6 : Met Wife once Again

In the hushed hours of early morning, while the fort still slumbered under a blanket of stars, Eric rose from his meditative posture. His form was unassuming, his presence barely registering to the few early risers who passed by. They servants paid little attention to the solitary figure, dismissing his Qi condensation stage cultivation and plain ugly features as unremarkable.

Under the dim glow of a solitary oil lamp, its flame casting long, dancing shadows, Eric approached the task at hand. Before him stood the royal chariot, a magnificent construction designed to carry the palace ladies. Its frame was a testament to skilled craftsmanship, adorned with silken golden cloth that shimmered softly in the lamp's light.

Eric's movements were methodical and precise as he began to prepare the chariot. He tucked his sleeves, dragging the hefty vehicle iron steed with a single hand, positioning it for the necessary assembly. The task required not just physical strength but a deep understanding of the intricate mechanics of the chariot.

He delved into the inventory of the Royal horse deck, selecting various parts of the chariot with a discerning eye. Each piece was chosen for a specific purpose, his selections seemingly unconventional yet purposeful. The inventory head watched from a distance, puzzled by Eric's choice of components. It was not the standard protocol for chariot assembly, but he held his tongue, thinking, "Let him be. If anything goes wrong, it's on him."

Eric's hands moved with skilled agility, connecting parts and reinforcing joints. The chariot began to take shape, each component fitting seamlessly with the next, as if guided by an unseen blueprint in Eric's mind.

Next, he turned his attention to the horses – one pristine white and the other a deep, majestic black. These were no ordinary steeds; they were rank 3 horses, known for their speed, strength, and intelligence. Eric approached them with a calm authority, his hands gently running over their coats, feeling every muscle and sinew. He cleaned them with care, using long, sweeping strokes that seemed to both soothe and invigorate the animals.

As he adorned them with ornaments, Eric once again deviated from the norm. He selected pieces that were not typically used for such occasions, each choice deliberate and seemingly imbued with meaning. The ornaments were not just decorations but enhancements to the horses' natural grace and power.

The inventory head, unable to contain his curiosity, finally approached Eric. "Why are you choosing these ornaments? They are not the standard for royal chariots."

Eric paused, his eyes meeting the inventory head's. "I just liked these ornaments." he replied, without stopping his hands from decorating the chariot.

The inventory head, though still sceptical, nodded and stepped back, allowing Eric to continue. He couldn't deny the allure of the chariot and the horses as they were transformed under Eric's skilled hands. The combination of the unconventional ornaments and the powerful steeds created a striking image, one that was both elegant and commanding.

As dawn began to break, casting the first light of day over the fort, the chariot stood ready, a masterpiece of functionality and beauty. Eric stepped back, examining his work. The golden cloth glimmered in the growing light, the horses stood tall and proud, adorned in their unique ornaments.

As the early morning mist swirled around the fort, the Third Princess, clad in sect attire of regal purple and adorned with matching jewelry, made her appearance. The soft morning light, still simmering in an orange glow, cast a radiant sheen over the golden ornaments of the chariot, creating a surreal backdrop. However, the princess, caught up in the urgency of her mission, scarcely glanced at the meticulously prepared chariot.

Eric, assuming his position at the front, maneuvered the horses with a mere touch, a subtle command that the animals responded to instantly. The princess settled inside, the golden silk drapery of the chariot obscuring her from view. "Take me to the sect's beast taming zone," she commanded, her attention focused on the contents of her space ring.

Eric, having familiarized himself with every corner of the sect and fort during his earlier explorations, navigated the chariot with ease. The journey was swift, the horses responding to his guidance as if they were extensions of his own will.

They arrived at the vast training ground, a sprawling expanse where several types of spirit animals roamed freely. This was the sect's beast taming zone, a place where disciples honed their skills in handling and bonding with various spirit beasts.

As Eric deftly maneuvered the chariot toward the group of sect disciples, his keen eyes quickly scanned the assembly. Among the disciplined ranks of disciples with their spirit horses, a solitary figure caught his attention. Standing slightly apart from the group, seemingly indifferent to the gathering around her, was Thea. Her presence was like a still point in a turning world, her gaze distant and thoughtful.

Thea, his wife, the woman who had chosen to stay by his side even though their marriage remained unacknowledged by the world. For a fleeting moment, their eyes met, a silent recognition passing between them. Eric's heart skipped a beat, but he swiftly averted his gaze, aware of the many eyes that could be watching. He couldn't afford to reveal their connection, not here, not under the watchful eyes of the sect.

Thea, however, continued to stare at Eric, her expression stoic but her eyes betraying a storm of emotions. To any onlooker, she was just another disciple, but her gaze lingered on the chariot driver a moment too long, a hint of something deeper, something unspoken.

Around them, the sect disciples busied themselves with final preparations, their voices a blend of excitement and anticipation for the journey ahead. The princess, focused on the mission, paid little heed to the silent exchange between Eric and Thea.

"Is everything ready?" she called out, her voice authoritative.

"No, princess. We are waiting for Madam Frost." replied the lead disciple, a young man with an air of confidence.

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Note: Thanks for reading... Stay Tuned for more chapters.

PETERPAN