Late night visit

"On your path of revenge, do you wish to bring her back to life? That woman who became the emerald flower, do you want her to return to your side? That woman who once loved that man with everything she had, do you want her to have a second chance in life?"

Ace questioned, stepping closer towards Chris who was currently staring at him, his arms reached out but quivering in fear and excitement, his eyes full of hope and plea, despite the possible disappointment that Ace might not have a way to bring her back to life.

Yet, what is with this young boy? Just what did the young boy do to convince him? His eyes were pure and full of clarity, one that should only belong to a Martial Saint which he was one step away from.

The confidence in his demeanor was unwavering, as though bringing someone back to life was only a matter which takes time.

"Are you sure that you can bring her back to life? The woman I loved and still love, the woman who has become nothing but a flower which is only being protected by one man." Chris implored, his hands gripping onto Ace shoulders with force which made Ace wince in pain without leaking a single sound from his mouth.

"What I need is not only an alliance partner, but someone I can fully trust until the day I stand at the peak, free from the shackles and chains of this world…"

This boy, he's only fourteen years old based on the Galaxy rankings, but the maturity and mindset of his already exceeds that of his age.

"I promise you my loyalty, but I hope that you'll be able to fulfill this promise of yours when the day comes." Chris assured as he thumped his fist onto his chest.

"As one of the eight Overlords from the Divine realm, I hereby swear my loyalty to you under the title, Orochi."

"System, is it possible for me to view the data on Orochi and his true background?"

Ace asked within his mind curiously as he recalled the system message which was neglected during the final moment of his breakthrough.

"The system has fully absorbed the card. The host will be able to view data on anyone without the usage of system points from now on."

The next moment, a scarlet panel appeared before Ace's eyes.

Heaving a sigh of relief that the system's message wasn't just his own imagination, Ace read the information on Chris, Orochi, that the system had gathered.

Chris: Titled Orochi, Great Saint sixth realm

Chris: One of the Eight Overlords of the Divine realm, the Crimson Overlord feared by all for his manipulation of flames.

"I see... you've been hiding your true cultivation this entire time to develop another cultivation family before returning to the Divine realm."

Knowing that Ace had already seen through his disguise, Orichi took off his human skin mask, revealing a handsome face which captured Ace's attention.

His crimson hair was tied up in a ponytail, his eyes were staring at Ace as though he could fully understand Ace just from doing so.

"That's right, but until you're in the Divine realm, there's nothing much I can do to help you. You'll know the reason one day, but since you have Jay with you, everything should be fine."

Orochi explained as he placed the flower back from where he took it, confident that this wouldn't affect the life essence of the emerald flower.

"I know you can't tell me everything about yourself right now, but just remember this, I know you by the name of Chris, the family head of the Crimson family. For now, just focus on developing the Crimson family, when the time comes, I'll call for your help."

"Chris, I won't treat you as my servant or anyone of a lower status, in actual fact, I hope that we can work as partners of an equal status." Ace said as he walked deeper into the garden, surprised by the fact that the heat here was hot enough to make him sweat.

"The flowers here are all of the fire element, which explains the sweltering heat you are feeling just now. In fact, you should be glad that you have stepped into the realms of a Martial Lord, or you would already be dead by now." Chris laughed as he introduced other flowers and plants with medicinal and cultivation benefits.

After discussing their future plans, Ace then took his leave as he returned to the courtyard to cultivate.

Even though he has already stepped into the Martial Lord realm, Ace wasn't going to cut himself some slack.

In fact, what he needed to do now was spend most of his time stabilizing his current cultivation base.

Of course, his sword training and mental energy training wasn't to be neglected as well.

After returning to the courtyard, Ace realised that everyone was occupied with their own cultivation.

Without disturbing anyone, he found a serene location in the courtyard.

Circulating his spirit energy, he began to cultivate even though the amount of spirit energy in his spirit sea was barely increasing.

When one steps into the Martial Lord realm, it was inevitable that their cultivation speed would be slowed down.

Even geniuses who could make a breakthrough every few months or even every month, might take more than just months for a breakthrough.

This is also the reason why these realms are known as the Four Domains, with their names each carrying a certain category.

If one fails to break through to the Martial King realm within five years, their talent would be greatly restricted in the future.

Ten years later and one must step into the Martial Emperor realm.

Twenty five years later, one has to step into the Martial Ancestor realm.

Sixty years later, right before they have remained in the Four Domains realm for a hundred years, one must become a Minor Saint if they still have the heart to pursue the path of cultivation.

This was a secret which most Minor Saints themselves kept to prevent others from overtaking them one day.

Humanity was falling not only because of their weaker cultivation talent compared to others, but also because of their selfishness.

Human cultivators were doing everything within their capabilities to slow down each other's progress, but other races were doing the exact opposite.

The elves of the forests worked together, hand in hand to protect the forest against outsiders.

The demon beasts have their higher lifespan and stronger physical body.

With their rule of survival of the fittest, each and every single demon beast was the strongest of the strongest within their specific range and cultivation.

The exotic species that exist faraway from the mainlands, the monks from the temples that rarely show temples, the cult followers who have different beliefs.

All of them might be of a minor group, but compared to most of the human cultivators, they were united as one.

Understanding this fact, Ace felt pressurized.

There was a need for strength, but he still had to calm down.

One mistake here could ruin his future, breaking the perfect foundation he has built up until now.

Slowing down his cultivation speed intentionally, Ace could see his spirit sea increasing in volume slower than previously.

But instead of being paranoid and having to worry about his spirit sea diverging apart, at least it was stable right now.

After Ace stopped observing his spirit sea and focused his attention on cultivating however, the cultivation speed of his actually increased.

It was faster than before.

Just like this, Ace sat under the tree, protected from the sweltering heat by its leaves which acted as his shield.

Night came, the full moon today creating an ambience for Ace to think about a particular someone.

Seating on the bench alone, Ace closed his eyes and enjoyed the state of tranquility.

It seems that the cultivation world is going to be in chaos.

Not only because of external threats, but because of internal disorders as well.

Despite all these worries, Ace was being nonchalant about it. Others cultivate for fame and respect, but him and his allies were cultivating for a certain purpose.

In order to take revenge for their loved ones, in order to save someone, in order to be free from the shackles of life restraining their fate.

"Sect master, do you mind if I take a seat beside you?"

The voice of a mature woman sounded from behind Ace.

"You may."

Ace answered with his eyes still closed.

After hearing that Clarissa had sat down, Ace opened his eyes.

"Clarissa, what are you doing here in the middle of the night?"

Ace inquired as he sat upright with his feet onto the ground.

"It's to do with Arith."