Abyss

Ban expression shifted from light to heavy. He asked, "Is it true that the universe is currently facing a catastrophe?"

"You.. How did you know about that news?"

Clara was surprised as she immediately stood up. She stared at Ban with confusion.

"So the universe indeed will be facing a catastrophe?" Ban's face became serious.

Clara became silent as she stared at Ban with doubt and hesitation.

The phenomenon happens when Ban tried to break through to the next Major Realm. After that phenomenon, the four Realms shifted their direction and will be clashing right at the center of the universe in time.

Ban got puzzled by her stare and asked, "Can't your Eastern Realm do something about it?"

Clara still remained silent. After a few seconds, she shook her head as if she was denying that matter. She sighed and replied, "The catastrophe is inevitable. We are helpless of stopping it. Also, it's better if you don't meddle in this problem. It will only give burden to you and your family."

Clara's aunt mentioned that she won't leave this planet so she was assured that nobody can disturb here when the event happens.

Ban didn't take her advice and asked, "Is it some kind of emergence of a strong species that will try to enslave the residents of the universe? If so, I can help you defeat them. It's only a matter of time before I grow stronger."

"It's more than that." Clara shook her head in dismay. She changed the topic and looked around, "So, you are now officially recruiting disciples?"

Although Ban was curious, he didn't force her to reveal more of the information as Clara refused to tell him anything further. He plans to check the four Realms in two years time anyways.

"Tommorow." Ban nodded slightly. He squinted his eyes at her and asked, "Any advice for me?"

Clara blinked her eyes as her and she sat down. She nodded and said, "Tell me how you run this Sect. I might advice you something I know."

Ban sat beside her and said, "Once they become the Sect disciples tomorrow, they will be tagged as Outer Sect Disciples."

"Basically, a disciple can start everything from entering the Tower of Challenge, doing missions on Mission Hall, exchanging contribution points for treasures like skills, pills, weapons, etc. when they reached 5th level of Mortal Profound Realm."

"Each disciple will be given three contribution points to start. This feature will have many functions. It can be trade, used for a bet, exchanges just like I mentioned just now, and many more."

"If a disciple reached Origin Profound Realm, he or she will become an Inner Sect Disciple-"

"Pretty much basic when it comes for advancement." Clara waved her hand as she pursed her lips. She continued, "Your standards are too low."

"What do you mean?" Ban raised his brow and asked in confusion.

"You call your Sect The Invincible Sect? Those standards you mentioned are common in the Eastern Realm low-class Sects." Clara shook her head. She continued, "For a prestigious Sect in the Eastern Realm, my power at the Peak of Sky Profound Realm is considered an Outer Sect Disciple."

"Err." Ban cleared his throat in shame. He was too rash back then to name his Sect such title. Now, he felt like changing the name of his Sect into a humble one.

"Your rules are good too. For a starter Sect like yours, it wasn't that bad. After all, the materials that built your Sect are rarest of the rare that even the prestigious Sects in my land will be jealous of how wealthy your Sect was." Clara chuckled as she found Ban's expression was amusing.

Ban twitched his lips as he was being played by her.

"What else?" Clara found a way to relax herself as she was too stressed up the whole day only ended up failed at Tower of Challenge' top floor

"What else is there?" Ban smirked as he closed in to her. His claws became active as he tickled her body. He exclaimed, "You dare tease your master? Feel my wrath, little disciple!"

"Ah!" Clara yelped and was caught off guard as she didn't expect Ban would attack her all of a sudden. She laughed and tried to escape from Ban's twitching claws on her body.

Ban also enjoyed the moment as he even hugged her body as they rolled on the ground.

Some kids noticed their action and couldn't helped but stared a bit more in the fun.

The girls already covered their eyes as they couldn't take the public display of affection of Ban and Clara.

Ban halted his action and glanced around. He immediately helped Clara who was out of breath and her face was red from laughing.

"What's... the matter?-" Clara was panting as she asked, but her face turned stiff when she also realized the problem. She then turned to Ban as she gave glared with embarrassed face.

When she was about to flee at the scene, her soft hand was held by Ban.

"Wait. I have another matter to discuss with you." Ban coughed a bit and his face returned to normal.

"What is it?" Clara blamed herself for being so casual around Ban. Now she couldn't wait to hide to the other side of the planet.

Ban chuckled as he successfully teased her back. He grabbed her waist and before she could react, they diappeared on the spot.

...

North Pole...

*Swish!*

"L-Let go.." Clara pinched Ban's naughty hand as she said in a low voice. She didn't know why, but everytime Ban tried to tease her, she couldn't reject his advances.

"We're here." Ban smiled as he let go of her waist.

"This place.."

Clara muttered as she observed the abyss and was surprised to see that they arrived at the place where many Arena guards are on the vicinity.

In fact, the abyss was located at the mountain that has been split by an unknown means.

The crevice was so deep that even Clara suspected it was connected to the core of the planet.

Moreover, the mountain doesn't have snow on it despite it was located in one of the coldest place of the planet making the splitted mountain very unique than other mountains.

"Why did you take me to this area?"

She once visited this place with Ariana and Emma. This abyss is also nearby from the headquarters of the Arena which her aunt stayed.

Her aunt, Emma once told her that there's a unknown seal that prohibit anyone to pry further down.

Emma brought their finest Array Grandmasters, but their all returned with defeated faces as they couldn't recognize the inscription symbols on the seal.

"A friend told me that your people lingered around this place." Ban said. This is the third matter that Nana mentioned to him. Her spies told her the recent actions of the Arena guards.

He also checked the place earlier and was confused when he sensed a familiar aura which lingered around.

"Who's this friend of yours, really? Did that friend of yours also told you about the incoming catastrophe?" Clara eyed Ban closely as she became doubtful.

"What are you two doing here?"

A cold voice interrupted their conversation as Ariana floated slowly towards the two. Her eyes behind her veil coldly stared at Ban and Clara.