The Heavenly Pavilion, Baihua Sect.
Seated on a raised dais, the Sect Master of the Baihua Sect, Bai Tianji, silently glanced at the two elderly men in attendance.
One was the Grand Elder of the sect, Bai Renxiang, while the other was the Elder responsible for the sectās finances, Bai Xu Zhenren.
Currently, the three were discussing none other than Adam.
"...I still believe it was a bad decision to let Ao go with the Tsuitsui Clan members," Elder Zhenren said, sighing helplessly.
Bai Renxiang turned to him with narrowed eyes. He couldnāt help but say, "I donāt get it. Whatās your fixation with that man?"
"Fixation?" Elder Zhenren snapped. "Didnāt you see his sparring match with Goro Tsuitsui? If such a Magus were to join us, our sectās prestige, and not to mention power, would increase significantly!"
Bai Renxiang shook his head, still adamant about his opinion.
"Itās too risky. It would have been a different matter had Ao been at the Mana Foundation Rank, or even the Mana Liquefaction Rank," he countered.
"But given his current arcane station, who knows how old he is? Who knows where heās been before coming to our city? Like I mentioned earlier, the man is full of secrets! For all we know, he could have been a spy for the unorthodox faction."
Bai Zhenren had a dark look on his face. The Grand Elderās argument was sound. But he knew about Adamās true backgroundāalbeit very little. So he could be certain that the man was not a spy of the unorthodox faction.
But, of course, he couldnāt say that out loud. Or else, both the Sect Leader and the Grand Elder would begin questioning his allegiances.
In the end, he simply sighed. "That... makes sense," he said reluctantly. "Apologies, I wasnāt thinking straight. Itās just that Iāve built a good rapport with Ao in the short time that heās been living with us. But yes, youāre right. Thereās always a possibility that he could be a spy."
Bai Renxiangās tone softened."I know that you, Elder Xun, and Elder Ge were close to him. In fact, from what Iāve learned from the reports, the kids in our sect also seemed to have become quite fond of him in the short time they spent with him in training."
He paused for a moment, then added. "But we simply cannot take the risk. No matter how prodigious a talent Ao is, we cannot induct him into our sect. Sects and clans operate differently on a fundamental level. The Tsuitsui Clan can have Ao marry into their family, or simply adopt him. But we cannot."
"I hear you." Bai Zhenren nodded, but inwardly, he was cursing his own misfortune.
Throughout their discussion, the Sect Leader remained silent, hearing both sides of the argument.
At last, he said, "Let him go. The Tsuitsui Clan has shown great interest in him."
"Yes, Sect Leader." Both Bai Renxiang and Bai Zhenren respectfully nodded.
Looks like thereās nothing that can be done now,
Bai Zhenren thought to himself.
At least, Iāve already asked Ao what to do when he reaches the headquarters of the Arcane Alliance.
A moment later, the Sect Leader added, his words shocking both the elders present.
"Besides," he began in an even voice. "Dokuto sent me a letter earlier in the morning. He expresses his wishes in formally admitting Ao into his clan."
Bai Renxiang and Bai Zhenren were stunned!
"The Patriarch of the Tsuitsui Clan already knows about him?!" Bai Zhenren asked, dumbfounded.
Bai Tianji nodded as he stroked his beard. "His daughter, Reika, must have informed him. I donāt find it surprising at all. After all, Ao fought Goro to a draw."
Damn it,
Bai Zhenren cursed inwardly.
Now, thereās definitely no chance!
"What matters is that the Baihua Sect, more specifically Bai Xun and Bai Ge, has cultivated a healthy relationship with Ao," the Sect Leader continued.
"I donāt doubt that he will grow up to be a prominent figure in the Magus world. When that happens, it is good enough that he will consider us an ally."
Now, it was Bai Renxiangās turn to be shocked. He hadnāt expected even the Sect Leader to regard Ao in such a way. He couldnāt help but wonder if heād made a mistake in letting this mysterious man go.
"Donāt dwell on it," the Sect Leader said to him. "What you did wasnāt wrong either. Now that that ship has sailed, let us look to the future."
"...Yes, Sect Leader." Bai Renxiang nodded.
"Has our delegation left for the vicennial gathering?" Asked the Sect Leader.
"Yes, theyāve left along with the delegations from the Tsuitsui and Kusakabe Clans earlier this morning," Bai Zhenren respectfully answered.
"I see." Bai Tainji nodded. His expression gradually grew dark, his eyes turning cold. "We must begin making preparations. A storm is on the horizon. I can feel it..."
Hearing those words, both the Elders grew solemn.
"Do you think... there will be another war?" Elder Zhenren couldnāt help but ask.
The Sect Leader nodded. "I believe so."
Elder Zhenren lowered his head, a grim look in his eyes. He couldnāt help but wonder about the prophecy of Lao Ren:
The Ghost of Hoshigane, the harbinger of change...
***
Dozens of miles away from Jingyun City, a long procession marched on the road.
The banners of the Baihua Sect, Tsuitsui Clan, and the Kusakabe Clan fluttered proudly in the wind. Dozens of horse-drawn carriages rolled down the middle of the road, flanked by both sides by ranks of Magi moving in disciplined formations.
In one of the bigger carriages in the center of the formation, the leaders of the delegation from three factions sat together.
They were Bai Xun and Bai Ge of the Baihua Sect, Goro and Reika Tsuitsui of the Tsuitsui Clan, Ayaka and Renji Kusakabe of the Kusakabe Clan, and, of course, Adam Constantine, otherwise known as Ao.
Adam leisurely sat by the window, sipping sake from the cup. He didnāt have to bother about being ambushed by bandits like he had been on his way to Jingyun City. In fact, he didnāt have to worry about anything, given that so many powerful Magi were traveling with them.
Beside him, Goro Tsuitsui leisurely chewed on cooked meat without a care in the world. Both of them sitting together created a very comical scene, with one drinking and the other eating.
Watching them act so nonchalantly, the Sword Dragon, Bai Xun, was quite dumbfounded. He couldnāt help but comment:
"Itās like looking at two peas in a pod!"