As the 3 were enjoying the family hug, Ace suddenly remembers about Sect Leader Kalm's visit.
"Love, Kalm invited us to go to Annual Sect Competition with them" Ace informed.
"Hmm? Haven't we already bought the tickets?" Maeve questioned.
"Well, they say that their seats have a better view so I accepted"
"Okay, it doesn't matter much if we are watching it together…" Maeve muttered and closed her eyes.
Just like that, another day passed by and it was time for the Annual Sect Competition. Ace wore the sect elder robes while Maeve wore a white-colored gown that enhanced her otherworldly beauty while Gracie was wearing a cute, red-colored singlet with a matching beanie.
Gracie's clothes were made of especially soft material, making them extremely comfortable for the little nightingale.
The family left the courtyard as Gracie was in her favorite place, which is her father's embrace. She cutely kept her small head on Ace's shoulder while her 2 hands held Ace's neck, just like a koala sticking with her mother.
The couple walked towards the Sect exit where the rest of the elders and disciples were waiting.
…
At the exit, Sect Leader Kalm, Elder Ryan, Elder Stolz, and other 2 elders could be seen. The elders were surrounded by few disciples wearing purple colored robes, their attitude, and closeness with elder's shows that they are personnel disciples that are taking part in the competition.
The inner disciples along with very few outer disciples those who managed to get selected for the tournament made their way towards the carriages that were standing outside the sect while the core disciples were guiding them.
"Disciple Elijah, I expect a great performance from you in this tournament, don't let the sect down" Sect leader Kalm spoke in a calm manner.
"Of course, sect leader Kalm, I will do my best and will bring glory to the sect and my teacher, elder Ario" The disciple named Elijah answered with a smile, while his teacher, Elder Ario lifted his chest in pride, his student, Elijah, is the strongest participant the sect has, if he performs well, his status in the sect will rise exponentially.
From his looks, Elijah looks in his early 30s, Black colored hair, pointed nose, fair skin, and a well-structured face gave Elijah an above-average appearance. He had lifted his chest up in pride and had an arrogant air surrounding him. His eyes sometimes glanced towards a 25-year-old, girl who was standing close to Sect leader Kalm but the girl completely ignored his presence.
The girl herself was quite a beauty with long, black-colored hairs with green eyes, her sword-like eyebrows, thin nose, and red, juicy lips made her face uniquely striking. She wore purple colored robes but the loose robes weren't able to hide her lustful curves, on the contrary, they increased her charm.
Even though the girl looked alluring, her expressionless face gave an out-of-reach feeling to others, she was Sophia Christen, the personal disciple of Sect Leader Kalm.
"Apologies if I am late!" While the elders were chatting, a dignified voice was heard and everyone turned towards the source of the voice.
Elijah's eyes widened as he saw a man wearing white colored robes, his looks transcends the boundaries of what a mortal could look like. Even the most handsome man in the empire would be nothing but dirt in front of the man standing in front of him.
Unconsciously, Elijah glanced towards Sophia and saw her expression that was changed from expressionless to surprised. This gave Elijah a sense of discomfort and he turned around to face the man but this time, even his eyes widened even more.
Behind the man was standing a girl whose beauty completely overshadowed Sophia's, hell, even the most beautiful girl in Elijah's dream wasn't her match.
Those blue colored eyes, long, silky black hairs, juicy red lips, thin eyebrows, and a perfectly craved face gave her a look of an angel but her round curves and medium bust gave her an alluring look, just like a succubi demon. The woman's smile could arise a feeling to protect that smile forever inside any man's heart.
The reaction of his past crush, Sophia, and the appearance of his new crush, Maeve, right beside Ace made Elijah hate the man to his guts.
"Yes, you are! As a mere outer disciple, you should have come here a lot sooner than required, and why the hell are you bringing a little child with you?
Do you take the tournament as a picnic!?" Elijah burst out in anger while Ace walked towards them.
And… just like Ace always does, he completely ignored the fool and walked towards Sect Leader Kalm.
"I hope I am not Late, Mr. Kalm" Ace repeated while Elijah trembled in rage.
Seeing his disciple being completely ignored, Elder Ario furrowed his brows but didn't say anything.
