NOVPUB"What just happened here?"
"The city is attacked by monsters before we can ambush them?"
"How did a catastrophe suddenly strike the city when we set off for the monster subjugation mission?"
"No, it wasn’t a monster attack or a catastrophe, but a devil that just happened to be passing by."
"Huh!? Are you kidding me?"
"Yo, that really happened. A Deity-level devil accidentally triggered her tribulation thunder. But, the heavenly thunder only struck her once, and she ascended beyond the mortal boundary! I gained enlightenment about the Great Ascension Realm!"
"So, you’re saying that to break through is as easy as an accident!? That’s a 10th Rank expert at that! But, a real devil? Here!?"
"Yeah, she is with the Sacred Sakura’s people now. Saintess Miko took that devil away."
The prestigious warriors who had just returned inquired about what had just happened near the city, and the information they got was shocking.
The influential experts assigned to that city were also puzzled about why a devil at that level was roaming freely in the Human Realm. Also, the one protecting that devil was Sacred Sakura Holy Land.
If the mentioned 10th Rank devil was an enemy, they could hardly suppress the threat at that level. Many people would be killed for sure. Only the higher-ups of renowned sects or prestigious clans could stop her.
"Lady Miko? Then, everything will be fine." The young mage in a flashy white outfit crossed his arms over his chest.
"Why are you so sure? Is Lady Miko so powerful?" The young scholar in a thief-like brown outfit wondered.
"..." Chen Fan glanced at Bai Yuchen once. This person would immediately ask when he talked about Sacred Sakura’s people, especially Lady Miko. For some reason, he already disliked his new acquaintance.
"My friend, you may not know it, but Saintess Miko’s secret guardians are a troop that can turn the entire continent upside down. She and her protectors prevented the Demon God’s descent with almost no effort a month ago." Wang Zi-Zhen spread her arms wide as if she was proud to exaggerate the Sacred Sakura’s glory. After all, Saintess Miko was her idol and role model.
"Hou~" Bai Yuchen nodded in understanding, but he felt it was a bit regretful since he should have been able to spend more time with Lady Miko.
It was all because of the young mage, Chen Fan’s fault. Lady Miko hurried away because of that commotion. Nevertheless, he already received some investments from her, and she also wished him to join Sacred Sakura Holy Land.
’My luck is truly top-notch. Shame on you, loser mage. Even though you are also known as a rising hero like me, I am always superior because the favor is always with me.’ Bai Yuchen muttered in his mind. He felt proud of his luck.
"Phew, I knew it. Since Sacred Sakura’s people have stepped in, there’s nothing to worry about." Bai Yuchen turned around and walked away.
"Where are you going?" Chen Fan asked in astonishment.
"The northern subjugation team has already departed, and I should hurry back to join the main force to make some fortune. See ya!" Bai Yuchen then unsheathed his flying sword.
"Hey, Frozen Cloud’s saintess and Blood Moon’s saintess actually came to this city to meet Sacred Sakura’s saintess."
"Yeah, they got invited by Saintess Miko. The three saintesses... Well, the three holy lands are on good terms. The peace treaty is possible because of them."
"But, it’s truly a wonderful sight because I can meet the real Celestial Fox. The fox sisters’ story touched my heartstrings, and seeing a real legendary nine-tailed fox is such a blessing."
"I agree. Several 10th Rank experts are assigned to protect Saintess Miko. Other sacred sects are pale in comparison. They can only dispatch a few 9th Rank secret protectors at most."
The nearby city guards’ conversation made Bai Yuchen’s ears twitch. He turned around and flew toward them.
"Frozen Cloud’s saintess and Blood Moon’s saintess? Then, aren’t the three saintesses from the three holy lands gathering now? Gentleman, can you tell me more about the mentioned saintesses?" Bai Yuchen cleared his throat and grabbed one of the city guards by the shoulder.
"..." Chen Fan was speechless at that sight.
That rogue cultivator was a good-for-nothing playboy. As long as it was about beautiful women, that person was always excited to know more. His childhood friend also couldn’t escape this lecher’s sight. Nevertheless, Wang Zi-Zhen only responded to that person like an ordinary random stranger. That very much relieved him.
Regardless, he secretly put a disguised hidden marker spell on Bai Yuchen’s back to monitor his rival. After all, they were both referred to as the rising young heroes.
