Defeat, the storm that finally came

Ace's disciples looked at him before turning their gaze towards Sora, inferiority filling their heart as they asked themselves, why were they so weak that they didn't even qualify for this battle?

All of the disciples understood that even if they had the courage to challenge Sora, none of them would make him treat them seriously, to geniuses such as their Sect Master and Sora, elites like them were nothing more than predators that roamed the forests.

To most preys, elites such as them would be a ferocious foe that has to be avoided at all costs. To extraordinary geniuses, however, they wouldn't even be able to catch their attention because they were too weak to serve any purpose.

Even until now, none of the disciples understood Ace's intention in creating the sect, when he poured so much effort into nurturing the sect in its early stages, until the point when he suddenly left for a period of time until his return.

If Ace wanted to, he could have joined any cultivation force and gain access to unlimited cultivation resources that would be able to support his growth until his strength exceeds what this Cultivation World could give them.

*Swoosh*

While the crowd was still discussing matters pertaining to this battle, Sora who had been itching for an opponent of the same generation had already charged towards Ace and slashed his sword towards him.

Sora's sword glowed a vibrant scarlet that attracted the attention of the crowd, but so did Ace's sword, which glowed scarlet despite the vigorous crimson of the sword itself.

*Clang*

The materials used to create the swords caused a sharp screeching sound when they slid past each other, but this was only a teaser as Ace and Sora exchanged moves with only their sword for an entire minute, immersing themselves into the heated battle that they have never experienced.

*Clang*

*Clang*

*Rustle*

Ace and Sora separated from each other.

The excitement of fighting a worthy opponent was written all over Ace's face, his blood was circulating all around his body rapidly, his heart pounded at a rapid pace, the Phoenix Sword vibrating violently in joy for once, for once, they met a worthy opponent.

Sora on the other hand remained calm on the surface, but deep down, he was treating this battle solemnly with spirit energy circulated all over his body.

Ace took the initiative to make the first move this time, the energy of the Astral Blades surrounded the Phoenix Sword, which contained much more destructive power compared to the previous exchanges of elites.

Sora could sense the brimming power of Ace's sword and will as he smiled and closed his eyes, his sword raised above his head.

When Sora heard the sound of air being ripped apart nearing him, he opened his eyes and parried Ace's sword, his sword was glowing golden which contrasted with Ace's scarlet sword, but there was one difference. His sword contained more power than Ace could comprehend.

"Mortal Sin, Destruction of mankind!"

Releasing the immense energy contained within his sword, Sora made Ace retreat from him, but he himself also staggered backwards before coming to a stop.

"What is this? How can a Martial Lord release such destructive power?"

"How is this possible? Even a Martial King Fourth Realm Cultivator might not be able to withstand this amount of strength!"

The various cultivation leaders exclaimed in surprise, especially those who have yet to breakthrough into the middle realms of the Martial King Realm.

"I can't back down here, definitely not right now." Ace's body might be wavering and powerless against this sudden surge of strength, but this wasn't going to stop him.

"If shattering my past is going to make me fall even after withstanding this slash, then what is the point? Why am I avoiding my past?" Ace questioned himself as this very moment, his eyes closed as tears streamed down his face.

"If I can't escape my past since it ties my down, then I shall accept my past. The past shall become the present, the flow of time shall be ignored." The crowd heard Ace's words, all of them stunned by such words of maturity that even many of them lack, some of them even affected by it.

"This move is between my past and the present." Ace continued, the incredible slash that seemed unstoppable to many, approaching Ace, who raised his sword.

"Unravelled Life!"

Ace's sword split Sora's attack apart as he charged through the gap, only to be met by Sora whose interest has been piqued.

"This is the minimum strength of my rival...interesting…" Sora laughed as he met Ace's ferocious attack head-on.

Each time the two of them separated from each other, a force field would spread towards the crowd, resulting in the various cultivation leaders working together to ensure that no one got hurt.

Not only that, they realised that the two of them possessed combat strength of the same level and if one side must come out victorious, then the one who wins must have a trump card that has yet to be used..

*Ba-Thump*

*Ba-Thump*

Ace could hear the rapid beat of his heart, but he was approaching his limit and regardless of how much he struggled, Sora was always able to parry his attacks while sneaking in a few attacks between every few exchanges.

Am I going to lose here? Ace thought to himself as he parried one final attack before being sent off the platform by Sora.

"If you think I defeated you only because of the difference in our cultivation time, then you're greatly mistaken. Remember this, I've only been cultivating for three years." Sora said before leaving the stage, but he was stopped by Ace.

Ace might be injured and weakened right now, but under the support of Alexander and Lancelot who stopped his fall when they saw him being defeated, he remained standing even though his robe was stained in blood from the injuries that have accumulated,

"You have only been cultivating for three years, but I only started cultivating at the age of thirteen, in terms of time, I've only been cultivating for two years, I know that you think the difference between our strength will increase in the future, but that might not be the case when we meet again in the Divine Realm." Ace replied without giving any regard to the crowd and their opinions.

Sora stopped his tracks and turned back to look at Ace, interest reignited in his eyes as he left behind a message, "I'll be waiting for you," before walking away.

Ace knew that he had to depart for the Holy Land immediately, but he was going to bring the Nirvana Sect with him, "We shall return to the Nirvana Sect right away."

But right at this moment, before anyone else could even say anything else or react, the bell of the Nebula Kingdom was struck by the guard on duty.

*Clink*

*Clink*

*Clink*

When everyone heard the first strike of the bell, they maintained their calm and were prepared to provide assistance to reduce the number of casualties.

But when they heard the second strike of the bell, a solemn pressure loomed over everyone. This meant that there's a Demon King involved in the invasion this time, a being that should never leave its territory unless external factors affected it.

The third bell, however, made even the Absolute Sword Sect Master and the other experts shudder. A Demon Emperor was involved in this demon beast invasion and if this was the case, the only one who stands a chance against the Demon Emperor was the Nebula Emperor himself.

The Great General who had been the announcer this entire time changed his robe immediately left, making a beeline to his own army while gathering the higher echelons of the Nebula Kingdom for an emergency meeting.

"It seems that my plan has succeeded, I wonder if Ultric would be able to handle them this time. My disciples, let us leave." The Moonlight Cult Master said towards his personal disciples as he led them through a portal and vanished, their disappearance unnoticed amidst the chaos.

"Congratulations to the host for completing the mission."

System Reward: One-month time capsule within 24 hours

It might not seem like much, but one month's worth of cultivation time was enough for a genius such as Ace to make a major breakthrough and improve himself.

"New system mission has been issued!"

"Assist the Nebula Kingdom with the upcoming beast invasion!"