Marcus shifted his gaze back and forth between the young man and the young woman. And as he watched them, he couldn't help but shake his head. The two hadn't had a good start, and Marcus could clearly see it. He had some idea why, but he had no intention of mentioning it in front of Kiden and Ashe. In truth, Finn wasn't the problem. He was kind, easy to talk to, and respectful. The problem was Ashe—arrogant and seemingly intent on picking on the young man. Marcus suspected this was Ashe's personal resentment toward Kiden, which she was venting on Finn.
He touched his interspatial ring, and a gleaming silver sword appeared before him, floating in midair. The sunlight struck the sword, making it shine even more brightly. A moment later, Marcus jumped onto the floating sword and mounted it.
"We need to leave right now. With the speed of the Agile Eagles and my Flying Sword, we should reach the Cloud Soaring Sect in just a few days," Marcus declared seriously while standing atop the flying sword.
When Finn saw the flying sword, he remembered that he also had this kind of armament. In Finn's estimation, Marcus's Flying Sword was a Top-tier Excellent Armament. It had two well-known abilities: it could be used for combat and could also be ridden to fly and travel great distances.
When Ashe saw Finn's expression as he looked at Marcus' flying sword, she couldn't help but sneer. She assumed he was amazed by Marcus' armament, thinking it was the first time the young man had seen something so impressive.
What she didn't know was that Finn owned many such armaments himself—and, above all, each of them was of a far higher quality than Marcus'. The only problem was that his current rank and energy were not yet sufficient to wield them.
After a few moments more of glancing around, Finn finally leapt onto the broad back of the Agile Eagle. He and Marcus waved one last time to Kiden before they finally departed.
Once the three had left, Kiden's smile slowly faded, replaced by anger and sorrow.
"One day, everything that was denied to me—I will have it all."
--
The Sacred Dragon Kingdom was just one among hundreds of Third-Rate Kingdoms across the entire continent. Even so, though it was only a Third-Rate Kingdom, it still possessed powerful forces known as the Seven Great Factions.
The Seven Great Factions had existed since the Sacred Dragon Kingdom was founded. Along with the Royal Clan, they served as pillars and protectors of the kingdom. And the Cloud Soaring Sect was one of these seven mighty powers.
Each of the Seven Great Factions had obligations and responsibilities to protect their territories against invading enemies. If any outsiders attacked within their domain, they were required to respond immediately to maintain peace throughout the kingdom.
The Cloud Soaring Sect's territory lay in the southwest of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom. They governed several major cities with populations in the hundreds of thousands.
Like the Sacred Dragon Institute, the Cloud Soaring Sect was also divided into three divisions: the Outer Division, which comprised eighty percent of the entire sect's population, the Inner Division, and the Core Division—where Finn would be joining. Though it had few members, each was strong and exceptionally talented.
The Outer Division was where it all began. Here, young members of Noble Clans were brought to learn and build their foundations. It was similar to the Sacred Dragon Institute, where outer members had to stand on their own feet and train with only minimal guidance from the sect until they could set foot in the Inner Division.
Meanwhile, apart from outer members who passed the assessments to become inner members, there were also inner members recruited directly from the Sacred Dragon Institute. An Elder representing the Cloud Soaring Sect personally selected them.
--
Four days quickly passed. While they continued traveling toward the Cloud Soaring Sect's territory, none of them spoke a word, so Finn simply closed his eyes and meditated the entire journey.
The young man's eyes only opened when he heard Marcus speak:
"We're almost there."
Upon hearing this, Finn quickly observed the buildings and infrastructure below. This was likely the Outer Division.
Like the Sacred Dragon Institute, it had its own training field, though much larger than the institute's. He also noticed many young people busily training there.
As the Agile Eagles and Marcus passed over the Outer Division, all the youths looked up with mixed envy and admiration in their eyes. For a long time, they had dreamed of riding either an Agile Eagle or a Flying Armament. But for now, it remained just a dream. If they wanted to obtain such treasures and enjoy such privileges, they first needed to become strong and influential.
After another half-hour, Marcus and the two Agile Eagles descended in front of an enormous gate. As soon as they landed, two guards clad in armor approached them.
'9th Level Scarlet Gold Rank?!' Finn was startled when he realized that even the gate guards were Scarlet Gold Rank Adventurers. If these two were placed in an Aristocrat or Noble Clan, they would surely be regarded as respected Elders.
The two guards saluted Marcus. Ashe dismounted from her Agile Eagle, so Finn followed suit. The guards immediately approached the Agile Eagles, and after saluting and bidding Marcus farewell, they led the two eagles inside the Core Division.
