"My king, prince Garen might have just been foolish and made the wrong decision!"
"That's right my king, I believe that we should bring prince Garen back!"
"King, prince Garen and his brother will definitely bring our kingdoms to greater heights together!"
Even though the officials were raising their objections towards the king which was a rare occurrence, the king of the Valor Kingdom still kept his calm.
The crown prince furrowed his brows, in deep contemplation, he understood the reason after shortly after.
A relieved but concealed smile formed on his face when he met the gaze of his father. The father and son were having the same thoughts.
Remaining seated on his throne, the king closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, his eyes brimming with light as he said, "I believe in the decisions my son makes."
*Northern mountains*
"Alexander, must you really leave the Azure Dragon army in order to participate in the annual sect competition which holds no benefit for you?"
Mounted on a beautiful mare with elegant fur the colour of snow, the woman opened her cherry lips and asked with crystals welling up in her entrancing eyes.
The young man mounted on his stallion the colour of crimson flames, turned towards the woman with affection in his eyes as he pulled her by the shoulder, their mounts getting closer to each other before their masters even transmitted their thoughts.
"Abby, this is a promise I must fulfill. Without that man, I might still be a failure in life up till today." Alexander caressed the hair of the woman he loved since years ago, his palm sliding through her lustrous hair.
Abby, the girl who Alexander lost years ago, nodded her head, her fingers pinching the corner of her robe.
Alexander then released Abby as their mounts separated, but the passionate concern he had for her calmed her anxious heart.
The pair of lovers made their way through the tents, soldiers greeting them, "General!". Their greetings were loud and filled with pride.
Nodding his head whenever a soldier greets him.Abby remained silent, looking forward while stealing glances at Alexander from time to time.
Soon, the two of them stopped before the largest tent set up in the mountainous area.
"General, have you really made up your mind to participate in the annual sect competition and delay our ambitions?" After Alexander had settled down in the tent and found his seat on the ground with Abby beside him, one of his trusted commanders couldn't help but ask.
His eyes were revealing a complicated mixture of feelings, not only this commander, each soldier even including those who were of a rank too low to enter this tenant, shared the same feelings.
It was their general who saved their lives, conquering cities and towns controlled by those who were treating human lives as toys. He went the extra mile, making each and every effort to save anyone he could, even offering to settle them down for those that decided that joining him wasn't the path they seeked.
They wanted to continue on this voyage with their general together, they understood that while separation was temporary, they just wanted to hear the words from their general once again.
"Yes, I have made up my mind to participate in the annual sect competition. I know that this might sound foolish of me, but when the day comes, I hope to see all of you there."
Alexander said with a relieved smile on his face, at long last, he finally managed to say those words out.
The commander who had asked the question wanted to speak up, but the words were stuck in his voice even though all he wanted to was to wish the general good luck.
Alexander understood their intentions and that was more than enough for him. Standing up, he looked at Abby affectionately and held her hand. "Shall we go?"
Abby nodded her head as she followed Alexander, the two getting onto their respective mounts before making their way to the Nirvana Sect from here.
Throughout the entire time, Alexander didn't turn back. Not because he doesn't care for his soldiers, but because he's worried that the moment of hesitation might cause him to stop in his tracks and regret this decision.
His soldiers watched as he left and even though no one said anything, all of them had already made a decision. They were going to the venue where the annual sect competition would be held.
With this, there was about half a month's time until the annual sect competition began as the disciples outside the sect started to make their way back to the sect.
Preparations were being made as well, especially by Arith who said that he's found a potential seed in the sect he's keen to teach. Not because of that disciple's talent for forging which was a line away from being the best, but because he could see the same passion for forging that disciple has as him.
As for Clarissa, Ruby herself was more than enough to take down all opponents her age as a second grade alchemist who probably knows more elixir formulas than anyone else.
As for Clarissa, she is currently researching new elixir formulas which she has obtained through other means and the notebook her father had written for her as a gift last year.
All the sect was lacking now was prior knowledge of the actual segments, but that was fine as long as they had the strength to deal with whatever comes next.
Raising their strength was the top priority.
While everyone in the sect was busy, Ace received a system message which he has already long forgotten by now since it was delayed due to some reasons.
"Congratulations to the host for spreading the name of the Nirvana Sect to the Divine realm and fragmented cultivation world! Rewards have been issued as shown below!"
The next moment, what appeared before Ace was a screen which reflected a list of rewards.
"Foundation Rebirth room X1 for disciples to strengthen their foundations."
"Martial Training room X1 for disciples to train an individual aspect of their combat strength effectively."
Last but not least, the last reward was the unexpected gift which he had never expected to receive.
"Unique cultivation technique: Divine Nirvana Rebirth (Can only be cultivated by the host)."
Divine Nirvana Rebirth: Rise from the ashes time and time again, the ninth breakthrough would symbolise the beginning of a new era…
Knowing that the information of the Divine Nirvana Rebirth was being transmitted into his mind right now, Ace seized this timing to get into a state of focus in his room.
Locking the doors to his own dwelling beforehand while sending a message to the main hall, "Do not call for me unless there is a need to! If needed, continue with the annual sect competition without me first."
When the elders received this message, they were both surprised and shocked, but in the end, it was a feeling of jealousy which put a smile on their faces. Their sect master was going through another seclusion cultivation session for some reason though he just ended one.
Even they were unable to do it until some time passed and they fully absorbed the gains from the seclusion sessions. Yet, their sect master had already done it.
Being in a 'Zone' state, Ace could see the phoenix in his mind. Maybe it was just an illusion? That was Ace's first thought, but the feeling of intense heat that soothes his mind and body was telling him, this surreal vision of the phoenix is real.
"Young boy, to think that it would be a male like you that awakens the Divine Nirvana Rebirth which has already been lost in the passage of time after my failure to succeed." The phoenix spoke before Ace's eyes.
Its voice was majestic, yet without a pressuring aura of superiority.
"Senior, are you the Divine Phoenix?" Ace was shocked, but his voice was still calm and his behaviour still rational. After all, he had already been through too many events which should never happen to someone this young.
"To think that someone as young as you already knows about my existence. Remember, that feather of mine you possess, never lose it no matter what. I'm unable to tell you anything further than this. But remember one thing.
No matter what happens in the future, especially when it involves the Divine Phoenix race, I expect you to help them even if it means putting your life on the line."
Ace smirked, questioning the Divine Phoenix fearlessly while giving an answer which shocked her.
"I have been living on the edge and even until now, I don't recall a time when life was smooth-sailing for me since my birth. If that's the case, I accept your condition. To be more exact, it's just living life as I used to before meeting you."
"Hahahaha! Hahahaha!" The Divine phoenix laughed hysterically, but in its voice was one of joy.
"I have finally found the person to inherit my capabilities!"
"Young boy, if you manage to fully comprehend the Divine Nirvana Rebirth Art one day, I expect you to help me resurrect from the depths of ashes which truly exist! Now then, bear the pain and receive my full inheritance!"