At the place where Kate had disappeared into the crack, the sect master and his group prepared to leave. "Let's go back," the sect master said, and the others nodded in agreement.
Just as they turned to depart, a familiar crack appeared in the void. "She's coming back?" Su Yan said, her eyes widening.
"Didn't she teleport?" Yang Kai asked, equally surprised.
"At the very least, we can ask her again," Treasurer Meng said, his curiosity piqued.
As the crack widened, a bright light spilled out, and moments later, Kate emerged, her aura more powerful and her expression determined. She landed gracefully, surveying the group.
"Kate!" Yang Kai called out, stepping forward.
Kate smiled faintly. "It seems my return was timely," she said. "There's much we need to discuss."
Su Yan walked towards Kate, determination in her eyes. "Kate, we're here to ask you about something," she said.
"What is it?" Kate replied, then added with a hint of frustration, "Haven't I answered enough?"
"Kate, what's going on with you?" Yang Kai asked, stepping closer, concern evident in his voice.
Kate moved towards Su Yan, her expression shifting to one of dark resolve. "Sis Su, do you know how I killed you back then?" she said, as a dagger made of Qi appeared in her hand. "I killed you like this."
Without warning, Kate stabbed Su Yan in the heart with the Qi dagger. "No!" everyone shouted, rushing to protect Su Yan. Kate jumped backwards, her eyes filled with determination as Su Yan collapsed into Yang Kai's arms.
"Senior Sister!" Yang Kai exclaimed, worry etched on his face. The sect master and Treasurer Meng prepared to attack Kate, their expressions grim.
But Su Yan stopped them, raising a hand weakly. "I'm okay. Nothing happened to me," she assured them, struggling to stand.
The sect master glared at Kate. "What did you do to Little Su?" he demanded.
Kate's expression softened, and she lowered her weapon. "It's nothing. It's just my love and respect for Sister Su," she said calmly. Su Yan stood up fully, showing no signs of injury.
Yang Kai looked between the two women, confusion and relief mingling on his face. "What just happened?" he asked.
Kate sighed, her demeanor softening. "I chose Su Yan as my weakness. That dagger was a symbol of my commitment. Now, no technique of mine will work against her. She will always be protected from my powers," Kate explained.
Su Yan nodded, understanding dawning on her face. "You did this to prove your loyalty," she said.
Kate nodded. "Yes, and to show you all that I truly mean no harm. I will change the future, and I need your trust to do so," she said, her voice steady and sincere.
Kate opened a single gate aimed at Su Yan, and as soon as it materialized, it shattered into pieces, surprising everyone.
"It really works," Kate thought to herself, feeling a sense of relief.
Yang Kai stepped forward, spreading his arms wide. "Come, stab me too," he said, his voice steady.
"Preposterous!" Treasurer Meng shouted at Yang Kai, his face a mix of anger and disbelief.
Ignoring the outburst, Kate opened another gate. A golden sword emerged from it, gleaming brightly. She grabbed the sword and aimed it at Yang Kai's heart. "If you wish," she said, but as she tried to thrust it forward, the sword disintegrated into golden dust before it could touch him.
"It's time," Kate thought, sensing the critical moment had arrived. Without hesitation, she activated the True Art of Mara, her aura shifting dramatically.
Dark purple flames began to encircle Kate, their malevolent energy filling the air. "Hahaha," Kate's sinister laugh echoed around the four of them. "I will gladly become a demon just to change the future and give all nine of you more time with him," Kate declared, her hair engulfed by the dark purple flames.
"This is how a demon cultivates?" Su Yan asked, springing into action. She dashed toward Kate, the dark purple flames evading her approach. But before she could reach her, Kate and the flames suddenly disappeared.
"She's really set on changing the future," Yang Kai said, looking at the spot where Kate had stood. Su Yan remained there, her thoughts racing. "Kate, why do you do things on your own?" she wondered, remembering the Flowery Spirit Orb Kate had given her.
"I wonder what that is for?" Su Yan thought to herself. The question lingered in her mind as the others contemplated the dramatic turn of events, each pondering Kate's sacrifice and determination.
Meanwhile, on the Ship of Light high in the sky above where Kate had reappeared, Chu Yuechan approached her with concern. "Miss Kate, are you okay?" she asked.
"I'm good, don't worry about me," Kate replied. "So, how are things here?" she added, curious about Chu Yuechan's observations.
"Miss Kate is right, this world is different from my own," Chu Yuechan said. "But I understand now. We will go back when fate and time have aligned." Chu Yuechan added. "Yun Che still has many challenges to face before he meets you again." Kate said.
"You don't have to worry, Miss Kate," Chu Yuechan continued, her tone resolute. "It's not a problem. I'll let fate decide it. It's just that... my daughter. I want her to meet her dad sooner. But as you showed me, she plays a vital role in Yun Che's story."
Kate smiled, appreciating Chu Yuechan's understanding. "Then let's go and establish our little group that will change the future for everyone," she said with determination.
With renewed purpose, the two women prepared to embark on their mission, united in their resolve to shape a better future.
The next day in High Heaven Pavilion, Su Yan encountered Xia Ningchang on the path to the Destitute Dragon Ravine.
"Senior Sister? Are you going to see Junior Brother?" Xia Ningchang asked.
"Yes, are you about to do the same?" Su Yan responded, but then she noticed something unusual. "Junior Sister, what is that connection?"
Due to Su Yan's words, Xia Ningchang scanned the vicinity and detected a strange link connecting her to Su Yan. "You only noticed it now?" Su Yan asked.
