While Ace returned to his cabinet, Elder Aurora walked towards hers but just as she entered, she was surprised by the sight of sect leaders of the 4 strongest sects present inside the cabinet.
Not only them, even Maya, and other personnel disciples of other sect leaders were present as well.
"W-what is it?" Elder Aurora questioned.
"We need to talk… about that man… Ace Vorste" Sect Leader Fianna spoke in a grim tone while other sect leaders had the same look.
"How strong is he?" Sect Leader Fianna questioned, directly coming to the main point.
"Very strong…" Elder Aurora answered unconsciously.
*Bam*
Sect Leader Haste, the Sect Master of The Holy Dragon Sect smashed the table in front of him and roared making Elder Aurora uncomfortable.
"That is not a clear response! How are we supposed to know how strong is 'very strong'!?" He questioned in rage.
"Sect Leader Haste, I allowed you come here but I didn't say you could use that tone when you talk with my sect's elders" Sect Leader Fianna declared calmly, even though her tone looked calm, there was unconcealed killing intent in it.
Sect Leader Haste glared at Sect Leader Fianna who in return glared back.
"Alright, alright, you both need to calm down, we are here to deal with a common problem, let's make this meeting worth our while" Another Elderly looking man spoke.
"So, Elder Aurora, exactly how strong is he?" Sect Leader Fianna questioned calmly.
"I can't say for sure…" Elder Aurora sighed in relief before answering.
"Well… let me reframe my question… how long do you think he can last against me?" Sect Leader Fianna questioned.
"I-I…" Elder Aurora remained silent.
"I am waiting for you answer, Elder Aurora, how long do you think he can last against me?" Sect Leader Fianna repeated.
"…I don't think Sect Leader can win against him…" Elder Aurora answered and many gasped.
"What are you talking about girl? Do you even know her strength? Even I can't say for certain that I will win against her!" Sect Leader Haste roared and other sect leaders nodded, everyone but Sect Leader Fianna. She was looking at Elder Aurora with a surprised gaze.
She knows that no one knows more about her strength better than Elder Aurora. For her to say something like this… it only means that Ace wasn't normal.
"Why do you say that?" while others were randomly accusing Elder Aurora, Sect Leader Fianna questioned seriously.
Elder Aurora glanced towards Sect Leader Fianna and after seeing her solemn expression, she answered.
"Every time I spar with you, there is a feeling that I could win."
"I could win if I could improve my speed. I could win if I improve my reflexes. I could win… if I… I improve.
This is what motivates me to keep fighting, but when I fought him…
His power seemed endless.
It felt like I am a toddler trying to win against a master. The thought of being able to beat him… it felt unrealistic… if felt like no matter how hard I try, there is no way I can beat him.
His smile… his smile never left his face during the entire fight, it looked like the whole battle was a walk in a park for him…" Elder Aurora explained and everyone turned silent.
"You mean to say he is stronger than her, meaning that he is stronger than all of us?" Sect Leader Haste questioned and Elder Aurora nodded.
*Exhale*
"So, how should we deal with him?" Sect Leader Fianna questioned with a solemn look.
"What else, kill him." Sect Leader Haste answered.
"If what this girl says is true, then it won't take him long to get strong enough to defeat us all at the same time. He will eventually become a great threat to us and our sect. It is better to just kill him now and remove the possible threat" Sect Leader Haste explained while Maya, who was sitting near them, opened her eyes wide. She never thought that someone would want to kill Ace. She quickly glanced at her master to see her reaction.
Sect Leader Fianna wanted to refute but couldn't find the words. She only met with Ace a while ago, she can't be certain that the guy won't trouble her in the future.
Seeing her remain silent, Maya's heartbeat quickened. She considered warning Ace but that would mean that she betrayed her master. She quickly found herself in a position where she had to choose between her first love or her master who raised her with love and care but fortunately before she had to decide, Elder Aurora spoke up.
"I don't suggest doing that"
Everyone's attention again returned to Elder Aurora and before anyone could question, she continued.
"At least, as an elder, I won't suggest Sect Leader Fianna take any actions against him"
"Why is that?"
"There are 2 reasons.
First, I don't think he will become a threat to us because if he wanted power, he would have already joined a stronger sect rather than joining The Inferno Sword Sect, or even better, he could have gone to the imperial capital and join even more powerful sects and you all know, with his talent, it is possible" Elder Aurora explained.
After taking a deep sigh, she continued with a solemn tone, "Second, I don't want our Gracious Flower Sect to get wiped out"
As she spoke, Maya, Sect Leader Fianna, and others opened their eyes wide.
"What do you mean?" Sect Leader Fianna questioned in a cold tone.
"I believe that we are heavily underestimating his strength" Elder Aurora answered.
"Are you trying to say that he will destroy our sect if we move against him? Aren't you giving him too much credit?" Sect Leader Fianna questioned again.
"Sect Leader Fianna, do you remember the Dazx Family?"
"The one that got massacred a few months ago?" Sect Leader Fianna guessed.
"The last person their young master offended was Ace Vorste" Elder Aurora revealed but instead of getting shocked, Sect Leader Haste scoffed.
"Don't tell me you are comparing Dazx Family with the 4 strongest sects"
Elder Aurora completely ignored the man and continued, "There was no trace of fire element on the crime spot. It was concluded that it was done by a very strong Wind Mage" Elder Aurora answered and the place turned silent again. It took some time for others to understand what she wanted to say.
"Y-you mean to say that he has another element that he is not using?" Sect Leader Haste questioned.
"Not only that, I am pretty sure that his control over wind is better than fire"
"H-how can you be s-sure of that?" Sect Leader Haste stammered.
"Wait, even you have an affinity with wind element… why didn't you used it against him?" Sect Leader Fianna realized and Elder Aurora smile wryly.
"It is not that I didn't use it… it was more like I couldn't. Every time I use an offensive wind spell, it just turns into a light breeze kissing his face softly. It felt like the wind itself doesn't want to hurt him" Elder Aurora answered and the rest of them turned silent.
"I am pretty sure Ace is that powerful wind mage who massacred the entire Dazx family, plus, just like you, Sect Leader Fianna, even I think that Maeve isn't someone weak. I don't think we should offend them because if they dared to massacre an established family, I don't think they won't dare to actions against us" Elder Aurora concluded, and Sect Leader Fianna nodded.
She wasn't stupid, she knows it is better not to offend someone so strong, plus, the man himself was her disciple's first love, so she doesn't want to make it difficult for her disciple. And as she saw that relieved sigh coming from Maya, she was even surer of her decision.
"Alright, as you know, I can't ignore my elder's suggestion and I am inclined to believe her intuition. You guys are free to act as you see fit but I won't be supporting you all. Sect Leader Haste, thank you for having us, now we will take our leave" Sect Leader Fianna declared and stood up, accompanied by Maya and Elder Aurora.
As the others saw their leaving figures, the rest also stood up with complicated expressions. They knew their power was reduced if The Gracious Flower Sect isn't helping them or even worst if they joined that Ace, their sect won't live for long.
They didn't know much about their enemy's powers but theirs were known publically, it was definitely disadvantageous for them.
With that, everyone left the Cabinet with the same thought in their minds.