"Yes. Thank you for your kind words, Lady Cassandra."
Normally, Shui wouldn't be this polite, but slighting Cassandra in front of her fans would bring too much trouble. Cassandra realized this and hid an amused smile behind a handfan. She considered making the most of this opportunity, but Tark stepped forward before she could.
"My young lord also sent me to relay his joy after hearing about your cultivation, Junior Sister Kate."
"Is that so."
Although Shui didn't recognize Tark, he could tell from the way Kate looked at him that he was one of her enemies. Kate was the type to even reject a powerful elder asking to be her master, so he wasn't surprised by the antagonistic approach she took with those she disliked. Tark also showed no signs of being upset as he continued.
"Yes, he even prepared a short message. 'The offer of that day still stands, but if you choose to be stubborn, then be prepared to take on the full duties and responsibilities of a core disciple of Storm Sky Manor.'"
Anyone with an idea about their relationship could tell that this was a threat, but in response, Kate showed an unruly smile fit for one called the Wild Princess.
"I wouldn't expect anything else. Also, you can deliver this message from me: 'I'll be coming for your seat on the Ranking so keep it warmed up for me.'"
It was a declaration so boldly and confidently delivered that Kate's fans couldn't help but cheer, even at the risk of displeasing Tark.
"Oh, how ambitious!" Tark sneered.
He then turned to Shui with a warning, "As your senior, I would recommend you choose carefully as to which side you'll stand on in the future."
"I'll keep it in mind, but I don't believe there's anything to consider."
"It was just advice. I have no intention of forcing you to take it. However, I hope you can bear the consequences."
With those as his parting words, Tark turned around and left the scene. Shui understood that he would now be a target for Kate's opposition, but it didn't concern him very much. Once Tark went back, they also headed towards the core section under the eyes of the other disciples at the entrance. Shui asked to excuse himself, but Luke invited him to join them on account of his friendship with Kate and Reinhart, so he decided to accept.
It wasn't the first time he was entering the core section, but before this group, the inner section elder of the War Department was especially polite. However, even as they travelled through the cave, separating the inner section from the core section, Shui could sense prickly gazes stuck on his back. These gazes had followed him on the way here and remained even now, so it wasn't hard to figure out who they were from. Although Cassandra hadn't shown any sign of displeasure, her five maids hadn't forgotten about Shui's previous offences. They wouldn't be a threat, but Shui decided to avoid them when the time came to leave.
Luke had invited them to celebrate at his residence, but Reinhart mentioned the need to visit his master, so they decided to complete that task first. Shui asked if it was fine for him to meet Core Elder Ren without any notice, but Reinhart assured him that his master would be pleased to see the famous Shui that Kate always spoke about. Luke hadn't heard of Shui before now, so he asked Reinhart to share a few tales.
"I don't have a problem, but what about the two concerned parties?"
"It's fine with me. Shui?"
"It's a little too late to be asking me now, don't you think? I don't mind; I also want to hear what stories she's told about me."
With their approval, Reinhart started with one of Kate's most frequently told stories, the one involving the interclan competition when Shui rescued her from assassins. While nothing was too exaggerated in the way Reinhart told the story, Shui wondered if he was really as cool as he was being described. Dashing in at the last second, defeating enemies that should have been far above him and risking his life to protect his friend. Objectively, it was true, but his chest felt itchy hearing about it from another.
"Oh, so it seems we have little Shui to thank for letting us meet little Kate."
"Indeed so."
"Haha! Well, then, if you run into any trouble, be sure to remember my name. Luke of the Rai clan will certainly do whatever it takes to help you."
Slightly touched, Shui accepted it with gratitude. Cassandra also gave him the same offer, but he accepted it without much faith. Luke wanted to hear another story, but the collective administration headquarters was nearby, so they agreed to leave it for the celebration. Reinhart first led the group to his master's assistant to see if he was available, and unfortunately, he was in a meeting with no determined end. Since he didn't know when the meeting would end, Reinhart left a message with the assistant, and Luke led the group to his residence.
Unlike Cassandra's dwelling, Luke's wasn't much different from a house in the inner section in terms of design and size. When they arrived, a table laden with food and drinks was already prepared, so all that was left was to celebrate. Cassandra took small sips of the alcohol prepared while everyone else dug in without reservation.
Kate wasn't much of a drinker, but nectar strong enough to affect cultivators at their level had little effect on her. Still, perhaps due to the atmosphere, she became hyper as the party went on. When Reinhart started to retell more stories he heard from her, she would excitedly interrupt with her comments and make Shui act out some scenes with her.
"Not like that! With more emotion."
"Okay, okay. ' Thanks, Big sis.' "
"More! More!"
"You're an annoying drunk, you know that?"
It was amusing seeing Kate so spoiled, so even Cassandra showed a genuine smile. After a few more stories, Kate became too drowsy to keep her eyes open and fell asleep, so Shui said farewell.
"Why? The night's still so young."
"Maybe, but I'm also feeling a little tired, and I want to say hi to my housemates."
"Alright! I'll be waiting for your next visit, little Prince."
After listening to Kate's stories, this was Luke's new nickname for him. Shui wasn't too comfortable with it, but he found it hard to refuse Luke's sincerity. Cassandra only showed a polite smile, and Reinhart seemed a little out of it, so Shui left. As he had expected, there were stalkers with Cassandra's scent, but he could easily avoid them.
The first time he entered the core section, he thought about becoming a core disciple earlier to enjoy the high concentration of nature energy, but now that his cultivation had risen to the sixth level of the Soul Realm in a few months, he changed his mind. He wasn't in any danger of having an unstable foundation, but rather than rush to the Earth Realm, he wished to take his time to fully comprehend the mysteries of the Soul Realm. Although his comprehension was sufficient to bring him to the peak of the Soul Realm, he aimed higher than that.
Shui wished to attain Soul Perfection, so there was no point in rushing himself. Furthermore, such a small increase in his energy cultivation wouldn't have much of an impact on his overall strength, so he would lose nothing by remaining patient.