Mother, father, and my grandmothers, along with the most notable elders of the sect, sat apart from the rest of us, listening intently to the discussions. The weight of their presence was undeniable.
They were the ones who would ultimately shape our plans into something solid and decisive. The meeting buzzed with ideas and strategies, but their final word would be law.
I was lost in thought, contemplating the intricacies of what had been discussed, when suddenly—a sharp, cutting aura pierced through my senses like the blade of a sword. It jolted me from my focus, sending a wave of alertness through my body.
This aura was dangerous, far beyond anything I had sensed in a long time. Whoever this person was, they were on a level I hadn't encountered outside my own parents. My father and mother, though strong, were always careful to keep their true aura restrained while inside the sect.
But this individual? They didn't care. They flaunted their power without restraint.
My instincts flared, and I activated my All-Seeing Sight, my eyes breaking through the fabric of space and time. Everything was laid bare before me, from the fluttering of leaves in the sect's gardens to the less important, fleeting scenes—like female disciples in the bathhouse, which I quickly dismissed.
My focus locked onto a group of individuals soaring toward the sect with incredible speed.
They hadn't yet arrived, but thanks to my Heavenly Realm cultivation base, I could sense them well before they came into view.
I glanced at the leaders of my family and the sect. It was clear they had sensed the approaching presence just as I had. The quiet exchange of glances between my parents and grandmothers confirmed that this was no ordinary visitor.
"Yue Phaelo, what's wrong?" Yue Liqin's voice cut through the growing tension. Beside her, Yue Lanwei stared at me, both of them clearly oblivious to the sudden shift that I, my family, and the elders had sensed.
"Sky Splitting Sword…" I murmured, my voice low but laced with disbelief. "He's here."
Their eyes widened immediately, horror and awe flickering across their faces.
The Sky Splitting Sword—one of the most feared figures in the Sky Above Realm. Known as a living legend, his mere presence was enough to send shivers down the spines of even the most seasoned cultivators.
Before I could explain further, my grandmother's voice echoed in my mind, the tone as sharp as the aura I had just felt. "Little devil, come with us!"
In a blink, both of my grandmothers, Bao Zhenhua and Yue Zhaoxiang, disappeared from the hall, their earlier presence vanishing like an illusion. My mother and father followed just as quickly, moving with such speed that it seemed as though they were never there to begin with.
"Come with me too," I said, turning to Yue Liqin.
Without hesitation, I wrapped her in my spiritual qi, lifting her as we vanished from the hall in a blur of light. Behind us, the remaining disciples and elders were left stirred, unaware of just who—or what—was approaching.
Breaking through space-time, I commanded the laws of space and time to bow to my will, manipulating them with near effortless control. It wasn't quite on par with my parents' mastery, but close enough that it garnered respect.
I arrived at the outer edges of the sect, where my father and the others were already standing.
There, just beyond the horizon, the sky shimmered with the immense power of the approaching guests.
My father, stood tall, his deep, commanding presence unmistakable as he waved his hand to erect a powerful barrier around the sect. I lifted my hand as well, adding my own touch to the barrier.
The space and temporal laws I manipulated flowed into the protection spell, further fortifying it.
"Nice work," my mother, Bao Linyue, commented with a proud smile. "You're getting better at weaving the fabric of space and time."
I felt a sense of satisfaction at her words, but there wasn't time to indulge in it. Yue Liqin, still in my arms, looked up at me with stars in her eyes, clearly impressed by the display of power. I smiled briefly in return before refocusing.
This was not a time for pride or showmanship.
The aura that had cut through the sect was now almost upon us.
Through the distance, a group of powerful figures became visible.
Their leader's aura was unmistakable—the same sharp, overbearing force that had disrupted the meeting. It was him. The Sky Splitting Sword. A man whose reputation as the Sky Above Realm's most formidable sword cultivator preceded him.
His aura was like a blade, cutting through the sky with ferocious intent, but there was more to him. Power—real, tangible power—seeped from every movement, every breath. This was someone who held no reservations about revealing the full extent of his cultivation.
My father chuckled darkly, his voice low but unmistakably amused. "The Sky Above Emperor doesn't trust us, huh?"
His words were directed at the approaching group, loud enough for them to hear as they neared the sect's boundary.
My father had always had a complicated relationship with authority, particularly with the imperial family of the Sky Above Realm. And it seemed this visit was no ordinary one.
I focused, ready to act, but I couldn't help but wonder: what exactly had brought the Sky Splitting Sword to our sect? And more importantly, what kind of challenge did he bring with him?
As I stood there, side by side with the leaders of my family, I could feel the weight of destiny pressing down on us. Whatever this encounter would bring, one thing was certain—the days of peace in the Sky Above Realm were coming to an end, although not so immediately, I was sure it would get hectic soon.
And we would need to be ready for the storm to come.
The figures grew closer, and with them, the promise of something far more dangerous than any simple sect rivalry or internal dispute. Something that would test all of us—myself included..
My hand instinctively moved to strengthen the barrier once more, and I could sense the same quiet determination from my parents and grandmothers. Whatever this man intended, we would be ready to meet it head-on.