"Yes, strange. Is this the work of Junior Brother?" Xia Ningchang wondered aloud.
"No, hmm..." Su Yan thought carefully. "Did Junior Sister Kate give something to you?"
"Yes, she gave me an orb and said it's from Junior Brother," Xia Ningchang replied.
"What is the orb for, Kate?" Su Yan thought to herself, puzzled by the mysterious connection and the purpose behind the orb.
"For now, let's head to the Ash-Grey Cloud Evil Land," Kate said. "What do you want to do?"
"I'm sorry, but I want to focus on my daughter first," Chu Yuechan replied.
"I expected that answer," Kate said. "For now, I'll find more followers and seek a new ice technique and an inheritance for you."
"Thank you," Chu Yuechan said.
Kate walked towards Chu Yuechan and looked at her baby daughter. "Yun Wuxin, the key to Yun Che's power," Kate said. "I wonder what he will do this time."
"I believe he won't want his powers back for our daughter," Chu Yuechan said.
"Indeed, Yun Che is like that," Kate agreed.
"Oh? Looks like we're here," Kate noted as they arrived at their destination.
"Do you want to come with me?" Kate asked, turning to Chu Yuechan. "But it might be bad for the baby," she added, considering the infant's safety.
"Alright, stay safe," Kate said, giving Chu Yuechan a reassuring smile. She then stepped out of the concealed Ship of Light and descended gracefully into Fragrance City.
Kate landed silently in a secluded area near the Fragrance House. She quickly made her way to the entrance, taking note of the bustling activity in the city around her. With a deep breath, she approached the grand door and knocked lightly.
After a few moments, the door opened slightly, revealing a cautious maid. "May I help you?"
"I'm here to speak with Lady Shan Qing Luo," Kate said with a respectful tone.
The maid studied Kate for a moment before nodding. "Please, wait here. I will inform the lady of your arrival."
Kate waited patiently in the foyer, her senses heightened as she observed her surroundings. She could sense the subtle presence of powerful cultivators nearby, a testament to the influence and strength of the Fragrance House.
Soon, Lady Shan Qing Luo herself appeared. She was an elegant woman with an air of authority and grace. "I am Shan Qing Luo. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"
Kate followed Shan Qing Luo into a beautifully decorated sitting room. They settled around a low table where a maid promptly served tea.
"So, Kate," Shan Qing Luo began, "what is this matter of mutual interest you speak of?"
"I will establish my own sect, and I plan on doing it here in Fragrance City," Kate declared confidently.
"How is that helpful to me?" Shan Qing Luo asked, her eyes narrowing. "And it looks like you're only at the peak of the Separation and Reunion Realm."
Kate smiled. "Then should we have a fight?"
Shan Qing Luo raised an eyebrow. "You really think you can take me on?"
"Only one way to find out," Kate replied, her confidence unwavering. She stepped forward, her aura radiating determination.
Shan Qing Luo smirked. "Very well. Show me what you've got."
The two women squared off, their powers flaring as they prepared for the clash.
Kate unleashed the True Art of Mara with breathtaking speed, her qi surging like that of a transcendent. Shan Qing Luo, taken aback by this sudden surge in power, instinctively retreated. "What the hell!" she muttered under her breath, eyes widening in surprise.
Kate's laughter echoed through the air as she enveloped the surroundings in a dark aura. "Go ahead, run!" she taunted, her cultivation now manifesting in a formidable display of force.
With a swift dash, Kate closed the distance to Shan Qing Luo and delivered a powerful punch to her abdomen, sending her crashing into a nearby wall. Before Shan Qing Luo could recover, Kate summoned four gates and used Enkidu to bind her limbs.
"Release me!" Shan Qing Luo shouted, struggling against the chains that seemed to disrupt her qi flow. "She's so strong... could she be concealing even greater power?" Shan Qing Luo thought, her mind racing with questions and concerns.
Kate walked purposefully towards Shan Qing Luo and offered her the Flowery Spirit Orb. "What did you feed me?" Shan Qing Luo asked, her voice calm despite the situation.
"You'll be responsible for establishing the Ancestral Order Sect. Tomorrow, I'll provide you with the details," Kate explained, releasing Shan Qing Luo from her hold.
"Alright, I acknowledge I'm weaker than you," Shan Qing Luo admitted.
"That's more like it," Kate replied, deactivating the True Art of Mara and allowing her cultivation to return to its peak in the Separation and Reunion Realm.
The next day, Kate returned to the Fragrance House and was escorted to Shan Qing Luo's office. "Welcome, Milady," Shan Qing Luo greeted her respectfully.
"Thanks. I'm here to give you this," Kate said, opening a single gate from which stacks of books emerged.
"What are these, Milady?" Shan Qing Luo asked, intrigued by the contents.
"We'll transform the Sect into an Organization," Kate explained confidently.
"The organization will be named the Ancestral Order," Kate declared with authority. Shan Qing Luo, curious about the logistics, inquired, "Milady, what about the budget?"
"I will allocate 50 top Mysterious Grade Pills," Kate responded, surprising everyone present.
"How did you manage to gather that many?" Shan Qing Luo pressed for an answer.
"Knowing too much is dangerous," Kate replied cryptically, leaving the specifics unexplained.
"I'll leave first and find someone," Kate announced before disappearing. In her place remained 50 bottles of Mysterious Grade Pills.
"How could she gather such an impossible amount of these?" Shan Qing Luo wondered to herself, amazed by Kate's capability.
"Looks like being her follower is not that bad after all," Shan Qing Luo mused, acknowledging Kate's impressive resources and leadership.