While Maria found herself a Master to help her, Mira could only spar with others while trying to come to her own conclusions on how a scythe should be used. The scythe is such a unique weapon that most people never even think about using it. Finding someone using a scythe is already hard enough, let alone finding someone to help her learn more about it. But just because it's not popular doesn't mean it's a bad weapon. The scythe actually has one of the highest potential and utility compared to other weapons, the only problem is it's incredibly difficult to use and there are many different ways to use a scythe.
Generally speaking, cultivators are the only people that can realistically use a scythe. They are heavy weapons and most of the weight is in the blade. If you wanted to balance out the weight, you'd only be making it heavier and more difficult to use. The point of using a scythe is for the momentum and utility that it can bring. Even though a weapon like a spear is similar in structure, they are two totally different styles of combat.
During Mira's sparring sessions, she was somewhat missing Celaine. Only because she wants to make use of her talent. Nisha, Audra, and Jade are also good, but Celaine gets better after every spar, forcing Mira to learn and adapt more frequently. While Nisha, Audra, and Jade need to digest their sessions afterward only to improve the next day.
Mira could also tell that Maria was getting more skilled as well. Maybe not major progress, but she can see that she's incorporating new techniques and different styles into her fights. Mira guessed that she probably found someone to teach her.
While Mira and Maria continued to get stronger, Cole had been invited to a meeting between the other major forces around Lunar Fox City.
***
In a large room, there sat the Sect Masters of the surrounding Sects as well as the heads of the various families in the City. The City Lord was the one hosting this meeting and was the first one to speak.
"Thank you all for coming here today. We are here to discuss the upcoming Inter-Sect Tournament as it will be hosted by us this year. But first I must congratulate Cole on reaching the Core Formation Realm. I never thought that you'd reach it in just a few years." The City Lord sized up Cole as he congratulated him.
"You're too kind, City Lord. I just had a bit of luck, that's all. I barely did anything." Cole said humbly but he also spoke the truth. He really didn't have to do much.
"That's right Cole. How'd you get to the Core Formation Realm so fast? It should've taken you at least a decade if not more. But you were able to do it in around 2 years. You must've really found something amazing. With my old age, it's hard to find opportunities to breakthrough." An old man asked. This old man being the Sect Master of the Immortal Sword Sect.
"Haha." Cole just laughed it off but didn't answer. The old man squinted his eyes a bit but didn't continue.
"Okay, that's enough. If Cole doesn't want to share, he doesn't have to. You all have your own secrets. We have to plan for the other Sects coming here. There needs to be enough lodging, food, and figure out ways to limit fights outside of the tournament. Let's begin." The City Lord said in a loud voice.
They then began their discussion on how things should be run over the next year. There will be a lot of powerful cultivators coming from other cities to compete. Crimes will most likely go up, fights will happen more frequently, old grudges, arrogant assholes, and other problems that need to be addressed. They don't want to offend the other sects, but they also can't look weak in front of them.
This discussion went on for many hours as different people were given different responsibilities. After they finished discussing these sorts of topics, the City Lord moved onto a less important subject.
"Now that we've finished discussing this, I'd like to know if you have any promising disciples for this upcoming tournament. I'm mainly asking the Immortal Sword Sect, 8 Profound Elements Sect, and the Battle Maiden Sect, but if you other two are confident in any of your disciples then please speak up." The City Lord said in a voice full of authority. It's not as though he was looking down on the Heaven-Defying Pill Sect or the Divine Beast Sect, they just don't have the performance record like the other 3. Especially since the tournament doesn't allow beast companions to fight.
"We are full of outstanding disciples! Our Immortal Sword Sect will take the number one slot this year!" The Sect Master from the Immortal Sword Sect was full of pride saying this. And it's true, his sect generally performs the best. More people join the Immortal Sword Sect which means they get more talents.
"We also have a few outstanding disciples. They are extremely talented with their prospective Daos and will surely place high. We've also been grooming a few others that have promising talent and I believe they should be able to reach great results in the tournament as well." A mild-mannered middle-aged man said. This guy was the Sect Master of the 8 Profound Elements Sect.
