Deno was astonished by the magnitude of the sect.

It had mountains surrounding it, countless ancient Chinese-style buildings and a least a thousand disciples treading throughout.

It wasn't a sect, It was a city. Not as populated, but just as large.

There were 4 mountains in the sect, each belonging to an elder of the sect.

Adriana had already explained how human disciple systems functioned before they had arrived. Once a disciple of age 5 and above arrives they are free to train given a certain amount of spirit stones as currency and sent to train, assigned a building of their own to store their items in.

Although Deno couldn't wait to get started, the part where he had to be 5 or older formed a slight sting in his heart that caused all his excitement to disperse.

Snapping him out of his thoughts was Nicholas, now wearing a mask he instructed Ally to quietly follow him as they head towards his own residence.

Without questioning his unusual actions or the change in his voice, Ally followed him silently, tip-toeing behind. They were met with curious glances from other disciples, but none dared to approach them as they were all preoccupied with their own tasks.

Matching Nicholas's pace, Ally leaned in and whispered, "Master, what are all these people doing here?"

Nicholas, as if just remembering something important, stooped down to Ally's level as they walked. "Some are preparing for the Annual Disciple tournament, and others are preparing for missions," he explained.

Deno's face twisted in confusion as Adriana translated for him, "A tournament?" Adriana, about to provide more details, suddenly sensed something.

'...'

'Adriana?'

'I sense a powerful presence approaching.'

"Hey! Nicholas, when'd you arrive back?"

An enormous, beefy man in a short robe turned into a makeshift martial artist gi marched forward. He looked ridiculous, yet when truly analyzed, you could see that he was not one to be messed with.

Nicholas's broad shoulders lifted, reaching his jawline in a mix of anger and embarrassment.

Turning around, Nicholas took his mask off. There was no point since his identity had been seemingly revealed to the whole world. Luckily, there were only a few around at the time the huge pile of muscle approached them.

"Uhh. Martin, do you not see me wearing a damn mask?"

"Yeah, yeah. I've been looking for you for a while now! What cultivation are you at? I'd like a rematch from last year's tournament!"

Ever since embarrassingly losing to Nicholas, Martin had quadrupled his training to catch up to Nicholas.

He was still nowhere near in terms of strength, at least compared to the Nicholas of last year, yet he'd still love to test himself against the prodigy of the Pride Sect that was supposedly also training his butt off.

The tournament was held every seven years and there were only six left, but why wait when Nicholas had supposedly finished his cultivation.

Nicholas's lips twitched as he became irritated by the brutish nature of Martin. He could feel his anger rising.

Realizing that Martin simply did not care and probably still hadn't realized his faults, Nicholas plainly waved him off while beginning to walk away. His movements were swift and determined, as he leisurely stated.

"No thanks, I'm extremely busy at this moment."

Seeing that he was leaving, Martin's thick hand easily wrapped all the way around his collarbone trying to hold him back. His grip was firm, as he pulled Nicholas towards him.

"Wait! I was told you've been in seclusion for like six months now cultivating. Why is it that the moment you leave you still refuse to spend time with anyone? Just what are you hiding?"

Nicholas stopped, cursing at himself for making it so obvious that even this hunk of meat could figure out that something was going on.

Nicholas glared side to side a bead of sweat trickling down his brow, clearing his throat Nicholas scrabled to find a response. To his relief though, Martin changed the topic.

"Doesn't matter, the reason I needed to meet with you was to tell you that the sect master is missing. No one, not even the other elders know where he disappeared to. I was wondering if you knew where he was considering, you know, being his son and all."

Nicholas was stunned and didn't know how to respond to it all.

Nicholas, in shock thought to himself, 'The sect leader has disappeared? For how long?'

Martin, who had been standing beside him, could tell that Nicholas was unaware of the situation. Martin, was never as gifted as the other prodigies in the sect, but he stilled remained determined. He had always made it his duty to stay informed of the most important issues within the sect.

He and Nicholas had known each other for centuries, and Martin had always looked up to Nicholas as an elder and respected member of the sect.

However, recently, Martin had noticed that something seemed off about Nicholas.

Finally, noticing the two children who were following Nicholas, Martin joked, "Oh my, Nicholas, were you really in seclusion or did you have your own children with someone in secret?"

Martin glared at the first child, an infant around 4-8 months old. The baby had thin strands of jet black hair growing from his head, his eyes matched his hair color.

He looked small and fragile, yet there was something striking about the intensity of his gaze.

