When Ace read the system's second part of the quest, he hesitated for a moment even though he stopped. Was he going to give up the mission since there was no penalty, or was he going to stay and provide his assistance to the Nebula Kingdom?
It was a decision he had to make on the spot. Ace clicked his tongue as he turned his attention towards the approaching guards, who were approaching them under the orders of their general.
"The Nebula Kingdom is currently facing a crisis and would like to request the assistance of the various sects that are currently gathered here!" The soldier cut straight to the chase, dropping the formalities that should be expected in the army.
The grave expression on each of the soldiers' faces and their determined aura to protect the Nebula Kingdom even if it meant losing their lives, influenced the cultivation leaders who were intending to take their leave.
Even Ace changed his mind when he noticed the severity of the situation, especially when he recalled the demon beast invasion, which happened in the Valor Kingdom, that Garen hails from.
"We'll stay here." Ace told his disciples but avoided the soldiers who were more concerned with the decisions that cultivation leaders such as them would make.
The Absolute Sword Sect Master was the first to express his stand, stepping out from the crowd with a dignified appearance, he said towards the soldiers, "The Absolute Sword Sect would be glad to be of any help."
With the Absolute Sword Sect being the strongest cultivation force recognised by everyone present, the various cultivation leaders shook their head with a smile and agreed to provide their assistance to the Nebula Kingdom.
"Sect Master, if you would lend the Nebula Kingdom a helping hand, all of us would be willing to step onto the battlefield. This wouldn't be the first time we step onto the battlefield, not to mention that it would be the best opportunity for us to hone our skills and improve ourselves." Garen said on behalf of everyone who nodded their heads.
Ace returned their concerned gaze with an affirmative nod as he told the soldier, "Don't worry, the Nirvana Sect will be providing its assistance as well, but I need somewhere secluded to settle some mundane matters first before stepping onto the battlefield."
"No worries, our scouts have gathered intel on the demon beasts and it has been confirmed that it would take them at least three days to arrive at the Nebula Kingdom." The soldier explained as he took out what seemed like a red bracelet and passed ten to Ace.
"These red bracelets would be able to record the number of demon beasts an individual has killed and merit points will be awarded according to the strength of the demon beast killed."
The soldier then proceeded to pass each of the cultivation leaders and their disciples the red bracelets, reminding them that there's a life-saving amulet in the red bracelet that contains the full strength strike of a Martial Emperor at the expense of all their saved up merit points.
"Remember, while the merit points might be important, your lives are still of utmost importance. If the time comes, do not hesitate to activate the life-saving amulet contained within the bracelet immediately." The soldier reminded again before taking his leave to settle other duties that were assigned on an emergency notice.
After this sudden event, Ace and his disciples returned to the Mystic Breeze Inn as Ace told them to focus on improving themselves in these three days before returning to his room. He had to utilise the time capsule immediately.
Without any hesitation, Ace used the time capsule immediately as his soul drifted to another dimension. A dimension that was crafted out by the time capsule with a time flow that is thirty times faster than the outside world. A day that passes in the time capsule would be equivalent to a month's time in the cultivation world.
"Let's see how much I can improve my Slaughter Law in the meantime, if I'm lucky, I might even step into the entry-level of comprehension." Ace hoped to himself before he drifted off into a state of cultivation.
Lancelot and the others weren't going to waste their time fretting about the upcoming battle against the demon beast invasion unlike most of the other elites, that were on the search for treasures that might save their lives when the time comes.
Lancelot remained in his room, trying to improve his cultivation law to an even higher level.
Alexander was gathering his personal army while he grouped out with Abby and planned out strategies that might be useful in the upcoming battle.
Clarissa had spent most of her spirit stones on purchasing ingredients that would be used to refine elixirs in these three days. She was aiming to have enough recovery elixirs that would help the disciples recover in time if they were to be injured.
Arith on the other hand was coming up with a secret weapon, which he hoped would be of use in the upcoming demon beasts invasion.
Abby and Max were dual cultivating in their room, while Luke was comprehending his sword laws silently in his room.
Garen was gathering precious information that might be of help in the upcoming demon beast invasion as he scouted the terrain, coming up with methods that could be of use in the upcoming war.
Half a day passed in the cultivation world, the soldiers could be seen rushing from point to point, excavating the citizens to a safe location while they gathered their equipment and prepared themselves to spend the rest of the night cultivating.
Under usual circumstances, the soldiers would have to complete missions and assigned duties in order to gain cultivation resources, but in dire times like this, the Nebula Kingdom had taken the initiative to provide them with sufficient cultivation resources just so that they could make one final breakthrough to improve their strength.
At this point of time, Ace had already stepped onto the 87th step of the Slaughter Law, but he could sense that he had reached a bottleneck and unless he stepped onto the battlefield and experienced combat right now, there was no way he could progress further.
Because of this reason, Ace spent the next half month in the time capsule comprehending the Nirvana Flames Law.
"Flames derive from the fire element, burning everything that stands in its way, relentless in its pursuit to destroy everything even if it meant being extinguished by water. Yet the power of rebirth allows it to stand up again, stronger than ever to create a steam reaction when coming into contact with water again, only to gain the upper hand and come out victorious."
Ace mumbled to himself as he stepped into the entry grade of comprehension for the Nirvana Flames Law, as the grading of the Nirvana Flames Law became known to him at the same time before his body was kicked out of the time capsule.
The Nirvana Flames Law was divided into the Entry grade, Comprehended Grade, Advanced Grade, Expert Grade, Master Grade, Grandmaster Grade and the Creation Grade that only exists in the legends.
"For the last two days, I should try to infuse the Nirvana Flames Law into my sword before the demon beasts invasion arrives, if things go well, I should be able to slaughter any demon beasts beneath the Demon King Fourth Realm with ease." Ace heaved a sigh of relief and smiled, glad of his improvements made in just a month's time.
Just yesterday, Ace struggled to contend against the strength of a Martial King Fourth Realm, but right now, he would be able to contend against the strength of a Demon King Fourth Realm, which possessed the strength comparable to a Martial King Fifth Realm.
If Ace had to go against a Martial King Fifth Realm cultivator right now, he would win the battle.
If Ace had to go against a Martial King Sixth Realm cultivator right now, he would remain undefeated and even if a Martial King Seventh Realm Cultivator threatens his life, he would be able to escape unscathed.
But if he manages to step into the Sword Ancestor Realm, even he would be unable to gauge his true strength in this cultivation world. Maybe then, he would be able to contend against the weakest Martial Kings of the Divine Realm as a Martial Lord First Realm Cultivator.
*Knock Knock*
"Sect Master Ace, are you busy right now?" Someone knocked on the door and asked before Ace entered the state of cultivation.