"Nyxiel Glacialis… creative name," Ray was just saying when
"Ughh"
He stumbled, his body swaying as exhaustion overtook him.
Damn this mortal body... what an embarrassment… Ray barely whispered before his vision blurred, and his body started to fall.
"Hah, arrogant bastard," Nyxiel muttered, her sword disappearing from her hands in a blink.
Before she even realized it, her body moved on instinct. In the next moment, she appeared right behind Ray, her hand gripping the back of his collar just as he was about to hit the ground.
His body froze mid-fall, completely suspended in the air.
"So much for being a vice sect leader. Can't even stand still… and arrogance as big as a continent." She chuckled.
"Hisss"
A sharp hiss came from Ray's shoulder.
Nyxiel glanced down and raised an eyebrow. The small white snake curled around his neck had its head lifted, baring tiny fangs at her in warning.
Nyxiel rolled her eyes. "Calm down, little snaky. I'm just helping."
The snake's glare didn't waver, but it didn't attack either.
Still holding Ray effortlessly in one hand, she shook her head.
"Let me help you get to our sect… Vice Leader," she said, her voice laced with amusement.
If Ray had been awake, he would have challenged her to ten life-and-death duels on the spot over this humiliation.
But sadly, he knew nothing.
---
Inside a Small Room
"Ughhh… where is this?"
Ray's eyes fluttered open, his vision still slightly hazy.
His entire body ached a dull, persistent soreness radiating from every muscle. He let out a small groan as he tried to sit up.
Looking around, he found himself in a small, plain wooden room.
It was… underwhelming.
No decorations. No luxurious furniture. Just a bed.
And touching it Ray frowned.
Rock-hard wood. No silk mattress. Not even the slightest comfort.
A vein almost popped on his forehead.
"What a disgrace… Even my pets used to live like emperors, and now I'm on this…? This wood isn't just low quality it's the lowest of the low!"
Ray clenched his fists, wanting to curse, but he took a deep breath, calming himself.
Right I'm not a prince anymore
Then, as his thoughts cleared, a realization hit him.
Then, memories flooded back.
His expression stiffened. Don't tell me... I passed out while talking?
His face reddened slightly, but he quickly shook it off. There were more important things to worry about.
"Ahhh" He groaned and rubbed his temples, choosing to ignore that shameful memory.
A cool sensation coiled around his neck. Ray tensed then exhaled in relief.
"Ahh it's you," he murmured, lifting a hand to touch the small white snake.
Then, his heart nearly stopped.
"Wait my ten million spiritual stones!"
Panic surged through him as he hastily patted down his clothes, checking his pockets in desperation.
"That crazy woman didn't take them back, right? No way.."
His frantic movements paused when his gaze fell on his hand.
A storage ring.
He let out a long breath of relief. Almost thought
"Thought what?"
A voice rang out from the side.
Ray froze.
Slowly very slowly he turned his head.
There, in the corner of the room, sat Nyxiel Glacialis.
She was sitting on a wooden chair, her legs crossed, her ice-blue robes shimmering slightly under the dim lighting.
Her gaze was sharp.
Her eyes?
Locked onto his storage ring.
"Ehhhh?!" Ray nearly screamed in shock.
"W-what are you doing in my room, crazy woman?!" He immediately hid his ring hand behind his back.
Nyxiel narrowed her eyes slightly. Her gaze flickered briefly just enough to signal exactly what she was looking at.
She knews how to control this man now.
Ray gulped.
He forced a nervous laugh.
"Aha S-Sect Leader! I almost didn't recognize you! Haha!"
He awkwardly grinned, shifting his position as casually as possible.
Nyxiel sighed, unimpressed.
"Good. You woke up."
Then, with a mocking tone, she added, "I was concerned that a Vice Sect Leader got unconscious just from some small physical work."
Ray flinched.
"And who was the one screaming with arrogance, saying 'You won't regret this'?"
She smirked.
"I had to carry you here myself."
Ray's face turned even redder.
He felt deep humiliation settle in his bones.
"I-I am just a mortal for now," he grumbled, looking away.
"But don't worry about it, Sect Leader. It won't be for long."
He clenched his hidden hand, his ring finger twitching.
It really wasn't a big deal for him to start cultivation now.
With these 10 million Spirit Stones, all I need to do is put them into the system Upgrade a few times…
and boom
Cultivator in no time.
Nyxiel stared at him for a moment before rolling her eyes.