"Now that we're here, Ashe, could you please explain to Finn Doria the rules and regulations of the Cloud Soaring Sect? I must report our return to Sect Master Noah," Marcus said gently.
Ashe glanced at Finn, and when she saw him smiling, she scowled and glared at him.
"Hmph!" Ashe stomped her foot and quickly strode inside the Core Division.
Marcus shook his head and patted Finn's shoulder.
"Don't worry. She's a good kid—she's just stubborn. Just follow her. And remember, never make her angry."
Having said this, he controlled his Flying Sword, rising into the air. He gave Finn a last glance before swiftly heading toward the eastern part of the Core Division.
Finn sighed as he was left standing alone in front of the gates.
"Looks like life here won't be easy."
He entered the Core Division. The serious guards did not stop him; they simply let him in.
Inside, he quickly spotted Ashe standing by a tree with her hands on her hips. He noticed the annoyed expression on her face and forced a smile.
"Now that you're here in the Core Division, I'm warning you—be humble. Any core member here could easily beat you to a pulp," Ashe snapped.
"Thank you for the reminder, Miss Ashe," Finn said with a faint, respectful smile.
Apparently satisfied by this response, Ashe's previously irritated expression softened into a slight smile.
"Since you're now one of us, you must swear that you will never betray or abandon the Cloud Soaring Sect. You must also vow that when the faction faces grave danger, you'll be ready to risk your life to defend and fight alongside the other members," Ashe said seriously.
Finn looked into Ashe's earnest eyes and smiled slightly.
"That's only natural."
"I'm glad you understand. Since Elder Marcus tasked me with explaining the Sect's rules and regulations to you, listen carefully—I won't repeat myself," Ashe said curtly. She looked around and continued,
"The Cloud Soaring Sect, as one of the Seven Great Factions, is a righteous force. The higher-ups strictly forbids members from killing each other—especially within the Core Division—because each core member is vital to the future of our faction. You can earn Contribution Points by taking missions, and you can exchange those points at the Contribution Hall."
Ashe continued explaining other details, and as Finn listened, he realized that the rules were almost identical to those of the Sacred Dragon Institute.
"I've explained everything. Here's the key to your house—it's in the western part of the Core Division. If you have questions, ask them now," Ashe said, sounding bored.
Finn paused, then looked seriously into Ashe's eyes.
"Miss Ashe, I'm sure you know the danger currently facing my clan. Perhaps you already understand the main reason I wanted to join the Cloud Soaring Sect."
When Ashe heard this, she studied his determined expression. She looked deeply at him and spoke quietly:
"You want your clan to receive protection from the Cloud Soaring Sect?"
Finn nodded. That was his primary reason for joining. He knew his clan was threatened by the Nine Ice Family, so he desperately needed the authority and strength of the Cloud Soaring Sect.
Ashe shook her head slightly.
"With your current strength, it's impossible for you to receive that kind of privilege from the sect. You're the only Gold Rank Adventurer in the entire Core Division, while all the other core members are Scarlet Gold Rank. Still, if you're truly determined, you'll have to work three times as hard. You must grow strong enough to be noticed by the Sect Master and the Elders."
"Three months from now, the sect will hold a selection for the Seven Great Faction Games. It's a competition between all Seven Great Factions, held only once every ten years, so every faction prepares for it carefully."
"To be chosen, you must first compete. There are only seven spots. If you can secure even the last position, the Sect Master and the Elders will definitely take notice of you—and my father may grant your request," Ashe explained.
Finn suddenly remembered Kiden telling him he needed to become one of the seven most important members of the Cloud Soaring Sect if he wanted to save his clan. Back then, he hadn't fully understood why the number was seven, but now it was clear.
And if he could earn the sect's protection, only then would he feel at ease.
"I know you hate the Nine Ice Family from the bottom of your heart for what they did to your clan. But I warn you—the Azure Wood Family is just an ordinary clan. No matter what sacrifices you make, you'll never rival the Nine Ice Family. Strength decides everything in this world. That's what your clan lacks. Even if the Cloud Soaring Sect grants your clan protection, it won't fight your battles or seek revenge on your behalf. The most it will do is guarantee your clan's safety within this kingdom," Ashe added calmly.
Finn didn't deny any of it. Everything she said was true. The Cloud Soaring Sect had no ties to his clan and no reason to avenge them.
For now, what he needed most was the Sect's protection while his clan prepared to rise again.
While Ashe was seriously advising him, a young man's voice interrupted their conversation.
"I heard you'd returned, Ashe. I was so glad that I rushed here to see you again."