With the trial regarding the Spire of Generational Might having ended and the rankings revealed, all those who scored in the top one hundred would receive some kind of reward, while those in the top ten would get a unique reward compared to everyone else; now, as I was ranked first, I acquired the opportunity to enter the Sect's treasury and pick one item of any tier, except Immortal, of course.
This was a bit of a letdown, though I was expecting it, so it's not like I was genuinely bothered; I was just hoping, that's all; however, since I'm not really in need of anything, I decided to postpone it for a later date while Elaine and I headed to our carriage so we could return home, yet, we happened to be intercepted halfway there.
"Young Master Aurora is approaching us, your Highnesses." Said Illumia softly as she looked at Elif, who was carrying Elaine in his arms since she enjoyed being spoiled.
"Yes, I could sense him." Muttered Elif with furrowed brows as he reluctantly came to a halt before turning around and glancing at Aurora, who was floating towards them along with his entourage of servants following him.
Coming to a halt in the air, I calmly floated in the air while looking directly at the approaching Aurora, awaiting his arrival while observing his servants; I did notice a few were missing, but I was entirely clueless about the reason; it could be for anything.
"He's coming with bad intentions, Your Highness." Said Idonea softly as she intently gazed at Aurora before glancing at Elif, who nodded.
"I didn't need the help of your physique to figure that out, Idonea. I doubted he came to congratulate me for besting everyone and displaying my superiority within my generation." Said Elif lightly with a small smile as he glanced at Idonea before shifting his focus back to Aurora while Elaine leaned into his embrace with closed eyes.
Since we don't interact much, there was no need to openly display my hostility; it was not like I personally disliked him… Yet, at least. I had a feeling he and I wouldn't see things eye-to-eye, to put it lightly. Though that is in the future, currently, we're on neutral ground, and I'd prefer to have fewer enemies in my life; it'll make things easier to deal with and less troublesome.
With Elaine still in my arms, we separated from our servants as I floated more toward Aurora, who did the same when he and his entourage of servants reached relatively close.
"I wasn't expecting for you to seek us out, Aurora. I assume there is something you'd like to discuss with either Elaine or I?" Said Elif lightly as he and Aurora floated in the air less than a meter apart while silently observing each other.
"Ah yes, I forgot you don't like to beat around the bush or unnecessarily dance around the topic of the conversation; I'm not used to that since many elders at the Demon Sect enjoy wasting time." Remarked Aurora lightly with a faint smile as he placed his hands behind his back while looking at Elif, only to glance at Elaine, flashing her a smile, though she simply raised an eyebrow.
"My time is valuable, and I see no point in wasting each of our time with fanciful words or pointless comments; I like to finish my business as efficiently as possible." Said Elif with a slight nod as he looked at Aurora, who faintly chuckled while nodding in agreement.
"Fufu, I must agree with you, Elif, and since we both think like such, let us not waste each other's precious time. I would like to congratulate you for acquiring first place amongst tens of thousands of disciples; however, I'd like to especially congratulate you, Elaine. Despite being younger than most of us, you could still place within the top ten; that is an awe-inspiring feat." Declared Aurora with a faint smile as he looked at Elif, who raised an eyebrow at his words before calmly nodding, only for his calm disposition to change instantly.
"Yes, Elaine is quite the magnificent cultivator, and with her finally being within the public, the world shall know of her capabilities." Stated Elif with a happy smile as he lifted Elaine above his head, slowly spinning in a circle, causing her to roll her eyes with a lovely smile while Aurora's face slightly twitched.
"Yes, with your shining brilliance having been pushed to the side, Elif, Elaine's intense glow will finally grace the world." Said Aurora with a nod, his words causing Elif to rapidly nod his head with a childish smile, only for him to clear his throat.
"However, I mainly approached you because I was curious about the heir to the Eve estate, Sarah Eve." Added Aurora, his words, causing Elif and Elaine to furrow their brows as they glanced at Sarah playing with Ember.
"Hmm, what about Sarah?" Asked Elif with furrowed brows as he glanced at Aurora, who faintly chuckled while dismissively waving his hand.
