The sky opened up and a massive airship came through. Elaborate mansions came into view as the airship touched down. There was a small forest with rivers, hills, valleys and baby energy beasts running around the mansions. This was no doubt a flying city.
Cheers rang out as the people of stardust came to welcome their City Lord and Patriarch who had been away for several months. Xasha was flanked by Megan and Xara, who all had relaxed smiles on their face as they went to greet the crowd. Their strike teams stood behind them in formation.
Xasha's face hadn't seemed to notice all the years that had passed, as he looked the same as before. The aging process slows down with cultivation, therefore, rapid breakthroughs made by the members of the Falling Stardust made the aging process all but stop for them. Almost the entire guild looked like teenagers despite being dozens of years old.
The doors to Saxon's office swung open and Xasha along with, Megan and Xara strolled in. Saxon and Verra, who were going over documents, froze in place as if caught red-handed.
"You're back so soon. Is that a good or bad thing?" Saxon said to the new arrivals, hiding his nervousness.
This was a futile attempt, as everybody in the room could tell he was hiding something. The fact that he was sneakily rolling up the documents he was going over with Verra didn't help. Verra walked over and gave a warm hug to all three, "welcome back guys. Why did you come straight here and not take a rest after such a long journey?"
"Because I missed my fool of a husband," Xara stated as she made her way over to her husband and wrapped her hands and around his waist. Pulling him close like a man would a woman, then placed a kiss on his lips with a calm smile.
Saxon's face lit up, "I missed you too hu- hey what are you-" while he was distracted Xara had already snatched the document from his hand and was inspecting it after locking the panicking Saxon in a box made of compressed mana.
Xasha and Megan came over to take a look as well. A moment later, they were looking at Saxon with a questioning gaze. "why were you hiding this?" Xara inquired.
Saxon approached, "you guys don't think this is a big deal?"
"Well, it's to be expected, isn't it? He hasn't taken a break for the past 9 years. This is just one more thing to celebrate. Where is he?" Xasha stated in excitement.
Saxon was now the one confused. "Alexi not only surpassed you but passed all 100 assessments while you are still at assessment 86. Aren't you worried about the message that sends to the world? It means you are inferior to him. He might even challenge your position." Saxon was agitated. No one seemed to understand the situation. He was just talking to Verra about how they could handle the situation when Xasha walked in.
Xasha chuckled. "I'm not worried about that. Alexi isn't the only mage in Stardust City more powerful than I am. Plus, Alexi has no political ambition. He just wants to get out into the wilderness and start exploring."
"Well, with this, we've triggered the prerequisite to start the operation. What do we do now?" Verra asked.
"We stick to our word. Call Alexi, so I can congratulate him. We will make the announcement in a few days and begin preparations to mobilize immediately after. Within a few months to a year, we should be ready to launch."
Everyone in the room nodded, but Saxon was obviously unconvinced. He couldn't calm the worry in his heart, no matter how calm everyone else seemed. "What happened during your trip? What was the verdict reached by the council?"
Xasha turned to his father, intending to answer his query, but then a golden light flashed and a green-haired beauty rushed out and tackled him to the floor. "Daddy! I missed you so much. How are you? Are you back for good or are you all just taking a break? What happened on your trip? Did you bring me a gift?"
Xasha's smile brightened at seeing his little girl in such a good mood. He glanced at her grandmother after hearing her barrage of questions. Xara turned her nose up and huffed in indignation. She knew exactly what he was referring to, but would never admit to anything.
"I'm fine Tower Lili, and of course I brought something back for my princess." Xasha took something from his void ring and handed it to her. It was a box tied with a blue ribbon. She grabbed the box from her father's palm and bolted across the room to Saxon's desk, not bothering about her mother and grandmother.
With no reserve, she ripped the ribbon to pieces and opened the box. Inside, she saw four brown pastries resting at the bottom of the box, and her eyebrows shot up. "Is this?" She turned to her father with an expectant gaze.
Xasha nodded while picking himself up from the floor. Lili squealed in excitement and immediately stuffed a brown pastry in her mouth.
"Did you bring anything back for your baby bro?" Xeik approached with a smile and helped him up.
"Of course, did you get taller?" Xasha said mischievously.
Xeik's face immediately soured. He actually pushed his brother he was just helping up back to the ground. The room burst out laughing. Everyone knew what was up. Xeik was already in the Gold Realm at 15 years old. He began cultivating at 13 years old. Because of the suspended aging process, he will have a 13-year-old appearance for the foreseeable future.
He may not have an adult appearance until several hundred years old. Xasha had warned him against it, but he was in such a rush to prove himself, he disregarded his advice and dove into cultivating.
Xasha got up with a bright smile on his face. He tossed a fruit at Xeik, who caught it with his eyes glowing brightly. A toothy grin grew on his face. "You got it! You got it!" He ran and dove into his brother's embrace. "Thank you. Thank you so much, I want to eat this right now." Xeik grabbed Blossom's arm and ran out of the room, also forgetting his mother and sister-in-law.
"Wait."