A meteor streaked silently across the sky above Exquisite Heart Sect.
Boom!
The air twisted violently as fiery red light illuminated the sky for a kilometer, dyeing Exquisite Heart Sect in volcanic crimson. The newcomer was an elderly man with white hair.
"Qianqiu."
Venerable Thundercrest greeted him with a cheerful laugh.
The white-haired elder smiled and nodded, brushing off his deep purple ancient robe. His face shone with a brilliance like crystal diamond, as if he were the center of the world.
Inside the main hall.
Everyone was taken aback.
"Why isn't it Andrew Han? I thought it was Andrew Han. Got excited for nothing."
"Quiet! Do you want to die?"
"This is a Law-Realm guardian from Thunder Path Sect, also a Venerable Saint—his name is Quentin Suo." An informed member of the Titled Sequence warned the crowd, "Venerable Suo disdains grand titles and has a fiery temper. We'd better watch our words."
Everyone present was instantly shocked.
Supreme Saints are like dragons—seen only in glimpses, never in full. But Venerable Saints are the strongest martial force; there are only about twenty in all of Sinovera.
A moment of silence passed.
Someone looked up and whispered, "Isn't this the master of Hidden Dragon Li Gang? Rumor has it he has some history with Green Mountain Sect... Supposedly, he and Miles Ning clashed many times in the past, always coming up short, and swore never to return to Thunder Path Sect until he surpassed Miles Ning."
The reception hall of Exquisite Heart Sect was already quiet, but the crowd felt a blazing heat of excitement, genuine smiles spreading across their faces.
But as soon as those words were spoken, the atmosphere shifted.
Green Mountain Sect!
In today's martial world, the name Andrew Han of Green Mountain Sect is known to all. The sect's return to the ranks of major martial sects is already on the agenda.
Once the island is rebuilt and the mountain gate restored, Green Mountain Sect will regain its former glory.
"It should be fine."
"Between Law-Realm guardians, there's never been any real conflict."
Everyone exchanged uncertain glances. The atmosphere in the main hall grew strange, and all could only cautiously watch the scene outside, where Venerable Thundercrest and Quentin Suo conversed with smiles, seemingly harmonious.
Amid their worries, a rumbling sound echoed.
It was like a thunderous roar shattering the clouds, approaching from afar and sweeping into the reception hall.
But just before the sound wave arrived, a figure in green robes broke the sound barrier and landed at the hall entrance. Andrew Han, having gathered countless strands of Graywhite Aura, passed through the Imperial Capital and accepted Venerable Thundercrest's invitation to visit Exquisite Heart Sect.
"Andrew Han."
Venerable Thundercrest clasped his hands and stepped forward to greet him.
"Andrew Han of Green Mountain Sect, young and promising." Quentin Suo of Thunder Path Sect also stepped forward, his face showing genuine admiration and kindness.
He had lost to Miles Ning in his youth, and it still stung.
But Quentin Suo, as a Venerable Saint, has a broad perspective—he would never target Andrew Han of Green Mountain Sect. With the current crisis, there's simply no room for internal strife.
Humanity must unite as one!
Ordinary people and martial artists may still compete, but Law-Realm guardians absolutely cannot!
This is the bottom line, the principle.
It's also humanity's fundamental guarantee against Demons and Specters... If anyone still fought among themselves in the face of a mortal enemy, either they're crazy, or the so-called war isn't truly a threat to survival.
After a round of introductions,
The three returned to the main hall together, drawing the attention of all the guests.
"Andrew Han."
"If my disciple Li Gang had even a tenth of your talent, I'd worship my ancestors in gratitude." Quentin Suo sat down with a smile, showing no trace of his earlier criticism of Andrew Han or Li Gang.
Andrew Han replied politely, "Venerable Suo flatters me."
Respect is mutual. As a Venerable Saint, Quentin Suo waited outside in person, so Andrew Han naturally responded with courtesy... As for the past grievances between Quentin Suo and his master Miles Ning, Andrew had heard the stories.
For example, the time they both competed for the same woman.
And of course, the historic Prodigy Battle.
Whatever the case, whenever Quentin Suo faced Miles Ning, he inevitably lost. Their relationship was tangled and complex—more rivalry than hatred, just mutual needling.
"Heh heh."
Quentin Suo casually grabbed a piece of fruit and took a bite.
The main table was covered with a golden cloth, set with exquisite porcelain and tidy utensils. Plates of delicious, aromatic dishes filled the round table, and all those seated were Martial Lords.
"Though I've always lost to Miles Ning, even when it comes to disciples, I've been thoroughly defeated. But..." Quentin Suo swallowed another bite of fish, shook his head slowly, and said no more—he wanted to give Andrew Han face.
Quentin Suo devoured a whole braised fish, grabbed a steaming bowl of stir-fried greens and beans, and ate heartily.
Today, he intended to meet Andrew Han.
And sample the cuisine of Exquisite Heart Sect, whose culinary skills are renowned throughout the martial world.
"By the way."
Quentin Suo rubbed his teeth and said, "You've been searching for ancient battlefield weapons and Great Wall bricks... As it happens, Thunder Path Sect has plenty of these. If you have time later, why not visit our sect?"
"Alright."
Andrew Han thought for a moment and nodded.
The three sampled the food and chatted casually about lighter topics. The whole crowd breathed a sigh of relief, and many were stunned—barely able to believe this was the same Quentin Suo of Thunder Path Sect.
It was completely different from what they'd expected.
The imagined conflict never occurred; instead, there was only harmony. Quentin Suo even suggested sparring with Andrew Han.
"Tsk tsk."
"Could it be that Quentin Suo is intimidated by Andrew Han's terrifying cultivation speed?" The crowd exchanged glances, all speechless, unable to guess what Quentin Suo was thinking.
In truth,
Without reaching the Law-Realm, one cannot comprehend the mindset of its guardians.
With lifespans of several centuries, able to traverse land and sky, Law-Realm guardians have left behind ordinary ways of thinking... And with the burden of defending against Demons and Specters, they have no time for suspicion or conflict.
The price of disunity,
is the extinction of all humanity.
The inexplicable authority of three Law-Realm guardians filled the hall. Everyone trembled—some with anxiety, some with awe. As for the ordinary government officials, their minds were tight with fear.
It felt like ants facing a primordial beast—utterly terrifying.
The pressure of their very existence was unavoidable. With Law-Realm guardians seated here, it was as if a towering mountain weighed down on everyone's will, suffused with solemn, ancient energy.
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Silence!
Everyone quietly ate, sampling the dishes.
Even some Martial General disciples who earlier wanted to challenge their rivals in front of the Law-Realm guardians, to show off and attract attention, now suppressed those foolish thoughts like frightened cicadas.
When Law-Realm guardians dine, who would dare disturb them?
Only by facing the vast, oceanic authority of the Law-Realm can one realize their own insignificance, and how naive it is to compete for attention.
As for Andrew Han,
Although he did not yet possess the energy field of a Law-Realm guardian, they cared only for overwhelming martial power—by all measures, Andrew Han was already one of them.
The banquet continued.
Music gradually began to play.
"Crossing over hills and wading through rivers, just follow your heart and don't worry about north, south, east, or west..."
"If you still have dreams, pursue them—at least you won't regret it. Chase bravely into the light, and soar far away..."