make that decision on behalf of our sect master."

"I understand, once you meet up with your sect master, please get him to contact us." The woman said towards Cidd before leaving by leaping into the air with Fawkes chasing behind her.

"Elder Cidd, I don't think they left behind the method of contact."

Garen, who was observant unlike the others who had already sat down to cultivation since moments ago, said towards Cidd as he looked at the direction in which they had left in speechlessly.

In the meantime, Jay who had been gathering information about the Nebula Kingdom finally returned.

The Nebula Kingdom first started off as a city that has existed for thousands of years while being passed down the same generation until a genius was born in their family bloodline.

Despite only having cultivation resources which were restricted to what a city could obtain, that youth stepped into the Martial Spirit realm at the age of fourteen years old.

Yet, that was only the start for that prodigy as he soon stepped into the Martial Lord realm in another year's time. One had to know that the Martial Lord realm despite being only the first of the Four Domains, was an realm which would require a cultivator to face their worst nightmares.

Stepping into the Martial King realm at the age of twenty four, he then decided on his ambition by building the Nebula Kingdom through his own hands.

In just twenty years time, the Nebula Kingdom became one of the strongest kingdoms which even those from the Holy Land fear. Especially since the day, the prodigy himself stepped into the Martial Emperor realm.

He was someone who was fearless of defeat and hundreds of years has passed since then and even though it wasn't proven, everyone believes that he has already stepped into the Martial Ancestor realm and maybe even beyond.

The Nebula Kingdom was one which had faith in the stars, they worshipped the universal ornaments. The sun, the moon, the stars, the galaxy...all these, were the source for strength for cultivators of the Nebula Kingdom which has never failed to step into the Martial Spirit realm at the very least.

There were no laws implemented in the Nebula Kingdom, not because that prodigy himself didn't feel the need to implement any form of restrictions to his citizens, but because every cultivator in the Nebula Kingdom worshipped the stars and believed in equality.

Which was the reason why the Nebula Kingdom would only be growing stronger day by day with all the cultivators helping each other, in terms of just the speed they are getting stronger at, they would be unstoppable even more than before and the present.

This was also the reason why everyone was fine with the Nebula Kingdom hosting the Annual Sect Competition, which was now, the Cultivation Forces Tournament.

They could be trusted to keep things fair and since they mentioned something about unexpected changes, everyone understood that the truth would soon come to light when the time comes, after the preliminary rounds are through and only those cultivation forces that qualify officially will learn of the truth.

But whether it was a form of motivation or secrets to be unfolded, only those Dragon Tier forces that have caused this unexpected storm which was brewing would know of the truth.

It wasn't because they felt the need to prove themselves any further, but because they needed to seek those with strength to contend against the upcoming enemies, those that hail from the other cultivation world.

Not those from the Divine realm, but those who truly wanted to end the cultivation era which should have ceased to exist ten thousand years ago only for them to perish due to the seraph who sacrificed for them according to the legends.

Few know of this secret, but those who know, understood that time was running out.

The Dragon Tier forces kept this a secret so as not to cause panic, but within their own sect, they have always opened up all cultivation resources and sources for their disciples and elders.

It was a last resort, but every bit of strength they could gather and muster now might change the tides of the battle, even if it's only to a pathetic extent not worth mentioning.

After all, they had no other choice but to comply with this method which they understood as pointless.

"Cidd, I heard that the resting location for each cultivation has already been informed to us through the token." Jay descended from the sky and said towards Cidd.

"I'll give it a try."

Cidd took out the token which was emitting a faint heat from within his spatial ring, the borders glowing slightly crimson from its initial silver colour, but cooling down immediately the moment he took it out.

"Spring Breeze Inn"

That was the resting location of the sect which was transmitted into his mind.

"I got it, let's make our way there."

While Cidd was busy gathering the disciples who had ended their cultivation briefly with dissatisfaction on their faces, the Emperor of the Nebula Kingdom had just left his kingdom.

Not because the Cultivation Forces Competition held no importance to him, but because the meeting he had to attend was related to more than just the Cultivation Forces Competition itself.

The emperor was known by a name which Ace would never expect, not because his name was not one would know, but because it was someone who Ace was close to.

Ace knew that person well for teaching him about the frost law and guiding him in the early stages of cultivation, not only that, it was also that person who saved him.

The Emperor of Ice, to be more exact, It was the Emperor of the Galaxy known as Ultric. The only cultivator in the Nebula Kingdom who managed to derive his source of strength from the coldest star he could locate directly.

The star was his strength and he was the star. In the vast galaxy or what is known as outer space, there was a star which belonged to him exclusively and that was his infinite source of strength.

As for who Shawn really was…

"Galaxy Emperor, you're late."