Teacher by day, Farmer by passion

At the front rode Queen Arlen, her armor scratched, the violet crest of Falmuth dulled with ash and soul-burnt blood.

Yet her presence had not diminished. If anything, the soldiers followed her with more reverence now because she had stood when others had knelt.

At the gate, a delegation waited.

Three Fairy Pavilion Envoys, robed in silver and violet, their features flawless, ageless, otherworldly. The one at the center stepped forward.

"Queen Arlen," she greeted, voice serene. "The Pavilion welcomes you and your soldiers. By our accords, the city remains neutral ground. We will extend hospitality. No blade shall be raised within."

Arlen gave a short nod. "My soldiers need shelter and healing. Some of them won't see the next dawn without help."

"And we will provide it," the envoy said with a practiced smile. "Luna herself has granted temporary sanctuary. Come. The barracks have been opened."

Arlen's gaze lingered on the envoy's pale eyes—eyes that held both knowledge and judgment.

"Send word to Luna," she said quietly, "I'll speak with her tonight. Alone."

The envoy nodded once.

Queen Arlen stood at the steps of the healing hall, her cloak brushing aside dust and dried blood as the envoy gave her final bow and slipped away into the inner court.

The moment the last flutter of the envoy's robes vanished from view, Arlen turned to her right.

"General Kass."

The grizzled veteran stepped forward, helm tucked under one arm, his brow still marked with fresh lines from the pressure of command. "Your Majesty?"

"Where's Ace?"

There was a moment's pause. Kass exchanged a look with one of the nearby officers before replying.

"Gone. He and Lily left immediately after arriving in the city. Scouts reported they're headed for Snow Mountain."

Arlen's expression didn't shift, but her jaw tightened ever so slightly.

"Snow Mountain…" she echoed.

Kass gave a solemn nod. "Sky High Sect territory. It's also the first line of defense. If the Tharz Kingdom makes a move, they'll pass through there first."

Arlen tilted her head skyward, watching the rolling clouds above the fairy-spelled dome.

Kass stepped forward. "Shall I send word to recall him?"

"No." Arlen's voice was sharp, certain. "He's where he needs to be. But we need to be ready."

She turned to face the inner chambers of the city.

"Prepare a full report on the wounded. And have the tacticians meet me after sunset. If Snow Mountain falls, we won't have time to beg for help. We'll be the next fire on the wind."

Kass bowed low. "Yes, Your Majesty."

As the queen strode into the healing ward, her thoughts were already racing. Sky High Sect, Ace, Sarah… and now a looming war that would not wait for recovery.

Because the mountain held more than geography.

It held a blade pointed at the heart of Falmuth itself.

Snow drifted gently over the peaks of Sky High Sect.

At the front gate, a line of disciples stood in reverent formation, their breaths fogging in the cold air. The moment Lily touched down in a blaze of soul light, they dropped to one knee.

"Welcome back, Grand Elder!"

She waved her hand casually, already moving past them. "Enough with the formalities. Get all the elders for an emergency meeting. Now."

"Yes, Grand Elder!" The disciples scrambled into motion, boots crunching against frost-laced stone as they scattered across the sect grounds.

Behind her, Ace landed without ceremony, his figure calm, shadowed under the pale sky. He didn't follow Lily toward the main hall.

Instead, he walked out to the field.

The land stretched wide before him—flat, dry, quiet. The recent harvest had left it bare, the earth cracked but content.

Ace stood still for a moment, then opened his system interface with a thought.

[Host: Ace]

Cultivation Talent: Heavenly

Bond Beast: Qiong Qi (Rebellious state — summoning currently inadvisable.)

Realm: Peak Legend

Martial Techniques:

Drunk Man Cultivation Technique ( Heaven Grade)

Verdant Dao: The Path of Eternal Harvest (Divine Grade)

Revised-Soul Burning Cultivation Technique ( Mortal Grade )

He scrolled past his profile, fingers hovering until he reached the disciple tab.

[Disciple Status Overview]

1st Disciple: Liu Mei

Cultivation Talent: Heavenly

Realm: Half-Step Divine Step

Soul Bonds:

Nine-Tailed Snow Fox (White Fur)

Azure Sky Dragon (Black Midas)

Tyrant Bear (Little Aoki)

Status: Alive and healthy

2nd Disciple: Shan Yifeng

Cultivation Talent: Heavenly

Realm: ERROR!

Special Physique: Barbaric Crimson Dragon Body

Soul Bond: Spirit Sovereign Wolf (Bryan)

Status: Alive — Critical Condition

3rd Disciple: Xiao Lin (Ruby)

Cultivation Talent: Pseudo-Heavenly

Realm: Peak Dark Gold

Soul Bond: None

Status: Deep in meditation

Ace stared at the screen in silence, wind tugging at his robe.

He closed the tab, eyes scanning the horizon.

"Master, everyone's gathered. We can proceed with the meeting," Elder Mati said, her voice calm, but the look in her eyes told a different story.

Ace nodded. He took one last glance at the quiet field behind him, then followed her into the great hall.

Inside, every elder of the Sky High Sect was present, even Aunt Hong.

As soon as Ace entered, Aunt Hong stood up, eyes narrowed with maternal sharpness.

"Is my daughter safe?"

Ace gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Aunt. Liu Mei's fine. Honestly, I'm more worried about whatever she's facing."

That earned a snort from a few elders and a sigh of relief from Aunt Hong, whose shoulders visibly loosened.

Ace took his seat at the head of the council table.

And just like that, the room tension surged.

A heavy stillness settled like mist before a storm.

Lily, ever the unpredictable one, stood up.

She wore her usual grin, but her eyes shimmered with the weight of something serious.

"Fellow elders," she began, spinning dramatically to face them, "worshippers of Master Ace—"

"Lily…" Ace muttered.

"What? I'm setting the mood!" she huffed.

Ace gave her a look. She rolled her eyes, then continued.

"I have bad news… and good news."

The room tensed. Some elders stiffened. Others exchanged glances. A few instinctively reached for their spatial rings.

Ace arched a brow. "What's the good news?"

Lily pouted. "Master, no! You're supposed to let me say the bad news first! Don't ruin the rhythm!"

Ace held up his hands. "Alright, alright. Carry on."

She cleared her throat with mock dignity, then pointed skyward as if invoking heaven itself.

"Let's start with the bad news," she declared.

"Sarah… can erase our entire sect… with a single thought."