Angered

Within the territory of the Cloud Soaring Sect, there was a chamber where nine figures faced one another. Each of them wore a red uniform, their auras brimming with formidable power.

Six young Adventurers stood before Noah, flanked by Marcus and the Disciplinary Hall Elder.

Five of the youths had their heads bowed, while a single young woman met Noah's gaze directly, her eyes blazing with fierce indignation.

That young woman was none other than Ashe, and at present, she had already advanced to 4th Level Profound Rank.

"Father," Ashe demanded, her voice sharp with frustration, "why are you doing this? You stubbornly refuse to help—and now, when we try to find a way to aid the man who saved all our lives, you stop us! Can you explain this to me? Because I don't understand you anymore!"

Noah did not answer. Instead, he looked past her, scrutinizing the other five members of the Soaring Seven. Surprise and confusion flickered across his eyes as he sensed their cultivation levels.

"You five," he said slowly, "how did you manage to reach your current ranks in such a short span of time? Even if you obtained mountains of treasure within the Mystic Treasure Realm, it still should have been impossible for you to ascend this far, this quickly."

He had already received reports about this, but even so, he could not suppress his disbelief. In just over three months, these youths had risen step by step to the Profound Rank. Two of them were already 2nd Level Profound Rank!

Even Marcus appeared taken aback. In their own generation, no one had ever progressed at such an astonishing pace.

None of the five spoke. Noah shifted his focus to the strongest among them.

"Lore Lilytel," he said, his voice edged with growing irritation, "how did all of this happen? I am your Sect Master. I have the right to know what is happening."

His voice rang out cold and severe. He could not accept that he, the leader of the sect, knew nothing of this. If word spread of the core members' levels, everyone would question him. And what would he say? Even the Royal Clan had no method to propel their members to Profound Rank in a mere season—how could he, just the leader of a faction, possibly explain this?

Lore lifted his gaze and answered steadily, "Sect Master Noah, forgive me. But I cannot reveal the truth. I swore an oath to a friend that I would keep this matter secret. Even if I wished to speak, I cannot break my vow."

Noah froze. His thoughts churned. A friend? He tried to imagine who Lore might mean, but no face came to mind.

He knew Lore well. The boy was proud and distant. Aside from Ashe, there was no one Lore ever drew close to.

Since no answers would come from them, he finally turned to the Disciplinary Hall Elder and ordered that the five be given proper punishment. They were to be confined in the Disciplinary Hall, facing the walls, to reflect upon and learn from their transgressions.

Ashe's voice rang out, cold as frost. "Sect Master Noah—how do you intend to maintain the Cloud Soaring Sect's reputation when you can't even uphold your own promises? I respected you more than anyone, but I never knew you were such a coward."

Her words struck like a blade.

Noah's chest constricted, as though something sharp had pierced straight through. A memory flickered behind his eyes, dimming his expression.

"Ashe! You don't know what you're saying!" Marcus roared in anger.

Noah lifted a hand to silence him.

He gave Ashe a sad smile and spoke softly. "Do you truly think I am a coward, a worthless man, my daughter? Perhaps you are right. I am worthless—and this has always been the thing I regret most."

--

For over four hours, Finn had flown through the skies atop his Silver Flying Sword.

He was searching for any nearby town or city where he could inquire about his current location. He had no idea exactly where he had ended up, and without that knowledge, he could not find his way back to the Azure Wood Family.

Even as he traveled, his thoughts remained on Poll. He had dearly wanted to take Poll with him right away, to begin instructing him properly. He had even planned to bring the boy to the Alchemist Association, where he could learn the foundational principles of alchemy.

To Finn's mind, the Alchemist Association would have been the ideal place for Poll to grow. But he knew all too well that at this moment, he could not guarantee his student's safety.

There was still that arrogant, conceited Brien in the Association. Finn could never be at ease if he simply left Poll there. He had no way to predict how Brien might react upon learning that someone else in the kingdom possessed a Blue Alchemy Flame besides himself.

Finn had seen with his own eyes the brutality Brien was capable of. And Poll was only at Bronze Rank—he could never defend himself if Brien decided to act.

Nearly an hour later, Finn finally spotted a city in the distance.

He hadn't expected to come upon such a large settlement, and relief and surprise mingled across his face.

He descended before the gates.

When a Scarlet Gold Rank guard saw him alight from his flying sword, the man immediately bowed with deference.

Anyone could tell that those who possessed a flying sword were no ordinary Adventurers—they were either elders of great factions or members of the Royal Clan.

The guard didn't recognize Finn, bowing too swiftly to glimpse his features properly. If he had known this young man was the most controversial figure in the entire Sacred Dragon Kingdom, he surely would have cried out in joy. Everyone dreamed of laying eyes on such an influential Adventurer even once in their lives.

