Chapter 70: Trip

Kael could bring two people with him to the Golden Alliance Sect, not counting a third who could follow as his protector.

Since Selene was going with him in precisely that role, there was still one spot left.

Kael, however, had absolutely no interest in anyone from the sect.

He was certain the Sect Leader and the Ancestor would be delighted to see him bring along another high-potential disciple—someone who could also take advantage of the enormous difference in Qi density and cultivation resources at the Golden Alliance.

Naturally, he didn’t even want to hear about it. He had already asked his stepmother to refuse any such request, no matter how much the Sect Leader insisted.

Elder Godfrey’s calm voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Come on, young Kael."

The old man beckoned to him, already turning to climb the ramp of the flying ship once more.

"Yes, Elder!" Kael replied, quickening his pace to follow close behind.

His concubine and his stepmother came shortly after. Both seemed a little nervous.

They exchanged a quick glance before stepping onto the ramp, climbing with lighter steps than usual, as if afraid of making the wood creak beneath them.

If Godfrey noticed their nervousness, he didn’t let it show. He simply kept a gentle smile on his lips.

He treated the three of them with respect, bowing his head to each one and welcoming them with the same calm courtesy.

He made no distinction between the young genius and the two women accompanying him.

There was a reason for that courtesy.

As one might expect, the Golden Alliance Sect kept many agents scattered throughout each of its thirty vassal sects.

These agents were there to protect the sects and report any serious danger to the main sect. And, of course, to gather intelligence.

They all carried powerful transmitters.

The first thing Godfrey had done upon setting out for the Golden Alliance sect was to contact the agent in charge of the Fallen Sword Sect.

By now, he already knew quite a bit about Kael, especially about the boy’s mysterious master.

A cultivator capable of handing an artifact to his disciple’s mother as if it were a casual gift was, at the very least, someone at the Soul Integration Realm.

It was worth remembering that, across the entire Gray Peaks Continent, there was only one cultivator at that realm: the Ancestor of the Red Dragon Empire.

That Ancestor had been in secluded cultivation for centuries and, obviously, had nothing to do with Kael’s sudden burst of power and talent.

Most likely, Kael’s master was a cultivator from the Land of Divine Light.

Godfrey didn’t doubt the existence of this master for even a second.

Not even the Golden Alliance could produce a low-level artifact with ease. How could Kael, a young man from such a miserable sect, have found one on his own?

In Godfrey’s mind, only a powerful master could explain it.

In the end, the elder concluded it was best not to pry too deeply into the boy’s past.

That master must be on some covert mission, and missions of that sort usually lasted anywhere from decades to centuries.

Kael was willing to accompany them to the sect and even to choose a temporary master.

So his true master likely wasn’t a man particularly jealous of his disciple, nor someone who would cause trouble over it.

Deep down, Godfrey had already made up his mind: the Golden Alliance Sect would do everything in its power to nurture Kael’s talent with the utmost care.

After all, the goodwill of a cultivator of that level wasn’t something that could be bought cheaply.

Setting those thoughts aside, the elder turned to the two women.

"Miss Selene, Miss Seraphine." The old man pointed to one of the three private rooms. "That will be your room during the trip. Please feel free to take a look around. I need to have a word with Kael."

Seraphine and Selene nodded, almost in unison.

Still a bit tense, the two walked toward the room at the end of the hallway of that small but comfortable aircraft, their footsteps soft against the polished wood.

Before disappearing behind the door, Selene cast one last glance over her shoulder at Kael, who answered with a discreet nod.

To the right were the three bedrooms.

To the left were the seats. At the very back was a small kitchen, and up front, the cockpit.

The flying ship was equipped with autopilot. Shortly after the two women entered the room reserved for them, the old man moved his Qi.

The ramp retracted with a sharp creak, sealing off the entrance.

The hull vibrated slightly beneath Kael’s feet, and a low hum traveled through the wood.

The ship rose into the air, turned its bow toward the Golden Alliance, and then shot forward.

Outside, the wind began to howl against the hull, while the floor steadied once more beneath their feet.

Godfrey walked over to one of the tables on the left side of the ship. Small red half-walls separated the three tables, each with four chairs.

The old man sat down and gestured for Kael to take the seat across from him.

Kael didn’t hesitate. He pulled out the chair and sat facing the old man, who studied him for a moment with a gentle smile, as if appraising a rough gemstone.

"Your achievements are remarkable, young man. To reach the Foundation Realm so quickly after rediscovering your spiritual roots..."

Godfrey trailed off, nodding in admiration. Kael kept a calm expression, not letting the praise get to his head.

The elder waved his hand, and a bottle of liqueur appeared from his spatial ring. He poured a little for himself and a little for Kael.

The amber liquid fell into the glasses with a soft splash, glistening in the light of the oil lamps, and a sweet aroma drifted across the table.

"Thank you, Master Godfrey," Kael said, picking up the glass and taking a sip.

The liqueur was certainly good. It went down warm and left a sweet taste on his tongue. Even so, he preferred to get straight to the most important matter.

Kael set the glass back on the table with a light clink.

"May I ask which elders I’ll be able to choose from?"