Martin then turned his attention to the second child, a cute little girl. She had unbrushed fair hair that framed her face, her bright ocean blue eyes were captivating.

Her features were adorable, with a button nose, rosy cheeks and a small mouth. Nicholas watched Martin as he inspected the two children, but he merely waited for Martin to realize.

"Oh, Nicholas," Martin exclaimed, his eyes scanning the two children who were following Nicholas. He was about to make a comment about them, but before he could finish his sentence, his eyes bulged in shock as he noticed something about the girl's dantian.

His jaw dropped and his body stiffened as he stared in disbelief, unable to comprehend what he was seeing.

He blinked several times, as if trying to clear his vision, and then turned to Nicholas with a look of utter shock and confusion on his face, his voice trembling as he spoke "Nicholas, is this true? This girl's dantian...it's...it's..." Martin couldn't even finish his sentence, as he was still too stunned to form words.

Nicholas quickly stepped in, noticing that Martin had seen through to Ally's dantian, and whispered to Martin, making sure that Ally couldn't hear them, whilst still cradling Deno in his arms. He spoke in a low and urgent tone, conveying the importance of the situation.

"I found her in a remote village, completely unclaimed by any other Sect. We could raise her to lead the sect, just trust me on this one."

Martin was taken aback by Nicholas's revelation. He asked, surprised by Nicholas's revelation, "So you weren't in seclusion?"

Nicholas replied, "No, I wasn't. I had some things to take care of."

Martin nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and curiosity about the children. He whispered back to Nicholas, his voice filled with curiosity, "And the boy? What is his story?" Martin was especially curious about the boy, considering the girl had been so special to Nicholas. He was eager to understand more about the two children.

Nicholas stopped in his tracks and took a moment of silence before responding to Martin.

"The boy isn't anything special, but he does have potential, in a different way. Can I count on you to keep this between us? Don't inform the other elders about the boy, but feel free to tell them about the girl."

Martin nodded in understanding, placing trust in Nicholas. Seeing this, Nicholas quickly switched the topic, hoping to avoid further discussion about the children.

Nicholas was shocked and a bead of sweat trickled down his brow and neck as he asked in disbelief, "Anyway... How long has my father, the sect leader been gone?" Martin replied, "About the same time as you had left."

This revelation left Nicholas reeling, as he struggled to come up with any logical explanation for why his father, a Sage stage cultivator whose strength was unparalleled within the sect, even by the other elders, would leave the sect unannounced and unprotected.

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The sect leader's absence was deeply concerning to Nicholas, as the safety and security of the sect was of the utmost importance. He couldn't understand why his father would abandon his responsibilities and duties in such a reckless and irresponsible manner.

Nicholas had always been indifferent towards his father, but he knew that his father's presence within the sect was crucial in order to maintain stability and prevent chaos. His mother had passed away during childbirth and his father had never taken on the role of a parent, leaving Nicholas to fend for himself from a young age. When Nicholas was just five years old, he was abandoned by his father and left to train as a disciple among the other members of the sect. At the time, Nicholas did not realize how much this would benefit him and the sect in the long run.

The sect leader was not highly respected by many of the disciples, with many of them merely grateful for the sect providing them with a home, especially those who had come from the mortal realm. Nicholas was one of these disciples, having come from a difficult background, he found solace in the sect and worked hard to become an elder and respected member of the sect.

Instead of dwelling on his lack of a relationship with his father, Nicholas focused on earning respect as a leader among the sect. Being the son of the sect leader, he was naturally seen as a leader and with his potential and background of rising from humble beginnings, he was adored by the weaker disciples.

"Have you told anyone besides the elders and I?"

Fearing that Martin had spread the news, Nicholas grabbed Martin's arm, his frown deepening as he grew more anxious.

Martin reassured him, "No, of course not. I'm not insane. If I did, it would cause major panic. I only know of it because I am the top disciple of Elder Felieal." Nicholas let go of Martin and placed his fingers on his forehead, contemplating what his next move should be.

If the other Sects discovered that their sect leader, the most powerful in the sect had up and disappeared then they might utilise this opportunity to attack.

"Right! Nicholas!" Martin's voice interrupted Nicholas's train of thought.

"Mhm?" Nicholas responded, turning his attention towards Martin.

Martin added, "Elder Felieal also wants to speak to you as well. He said he wants to talk, elder to elder."

