And what unfolded in the next few minutes left Gideon scratching his head in bewilderment.
"Thank you for saving my sect, Senior!" Daoist Golden Lotus's voice was filled with genuine gratitude as she led the procession of elders bowing before Gideon. Each elder, with solemnity etched on their faces, echoed her sentiments with heartfelt sincerity.
"Thank you for saving my sect, Senior!" The disciples, sensing the gravity of the moment, followed suit, their voices joining in a chorus of appreciation that echoed across the sect grounds. They knelt with humility, heads lowered in reverence.
Gideon stood amidst this sea of bows and lowered heads, feeling both honored and perplexed by the sudden turn of events.
"It wasn't me," he began, his voice carrying a hint of awkwardness amid the solemnity. "Someone else intervened. Please, rise, everyone."
As the disciples slowly lifted their heads, Daoist Golden Lotus exchanged puzzled glances with the elders. The air was thick with a mix of relief and lingering tension, as if the gravity of what had transpired was still sinking in.
Of course, Daoist Golden Lotus and the elders refrained from probing into Gideon's psyche using their spiritual senses. They vividly remembered the intense confrontation with Gideon earlier, where his power and resolve had been unmistakable. Sensing the potential volatility of the situation, they opted for caution, choosing not to risk provoking any unintended consequences from the young man who had just turned the tide in their favor.
Silent communication flowed effortlessly between the sect master and her council of elders through their spiritual connection, a method honed over years of working together in harmony.
"What should we do, sect master?" one elder asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Daoist Golden Lotus paused, her expression thoughtful yet resolute. "We must proceed with utmost care," she replied, her words carrying the weight of experience. "Let us approach Gideon as we would any powerful ally, but remain vigilant."
"It's paramount that we do not offend him," chimed in another elder, nodding in agreement. "He has shown us great mercy and strength today."
The third elder, known for his strategic acumen, spoke next. "If there is indeed an evil presence within him, we must prepare ourselves for the worst."
The elders exchanged knowing glances, their minds racing with considerations of both gratitude and caution. They understood the unpredictable nature of cultivators and the precarious balance of power within their realm. For now, their focus was on safeguarding their sect and navigating the uncertain future that lay ahead with Gideon and his newfound role in their world.
"Master Gideon, may I spare you the gruesome state of the sect? I have fine tea or a 2,000-year-old wine for your pleasure," Daoist Golden Lotus said as she led the way.
They engaged in small talk, but Gideon found himself unable to tear his eyes away from the exquisite figure of the sect master.
He tried to deceive himself, to cling to the childhood belief that his mother was the most beautiful woman in the world.
But he couldn't shake the truth: his eyes had been opened to the beauty of others, and he could no longer deny it. He was no longer a naive boy, blinded by filial love and innocence.
His honest opinion now ranked the sect master as the most beautiful, with her ethereal grace and otherworldly charm.
Elder Mira followed closely, her striking features and soft calming persona leaving him in awe. And then, of course, there was his mother - still a beautiful woman, but no longer the only one in his eyes.
Gideon was relieved to have come to this realization, as it would have been unsettling to harbor romantic sexual feelings for his own mother.
He was grateful for the natural progression of his perceptions, and the expansion of his understanding of beauty. But this private moment was disrupted when they took their 101st step away from the scene.
"BANG!" The sect trembled as an elder dragon moved among them, devoted to following its master and never leaving his side.
"Ahem… Master Gideon, if you would be so kind as to order your dragon to assume its mortal form, it would greatly assist us in handling the sect's affairs more smoothly," the sect master chose her words carefully, wary of offending him.
Though she could dispatch the elder dragon easily, the man who had earlier controlled Gideon's body was another matter entirely.
Even Daoist Eternal Flame could not match such an irresistible spiritual pressure. The sect master found it difficult to catch her breath after witnessing the earlier display of absolute terror and strength.
"Can I really do that?" Gideon asked, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty.
He was acutely aware of the fear and apprehension that had gripped everyone around him when his body was briefly overtaken earlier.
Yet, despite this awareness, he couldn't help but confront the stark reality—he had no control over that… thing.
The thought of attempting to command a dragon, a creature a trillion times stronger than himself and towering at an impressive 3000 feet, seemed not just daunting but utterly beyond his capabilities.
He had no desire to provoke another potentially catastrophic incident like earlier that day or court death two times in one day.
"Of course, Master Gideon," the sect master responded, her voice calm yet tinged with deference. "Your authority over your companion is unquestionable. Your words hold absolute sway."
She spoke with a confidence that belied the underlying tension in the room. The elders and disciples watched intently, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.
Each understood the delicate balance at play—the respect owed to Master Gideon, tempered by the inherent danger of the situation.
Gideon nodded slowly, absorbing her words. He knew the responsibility that came with his position, and the implications of exercising authority over such a powerful being.
His mind raced with considerations, weighing the potential consequences against the need to maintain order within the sect.
After a moment of silence, he finally spoke, his voice steady. "Very well then. Dragon, assume your mortal form."
The air seemed to shift as the dragon, sensing its master's command, began to transform. Its immense form shimmered and condensed, until it stood before them as an old man with wise eyes and a serene demeanor. Despite his human form, an aura of ancient power still emanated from him, a reminder of his true nature.
"Your slave awaits your command, master." The elder dragon in his human form knelt obediently in place.
The sect master and the gathered assembly breathed a collective sigh of relief, the tension in the room dissipating slightly. Gideon, though outwardly composed, felt a mixture of relief and trepidation.
He could hardly believe that earlier that day he was just an outer court disciple at the 2nd stage of the qi gathering realm.
Now, he found himself sharing a cup of tea with the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his young life.
Life certainly had its surprises, and Gideon couldn't deny that he didn't mind this sudden change at all. His smile widened as he admired the flawless beauty of the sect master.