"I know you have many questions to ask me right now, but I need you to keep those questions to yourself for now. Go and gather the other cultivators taking cover in your fortress and get everyone to follow me."
Garen wasn't able to comprehend the reason behind Ace's actions, but on the thought that Ace was the only one with the strength to protect everyone, Grace still complied with his instructions.
"Understood, Sect Master Ace, please help to ensure the safety of everyone in the meantime."
Grace lowered her stance and replied with respect, from the bottom of her heart. If Ace had wanted to, he could have acted arrogantly after clearing the waves of demon beasts. Instead, he knew his priorities and got down to them straight.
This action of his was enough to gain Grace's respect. From a paladin who places righteousness and moral values above all else.
"I have intentions for everyone to relocate to where the rest of my disciples are. There isn't much I can do if everyone is going to be in different locations."
Grace nodded her head and gathered the others in a matter of minutes without facing any hiccups. The injured were carried by those who were in perfect condition.
This girl isn't simple. To think that I would have to worry whether my disciple has the qualifications to get together with another woman.
"Sect Master Ace, everyone is ready to relocate to the fortress occupied by your disciples and the other cultivators under your protection."
"Let's make our way there as quickly as possible."
Ace led the others through the forest, navigating his way back to the fortress, as they took the quickest route towards their destination.
To the others who weren't able to see the map which Ace was using, it was as though he had perfect memory to remember the way after being through such complicated terrain once.
"Sect master Ace, how are you able to navigate around the forest so freely? From what I can see, you're taking the fastest routes possible despite not having a map. Also, these shortcuts aren't from the direction you came from."
Grace pointed out after observing with her eyes, an observant woman she was.
"This is a secret of mine which I can't impart to anyone else, due to certain reasons."
"I understand, please forgive me for the abrupt question."
Grace apologized without the slightest hesitation as Ace asked her a few more questions about the Paladin Haven along the way.
As for the others, they began to chatter around to share their cultivation experiences. But for those who have lost someone important to them, they remained silent, despite the joyful atmosphere around them.
Ace had the intention to cheer them up, but there was nothing he could do either. He knew the feeling of losing someone important as well as them.
Hopefully, they can walk out of this pain as soon as possible. Ace thought to himself as they arrived at the fortress occupied by the Nirvana Sect.
"Grace?"
The members of the Nirvana Sect reacted in surprise when they saw her and the other cultivators, but when they saw Ace, they understood the situation immediately.
Without a doubt, Ace left for a short time to bring them back to the fortress area safely.
"Where is Garen?" That was the first question Grace asked upon her arrival, which puzzled everyone.
Grace took a moment to understand the reason behind everyone's reaction, including those behind her. She blushed when she understood the reason.
"It's not what all of you think."
"Is it because Garen isn't a man who deserves your heart?"
Ace teased as he took a step back.
"Of course not!"
Grace's immediate rebuttal only caught everyone's attention as they nodded their head in approval, as though they were approving this relationship on their behalf.
"Now that I think about it, Garen's newfound strength was through projectiles which carried righteous energy."
Max commented as he clapped his hands, having made this great discovery. His action garnered everyone's attention as they chuckled. Ruby was giggling beside him, punching him on the shoulder lightly for teasing her junior.
Wait, she's not my junior yet. Ruby corrected herself in her mind.
"It's not what all of you think. Garen helped me with my cultivation last time, and I have yet to give him my thanks before he departed, by the time I left seclusion."
Grace explained as her eyes met the complicated gaze from Ace, which was demanding the truth.
What's going on? Why is my heart palpitating so quickly? Am I truly in love with that man after only one meeting?
"Your master may not have told you about this yet, but in fact, you're Garen's fiancee." Ace revealed the truth after some contemplation.
As for how he would explain the situation to Malene, who was Grace's master, and Alice the Legacy Paladin, that was the least of his worries for now.
"Sect master Ace, can you please repeat what you just said?"
Grace asked politely, but everyone could tell from her tone that she was accepting of this truth.
The members of the Paladin Haven were surprised that a man was able to capture the heart of their senior in just a single meeting, piquing their curiosity to meet Garen, whose marriage was already tied to Grace by the 'arranged' marriage.
Most of the cultivators who were saved, have heard of Grace's name from their masters. Most of them being warned to never make Grace their opponent because she was a terrifying foe they shouldn't look down upon.
Yet now, despite all the expectations everyone had for Grace, she was deeply in love with a man without realizing it.
"Do all of you think that being in love with someone makes you weak?"
Ace asked all the cultivators not only on Grace's behalf, but also for himself and his other disciples in a relationship. In fact, he was asking on behalf of his legacy disciples besides Lancelot who was still single.
"It isn't just my own thinking, even most elders of my sect and my master himself believes that love makes one weak."
"I have to agree with this cultivator from the Locust Sect. Love only distracts us from devoting ourselves to cultivating."
A few more cultivators expressed their disapproval of getting into a relationship in the early stages of their cultivation, most on the other hand remained silent with their stand obvious from the expression on their faces.
"All of you have gotten it wrong. Even though love might distract oneself from devoting themselves to cultivation, all it requires is some willpower to balance between time with your loved ones and cultivation. In the end, it's all about how you set your priorities in life."
"Sect master Ace, I beg to differ."