Looking into the horizon, Ace embraced it and drew out his sword.
The sword was infused with energy naturally, but the strength possessed by it exceeded that of his peak.
Also, his physical body was able to handle this influx of strength after the past month he spent in hell tempering his body.
"Well, it's about time I make my way back to the Nebula Kingdom. With my current cultivation, I should be able to make it back in a few hours."
Ace mumbled to himself as he leaped onto his sword and controlled it with his mental energy.
It was difficult for him to control the sword while maintaining the fastest speed he could, but if he could master this technique which most swordmasters could only dream of, it'll come in handy one day.
Right now, all he had to achieve was stable control of his flying sword through the usage of mental energy.
Ace initially planned to spend more time here cultivating in this environment, which was beneficial towards his development in all areas of development.
But he changed his mind in the end because the voice in his heart convinced him to leave now.
*Swoosh*
Taking off into the air on his sword, Ace enjoyed the gentle breeze brushing past his face while admiring the scenery from a different perspective.
The trees were ants to him, just like how the weak were nothing in the eyes of the strong.
The flashing scenery constantly changing was a representation of the fast pace of life which every life fails to appreciate.
The clouds were still floating above him, reminding him that he's a far distance from the peak.
"This time, I shall have no regrets. Living to find the secrets are tiring, which is why I'll live my life the way I want to from now on!"
Ace decided within his heart as he speeds up on the sword, only to fumble and fall from his sword, grabbing it before he fell onto the ground.
Falling through the air, Ace maintained his calm and stabbed his sword into the ground, spinning around his sword before he landed onto the ground with a soft thud.
"Who are you?"
A man from the group of cultivators who were around the area asked Ace while the others remained seated to consume their food.
"I'm the sect master of the Nirvana Sect."
Ace answered honestly and put his sword into its sheath.
"Shouldn't you at least be in the Nebula Kingdom right now?"
The man asked again as Ace once again responded patiently.
"I was away to settle some matters. Are you guys heading to the Nebula Kingdom as well?"
Knowing that he wasn't going to get the desired answer from Ace, the man stopped trying to.
"Yes, we're a mercenary group registered with the mercenary association. We were dispatched on a mission by the mercenary association and are now making our return journey. Why don't you join us?"
Ace was about to reject them but changed his mind when he sensed the approaching aura, which held strong killing intent.
"That would be my pleasure."
"Don't expect us to treat you as some important figure just because you joined our group on the return journey."
One of the members who was fat commented in disdain as he continued to gobble on his food.
The three other members had just finished their food and stood up to continue the journey.
"Let's go."
The man who was the leader told everyone as he got ready to make the return journey.
"Do you think that you can still make it back to the Nebula Kingdom alive after stealing my precious treasure?"
The hysterical laughter of an old man followed as he descended from the sky and stopped before them. Held in his hand was a wand.
"Old man, if we can defeat you once, what makes you think that this time would be no different?"
The fatty who couldn't keep his mouth shut questioned, only for a mass of energy to strike towards him unexpectedly.
"Careful!"
The leader reacted immediately and formed a wind wall that rose from the ground.
"You should know that a battle between mages will destroy the lush greenery."
The leader stated as he made use of his magic to repair the broken ground.
"The only reason I lost to you was that you ambushed me when I was the final stage of my seclusion. However, I managed to grow stronger from that, and right now, I'm here to exact vengeance."
Using the system, Ace decided to interfere in this battle.
The old man was a Marital Lord sixth realm cultivator while the man and his group were only in the third and second Martial Lord realms.
"Old man, if I were you, I would leave right now."
"What if I refuse to leave?"
"It seems that you have chosen death."
Ace said with a sigh as his sword stabbed through the body of that old man without any warning, burning him into ashes with his Nirvana flames.
"Young boy, just who in the world are you?"
The man who was just speaking to Ace blurted out the question in surprise, taking a step back unconsciously with the others out of fear.
"I'm a Martial Lord first realm cultivator, the sect master of the Nirvana Sect, the number one genius in the Galaxy Rankings."
Ace revealed with a smile that surprised them, never would they have expected a youth of such talent to have such a positive side to himself.
Most geniuses they have seen as mercenaries were arrogant, cunning, shameless. Those geniuses would resort to any means so long as they stand to benefit. Those geniuses would neglect the assistance from their mercenary group just to gain more benefits for themselves.
Yet Ace was willing to help them stay alive without requesting anything from them. Everyone, including the fatty who insulted him just now, was amazed by him right now.
Maybe, this is what a true genius is and why he deserved to be ranked number one in the Galaxy Rankings.
He had cultivation talent and strength. He had the demeanor a true genius should have. He stood out from the others.
"Sect master Ace, in what way can we repay you for saving our lives?"
The leader asked in a hurry before Ace left. Trusting that his comrades would understand the reason he made this decision.
"I don't expect from anyone just because I helped them, but if the time comes where you can help the Nirvana Sect, please provide your assistance.
"And don't worry, if any of them were to be corrupted by greed, the sect would expel them with immediate effect."
Ace said before leaving on his sword, leaving them in awe for seeing a swordmaster flying on his sword for the first time.
It might be a common occurrence in the Divine Realm, but down here in the fragmented cultivation world, flying on a sword was a pipe dream to most swordmasters.
The official in charge of the Nebula Kingdom was seeking an audience with the Oracle as Ace approached the Nebula Kingdom.
"My master has declared that you can take your leave, but he told me to leave behind a message."
"What is it?"
The Official asked the disciple of the Oracle who has left the room to reply to him.
"My master said that when a youth arrives at the Nebula Kingdom on a flying sword, you should look for him right away. Because that youth will be the Nirvana Inheritor, you've been looking for this entire time."
"Help me pass my gratitude to the Oracle and tell him that I appreciate his efforts."
"No, my master said that he did this for the sake of the Nebula Kingdom Emperor and that this has nothing to do with you."
The corner of the Official's lips twitched, but he still maintained his smile and took his leave.