Annual Sect Competition, preparations

Ace flinched, but ignored the system notification message. His back resting against the tree, his eyes gazing towards the boundless sky.

The sky was the peak, yet beyond the sky was the space, beyond the space were countless realms and beyond that, they were encompassed into one universe. Yet, Ace himself was being defeated by the sky, even the false apex was out of his reach.

Have I been overestimating myself this whole time? Ace questioned himself as he made his way towards his own dwelling.

Why am I worrying? Since there's no path paved out for me, I won't seek one, I'll create a path that suits me the most.

My sword, it'll accompany me. Those who hurt me, will suffer in silence. Those who insult my sword, will suffer devastating regret. Those who hurt my loved ones, will suffer my wrath!

Ace felt the door before him opening up, sword intent gathering at his fingertips before dissipating. It was just for a moment, but Ace knew for sure that he had skipped through the third stage of the sword intent, he was already in the fourth stage of the sword intent.

Not exactly, but he was already seeing the path to it. He knew he was capable of reaching the top with his talent, but there was one thing that eliminates almost all geniuses in the universe, the lack of time.

"Ace, are you alright?" Hearing the concerned voice from behind, Ace couldn't help but give her a smile.

"It's fine to feel tired, you know? I know that you find the burden heavy on your shoulders, there isn't much I can do, but I'll always be there for you for the rest of my life." Charlotte added on as she held Ace's hand from behind, walking to his front as their eyes met.

"Let's return, the only thing we can do now is cultivate."

Ace nodded and pulled her into his embrace again, just like how he usually would.

Ace rested his chin on her head, "There isn't much I can give you as I've said before, I'm tired, but I have a clear goal which I can achieve. In the remaining nine months or so, I'll fully awaken all nine layers of the foundation tower."

"You're wrong." Charlotte rebutted as she pummeled her fist into Ace's chest weakly.

"Yea, it's the both of us…"

Ever since that day, half a month had passed as Ace was close to awakening the fifth layer of the Foundation tower.

"Charlotte, you wanna come with me? Cidd just informed me that Max had regained consciousness and even stepped into the Great Martial Master, most importantly, he wants to meet me urgently." Ace invited her as he grabbed by the hand and made his way towards where Max was situated at.

Father, I won't allow you to take this freedom and love away from me. Ace, who was currently focused on making the next step, didn't realise the slight moment of resolution that flashed in Charlotte's eyes.

"Sect master." Cidd greeted first when Ace arrived. Followed by the other disciples while Max stood there facing Ace. Unlike the first time they met, his eyes revealed mixed emotions instead of the arrogance and confidence which was present half a month ago.

Ruby was standing behind Max, beside her was Clarissa accompanying her, as both her elder and mentor.

"Max, I'm sure you have many questions to ask, but I can tell you this now. The price I paid to save your life, will be one that you can never repay. You can treat it as an investment and help my sect develop, or you can leave with Ruby and live with guilt for the rest of your life."

Ace expressed as he stepped towards Max, his eyes gazing towards everyone present.

Max heaved a sigh of relief when he heard what Ace said, "Sect master, my life belongs to you from now on. I just hope that you can promise me one thing, never let Ruby get hurt in any way or I would never forgive you even if it means going against my moral character."

Confidence returned to Max's eyes again, but Ace didn't blame him for staring at him in such a manner. Instead, this was the Max ace wanted to see, the confident youth with an ambitious heart with a clear goal in sight.

Ace smiled and stuck his hand out, "Welcome abroad."

Max returned the handshake and as a greeting gift as more of a partner than disciple, he gave Ace some details about the annual sect competition that would be held this year.

Based on the Official Sect Grading Headquarters,the annual sect competition this year would be divided into three groups. The age category below 16 years, the age category below 18 years and last but the least, the age category below 30 years.

In each category, there would be four different segments in which a sect can send up to three disciples to participate.

The first and foremost would be the usual martial segment where members of the sect pit against each other in a battle, going in a round robin order until the winner was determined.

The second would be the alchemy segment which was held frequently as well as being able to provide members of the sect with cultivation resources was a must.

The third would be the forging segment which was held once every three years on a separate occasion, but it was brought forward this time in order to hold an annual sect competition of a greater scale.

As for the fourth, it was a segment no sect had ever prepared for. It was based on general knowledge and the only person and must participate is the sect master of their respective sects.

Any topic could arise, such as the names and effects of certain herbs, the location of a unique material in a certain place, the certain characteristics of certain elements and even how the different continents have different territories that…

"Max, you're seventeen this year aren't you? I've made up my mind, you and Lancelot will represent the sect in the Martial segment under the below 18 years category." Ace gave him a pat on the shoulder before leaving after finishing what he had to say.

Making use of the meeting hall communication function, Ace then got the elders to gather all the disciples in the meeting hall within 15 minutes.

After every disciple was seated down, the meeting hall was in awkward silence.

The disciples kept silent, worried that their improper behaviour and actions might infuriate their sect master.

"There's no need to be so serious, I'm here to make an announcement today." Ace's voice broke the awkward silence in the meeting hall as the disciples looked up to face him.

Nodding his head, Ace continued, "In three months time, the annual sect competition would be held. From now till the end of the month, I expect all of you to work hard as I'll be choosing the representatives then."

"Sect master, what about someone like me who devotes my heart to forging? There's no way my cultivation and combat strength can compare to those who devote their attention to cultivation more." One of the male disciples under Arith stepped out which shocked him.

This boy, wasn't he always she even when speaking to me? How did he become so confident all of a sudden? Arith contemplated as he watch things unfold before his eyes.

"Don't worry, there's the alchemy and forging segment as well. Remember, everything in the cultivation world serves its purpose, do your best to live no regrets behind, have I made myself clear?"

"Yes sect master!"

"Everyone's dismissed, respective elders please stay behind."

After all the disciples left the main hall, Ace arranged for Cidd to wait for him at the side while Jay just sat there patiently.

"Arith and Clarissa, due to the special layout of the annual sect competition this time, you two would be representing the sect as well. The problem right now is that our sect won't be the only one with 4th grade alchemists and blacksmiths."

Arith nodded his head in approval, but still spoke out his inner thoughts, "But we still need time to guide those disciples of ours, not to mention that we're still a far distance away from reaching the 5th grade."

With a confident smile, Ace took out all the blueprints and alchemy formulas that he had spent some time preparing over the past month.

"Take these, none of them may be comparable to the 5th grade weapons and elixirs, but the comprehension and skills you can learn from it will undeniably benefit the two of you in the long run."

Clarissa and Arith glanced towards each other before bowing, "Thank you sect master." The two of them then returned to their dwellings anxiously in order to study what their sect master has just given them.

Turning towards Cidd, he then said, "I need you to guide the disciples still. But most importantly, you'll be representing the sect in the Martial segment as well. In three months time, I need you to step into the middle stage Great Martial Master ream somehow, for any cultivation resource you need, get them from Clarissa."

"Yes, sect master." Cidd replied briefly before leaving, but when Ace saw Cidd heading towards Clarissa dwelling immediately, Ace couldn't help but chuckle.

"Jay, how old are you three disciples?"

"You wouldn't believe it, but all of them are exactly 19 years old, one year past the age limit. I know what you need, about your disciples that train with the sword, I'll stay at the Spirit Tree area to cultivate while guiding them."

"Thanks Jay."

After Jay left the room, there was only one thing left to settle. Awakening the fifth layer of the foundation tower while looking out for suitable locations to open up the Nirvana Pavilion branches in order to boost the reputation of his sect before the annual sect competition.