Walking along the streets of the Nebula Kingdom alone by himself after keeping the token in his spatial ring, Ace blended in with the crowd as the vibrant decorations of the Nebula Kingdom caught his attention.
Along the streets, there were ropes attacked from one end of the Nebula Kingdom to another, hanging from the were ornaments that took on the shape of a star while emitting a dim light that blended in with the bustling streets.
Walking along the streets, Ace saw a sight that would never be seen anywhere else in the cultivation world. The locals here weren't just accepting of outsiders, they were both friendly and heartwarming towards outsiders like him.
Walking up to a store which was selling a diverse variety of accessories, Ace spoke to the old lady who was seated on her wooden chair with her eyes closed.
"Sorry to disturb you, but I would like to purchase a necklace." Ace asked politely, resulting in the old lady opening her eyes gradually.
Stretching her stiff body, the old lady put on her glasses before asking, "Oh, who is it for? Your lover or your parents?"
Hearing the old lady's words, Ace couldn't help but be stunned even though she was probably asking this question without any specific reason.
Oblivious to him, the old lady was smiling slyly in that brief moment he was distracted.
"My lover." Ace said towards an outsider for the first time, his heart aching as memories of them together surfaced into his mind once again. If only he had spent more time with her instead of continuing as he wished back then, would things have turned out differently?
"I see…" The old lady mumbled, reflected in her eyes were appreciation and relief.
How long has it been since I saw someone with a true compassionate heart in this world, be it the world of cultivation or the minor mortal world?
(Minor is used before the word mortal because there are only a few mortals in this world as compared to cultivators)
"Young boy, may I have the privilege of knowing what that lover of yours likes?" The old lady asked curiously as she looked out what seemed like a box.
What she likes...haha...haha…
Ace felt pathetic right now, Charlotte understood him much better than how well he knows her.
Charlotte would always cook him the variety of food that he constantly has a craving for, Charlotte would share his woes and worries and even do her utmost best to assist him in pursuing his dreams, Charlotte would always be there for him when he needed her most.
Yet, what does he know about her? He accompanied her in cultivation and showered her with concern, but never once has he shared her concerns and worries, even when she wasn't feeling well.
"I...have no clue." In the end, Ace could only stutter awkwardly, the sorrow and regret in his eyes unable to be concealed from the cunning old lady.
"Do you love her?"
"Yes."
Ace answered without the slightest hesitation, as though this was the only answer he can give the old lady.
"Very well, can I know the reason why you're away from her?"
The old lady asked again and without being able to turn her down, Ace started from the moment where the demon beasts invasion happened and how he left due to a certain reason.
"By the time I returned, it was already too late…" Ace ended off with a regretful sigh at the end,
"Have you ever thought about how you're still able to stay so composed in such a situation?" The old lady asked and even though Ace felt that the old lady was probing too much into his life, the interest in her eyes was urging him to continue speaking.
"It's because I believe that when I find her one day, I'll be able to help her recover and at that time, but until then, all I can is get stronger, wallowing in despair would only impede my progress and delay my progress, in both improving myself and saving Charlotte."
"Young boy, keep this necklace and give it to your loved one, the next time we meet, I hope that you would have fulfilled what you promised her today." The old lady said as she opened the sealed box with a key which she had just found before vanishing before Ace's sight.
Old lady, whoever you are, thanks for helping me to recall my purpose in growing stronger. Within his heart, Ace thanked the old lady sincerely before he returned to the courtyard. After all, he had to get them prepared for tomorrow morning.
In the meantime, the disciples swore to grow stronger for various purposes and goals in their life, were spending their time free from the shackles and fast-paced pressure of the cultivation world.
Alexander was accompanying Abby as they walked along the streets, spending their lovey-dovey time alone without the others, their hands interlocked with each other with smiles blooming on their faces.
In the meantime, Alexander's soldiers were just unable to disappoint their general as they finally arrived at the Nebula Kingdom, registering in a public inn in the Nebula Kingdom as they awaited the start of the cultivation forces tournament, prepared to behold their general wield his true weapon on the grand stage.
