Chapter 43: Leaving Azure cloud sect

After five days, the time for the mission had finally arrived.Grey stood at the entrance of the sect on the rainbow bridge, the sun casting a golden glow over the serene landscape.He was eager for the mission ahead, having been briefed by the sect leader.He expected Lu Xueqi and Shu Shu were to join him since they had secured spots in the top four of the tournament. What intrigued him was the identity of the third person.As three figures emerged from the distance, Grey's assumptions about Lu Xueqi and Shu Shu were confirmed. The third figure, however, was unexpected—Qi Hao, the disciple he had bested in the second round of the tournament.Grey quickly grasped the reason for Qi Hao's presence. Though Qi Hao hadn't made it to the top four because of their match, he was undoubtedly a formidable disciple who might have claimed the top spot otherwise.It makes sense for the sect to include someone of his caliber in such a crucial mission.With a warm smile, Grey approached Shu Shu and Qi Hao. "Shu Shu, Brother Qi Hao, are you ready for the mission?"Shu Shu's eyes twinkled with enthusiasm as he returned the smile. "Yes, Grey. Your performance at the tournament was impressive. You've truly exceeded everyone's expectations.""Well, I'm glad to hear that," Grey replied, his tone light and confident. "I always try to do my best."Qi Hao chuckled softly, a touch of admiration in his voice. "Junior Grey, your strength is undeniable. As a senior, I can only accept my defeat with humility. It's clear you're a step ahead of the rest of us."Grey's smile widened, and he offered a sincere compliment. "Brother Qi Hao, you're genuinely strong. If I hadn't been in the tournament, you would have likely taken first place. Your skills are impressive."Qi Hao's modesty was evident as he responded with a warm smile. "You're too kind, Junior Brother. But it's true—you're on a whole different level. It's reassuring to have someone like you representing our sect on this mission."As they conversed, Lu Xueqi stood quietly beside them. Her usually impassive face seemed to hold a hint of contemplation.She glanced at Grey, a thoughtful expression on her face. It was clear she wanted to speak, but uncertainty lingered in her gaze.The quiet moment stretched, filled with unspoken words and lingering glances. Lu Xueqi's usual poise was momentarily replaced by an inner struggle, evident in her furrowed brow and fleeting looks toward Grey.She seemed hesitant, unsure of how to bridge the gap between her thoughts and the words she wanted to convey.Shu Shu, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, decided to take charge. Drawing his sword with a decisive motion, he looked at the group."Let's get going," he said, his voice filled with purpose. With that, he ascended into the sky, his sword slicing through the air with practiced ease.Qi Hao and Lu Xueqi followed suit, their swords lifting them gracefully into the sky.Grey, however, lingered on the ground for a moment longer, a smile curling on his lips. While sword flying was practical and efficient, it didn't quite capture his sense of adventure.What he craved was the exhilarating freedom of soaring through the air like Superman, unburdened by anyartifacts.Although flying using only Qi without an artifact consumed more energy, this wasn't a problem for Grey.Throughout the tournament, he had only used about 20% of his Qi, and that was without tapping into his Demonic Qi. His cultivation passively absorbed Qi from the environment, so energy depletion was never a concern for him.With a grin, Grey enveloped himself in a brilliant blue aura of Qi. He crouched briefly, then launched himself skyward with a burst of energy.The wind roared past him, and he felt an intense rush of freedom and pure joy. It had been five years since he last soared through the air like this."This is amazing!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the sky as he overtook his companions, who were still flying on their swords.Qi Hao, glancing down moments before, noticed Grey still on the ground and turned to Shu Shu. "Why is Junior Brother Grey still down there?"Shu Shu, just as puzzled, shrugged. "I don't know. He's always full of surprises."Lu Xueqi, her expression as impassive as ever, observed silently.Suddenly, a blue streak shot past them, followed by Grey's exuberant shout. "This is amazing!"Qi Hao couldn't help but chuckle at Grey's antics. "Junior Brother is truly unpredictable," he said, shaking his head with a smile.He, along with Shu Shu and Lu Xueqi, increased their speed, trying to keep pace with Grey's playful flight.As Grey ascended higher, he was engulfed by an overwhelming sense of liberation. He weaved through the clouds, the cool mist caressing his face and sparkling in the sunlight.Each passing cloud left a trail of shimmering mist, adding a touch of magic to the experience.The joy of unrestricted movement filled him with exhilaration. It wasn't merely about flying; it was about the freedom it represented.For five long years, Grey had meticulously controlled his actions within the sect. He had to conceal his true strength to avoid drawing unwanted attention from potential threats like Cang Song, the Demonic sect spy.Every step he took was calculated, every word measured to avoid arousing suspicion. He had to tread carefully, aware that even the smallest misstep could alert Cang Song—whom he privately referred to as "that dog."Now, in the vast, open sky, far from the sect's watchful eyes, Grey felt a profound sense of release. He no longer had to suppress his true self.The sky was his playground, and he reveled in the boundless freedom it offered. For the first time in years, he let go of the constant vigilance and embraced the sheer joy of the moment.With a jubilant shout, he soared ahead, leaving everything behind. The thrill of flying, the rush of air against his skin, and the sensation of unrestrained movement were intoxicating.