"Tsk. If this tournament allowed beast companions to join as well, then we'd obviously wipe the floor with the rest of the Sects. We have a few talented disciples, but they probably aren't as good as the Immortal Sword Sect or the 8 Profound Elements. But they do have amazing beast companions!" A rough-looking middle-aged man said full of contempt. He was the Sect Master of the Divine Beasts Sect.
"We will not be as good as the other 3 Sects, but our disciples are quite strong from the pills they've been making. They should fare well during the tournament. But you already know that we don't focus on fighting as much as we do pill-making." An elderly gentleman said and everyone else nodded. They weren't expecting them to do as well as the others. That's not what their sect is for.
Now everyone looked towards Sect Master Jane from the Battle Maiden Sect. She smirked at all of these old fools as they are in for quite the surprise.
"Our Battle Maiden Sect is much more fierce this year. We have 2 disciples that we've been grooming for quite some time and I have high hopes for those two, but we have recently gotten a disciple who is extremely terrifying. She almost turned the Sect into a warzone a few months back and if I'm being completely honest, she even frightens me a bit. Her strength is quite extraordinary and she's the most hard-working person I've ever seen. It's almost like she was born for battle." The Sect Master boasted a bit to the others as they all looked at her with complicated gazes. They weren't sure if they should believe this nonsense or not.
"Oh! I heard something about that! A few months back I heard that the disciples in the Battle Maiden Sect started going crazy. They all had crazy looks on their faces like they were competing for something. So it was all caused by this disciple of yours? I kind of find that hard to believe. How can a single disciple cause all of that? Also, how can you be frightened by a disciple? You're the Sect Master!" The Immortal Sword Sect Master started at Sect Master Jane. Everyone else also listened to him and was shocked that something like this happened.
"I don't think it was only her. It was the new disciples that started it. They started competing for everything and challenging everyone while taking on missions all of the time. The other disciples didn't want to lose their status and benefits so they started working harder. Most of them ran towards this specific disciple of mine who we've instructed to spar with some of them. And they fought over her like crazy. She might not have been the one to start it, but she's the reason they went so crazy. As for your last question, you'll know why when you see her." Sect Master Jane lightly smiled towards him and explained the event. It wasn't really a secret and they will find out who Mira is in around a year or so.
"She sounds intriguing. Usually, the Battle Maiden Sect disciples aren't as driven as some of the other sects. I can't wait to see your disciples in action this year! Things might get interesting if it's how you say it is. Maybe I'll ask if she wants to join my sect! Haha!" The Sect Master of the Divine Beasts Sect said, but this caused Sect Master Jane to frown.
"I strongly advise you don't do that. Actually, it's best if none of you approach her. At least not without me there. She can be a bit… Vulgar. Also, please tell your disciples to hold in their lust towards my disciples this year. I don't want any unforeseen accidents to happen." Sect Master Jane said in a deep voice as she narrowed her eyes. Some of the people in the room frowned at this. It wasn't that they had a problem with their disciples holding back their lust, but this seemed more like a warning. They weren't sure what might be different this time around, but it's best to be on the safe side and at least warn their disciples. A Sect Master wouldn't give out this kind of warning unless there was a good reason to.
When Cole listened to this the only person he could think of is Mira. Who else would be able to cause so much trouble even to the point that the Sect Master has to warn others about.
'Sigh, hopefully, Maria isn't suffering too much because of Mira. It sounds like she's really causing trouble over there.' Cole could only resign Maria to her fate. If at all possible, he did not want to deal with Mira at all. She always makes him feel like crap and even bullies him even though he's both stronger than her and in a higher position than her. Honestly, he has no idea how to deal with Mira.
"Very well. I look forward to seeing the results. You guys are the pride of Lunar Fox City! Don't let us down!" The City Lord said and ended the meeting.
The Family Heads and Sect Masters all left the building and went back to their respective Sects.
While Sect Master Jane was going back, she actually had a worried expression on her face. She was worried about Mira participating in the tournament. With her ruthless ways, the other Sects might not think too highly of this and try to do something to her. She also didn't want any people to have any weird thoughts towards Mira or she might actually kill them causing tension between the other Sects.
"Sigh, I just hope this Inter-Sect Tournament goes smoothly. I'll need to have a chat with Mira about this to make sure she doesn't cause trouble."