As for Luke, being someone who is rarely alone, Ray decided to accompany him as they walked along the streets while exploring every nook and cranny of the Nebula Kingdom since they had nothing else better to do.
Garen was alone by himself, understanding the prices and way of operations that the Nebula Kingdom makes use of in order to prosper and develop. After all, this might come in handy one day when helping the Valor Kingdom to develop.
At least, that's the last Garen can do for his brother and father to continue developing the kingdom and continue the heritage their ancestors left behind.
He might be the most successful among their bloodline, but he was also the one who abandoned them in order to spread his wings, to soar in the wide and vast cultivation world to pursue his dreams and gain true strength.
Max and Ruby stayed in their own rooms, spending time with each other to further enhance the white tiger bloodline within their bodies.
As for Lancelot, he was staring into open space, seated on the edge of the cliff, facing the wide ocean some distance away from the Nebula Kingdom. On his face, tears were streaming down, his nails digging into his flesh unknowingly.
While the disciples were trying to clear their minds off distracting thoughts, Ace was doing the same as well.
By the time everyone returned to the inn, it was already early morning, but none of them looked tired. Instead, on their faces were determination and will to win the upcoming preliminary rounds after Ace told them that it was today morning.
"Lancelot, are you alright?"
Even though everyone looked fine, Ace could still tell that Lancelot was exhausted.
Lancelot replied with a smile, "Everything's fine, I just...need somewhere to fully release myself."
"Alright then, let's make our way to the gathering area, it's time the cultivation world hears the name of the Nirvana Sect."
The disciples representing the battles would be Lancelot who has stepped into the early stage Great Martial Master realm while awakening Vengeance Tribulation Law. But in terms of combat strength, he might be the fearless one among them all with his quick reflexes and strength that exceeds what his cultivation base should possess.
Alexander who has stepped into the middle stage Martial Master realm and awakened the Azure Dragon Law as the inheritor of the Azure Dragon. As for his strength and capabilities, just his identity similar to max as an inheritor of one of the four guardians that protect the four cardinal directions is more than enough to explain it.
There was also Max who was the only one in the peak stage Great Martial Master with his enhanced white tiger bloodline because of Ace's assistance at a hefty price. If one wanted to defeat him, there was no way it would be possible unless that person has a bloodline or artifact superior to his, or an even stronger legacy which shouldn't be possible in this world.
Garen in the early stage great Martial Master realm with the Projectiles Law awakened, a rare law which few would expect and even know of. Not only because this law is difficult to cultivate, but because of the unorthodox methods it can create which resulted in the low amount of historical records despite the long passage of time in the cultivation world.
Luke who was infinitely close to the Sword Ancestor realm even ahead of Ace since he received the full guidance and teachings from his father, who was a veteran in the Sword Ancestor realm, he was also in the early stage Great Martial Master realm which makes him far from being weak.
There was also Ray who was in the early stage Great Martial Master realm with his light intent progressing to the holy law which not only possesses more destructive force, but also flexibility, strength and most importantly, the power to eliminate any barriers casted by array master, it might not seem useful usually, but when the time comes, it would be the key factor to changing the tides of the battle.
Most importantly was Ruby who was going to represent the sect as both a battle contestant and a second grade alchemist who has been entrusted with great hopes after Clarissa's teachings. Without a doubt, she played a heavy role even though her combat strength was the weakest, in the current group at least, after all, how could an inheritor of the White Tiger bloodline be weak?
Still, while the Nirvana Sect has an elite team that might be able to sweep down any Wolf tier and Sheep tier forces without much difficulty, surpassing the Tiger tier focus was still going to be a tall ordeal that wouldn't be easy to accomplish.
It was a heated battle between not only the youths, but also the decision making and wits of each sect master and cultivation force leader. Without a doubt, competition was at its fiercest and this was before the Dragon tier forces interfered with the cultivation forces tournament yet.