Two months later, the entire Floating Cloud Sect had gone through drastic changes since the faction leaders and the patriarch made an important announcement:

[All disciples will go into secluded cultivation starting in two months.

Those that are currently on mission or going onto an arduous mission will be brought back, points will be rewarded regardless of finishing the task.

Due to the severity of the Great Ice and Flame War, we will close our gates to all of White City Lotus.

We will begin a major seclusion from the outside world for an undetermined amount of time.

If you cannot make it back or choose not to follow instructions, you will no longer be a disciple of the Floating Cloud Sect.

Your status will be stripped and you'll be labelled as a deserter if you choose not to abide by the sect's rules.]

Although the disciple's felt disgruntled over such drastic measure, they had no choice due to tremendous loss during the war where many of them died or became incapacitated from serious injuries. They were, of course, rewarded for their bravery and loyalty to their kin but the demons within their hearts became a heavy shackle. It felt as if they were dragging a ball of insurmountable burdens around in an attempt to regain control of their fate.

For them, a major sect seclusion to grind their talents and cultivation seem more favorable than moping around in regret. They needed strength to fulfill their hatred and plot revenge against those demons.

Under the information given by Silver, the Floating Cloud Sect started purchasing all sorts of herbs, metal, mysterious treasures, and other resources. Even the manager of the Gold Spring Merchant Association in White Lotus City gave them a hand in finding and purchasing all sorts of items that could be of use.

The sect's patriarch had a vague idea that it was related to Silver, but since they were helping, he had no problems obtaining such resources with such a great discount of 60%. Back then for the Floating Cloud Sect, they could only get a measly 10% discount on common grade and 5% on slightly rare but attainable resources.

At the end of the second month, the Floating Cloud Sect closed their gates and announced their seclusion for an indefinite amount of years. Many sects at the level of Floating Cloud Sect and higher began to follow the same pattern, closing their doors for an indefinite amount of time.

With many sect doors sealed, they became even more mysterious than ever.

Although, it was surprising, everyone within the White Lotus City had a vague idea of why such an event was happening within their city. Since the Great Ice and Flame War, many cities, clans and organizations in all nine continents went through a tremendous domino effect.

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Devastation can cause many people to understand their weaknesses, hide in the shadows to train, becoming unheard for a long period of time. Soon the city became a ghost town, without the super sects and large sects looming around, many small and medium sects took charge of their corresponding areas to seize the chance to rise into power.

At the very top of Eclipse Peak, Silver could be seen leisurely drinking tea. As of now, Silver's cultivation had already reached Early-Stage Saint of the Sovereign Realm.

"Silver, are you really leaving while we go into our long term seclusion?" asked Patriarch Dimsum with his brows slightly furrowed. He really wanted Silver to stay. Without him, the Floating Cloud Sect would be recovering slower than the other hidden sects.

"With you here, we can make quick advancements, increasing our strengths manyfolds."

"White Lotus City is my home but it cannot contain me forever," replied Silver after a few minutes of silence.

"So I will be leaving at the crack of dawn."

"I understand. I cannot contain a dragon amongst men in a small place like Floating Cloud Sect, but I hope you have a safe journey. I want you to have this old treasure of mine that has been passed down for many generations. None of us, including the founders, knows the use of this item. Hopefully, with your knowledge, you're able to discern this item and use it. Farewell, Silver."

"En. Thank you, Patriarch Dimsum," smiled Silver, putting away the wooden box into his storage ring. Although, he was intrigued but he wasn't concern over what the patriarch had given him.

After a few more minutes of silence, Patriarch Dimsum left after saying goodbye, ready to prepare for his long term seclusion. Silver continued to drink his tea in silence, pondering over the matters pertaining to the sect as he watched the patriarch vanish.

Luckily, he never really made any friends within the city and sect, besides the few he met before his multiple seclusion within the last few years. Last week, he met with his Brother Poe once more and relayed some menial information to increase his strength. Of course, Silver even threw in a few random formulas to exchange for some travelling funds and other items of value. If Brother Poe found out these powerful formulas were just randomly given to him, he would definitely puke blood.

Just these "random" formulas could cause a few sects to duke it out!

"I hope we all can change and start a brand new era . . ." mumbled Silver as he remembered the wooden box.

"I'll give a good look at it when I have time. I should begin my preparations."

...

An orb floated within the empty void as a scene of a distant world appeared. Within this scene, a young gentlemen sat next to young red-faced woman who was currently holding an infant while a few servants and maids stood at the side. One could tell that these couple came from a prestigious clan as these couple wore expensive clothing made of unknown material.

In addition to their expensive clothing, they had powerful cultivations. Even their newly born child emitted waves of qi without even cultivating!

"Jing Xue, what do you want to name our daughter?" asked the young gentlemen, staring lovingly at his wife.

"How does Jing Shi sound, Jing Yam?" replied Jing Xue after some thoughts.

"I feel like this name resonates deep within my heart and soul…"

"I do too. So Jing Shi shall be our newborn daughter's name."

"Yes, yes. I agree, my wife."

The married couple stared lovingly at each other and then at their daughter, Jing Shi as began crying. They both laughed as they heard their daughter cry and soon, tried to soothe her to sleep.

Soon, the scene disappeared from the floating orb and a new scene appeared as a young man was traveling on foot to an unknown destination.

"I hope my efforts I made aren't wasted on you…" mumbled a feminine voice. Just as the scene was about to fade, the noise of wings flapping could be heard nearby.

"CAW!" exclaimed a shadowy crow with three-eyes, flying by.

"YOU DARE SHOW YOUR FACE!?"