"Serena, I think it would be better for you to ask your father to accompany me into the vault. I know that he trusts my character, but I don't wish for any avoidable misunderstandings to occur." Ace asked politely as Serena led him past a few houses to a desolated location which was heavily guarded.
The only buildings that were built in this area were makeshift tents that were set up every night by the respective guards on duty with the few commanders taking shifts every few days.
This might make this place stand out and give others a rough idea of where the hidden vault is, but without the key which is only with the family head who would never come here unless required to, this place was safe unless a Great Saint above the fifth realm decides to barge in and ruin their reputation for some invaluable treasures to them.
The gentle breeze of the air was soothing in the early morning, even though the guards who were on day shift just woke up, they were already refreshed and treating their job seriously. Even though there was a low chance of any suspicious figure usually, they understood the importance of this vault which is why they were only chosen by Brimstone after countless tests.
"Do you think we'll have anything to do today or will it be another waste of our time?"
"Does it really matter? It's just a job after all and even though there are only a few cases in which we are needed, aren't we the key figures which play a pivotal role each time?"
"True there, since that's the case, I'll go ahead and spend some time cultivating first then." The soldier who initiated the conversation made use of this chance to slip off and cultivate, only to stop in his tracks.
"If you want to cultivat then just go ahead, why did you stop?" The soldier who decided to let his friend off this time called out as he walked towards his friend. The next moment, he stopped in his tracks as well.
"Young lady, what are you doing here all of a sudden when the family head is currently occupied with other matters?" The guard who had just approached his friend reacted quickly and asked in a polite manner.
Even though this young lady had not made any great contributions to the Lim family, she was a daughter even someone like him would want to have. Besides having a kind heart, she was also filial to her parents and cared for her family.
Not only that, from what he has seen the past few days when he was on rest duty, this young lady of their family would always be training with a fan in hand even in the glaring afternoon and sweltering heat.
"Please guide young master Ace to the vault entrance while I get my father." Serena answered without leaking out the slightest amount of information while ending the conversation swiftly before heading off to look for her father.
This young lady has already matured. This was the impression that she gave the two guards, in just the way she handled their polite question, she has already grown up to become a woman in their eyes.
"Young master Ace, please follow us as we lead you to the vault entrance." The guard who had already regained from his state of surprise said to Ace as he led the way towards the vault entrance.
Even though there were a few instances in which the guards had a few questions to ask Ace about such as his identity and age, just the aura he was constantly releasing was enough to prevent them from asking any questions.
It was a weird feeling, but this young boy who seemed to be around the same age as their young lady was actually making them terrified. Even when their family head was angry, they had never once seen such a dominating aura that was able to shut them down this easily.
Right at this moment, Ace received a message from Cidd through the communication system. Gesturing for the guards to continue leading the way as they made another right turn, Ace then decided to listen to what Cidd had to say.
"Sect master, all of us have returned to the sect safely and even though Lancelot had been unconscious ever since that fatal injury, he has already recovered and his strength has improved tremendously. Right now, all of us have returned to the sect to await your reward."
Hearing Cidd's message in which everyone who suffered injuries managed to recover and even increase their strength by leaps and bounds, he heaved a sigh of relief.
"I understand, however, there'll be a change to the rewards this time. Instead of what I have promised initially, the reward this time will definitely be worth a fortune." Ace didn't know how much sect points he had at the moment, but that didn't matter right now.
This was because he had exactly enough for what he intended to get for the sect, something known as the life and death realm for them to experience battles against demon beasts or human cultivators ranging from one sub-cultivation realm above them to one major realm.
Most importantly, death there would only cause the cultivator great pain without harming their life force or cultivation talent. Even though the feeling of experiencing death would still exist, it would be a good opportunity for the disciples to strengthen their heart and courage to face their fears.
With a single thought, Ace spent all of his sect points while opening up the monthly updated sect system page.
Sect system: Level 2 (4732/10000) EXP
Sect points: 0
Members: (100/1000)
Elders: 4
Disciples: 96
Average cultivation base: late stage Martial Master realm
Average age: 17 years old
Location: Nascent mountain (Middle spirit grade), nourished by the Spirit tree constantly
Sect buildings: Martial Pavilion, Middle grade dwellings, Lecture hall, Alchemist workshop, Blacksmith workshop, Spirit tree, Life and Death realm
Even though this was all the information he had, it was more than enough to deduce that no one had died or suffered fatal injuries beyond the state of recovery. As for Arith, all he would have to do is return to the sect personally, but that would have to wait for a few more months until he becomes a Martial Apprentice realm cultivator.
In the Nirvana sect, the disciples were still resting and rejoicing over their improvement over the past month when a bright glow of light caught their attention.
It was somewhere near the Martial Pavilion and what appeared before their eyes was a portal that was spiralling in a rectangular frame.
To the side of the Life and Death realm portal was an instruction tablet.
In the Life and Death realm, phantoms of enemies at least one minor cultivation realm above the cultivator can be challenged as an opponent. The limit is up to one major realm.
"Cidd, let me know how the other members of the sect react later." Ace sent the message out, but to Cidd who was currently preoccupied with dealing with the incessant questioning of the disciples, he couldn't find the time to listen to the message.
While Cidd was occupied with trying to explain everything to the disciples, Brimstone's arrival pulled Ace back from his thoughts.
"Senior Brimstone, I understand the reason behind your worry. But you can rest assured that I know my limits. Even though there may be countless treasures in there, I'll only take those of utmost importance to me." Ace explained when he saw Brimstone who had finally showed up after some time.
"I trust your character, it was just me who was worried about losing all my treasures for a brief moment." Brimstone explained apologetically, but from his tone, Ace understood that Brimstone has already begun to treat him as an equal.
While it may be true that he had the qualifications to surpass Brimstone in the future, Brimstone was only doing this from the start in order to secure a spot worth being remembered by Ace.
As for the treasures, he was only reluctant to give it out initially in case Ace decides to help out other families or forces in the future just for rewards as well. But at least the current situation made Brimstone understand that losing some of his treasures were worth the price.
Not to mention that he was also a friend of Taylon who was slightly above him in terms of standing in the Divine realm.
"Let's head to the vault."