"Ah, no need to worry about your childhood friend, Elif; I was simply curious if her partner has already been arranged." Said Aurora softly, his words causing Elif to nod while his eyebrow was raised at his innuendo.
"No, not as of yet. Birger, Crown Prince of the Divine Druid Kingdom, has been courting her for some time, so Patriarch Eve has been delaying Sarah's marriage plans until the two decide on their future stance." Remarked Elif calmly as he eyed Aurora, who seemingly raised an eyebrow in surprise before nodding.
"I see. So she still hasn't been claimed yet? Though I must say, I'm surprised Birger has yet to succeed in his courtship. I've heard his concubines are quite satisfied with their lifestyle, so I doubt he is a terrible husband. For some reason, she still refuses his advances; not only that, but she spends quite an exuberant amount of time with you, whether exploring Realm or even on your Mountain. Speaking of that, doesn't she reside in one of the guest houses?" Remarked Aurora softly with an innocent expression as he stared at Sarah with a thoughtful expression while Elif calmly nodded, though his genuine emotions were something else.
"She isn't one to cultivate and prefers enjoying her time alive rather than improving herself; of course, she stays in the guest house. She is a dear friend, and given how weak she is, I don't need her to be unknowingly taken advantage of." Replied Elif calmly as he looked at Aurora while gently rubbing Elaine's back, causing him to slightly nod.
"Hmm, I see. If you hadn't informed me, I would've assumed Sarah was your secret mistress or lover. Fufu, it seems I was mistaken." Said Aurora lightly with a faint chuckle while gazing at Elif, who raised an eyebrow while Elaine swiftly descended into madness, her eyes swirling with an endless amount of madness ready to be unleashed.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't say such things, Aurora; your words can create unnecessary rumors. And I have no romantic feelings for Sarah; she is a dear friend. Now, if that is all, I'd like to return to my mountain; I'm eager to clean myself with a bath." Stated Elif solemnly as he looked at Aurora in slight annoyance before turning around and floating away,
"Ah, wait, before you go, Elif. Can you hand Sarah Eve this? Since she hasn't been claimed, I'd like to try my hand at courting her." Said Aurora with a faint smile as he summoned a small box from his dimension ring before outstretching his hand towards Elif, prompting him to reluctantly grab it.
"I shall hand it to her." Said Elif lightly as he handed the small chest to Elaine, who intently eyed it while turning back around.
"Fufu, well then, until we meet again." Remarked Aurora with a faint smile as he waved at Elif and Elaine before turning around and floating towards his servants, his expression turning more sinister by the second.
"I presume the conversation went better than expected?" Asked Illumia lightly as she glanced at Elif, who raised an eyebrow before shaking his head.
"No, it went about as I expected, just not in a direction I would've guessed." Replied Elif lightly as he grabbed the small chest out of Elaine's hand before floating it towards Sarah, who tilted her head in confusion.
"Hmm, what's this, your Highness? A present? Aww, you shouldn't have!" Said Sarah with a lovely smile as she dropped Ember from her arms and grabbed the chest, only for Elaine to pour cold water all over her.
"No, it wasn't a present from Brother, it was from Aurora. He wishes to court you; you should open it. Hopefully, it'll explode and kill you." Said Elaine sternly as she glared at Sarah, who raised an eyebrow in surprise before glancing at Aurora, floating away in the distance while she muttered the last part just loud enough for Elif to hear.
"Oh, well, a present is a present." Said Sarah lightly with a shrug of her shoulders as she prepared to open the chest, only for Elif to suddenly pressure her with his Qi, causing Elaine to click her tongue.
"I suggest waiting until we return home and have either Illumia or Maxim inspect it; for all we know, he could've planted an explosive trap on the chest." Stated Elif lightly as he floated past Sarah, retracting his Qi, freeing her while she reluctantly nodded.
"Ah, I suppose you're correct, your Highness." Muttered Sarah with a nod as she stored the chest inside her dimension ring before following alongside everyone else.