Nicholas's brows lifted in surprise at the news and he nodded his head in understanding. Elder Felieal was an elder like Nicholas, but he was older and had a slightly higher cultivation level. Nicholas had always felt uneasy around him, but he was a valued member of the sect and had his own mountain and disciples. One of the four mountains belonged to Nicholas, and the last two belonged to the other sect elders.

The Sect leader didn't have his own mountain, or a palace or a mansion. Instead, he had a plain average-sized palace in the middle of the Sect.

Frankly, it blended in with the other disciple's residencies.

Elder Felieal was a small man with a wrinkled face and thick, white eyebrows. His hair was similarly white and short, standing in stark contrast to the oversized robes he always wore. Despite his plain appearance, he was known for his kindness and gentle nature. However, Nicholas had always found his kindness to be somewhat odd and unexpected.

"Say... Could you take care of the boy and girl until I return? Once you do, I... I'll give you that rematch you wanted?" Elder Felieal asked Martin.

Martin's eyes widened in shock at the sudden reward. Grinning with excitement, the giant eagerly accepted, having been waiting for this moment for years.

"I accept. I'll take care of the boy; and the girl, I'll set her up with some extra spirit stones and sign her up as an official disciple." Martin's words were met with a sense of relief from Nicholas, who had been struggling with the responsibility of raising two children on his own. Martin's offer to take care of the boy and provide the girl with additional resources and an official status as a disciple was exactly what Nicholas needed to ease his burden.

Expressing his gratitude, Nicholas thanked Martin and promised to properly repay his friend's kindness in the future. Without a final farewell, Nicholas vanished into thin air, heading towards the mountain of Elder Felieal his mind preoccupied with the possibilities.

-Sniffle

Martin looked down at the girl, who had suddenly started to cry. Her fair hair fell over her forehead, hiding her tears as they flowed down her cheeks. Her small and delicate hands were covering her eyes, as she tried to wipe away the tears. He then glanced at the boy, who was tightly wrapped in multiple blankets, held securely in his arm. Martin let out a sigh, feeling a sense of sadness and pity for the two children. The girl's fragile state and the boy's vulnerability tugged at his heartstrings, and he couldn't help but feel a deep empathy towards them.

Martin simply hoped he didn't regret this.

*****

Sutra Empire's capital city, Tarne. Emperor's throne room.

The castle stood majestically, towering above even the tallest buildings in the capital city. Its polished exterior glimmered and shimmered in the sunlight, so bright that it could blind anyone who dared to stare at it for too long.

The architectural design of the castle was beyond gorgeous, with its pointed turrets and intricate structure, it looked as if it had been plucked straight out of a fairytale storybook for children.

The castle was a sight to behold, with its grandeur and opulence that left onlookers in awe. The walls of the castle were made of the finest marble and the windows were adorned with intricate patterns and designs that reflected the skill and craftsmanship of the builders.

The trees were trimmed to perfection, their branches reaching out towards the sky like sculpted works of art. Behind the grand gates, he could see the priceless herbs within the garden, each one worth more than a lifetime of wealth for a common family within the city. The air was filled with the fragrant scent of the herbs, adding to the already serene atmosphere.

It was an imposing sight, a myriad of guards standing at attention, surrounding the castle, each one with an upright and solid posture. They were a formidable force, their armour gleaming in the sunlight, and their expressions stoic and unyielding. The guards were a testament to the castle's wealth and power as each one was not below a Master stage cultivator.

In the grand hall was a woman of unparalleled beauty.

She was tall and slender, her long black hair cascading down her back in a river of ebony. Her eyes were the color of gold, and they seemed to dance with a light of their own.

Her features were defined and sharp, lending her a regal air that made her stand out in the grand hall.

She was kneeling before the Emerald throne, the most magnificent seat in the kingdom.

The throne was adorned with precious stones that sparkled in the light, casting a dazzling array of colors on the woman's face. The scene was one of reverence and submission, as the woman paid homage to the throne, and the throne seemed to bask in her beauty.

The Throne room was packed with ministers and Nobles each from Great Sects or powerful families that contributed to the empire's welfare.

The woman knelt before the Emperor, her face flushed with emotion. Her thick desperation filled the throne room, overwhelming everyone present. Her fists were clenched tightly as she spoke, her voice filled with determination. "Your majesty! I've had enough of these games! The demons cannot do this to us. We cannot be used as mere pawns!"

Her thoughts, which she had kept locked away, spilled out of her mouth in a fervent plea.

"You dare!"

