"What? He's here?" A girl questioned, pleasantly surprised.
"Hmm? What are you talking about? Another target? Are we going to enjoy ourselves today?" another girl questioned as she had a sadistic smile on her face.
"Well, I don't think you would want to try that, Angela"
"Hmm? What do you mean, Emily?" the girl named Angela questioned.
"It's Elder Ace, he's here" Emily answered and Angela's eyes widened.
"Elder Ace!?" Angela questioned in an excited tone.
"Mhm, let's go, or else we'll be late" Emily replied and Angela nodded.
Ace was the only well-received man in the Sect. Though there are some other men who aren't bullied and are respected due to their status, they aren't really well received. Ace on the other hand is respected and liked by everyone in the Sect. The sect is filled with countless Ace's fangirls, it is to the point where they are ready to leave their beloved sect if it means to live with Ace.
Well, it is pretty reasonable since Ace is the most handsome man they have ever seen, it is impossible not to be enchanted by his looks. Not only that, but he is also incredibly strong, making him an ideal choice for any female.
Though these could be counted as the reasons, the main reason why he was so well received is that how Ace was received when he visited the Sect for the first time.
...
5 years ago, when the girls of the Gracious Flower Sect learned that Elder Ace is coming to visit their sect, many decided to bully and embarrass him since he defeated Elder Aurora and destroyed their sect's image but before they could even start with any plans, they were called by their Senior Sister Maya.
…
"Sister Maya, you called us?" Angela questioned while she was followed by many other girls.
"I did…" Maya, who was sitting on the chair facing backward replied.
"Is there anything we can help you with?" Angela questioned respectfully.
"You all know about who is coming to the Sect right?" Maya questioned, still not turning around.
'Ahh… she's talking about that…' Angela thought inwardly before a sadistic smile appeared on her face. Just like her, other girls also had an understanding smile as they all imagined how they will deal with that Elder Ace the next day.
"You don't have to worry about that, Sister Maya, we will plan the best welcome possible. We will make sure he will emba-"
"Don't you dare!" Maya turned her head, looked into Angela's eyes, and warned. Angela's eyes widened when she saw Maya's face. She couldn't believe that she was her same, cheerful senior sister that always adored her fellow sisters and helped them whenever she can.
She looked more like a demon with that dead look in her eyes. it felt like she didn't sleep for months, plus, the way she spoke, it made a deep impact on everyone, so much that Angela and the others felt a chill running down their spine. It was their first time seeing their sister acting like that. They all were terrified.
Maya then stood from her chair and slowly walked towards the group with a smile that didn't look like a smile at all. Those few seconds were like minutes for the girls as they looked into her green eyes that reeked madness. Maya appeared in front of Angela before holding her chin slightly and staring into her eyes while her face was dangerously close to hers, the scene was so terrifying that Angela's legs were trembling and she gulped audibly.
"That is exactly why I called you here… don't you dare try to do anything funny tomorrow, or else I will make sure that this place becomes a living hell for you.
A hell you can't leave even if you want to"
Maya whispered softly but that soft tone inflicted even more fear inside girls. Angela nodded without breaking eye contact and Maya closed her eyes, tilted her head, and smiled cutely.
"Alright! You guys leave now!" Maya exclaimed cutely as if nothing happened and the girls weren't stupid enough to point that out and left quickly.
...
"W-W-What was that?" A girl questioned as they walked out of the room.
"I don't know but she looked soo scary… I never knew she could act like that…" Another girl answered.
"Just make sure you guys don't do anything weird tomorrow…"
"But why would she say that? Didn't he defeat Elder Aurora and ruined our reputation? Why would she protect him like that?"
"Who knows… but to be completely honest I don't care anymore. I don't want to offend her…"
"Yeah… we should cancel all our plans…" Angela mumbled and others nodded.
The next day, Angela and some of her friends gather at the Sect doors not because they wanted to create troubles, but because they wanted to see what will happen and they were already surprised by what they saw. Sect Leader Fianna, Elder Aurora, and few other elders, along with Senior Sister Maya, everyone was standing at the doors to welcome him. Maya looked nothing like she did yesterday, on the contrary, she looked even cheerful than she normally does as she wore a big and expectant smile on her small face.
Few minutes passed by, now it was time for Ace to visit the Sect, and… he was late.
This was the first time Angela saw something like that, first, the Sect Leader Fianna herself was standing there to welcome someone, and the person who received such an honor was late.
He was LATE! How is that possible!? And why are they all still standing there!? Questioned likes these filled her mind.
Angela was very confused and angry since she never expected Elder Ace to disrespect her Sect like that.
Another half an hour later, Ace finally appeared and Angela's anger disappeared as soon as she saw him. Ace was wearing normal Elder robes, as he was carrying 3-year-old Gracie in his arms. His white hair fluttered due to wind and he just looked fantastic. Angela and the others just kept staring at him without saying a word.
"He's Elder Ace...?" A girl questioned.
"He looks even more majestic than before..."
"Do you think we could have done anything to him even if Sister Maya didn't stop us?"
The girls mumbled and chatted randomly while Angela focused on the conversation.
"Elder Ace, it's pleasant to meet you again" Sect Leader Fianna greeted politely.
"It's nice to meet you too, Sect leader Fianna," Ace replied as he nodded towards the rest of the elders and Maya, who blushed visibly.
"Hwello~" Gracie, who was in Ace's arms greeted politely as she raised her right arm.
"Hello, Gracie" Sect leader Fianna replied with gentle a smile.
"Were you busy with something, Elder Ace? You sure took your time…" Elder Aurora questioned with a smile.
Angela's ears perked up when she heard that. There must be a reason why he was late, right? It's alright, everyone makes small mistakes like that! No need to hate senselessly, right?
"Oh… well, uhh... I just overslept" Ace replied with a slightly embarrassed smile as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Oh…" Elder Aurora muttered as the smile never left her face but became more and more expressionless.
'I shouldn't have asked…' Elder Aurora thought inwardly, as the situation turned awkward for Gracious Flower Sect members.
'You Overslept!? Just like that? Was this meeting that insignificant in your eyes!?' Everyone present there had the same questioned in their minds and not to break their hearts but… yes, it was just that insignificant in Ace's eyes. If it wasn't for Gracie's request to meet Sister Maya, he wouldn't even be here.
"Well, when you work really hard you do tend to oversleep. Don't worry, it happens… Hahaha…" Maya laughed to lighten the weird atmosphere.
"Alright, Welcome to the Gracious Flower Sect, Elder Ace" Sect Leader Fianna inhaled deeply before welcoming.
"Thank you, Sect Leader Fianna" Ace nodded as the group continued walking inside the Sect. Then Sect Leader Fianna formally gave a Sect trip to Ace and Gracie and since Gracie was enjoying it, Ace didn't mind it.
The scene was quite shocking to many disciples since no man has ever received this grand welcome. Not even the leaders of other sects.
Angela and a few more disciples followed the group while keeping a certain distance and noticed that their Elder Sister Maya was fawning over Elder Ace, while the man didn't even budge. It was like all her ways to win him over were in vain, out of options, Maya started talking and playing with Gracie. Even Elder Aurora, who they thought would have held a grudge against Ace was very respectful to him and was smiling all the way.
Ace also talked politely and didn't even mention the match in the conversations, which the disciples found very gentlemanly and honorable, of course, what they don't know is that he just doesn't really care about defeating such a small fry and have probably forgotten about it.
This improved Ace's image in everyone's mind and adding his good looks, he soon became famous in the whole sect. Just like that, with a single trip, Ace unknowingly won over everyone in the Gracious Flower Sect.