"How dare a mere outer disciple ignore me!?
And how dare you talk with our respectful Sect Leader Kalm like that!?" Elijah roared.
"Don't worry, you are on time, Elder Ace" Sect leader Kalm answered with a smile.
"That's a relief~" Ace sighed.
"Well, it has been a long time since I met you, Madam Maeve. Your beauty increased even more" Sect Leader Calm complimented to which Maeve nodded with a smile, her smile increasing many men's heartbeats within a second.
"And look how much your daughter has grown! She's looking very cute in these red clothes!" Sect Leader Kalm complimented again and Ace nodded in satisfaction. He couldn't help but have a positive image of the Man inside his mind.
'Maybe I will help him when he needs it some time, of course, only if it isn't much of a bother' Ace thought inwardly.
While Elijah, who was completely ignored by the two, was trembling in anger, he didn't even hear Sect Leader Kalm calling Ace an Elder.
"YOU! HOW DARE YOU IGNORE ME!?" Elijah roared and walked towards Ace, his face, completely twisted in anger.
*Slap*
"You fool! How will you pay if you make her cry with that ugly face of yours!" Ace roared in a cold tone and at the same time, he slapped the idiot in front of him.
*Gasps*
*Thud*
Under many gasps, Elijah's boy flew backward and fell on the ground. Everybody except Elder Stolz and Sect Leader Kalm took a step back and glanced at Ace with surprise and then glanced at Elijah who was on the ground, unconscious.
Everyone was surprised by the sudden move. Who was Elijah? The strongest participant of their sect and he was defeated by this young looking man in just one move? Not even a move, but a mere slap? How was this possible?
"He didn't scare you, did he, my Nightingale?~" Ace questioned as he jumped lightly, trying to cheer Gracie up.
"Ehehe~" Gracie just giggled in answer, as if she wasn't bothered by it.
Looking at that, people were even more surprised, seeing that, Sect Leader Kalm sighed and decided to speak up.
"I think most of you don't know him since Elder Ace doesn't really involve himself with others, so let me introduce him to you guys.
He is Elder Ace, a new elder of our sect who joined 3 months ago.
This, is her wife, Madam Maeve Vorste, and her daughter, Gracie Vorste.
I hope you all get along"
Ace smiled towards the crowd and many smiled back, especially women.
"Sect Leader Kalm, everyone's on the carriages and are waiting for you" A core disciple informed.
"Alright, it is time to move everybody. Elder Ario, I hope you take care of Disciple Elijah, I don't think he is suffering from any serious injuries, just let him rest"
Elder Ario nodded and glanced towards Ace who was busy playing with her daughter.
Thoughts of revenge?
No way, the guy defeated his disciple with one slap. He, as his teacher knows about his student's strength, there is no way he himself can defeat him within 5 moves, let alone one slap.
Ace was clearly stronger than him, and this world… is ruled by strong.
Elder Ario picked his disciple and walked with everyone.
There were 3 huge carriages that were prepared for the journey, the 2 were for the disciples while the last one, which had the insignia of the Inferno Sword Sect was for the elders, their personal disciples, their families, and of course, the Sect Leader.
The elders quickly settled inside the carriage which was spacious enough for people double the present number, to sit inside without any issues.
Ace and Maeve wanted to sit in a corner, playing with Gracie, but a few women came to them, taking Maeve away with the excuse of making new friends.
Ace then sat in the corner, with his nightingale.
"Hmph! Mama left us! We will play together and punish mama later? Okay?" Ace questioned.
"Mwama~" Gracie answered.
"Hmm Hmm you are right, we won't talk to her for a while"
"Pwapwa~"
"Yes, yes, we should play now," Ace nodded as if understanding everything his nightingale wanted to say.
"Aren't you too strong for your age?" As Ace was about to play with Gracie, a female voice was heard.
Ace turned around and saw Sophia standing and looking at him with a curious gaze.
"And you are?" Ace questioned.
"Sophia Christine, the personal disciple of Sect Leader Kalm" Sophia introduced.
"And what does the personnel disciple of Sect Leader Kalm wants with me?" Ace questioned, repeating the same words she spoke.