Uncle Jake

"Who are you?" Ace reacted quickly and backed off from his initial location while turning around, shocking the others.

"What's the matter?" Cidd was the first to react even though he didn't participate in the preliminary rounds.

In fact, Cidd's only role is to ensure that the disciples are safe, only when there's a need for his strength, will he participate in the annual cultivation forces tournament.

The others withdrew their weapons, being alert to any sudden ambushes as they took up a defensive stance.

"Don't worry, I have no malicious intentions, nor will I both with matters of the Nirvana Sect."

The assassin's voice was coming from all directions, making it impossible for everyone to discern his location.

The assassin was being wary of them, but by being in the shadows, he had already gained the upper hand.

"What exactly are you trying to achieve?" Ace asked coldly after scanning the area with his mental energy in vain.

"Don't you think that you're thinking too much into this matter, all I want to do is join the Nirvana Sect and create my own hall of assassins."

The man answered without showing himself, his footsteps sounding from each cardinal direction which confused Ace and the others.

Jay knew the location of the man, but he remained silent just as the man had expected.

"If that's the case, you could have established the Elusion Hall even without the assistance of the Nirvana Sect."

"But that would make the finding of potential seeds a major problem which I'm not keen to be bothered with."

The assassin continued to lurk in the dark, speaking with his cold voice enveloped with killing intent which left everyone unfazed.

"I see, but if I were to get involved with matters of the Elusion Hall, would you get offended?"

"I won't, all I request is fair treatment from all of you and the freedom to choose my own members."

"If you agree to this simple condition of mine, then I'll show myself right now. After all, you won't be able to hurt me even if you try to, haha haha."

"Just what exactly is your motive? It can't be as simple as wanting to make use of my sect to recruit young talents." Ace questioned, seeing no need to hide this curiosity of his.

"Can we speak about this matter privately? If you're worried about your own safety, you can have that Sword Ancestor to accompany you considering that most of your secrets are known to him."

The assassin spoke in a different voice, but it was one which sent a tidal wave of shock into Ace's heart, invisible tears welling up in his eyes.

This voice, was it him? Did he survive the whole massacre just like him? Recollecting about that night, Ace realised that the only corpse he saw was from his father, but this man, he was nowhere to be seen that night.

"It's fine, we can speak privately right here." Ace told the assassin who was lurking in the dark.

"All of you, return to the courtyard now. Jay, please ensure that no Tiger Tier forces inflict harm upon my disciples and elders." Ace ordered with Jay accepting the simple request.

"But sect master, who knows what intentions that man has, what if he attempts to harm you?" Garen asked in concern, only to receive a death stare from Ace.

"I have my own reasons for doing so, also, I have some questions to ask you about later." Ace walked up to Garen and tapped him on the shoulder, leaning forward to whisper this message into his ears.

"The rest of you, remember this, do not step anywhere near my personal room at all costs regardless of the commotion. Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes."

"Sect master, we shall take our leave first." Cidd said on everyone's behalf.

After everyone left, Ace heaved a sigh of relief and smiled sincerely for the first time since ages ago.

"Uncle Jake, how has life been for you since that day?"

"Young master, I believe that you have gotten the answer to your question. I don't know if you remember this, but back when you were around eight years of age, you asked me about my occupation."

"I did, you told me that you were only a cleaner who worked for the Gale family, but it seems that you had been concealing the truth the entire time." Ace joked about in laughter, not giving a regard to the few passersby and curious cultivation leaders.

"Why don't we find somewhere to sit down for some tea?" Jake suggested as Ace took up the suggestion readily, after all, this was the first time he bumped into a survivor from his family.

After settling down at the inn as they found a desolated table and benches around the corner with a scenic window view on the third floor, they called for the waiter and ordered some tea and pastries.

"Uncle Jake, can you tell me everything about my parents and where you were when the attack took place. With your strength, preventing that massacre should have been an easy task."

"That maniac slipped past me, not because I didn't notice him, but because I was too seriously injured after eliminating the rest of them, not to mention that there was a Martial Ancestor realm cultivator among them."

"Even though I managed to take the life of that Martial Ancestor and his followers, I lost consciousness after that and by the time I regained consciousness, half a year had already gone by and I was even lucky to be still alive."

"Right before I fainted, I enveloped my body with a treasured artifact which sheltered me from the extreme weather conditions and disasters while shunning away incoming predators that were preying on me, I was a sumptuous feast to never be enjoyed."

"But there's one thing I can tell you, your father is still alive and he's currently trying to bring your mother back to life. But for that to happen, your father needed the life of a Martial Saint, not only that, that person's bloodline must be related to your mother."

"Is...my father planning to make use of my blood?" Ace stuttered, but still managed to ask the question he had been stuck in his throat for a long period of time.

"Of course not, your father himself is a Martial Saint, but because his blood isn't able to revive your mother, he has already made his next step of plans."

"What is it?"

"By ascending to the Divine realm to seek the Gale family and gain their recognition within fifty years before your mother's soul fully dissipates.

"My mother...what type of woman was she?"

With a sigh, Jake answered honestly as memories of the past surfaced into his mind, "Your mother was a woman who gave up everything for your father and her life for you. Not only that, before she died, she did everything she could to ensure that you can grow up safely, as for you being unable to cultivate before others, it was her wish as well. To be honest, I'm still surprised that you made it this far in a year."

"So? Will you consider establishing the Elusion Hall in the Nirvana Sect now?"

"Of course, I would be more than willing to invite such an expert like Uncle Jake into my sect. From now on, you'll be the first Hall Master of the Nirvana Sect and I don't require much from the Elusion Hall, all I require is the gathering of intel, is that possible?"

"Hahahaha, you can trust this old bag of bones, I may already be in my fifties, but I'm still as fit as ever."

"Alright, alright, we shall talk about this latter. Uncle Jake, why don't you return with me first?"

Ace proposed as Jake shook his head in disapproval.

"It's fine, I still have some loose ends to settle."

"Take this first, it contains my life experience as an assassin, if the day comes where you spot a suitable candidate, entrust him with this manual, until then, keep it sealed."

Jake instructed before leaving without even giving Ace the chance to bid him goodbye.

"Young master, I'm glad that you have developed this far, I'm sure the master will be enraged by my actions as well. At least, before I die, all I can do is…"

Ace had no intentions to stir up trouble, but when the incoming disaster was linked to his loved one whose life was put into danger for his sake, how would he choose between benefits and a life which meant the world to him?

"Haish, at least uncle Jake is still alive." Ace heaved another sigh of relief, finishing his cup of tea which was sent to their table at some point of time before taking his leave, on the table, left behind was a high grade spirit stone as a tip.

Ending the conversation of Jake, Ace then returned to his own courtyard. He still had another meeting to settle after all.

"You've finally arrived."