12. 3 Years, Continues Bombshells, and a Soulmate

Emerald Gem Sect

Orval has been in the grotto now for 3 years. This has begun to worry his family, Susie, and Burlesque. Even Iris, who has been visiting the sect often ever since she attended the competition, was worried. Every time she came, she wished to meet him, but each time he was still in seclusion, so she mostly spent time with Susie. The two of them became very close.

Susie, with the help of Burlesque and Iris, has risen to the peak of Nascent Soul Realm. Iris would often cultivate with Susie and has reached Peak of Rebirth Realm. She was now considered one of the most powerful beings on the entire continent.

After these 3 years in seclusion, Orval has finally stepped out of the pagoda. He was still in the peak Nascent Soul Realm as when he went in, but the biggest difference was the aura he exuded. Each step, each swing of his arms, and even the blinking of his eye lids carried a profound essence that almost seemed divine. He headed towards the sect main hall.

When he arrived, he was greeted by all the elders and leaders. Susie, having reached the peak of Nascent Soul, has also become an elder of the sect and was in charge of recruitment. Everyone was excited to see Orval and could see just how much he has grown. His parents and grandfather were especially happy to see him.

"I am glad that everyone is here, as I have important news to share." spoke Orval. He then continued "As you know the competition organized by the royal family will be upon us shortly. I have decided that after the competition is complete, we will leave this continent."

Everyone had a shocked look on their faces as this was a big change that would normally be very difficult to achieve and take a long time.

"How do you plan to move the sect and why?" inquired his parents with perplexed looks on their faces.

"It's a simple feat. The entire sect is now an artifact connected to the Infinite Legacy Scripture, making it capable of moving the entire sect at the masters will. The plan is to move the entire sect to the competition at the royal capital, so everyone can watch the competition. Then after that we will move to a location that I have determined while in seclusion. There we will create a sect that is unrivaled by any other on the planet. We will create a holy land that will be lower only to the Heavens." informed Orval, with a calm and confident look.

While everyone looked at him like he was crazy, he continued "Grandfather, as I am sure you know, you do not have more than ten years left. With your permission I would like to grant you a new lease on life and allow you to live on indefinitely."

Darren looked at his grandson with a bewildered look. He knew he had little time left, but how could his grandson not only grant him more time but allow him to live on indefinitely?

See his grandfathers look of curiosity, he continued "Once we leave for the royal capital, I will create a small fortress. In the center there will be a giant gate that will connect to our sect gate. This will become the only way to access our sect. It will require anyone who wants to enter the sect to have a special token, that only those of us present can give out. My plan is to convert you into a spirit, who will govern this land and control the gate. You will be the most powerful being on this continent. And to top it off, you will be able to continue cultivating and comprehending more power as time passes."

There was a look of shock on everyone's faces as he was talking about turning a person, someone who was his relative, into a spirit. Darren, who was initially shocked but regained his composure quickly, asked "Will I be stuck at this fortress?"

Orval smiled and spoke "No, you will be free to travel anywhere you wish. You will always have a connection with the gate, so should anything happen you can arrive back there instantly. The only thing you will need to do is every 100 years, we will hold trials for new disciples. You will proceed over the trials which will be held at the fortress and determine if there are any worthy candidates."

Darren thought about it for a brief moment before smiling. He was happy that his grandson was thinking about him. He then stood up and bowed to Orval "I would be happy to watch over the gate and the sect indefinitely."

Orval smiled, as this meant the sect has become much more powerful with this. Everyone else was shocked, but there was one person that was beyond shocked to the point that her jaw was almost falling off her face. It was Iris. She was visiting Susie before this and was ecstatic at the arrival of Orval after all these years. But now she was shocked at this huge bombshell he had dropped. She had finally made up her mind to talk to her father and now this happened.

Orval looked Iris in her eyes and smiled. He had a soft spot for this little princess and while normally he would not share this information with outsiders, he was happy to share this with her.

