Inside the main building, Third Guard sat cross-legged on a futon made out of rare wool-like material with his eyes calmly closed.
He was in a tranquil state as he silently cultivated his mind and purified his inner strength. Not everyone was like Zhao Wei or some other extreme talents that could generate pure inner energy by just cultivating.
As an outer disciple of Lord Guanjun, he was able to access any exceptional technique ranging from peak ranked level to Holy rank that could sharpen one's mental senses.
All of a sudden, he opened his eyes.
His eyes were plain black but they were sharp and mirrored his numerous experiences. He couldn't be underestimated and the aura of a seasoned fighter was strong on him.
He gazed at the door. He had already sensed someone there, and from the aura they were radiating, only one thing could be inferred.
"Get in!" Third Guard ordered and the doors slowly opened before a man clad in black respectfully entered.
On his breastplate, there was an ordinary silver insignia.
The man clad in black then knelt before Third Guard.
"I pay my respect to the General!"
"Arise!" Third Guard commanded to which the man clad in black, a soldier of low rank in the Guanjun Corps, adhered.
"What kind of news do you have for me?" He then blandly asked.
"The Lord has sent me for you and has said that he would be at the Spiritual Martial Hall," The soldier explained meticulously, not wanting to err in any of his words.
Third Guard arched his brows.
'Master has already finished his seclusion? Well, that is surprising. I thought it would be like four more days before his secluded retreat ended as per what he had already told us.'
"You may leave." Third Guard dismissed the soldier.
After the soldier left, he supported his right cheek with his clenched hand that was resting on his thigh.
"I wonder what master wants to talk about."
Third Guard then rose from the futon and proceeded to walk out of the building.
A few minutes later, he was at the front of an ancient-looking gray hall whose doors were wide open.
It was the Spiritual Martial Hall.
Third Guard didn't enter immediately and stood like a statue at the entrance.
It was a form of respect.
"Xiao Feng, come in." A mysterious voice sounded from the depths of the hall.
'Xiao Feng? Only master would call me that name when I prefer being called Third Guard.' Third Guard had a reminiscent smile on his face as he respectfully entered the Spiritual Martial Hall.
The hall was huge and spacious and it felt empty.
At the end of the hall was a middle-aged man with vibrant blue eyes that reminded him of the limitless ocean.
He adorned well-embroidered golden robes that spoke volumes of his majesty yet did nothing to alleviate the air of ordinariness surrounding him.
He may have looked like a commoner but there was something about him that made people subconsciously see him differently. Like he was in a higher position.
He was Lord Guanjun - the legendary man who was a force to be reckoned with in the Cloud Country. He was allegedly the top expert in the entire country according to his past warrior achievements.
He was obviously in a different league due to his cultivation base!
Lord Guanjun had already ascended.
"I pay respects to the master!" Third Guard bowed respectfully.
"It's nice to see that you are doing fine, Feng," Lord Guanjun said with a faint smile before nodding at the extra futon beside him.
Third Guard murmured a 'thanks' before sitting on the futon.
"What about you, master? How was your seclusion?" Third Guard looked at Lord Guanjun with admiration shining off his black eyes.
There was no one he admired more than his master, after all, he was the strongest person he'd ever known. And also, he was his master, someone akin to a parental figure.
Third Guard has never had a lack of top-tier cultivation resources due to being a disciple of Lord Guanjun. The master was generous to all his disciples even if they were outer disciples.
"It was fine," Lord Guanjun replied.
"By the way, how are the kids doing?" He asked Third Guard.
"They have improved significantly and I am confident that you would be pleased by them," Third Guard told him with a look full of expectations.
He wanted to talk more about the geniuses of the Sky Guards Battalion, especially, one particular oddball.
There was someone out there that could really defeat his super genius younger brother, Bei Moi.
'Master would be interested in hearing the story about Zhao Wei.'
"Hmm?" Lord Guanjun acted surprised and waved his hand for Third Guard to expound more.
"Bei Moi got utterly outclassed by a youth younger than him in the Sky Guards Battalion." Third Guard seemed excited as he spoke about the hot news that had spread specifically in the Sky Guards Battalion.
"Bei Moi was defeated? By who?" From Lord Guanjun's tone, his interest seemed to have been totally piqued even though he had a rough idea about the matters of the event.
"His name is Zhao Wei, a youth from Sun Feather City. He was brought together with another genius young lady by Brother Ye." Third Guard shared that piece of information.
'So his name is Zhao Wei?' Lord Guanjun thought but his expressionless face gave nothing away.
"He also bested Nan Gongfan in what he was best at. He can't be simply called a genius. He is a monster in a league of his own."
"I-I have a feeling that I would lose against him if he was serious. It's my intuition as a seasoned warrior but it also makes me want to test his full strength." Third Guard continued with a complicated expression on his handsome face.
"Oh? This is interesting. Truly interesting." Lord Guanjun nodded repeatedly. His excitement was almost palpable.
He could see hope due to the fact Xiao Feng gave his personal opinion, and he couldn't spot any lies in his words.
Lord Guanjun had known Third Guard ever since he took him in as his outer disciple. He was the second eldest.
'He may have the capabilities of overpowering geniuses but then what about his potential?' Lord Guanjun silently thought.
'Could he be the one I am looking for apart from Bei Moi?'
"What do you think, master?"
"I must fully assess them for myself." Lord Guanjun offered his verdict.
"Let the top ten exceptional geniuses of your nurturing meet me here tomorrow," Lord Guanjun said.
"I will pass on the message as you have commanded so that they may prepare themselves." Third Guard stood up immediately.
"Good. I want to see someone who Zhao Wei truly is. For someone whom you are truly vouching for, he shouldn't be too shabby right?" Lord Guanjun smiled at his disciple.
"I guarantee you won't be disappointed, master." Third Guard promised with extreme confidence after all he knew about everything in the Sky Guards Battalion. It was his own domain.
***
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