"Take your time."
Then, her expression darkened just slightly.
"But remember."
Her voice lowered, a chilling seriousness lacing her words.
"You don't have much time."
She leaned back, her piercing gaze locking onto his.
"It's not me who's forcing you" Nyxiel muttered.
"Not yet."
"Yeah, yeah," Ray brushed it off as if her words meant nothing.
Then, suddenly
His expression shifted.
The casual arrogance on his face vanished, replaced by something serious.
Nyxiel raised an eyebrow.
"What?" she asked, her gaze sharpening.
Ray adjusted his collar, his discomfort evident.
"I have some conditions to be Vice Sect Leader."
The room grew still.
Nyxiel's face darkened.
"Just how high does this guy think of himself?"
"You're a mortal," she reminded him, her voice tinged with irritation.
"I gave you a Vice Sect Leader position. I even paid you 10 million Spirit Stones everything I had."
Her blue eyes flashed coldly as she leaned forward slightly.
"You do realize, right? Even if you worked your whole damn life, grinding for the next hundred years, you wouldn't be able to earn even ten Spirit Stones in your current state."
Her patience was wearing thin.
But Ray shook his head.
"I can't follow someone without principles that match my own," he said firmly. "I won't dedicate myself to a leader who lacks ideals I can respect."
Nyxiel's eyes narrowed.
Ray crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly.
"Honestly, it should be your lifelong honor that I allowed you to have a position slightly higher than myself."
His voice was smooth, confident infuriatingly arrogant.
"If not for my current situation you should be thanking your luck."
Nyxiel felt a vein twitch in her forehead.
Black lines started appearing on her face in pure frustration.
"This guy
"Is he for real?!"
Her hand itched to summon her ice sword and slice off his tongue right then and there.
But
She controlled herself.
Ray remained unfazed.
"The sect is yours," he said, his voice unwavering.
"I don't mind you being my Sect Leader, even if you're a crazy woman."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"But know one thing"
"A leader especially one leading a sect where I servemust have dignity, ideals, pride, arrogance, and principles."
Nyxiel felt a shift in the air.
Ray wasn't just talking.
He was stating a truth he lived by.
"I don't care what the odds are or what the situation might be," he continued.
"If I ever see you bow your head to anyone," he continued, his voice unwavering, "or if you ever ask me to bow"
"If you ever disrespect me, hurt my pride, or make me feel like this isn't worth it"
Ray suddenly extended his hand.
In his open palm sat the storage ring her storage ring.
Nyxiel's eyes flickered.
He was giving it back.
She had just given him 10 million Spirit Stones, yet here he was, returning them.
Her irritation faded instantly.
A long silence settled between them.
Nyxiel watched him.
He meant it.
His serious gaze, his firm stance this wasn't some bluff.
His eyes didn't lie.
"And here I thought he was just a greedy bastard" she mused, a flicker of understanding flashing in her ice-blue eyes.
Looking at his expression at the quiet yet absolute conviction in his gaze she knew he meant every word.
She wasn't angry anymore.
She was
Amused? Impressed?
She leaned back slightly, smirking.
"I can promise you this," she said at last. "If you ever feel that way if you ever believe that this sect has betrayed your principles you are free to leave."
She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Ray remained silent.
"But."
Her gaze turned sharp.
"That doesn't mean I'll change my ideals or principles for you."
"I will lead my way. I will decide what to do how I like and when I like."
Her lips curled into a prideful smirk.
"If you're okay with that, then stay."
"If not"
She flicked her gaze to the storage ring in his hand.
"You can keep it."
"This amount doesn't mean much to me."
Ray's fingers twitched.
For a moment, he just stared at her.
Then
He closed his palm.
Tucking the storage ring back onto his finger.
Inside his heart ached.
He didn't know if he'd ever be able to earn this amount again.
Or atleast how much time it will take him.
But
This was about more than just power.
It was about who he was.
Nyxiel tilted her head.
"Good choice," she said, a knowing glint in her eyes.
Nyxiel finally exhaled, relaxing for the first time since this ridiculous conversation started.
And then
Ray smirked. That innocent, effortless, natural smile, smooth as flowing water.
"Now, for my second condition"
Nyxiel's face immediately darkened.
A vein visibly popped on her forehead.
Her fingers twitched.
"This bastard"
"I AM GOING TO FUING KILL HIM."
---
Guys some sweet words for author motivation..pls am low these days