The guardian to the Emperor's right immediately tensed, gripping his spear tightly and preparing to strike her down. But his attack was met with a wave from the Emperor, "Stand back." the emperor softly mumbled without even bothering to turn his head.

The guardian returned to his original face, plain and focused. His previous fury and intolerance diminished instantly as he placed his spear upright.

The Emperor, with a playful and sarcastic tone in his voice, continued to speak. "Emperess Gemley, are you suggesting that we should go to war over our share of the profits?"

As he spoke, Gemley lowered her head and tightly clenched her fists. The ministers surrounding her couldn't help but chuckle among themselves, covering their mouths and turning their heads in response to the emperor's humorous approach. The emperor's wit had successfully lightened the tense atmosphere in the room.

Gemley was no empress but a mystic stage cultivator of the Sutra Empire. She had been a prominent factor in the war against the Vanadium empire.

She had torn the heads off more dragons than insects she had stepped on.

She and Michael had been charged with finishing off the war. They had one last job, to kill the strongest dragon among the dragon deities, Adriana the merciless.

Michael and the other two demon guardians had devised a cowardly plan to take her out. Simple yet effective, and it seemingly worked. Adriana had been taken down instantly and was defeated.

Having the honour to rip her amethyst wings off her back seemed like a great reward so she had accepted the plan. Though what was better, in the end, was that when Adriana had self-destructed, the least destruction was sent towards her back, instead of targeting the front.

The other demons had perished within the explosion but her, she had to face the humiliation of returning back to her empire: without any immortal troops, battered and beaten, covered from top to bottom with burn marks and on the brink of death.

Yet the job was complete.

The emperor, with his regal bearing, slouched down on his throne, his messy emerald green hair matching his throne cascaded down his shoulders. The crown perched atop his head sparkled brilliantly, reflecting the palace lights and adding to his regal presence. Despite his imposing appearance, his words were bitter and filled with disappointment.

"Even so, Gemley... Had you not returned after such a humiliating conquest, we would not have had our hand forced like this."

Gemley's body stiffened in response, her mind reeling at the queen's one-sided reasoning. She couldn't understand how her majesty could blame her for the situation they found themselves in. Her confusion was palpable, and she struggled to find the right words to respond.

She was the one that had survived, Michael had died, Solomon had died and Fartun had died and yet it was her 'humiliating conquest'.

Gemley craned her neck up to meet the Emperor's eyes, the emperor's chocolate brown eyes were different. Once upon a time, his ears were open to her, yet now they were covered as if there were fingers stuck in them.

She could not tolerate this, she would not tolerate this. She was someone that would always wear her opinion on her sleeve never bothering to equivocate anything.

"It was not my... our fault. How could we control fate? Solomon and Fartun were simply unfortunate, yet it was not our responsibility. We placed in just as much effort, therefore we must receive our share. It should be as simple as that. In fact, correct me if I'm wrong, Your Majesty, but doesn't the Demon Empire have more guardians than us anyway?"

The Emperor's face turned sour. He was not a fool; he knew on the inside that the Demon Empire was simply trying to get something out of the Sutra Empire after their two guardians had perished, but he could do nothing about it.

The Demon Sultan had made his point with much emphasis regarding the matters of war if their agreements were not met.

He did not know if they were mad enough to go through two wars one after another, and he did not care enough to find out.

They simply wanted more of a share in profits, taking their losses into account, and the Emperor had no solid reason to refuse.

"I've had enough of you speaking your mind! Take your leave, Guardian Gemley; you will be given a punishment for speaking out later."

Gemley gnashed her teeth as the sound of her teeth being grinded reverberated through the silent throne room.

The sullen atmosphere became palpable as she rose to her feet in fury. Her long hair trailed down behind her, her Dao robe doing the same.

Her once great emperor that she had oathed to protect was a yellow-beaked chicken. He had allowed the Demons to freely enter the empire secretly without any repercussions, and after the numerous years they had spent in the war, the Sutra Empire was going to receive a measly 15 percent of the profits.

It was absurd, and she would not, could not accept it.

Taking a deep breath, she repeated the emperor's words but altered to her own taste.

"I shall leave. Leave my role as guardian behind. There is no point in serving a coward of a master that has gone deaf."

The Emperor's vein bulged out of his forehead, had he heard her correctly? Was he going mad? Had his own, once gallant and staunch guardian betrayed him?

He was left speechless and bewildered; and before he had the chance to command his other guardians to seize her, she vanished.

The fastest guardian had abandoned their post and her Emperor.