Or perhaps it wouldn't have mattered. Rumor had already spread that the most talented young adventurer of all had perished inside the Mystic Realm. Apart from Ashe, no one had emerged alive after the allotted time expired.

Ashe's miraculous return had already left countless questions in its wake. Yet in the end, everyone was still waiting for any word about her condition.

Thanks to the Concealing Ring on Finn's finger, none could sense his true level and rank. A few passersby stole curious glances at his face, but quickly looked away, shaking their heads. They simply assumed he resembled that famously missing youth.

Finn walked the wide avenues of the city, searching for the Adventurers' Guild branch. He needed to ask about recent events. Three months had passed since he vanished, and he had to learn what had befallen his clan and family.

If any organization could provide such information, it was the Adventurers' Guild. Their network spanned the entire kingdom. They were also the most influential when it came to gathering intelligence. Beyond information, they offered commissions to adventurers from every walk of life.

The guild's origins were shrouded in mystery. Aside from a handful of royals and the highest-ranked individuals, no one knew where it had come from or who truly controlled it.

Some said the Adventurers' Guild belonged to a Legend Rank individual. But the truth was, no one knew for certain.

After a few minutes of searching, Finn finally located the guild. Its building bore the same distinctive design as every other branch—and it stood conveniently close to the city gates.

He read the inscription above the doors, then stepped inside.

No sooner had he entered than an elderly man came forward to greet him.

Both Finn and the elder paused in mutual surprise.

Though the old man wore ordinary robes, Finn felt certain of the power radiating from him—a 2nd Level Sky Rank aura!

How could the head of a city branch be a Sky Rank Adventurer? In Heavenly Sky City, even the guild master had only been Scarlet Gold Rank!

"Finn Doria?!" the elder gasped, eyes wide. "You're alive?!"

Finn blinked. "You…know who I am?"

When the old man was sure of his identity, he stared as though he still couldn't believe it.

"Who in this kingdom doesn't know the most talented young Adventurer of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom? Your portrait is everywhere. And besides—we are the Adventurers' Guild. It is our business to know everything that happens."

He steadied his breathing and continued in a more composed tone.

"But your rank…why can't I sense it?"

Finn lifted his hand to the Concealing Ring, slipped it off—and in that instant, an overwhelming aura erupted from his body, flooding the hall.

"9th Level Profound Rank!" the old man exclaimed, thunderstruck.

He could hardly believe it—this youth, not even twenty years of age, was already a true 9th Level Profound Rank. In all his years, he had never heard of such a thing—not even among the prodigies of the first-rate kingdoms.

"You truly deserve your reputation," he murmured in awe. "The most gifted Adventurer in the Sacred Dragon Kingdom's history."

The elder bowed his head respectfully. "I am Kiven, master of this city's guild branch. May I ask—what brings you here?"

Finn smiled faintly, slipping the concealing ring back onto his finger. He inclined his head in polite greeting.

"I require the Adventurers' Guild's assistance. I don't know where I am, and I'm in a hurry to return to my clan. I hoped I could purchase a complete map of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom."

"Ah—I see. So you truly had no idea where you ended up."

Kiven nodded thoughtfully.

"I can provide you with such a map. However, I must advise you—returning to your clan may not be wise."

"Why?" Finn asked, frowning. "I will pay for whatever information you can give."

He reached into his interspatial ring and produced a small vial.

Kiven's gaze settled on the vial, and he spoke quietly.

"Three months ago, there was another young man who came here. He carried fifty bottles of those same pills and begged me to exchange them for ten Profound Nurturing Pills. I saw desperation in his eyes, so I agreed. After all—I am Sky Rank myself, and have no need of such pills. But the rare pill he carried intrigued me—I wanted to study it."

Finn's brows furrowed in surprise. "This young man—was he Lore Lilytel of the Wind Lightning Family?"

He recalled giving Lore those many Advance Scarlet Pills—a gesture to help him stand against Azur Lilytel in their contest for succession. But to trade them for ten Profound Nurturing Pills? And in desperation?

Finn couldn't understand.

While he was lost in thought, Kiven retrieved a scroll from his own interspatial ring and handed it to him.

"The city you stand in is called Lightning Crystal City. This is Wind Lightning Family territory—not too far from your Azure Wood Family. But if you insist on seeing your kin again, or fighting to the death, I would recommend you leave at once. The war between your family and the Nine Ice Family began more than three months ago.

"Your clan has held their ground—but with each passing day, their casualties grow. And I have also learned that the Nine Ice Family plans to dispatch their First Elder to end this war once and for all. He is 8th Level Profound Rank, while your strongest elder is merely 6th Level Profound Rank—"

He broke off abruptly as a terrifying aura burst through the hall.

The scroll vanished from his hands—and so did Finn.

A heartbeat later, a voice thundered from outside, echoing with wrath.

"Nine Ice Family! You still haven't learned your lesson!"