"Iris, I hope this is not too shocking for you. And I want you to know you are free to join us or visit us after the move." informed Orval.

After explaining his piece Orval left with Susie, back to his palace, after seeing Iris off. She had a lot of information to process and still had to prepare for the competition. The elders of the sect left to inform everyone in the sect and city about the news. The mortals of the city section at this point could choose whether they wanted to go along or stay here. For everyone apart of the city it was a no brainer, of course they would go along. It wasn't everyday someone could go to a holy land let alone live in one as a mortal.

When Orval and Susie arrived at the palace, he called Burlesque over. He then informed them of what their parts will be. "Susie, I have no intention of being the sect leader. I plan to inform my parents that you will be the next leader. You have outstanding talent, currently second only to my own. I know that you will be able to succeed and make the correct decisions that will be grow the sect in the future. Burlesque, after she becomes the leader I will officially pass you on to Susie. This will be my last act as your master at that time. I plan to only focus on growing my cultivation and reaching a level this world has never seen."

Susie, had a complex look on her face hearing she was going to be the next leader. "Will I really be able to lead the sect and grow it? You have been groomed since you were born and have a remarkable talent. I am just an orphan who you raised." she asked with a worried look.

"Of course. You just need to believe in yourself. I would not suggest this if it was not the correct move." explained Orval.

Burlesque, was surprised but compliant with what his master and creator said. He had no complaints as he believed as well that Susie would be a great master and leader of the sect.

After they spoke for awhile, Burlesque went about his usual routine of watching over the pagoda. Susie went to her room and worked hard to comprehend more of her techniques, while digesting the new information she was bestowed.

Orval, began to travel through the vast palace and its many grotto's. He felt very nostalgic as he walked. He had been living in this palace since he first created the scripture. It was his creation with it. But now, he felt after they moved locations it was time for him to create something by himself, not using the power of Burlesque. At that time this would become Susie's since she was going to be the master of the scripture. He continued to walk through the palace slowly and just take everything in.

Royal Capital Tempest Void City

Iris had returned from Emerald Gem Sect and reported to her father. She had informed him of Orval's plan to leave the continent and just how powerful he had become without even advancing from the peak of Nascent Soul.

"Father, to be honest, I would like to join the Emerald Gem Sect. I feel that if I follow him, that will be how I truly advance and become stronger." explained Iris.

"Hmmm. I understand your point, but you are set to be the next queen of this continent. You have no shortage of resources here and can easily grow more powerful here. What could be more important than that?" spoke the majestic Emperor.

"Father, honestly, I have been thinking of this for awhile now. When I first met Orval, he was just another cultivator who was apart of a small sect. But that first meeting when he suppressed my entire group despite being far lower in cultivation, it was truly surprising. Then when I saw his performance during his sects inter competition, I was at a loss for words. Over the last few years a spent a lot of time there and Susie had showed me everything he had done for the sect. Then he came out of no where the other day and shocked everyone with his declaration." explained Iris.

She hesitated for a moment before continuing "And it was at that moment I knew. It could only be him. He is the only reason I have been excited recently. He is the only reason that I am actually looking forward to the competition, even knowing that I have no chance of winning against him. I am positive that he is my soul mate." She looked at her father, whose expression did not change.

The Emperor looked down from his throne at his daughter, his princess, the one who was supposed to be the next queen. He had suspected this for awhile now but was hoping it was not true.

He sighed a deep sigh and then spoke "I understand. You are my daughter before you are the princess and future queen of this continent. It would be ridiculous for me to stand in the way of your happiness. I only hope that you can promise me two things. One, after the competition you will inform him of your feelings and if he accepts them, you will get married here before you leave this continent and give up your right to the throne. Two, if he does not accept you feelings, you can still go but must return when I am ready to retire and take over the throne."

"Of course father, I can accept these two conditions." said Iris with an excited smile. She was not sure why but she felt that everything would work out. She had no reasoning besides her gut feelings.