"Senior Brimstone, I cultivate the slaughter law. The slaughter law which is supposed to be forbidden in the cultivation universe." Ace reiterated once again upon seeing that Brimstone was actually staring at him as though he had just seen a ghost.
"Senior Brimstone, are you alright?" Ace called out again, only for Brimstone to recover from his daze abruptly.
"Young fellow Ace, I'm unable to explain to you what happened to me just a moment ago, but if it's a suitable cultivation ground you want, then I might be able to help you using some personal ties." Brimstone assured Ace as he left the room, closing the doors behind him.
"You can spend the rest of your time recuperating here from the long journey or explore around the Lim family, just avoid getting into unnecessary trouble."
Brimstone said before he fully closed the doors. Ace sighed when he glanced towards the bed, for the first time after having met Charlotte, he actually had to spend a night alone by himself when her life was in danger.
I'm sorry that I wasn't able to accompany you when you needed me and even now, all I can do is wait until I surpass the Foundation realm. Because only then can I exploit the advantages my perfect foundation gives me and grow stronger tremendously every single day.
*A certain family in the Divine realm*
"Arden, I have a task for you." A middle aged man who was seated on his throne was speaking to a youth standing before him.
The youth had a fairly handsome appearance, his build was slender and his hair was neatly combed back. His appearance was average and his demeanor was that of a scholar, hanging around his waist, was a simple sword.
"Yes, father." The youth replied without a trace of emotion in his voice, only a cold tone that holds respect for his father.
"The sword tower will be opening up in half a month's time, I want you to represent our family and seize the title of Sword King for this year." The man spoke to his son as though he was his master while his son was just a servant.
"I want to become the first Sword Emperor." The youth replied coldly once again. Turning around with his back facing his father, he smiled briefly before walking off, leaving the doors to his father's room wide open.
*Headquarters of the Divine Hawks*
"The eight of you will be given the chance to participate in the sword tower event this year. I expect all of you to be in the top ten, but be careful this year because the sword scholar is making his debut in this event." The man cautioned the eight youths who were sitting down casually.
"Don't worry about us master, if the eight of us work with each other, then no point will be our match unless that person becomes a Sword Emperor. But think about this way, do you think that the sword scholar has the potential to?"
The eldest youth replied as he peeled open another orange and flicked it into his mouth.
"Believe it or not, the sword scholar actually has the potential to become the first Sword Emperor in history, It's only a matter of time before the Sword Court comes searching for their...him."
*The next day*
When Ace woke up, he washed himself briefly before changing into a set of plain clothing. Opening the doors, he breathed in the foreign fresh air. It still feels different without Charlotte by my side.
With every action he does, from having his meals to washing up to his sleeping position, it would always remind him of Charlotte despite the short period of time he had devoted towards her. Unknowingly to him, she had already become a part of his life.
"Ace, what are you doing here in the early morning?" Serena, who was taking a stroll around her own family which was finally peaceful called out in joy as she walked towards Ace.
"I'm just here to embrace the new day while waiting for your father." Ace replied briefly as his eyes turned away from Serena.
"It seems that you're already awake. The cultivation grounds might not be open until the sword tower event is over, but I've managed to invite someone who also cultivates the sword law to guide you." Brimstone explained apologetically as he introduced an old man to Ace.
"This is a friend of mine that has already cultivated the slaughter law to an immensely high realm."
"Ace pays respect to both seniors." Ace greeted them with respect before asking.
"Senior, have you managed to awaken nine hundred layers of the blood pools?" Ace asked out of curiosity since Brimstone was praising his friend to the skies.
The old man couldn't help but break out in laughter, "Hahaha! If only it was that easy!"
"Maybe eight hundred layers of blood pools?" Ace asked again. The old man stared at him and replied with another 'no'.
Seeing that Ace was going to make a random guess again, the old man couldn't help but interject in before Ace could make another random guess.
"I have only awakened five hundred and fifty two layers of the thousand blood pools. If it weren't for the fact that I only comprehended the slaughter law at the age of thirty eight, my achievements wouldn't be limited to where I am today." The old man explained in pity, but on his face was arrogance and pride.
But the old man had the qualifications to, because from the moment someone awakens the slaughter law, they were bound to become a peak figure in the cultivation universe given enough time.
"Old man, you can teach me, but someone like you isn't qualified to become my mentor." Ace stated calmly before turning around to leave.
Brimstone stood there watching the old man whose chest was heaving up and down, yet Ace had no intentions of stopping.
"Ace, do you know who that old man is?" Serena ran towards Ace and grabbed him by the hand while asking.
If it was someone else, Ace would already have flared up. Knowing that Serena was asking him about this because she cared for him, Ace had no choice but to stop in his tracks.
"Serena, it doesn't matter what the identity of that old man is. Someone like him will never become my mentor, not because he's too weak, but because we thread on different paths." Ace explained to her patiently as he stared back towards the old man.
"Have you stared at me for long enough? If you have something to say, then just spit it out instead of beating around the bush!"
"Give me an answer, why am I unqualified to become your mentor? In terms of strength, I'm more than qualified to become your master. In terms of just the sword and law we cultivate, I'm more than capable of guiding you. In terms of life experience and knowledge, I know more than enough to impart to you. So, give me an answer." The old man demanded once again, but his arrogance only made Ace detest him even further.
"You want an answer?"
The old man nodded, grinning as though he had already won the bargain.
"I changed my mind, it seems that I was right about remaining silent." Ace hesitated for a moment before saying, this time turning around to leave without any hesitation.
"I'm sorry old friend, but it seems like that youth will be fine on his own."
"Brimstone, I only made this trip here because you said that there's a talented genius worth my time, but all that happened was me making a wasted trip."
"Old man, I do not know how you're related to my father, but remember this, Ace is someone who can rise up to the peak himself even without your guidance. Before you even ask for the answer, shouldn't you be asking yourself first?"
Serena flared up at the old man without holding back before leaving, heading in the same direction Ace had just left from.
"Brimstone, be honest with me, just who is that youth?" The old man controlled his temper and asked.
"I have no clue either, but among all the priceless treasures I own, he chose the feather of the phoenix. That alone makes him stand out from those youngsters nowadays. If there's nothing else, I honestly hope that you can guide that youth as a senior." Brimstone advised once again since their first meeting before leaving this place.
"Haish...to think that I would visit a youth personally for the first time in my life. Oh well, let's hope he's worth the time of this old man. Hahahaha!"