Teacher by day, Farmer by passion
Chapter 284 - 284: Tharz Kingdom [4] (BONUS)

"Thank you for your service, Elder Akha," Lily said warmly, giving her a small bow of respect.

She then turned to the next elder. "Elder Mati, I believe it's your turn for the briefing now."

Mati stood up and gave a respectful bow, her expression as composed as ever.

"Greetings, Sect Master."

She took a breath. "Over the past six months… I've experienced a series of failures after failures."

Ace raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

"You tasked me with recruiting new disciples. I've only managed to recruit one despite the lengthy time given."

She glanced down, then continued. "You entrusted me with the ring we obtained from the dragon girl you rescued. I lost it."

Ace rubbed his temple.

"You also placed the health of your disciples in my care. And yet… I didn't notice Liu Mei being kidnapped by Yuu."

That made Ace pause.

"Kidnapped?" he repeated, confused. "What do you mean kidnapped? Yuu can't betray me. She's literally my blood general, she's a a part of—."

He turned toward Lily suspiciously.

"You made her say that, didn't you?"

Lily turned her head, feigning innocence.

"Master, that's beside the point. The fact is, she took Liu Mei into the Abyss without asking me, her teacher. If you were in seclusion, the responsibility falls to me. But they vanished before they even consult me!"

Ace sighed deeply. "Alright, alright. Continue."

Mati gave a small nod.

"Additionally, Shan Yifeng has vanished into the void. We have no idea whether he's alive or dead."

She then dropped to her knees, dramatic and full of remorse.

"Master… please take my head. I'm unworthy."

Ace stared blankly at her bald head. "What do you mean 'take your head'? It's… just the void."

The hall fell into stunned silence.

"Just the void?" someone whispered.

Xi chun coughed awkwardly. "Does Master… not know how dangerous the void is?"

"It takes precise coordination to exit," Tushan added. "Without that, one could reappear anywhere in the world, if they reappear at all!"

But before the panic could spread further, Ace waved a hand casually.

"Oh, don't worry about that. Shan Yifeng is perfectly fine and healthy. He's too stubborn to die that easily. No need to feel guilty, Mati."

Everyone in the room turned toward him, their jaws dropping.

"Perfectly fine… and healthy?" Kathum echoed.

"Did Master… prepare some kind of divine tool for survival in the void?"

"Amazing…"

Eyes widened with awe, admiration filling the room like incense smoke in a shrine.

"You may take your seat now. Let's proceed," Ace said with a nod.

Mati quickly got up from her dramatic kneel and shuffled back to her seat, still confused, but visibly more cheerful, her bald head held just a little higher than before.

Then Lily stepped forward to address the room, her expression calm… though the corner of her mouth twitched slightly like she was trying to hold something in.

She turned to Ace and gave a respectful bow.

"Greetings, Sect Master," she began, tone polite and formal. "I come bearing… one piece of good news."

Ace arched a brow. "Just one?"

Lily raised a finger and smiled. "Yes. One good news."

She paused dramatically.

"…And a lot of bad news."

Ace blinked. "Let's start with the good news then."

"Gladly!" Lily beamed in joy as she announced the good news.

"I've found a clue leading to the Divine Steps realm!"

The room erupted in cheers and applause.

"Outstanding!"

"Finally!"

"Took long enough!"

Even Ace smiled in satisfaction.

But then—

"And… what's the bad news?" he asked, still riding the high.

Lily clapped her hands together softly, her tone completely casual, like she was commenting on the weather.

"Oh, nothing much. Just… Tharz Kingdom has officially produced their first Divine Step master."

Pin-drop silence.

The room froze.

Akha dropped her cup of tea in slow motion.

Khani and Kathum's mouths opened wide in perfect sync.

Mati's chair made a slight creak as she clutched its armrest like it was a lifeboat.

Shane's soul almost left his body. Aqua's did.

Xi Chun stopped blinking. While Tushan stopped breathing.

Only Lily stood relaxed, smiling calmly.

"I thought it was worth mentioning after all, since the secret to divine step lies with this newly ascended divine step expert," she added helpfully.

Ace slowly turned toward her. "You're saying Tharz kingdom has a Divine Step master?"

"Mhm!" Lily chirped.

Ace crossed his arms and looked at Lily, who stood far too calmly for someone supposedly bearing bad news.

"Before I ask anything else," he said slowly, "just how many bad news do you have?"

Lily raised her fingers and counted lazily. "Hmm… not much. Around five more in total, Master."

Ace exhaled. "Alright. Say it all at once. Let's get it over with."

"Certainly." She cleared her throat and began as if reading out the grocery list.

"One. Tharz Kingdom has declared war on Falmuth Kingdom."

Elder Akha blinked. "But Grand Elder Lily, we don't have to participate in their war. They can't even threaten us. We've got Master."

Lily gave her a sweet smile. "Yes, Elder, I know. That's why the bad news isn't the war itself."

She paused just long enough for everyone to lean forward.

"The bad news… is that Tharz Kingdom's newly ascended Divine Step Realm master is leading the war."

"And…" she added, voice sugary, "her first stop is right here. Our sect."

Silence.

You could hear Shane's soul gasp.

Khani visibly turned pale while Kathum reached under the table.

Ace just pressed two fingers to his temple.

"Continue," he said flatly.

"Three." Lily raised a new finger. "I lost track of Yu Zhong, Master. He realized I was watching him and made… extra precautions."

Ace's eyes narrowed. "Okay, but who is this Divine Step master?"

Lily paused, then gave him a delicate, almost apologetic smile.

"Four." She beamed. "The Divine Step master leading the charge is none other than Sarah."

The room collectively flinched.

"She's coming for you, by the way."

"And lastly…" Lily gave him a slight apologetic look. "Fifth. Elder Yuu and my darling Mei'er are in an abyss… located inside Tharz Kingdom."

The hall went utterly quiet.

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