He possessed the Immortal Sage Wizard’s divine magic knowledge and could easily see through Bai Yuchen’s disguise technique. Unfortunately, everyone only knew that Bai Yuchen was a white tiger boy, the wielder of the God-tier holy spear.
---
Ely’s disciples were preparing for major future events. They also mobilized more than ten thousand people under them to collect so many things.
However, those subordinates did not know everything was for the Guardian of Dream and Sacred Sakura’s sake.
Considering the Artificial Hell incident was so dangerous and worrying, it was a massive operation. Even the core disciples would be dead if their master wasn’t there.
Their master had given notice that they would encounter one or two Evil Demon Gods soon, so everyone had to be prepared to deal with all kinds of scenarios.
Even so, the New Year’s event at the Sacred Mountain would come in two days. All the disciples were excited to celebrate every event in Sacred Mountain because it was their home, and they would spend time with their wonderful big family.
"Master has already teleported away. Her visit was unexpected, but I’m glad she cares so much for all of us."
"Yes, our master is the best in the world. You won’t be able to find a sect or place that treats their disciples the way our master did."
"Yup! I want to enter the Apostle’s rank soon. The core disciples won’t always be ten in number. I also want to follow our master everywhere like them."
"Then, cultivate diligently. We all stepped from the same starting point and got similar opportunities."
"Yeah, I will."
"Anyway, here’s hot chocolate for you."
"Thank you. Hehe, the New Year’s event is almost here. My heart can’t remain calm."
"Mm, I’m also excited. But we need to finish our tasks before then."
"Yes."
Some of Ely’s disciples stationed in the Reustin City stared at the starry night sky while enjoying a cup of hot cocoa. It was winter, and the weather was kinda cold.
The redstone fireplace and a heating magic item kept the room temperature warm. They chatted happily without worrying about others overhearing them because the room was well-protected.
While one of them was about to renew the kindling in the redstone fireplace, she noticed the presence of a creature scorched in the red-hot flames.
That scorched creature was as big as a pillow and looked like a scaly black rock, but she knew it was a small dragon. Thus, she immediately called her sisters and brothers. "Hey, look at this. Isn’t this Lady Sylvi’s dragon pet?"
"A little dragon?"
"You mean that magma black dragon?"
"Oh no, what is he doing in the fireplace?"
"Instead of warming himself by the fire, he sleeps in the fire?"
"More importantly... Lady Sylvi seems to have forgotten about him. He’s hiding here, and she probably doesn’t know yet."
"Then, what should we do? Lady Sylvi just left with our master using teleportation."
"Let’s inform our master first."
The disciples deliberated regarding the little magma black dragon. They immediately contacted their master via the telecommunication talisman.
---
"Noir is still in the Reustin City..." Ely informed Sylvia with an awkward expression after receiving that information from her disciples.
"Oh, mm, it’s okay. Our people are still there. I’ll pick him up later." Sylvia enjoyed her hot tea calmly. She wasn’t the least bit worried even though she knew a 10th Rank demonic dragon was in the middle of the human city.
"Okay." Ely smiled faintly and shook her head.
She then looked at the guests. She invited them to one of the properties belonging to the Guardian of Dream in the Northern Realm.
It was the shrine abode replica made by Gabriella but without the Goddess statue.
She didn’t know before, but she found out recently. Her core disciples built their own version of the shrine abode replica!
So, there were still nine other shrine abode replicas out there. Gabriella said it was just their respective resort. However it also served as the Guardian of Dream’s headquarters, but the location was quite far from their Sacred Mountain.
Gabriella’s resort had the size of a football field with a magnificent traditional villa in the middle, a beautiful garden full of flowers, and various facilities. Built on the peak of one of the mountains in the Northern Realm with a beautiful view of the highlands.
It was Ely’s first time visiting this place, just like the guests she had invited here.
Feng Mingyue, Shui Meiying, and the six great elders accompanying them were busy observing their surroundings. The thing that caught their attention the most was the large cherry blossom tree in the middle of the courtyard.
The cherry blossom resembled the real Sacred Sakura. Although somewhat similar, this one couldn’t hold a candle to the real Immortal Tree. This tree wasn’t even taller than three meters.
Unfortunately, the guests were clueless about it. They thought that they had arrived at the Sacred Sakura Holy Land.
