A few hours passing by as fast as lightning, Alexander heard a charming voice panic.

"Ah! Elder! Junior greets the elder!"

Glancing over to the side, he saw a small and round bearded man read a sheet of paper.

As if reading something unfathomable, the short old man crumpled the paper accidentally, his fists clenched from denial.

"Erhm. Who is the one named Alexander? I need to ask some things."

Sighing heavily, Alexander rolled his eyes.

'You better not give me a stupid guy again. The last time in the pub when I was recovering... whatever.' Standing up, he did not hesitate when walking toward the elder in question.

"Hey, it's me. So? What do you want?" Impatient, his formalities were nonchalant while his mood worsened.

"Your application form... what's with it? Are you telling me you want to apply when you have this level of strength?? Did you perhaps make a mistake? Because I don't get it."

Sigh...

"Listen old man, I did not lie or make a mistake alright? I don't care about your sect, I just want to join one of the sects within the sect world. I heard one of them comes here, is that correct? I'm sure it wouldn't be a bad deal for you. Can you envision it? Another disciple of the Veridian Sect managed to join blabla sect, amazing! I must join this sect as well! Or something like that."

"..." Deep in thoughts, the old man pondered over this scenario. It appeared... quite feasible!

"That's strange still. Why would someone of your supposed might bother so much? Can't you just join one of them with a snap of your fingers? Even in the sect world, the peak of the Empyrean Realm is around the level of an inner disciple at the very least. If you breakthrough just once, the title of core disciple wouldn't be so far-fetched either!"

"Why associate with us?"

"Why? I just don't know where it is, so it's faster this way. Don't think too much about it, if necessary, ask someone higher placed to come meet me. With your first stage Chaos Archetype Realm cultivation base, you aren't the strongest now, are you?"

"Of course not! Don't belittle our Veridian Sect please! Our sect master and grand elder are both in the Empyrean Realm as well!"

"Good, then tell them to come here if they have a problem."

"..."

'What should I do? Complaining here does nothing, and going back to inform the superiors is dangerous.'

"Well... I don't think there to be an issue. But I will still inform my superiors about this matter! The spots assigned to our sect are few, losing one for a clear outsider is not a small thing!"

"Sure, sure!" Dismissing the elder, Alexander casually waved his hand as if shooing a stray cat.

'But... this is my sect...' Feeling somewhat humiliated, the elder could only hung his head low in exasperation before leaving.

The sun hiding away, the moon following some time later, this cycle repeating itself. It took three days for the elder to come back.

"Took you long enough..." Almost feeling like punching the elder's face until it became flat, Alexander restrained his fist.

"So?"

"Ahem! The sect master agreed-"

"Good!"

"But only if you agree to certain conditions."

His mood worsening further, Alexander felt like really sending his head flying into a wall.

"Sir! I understand your sentiment, but this is a matter of utmost importance! The conditions should not be troublesome to you!"

"..." Crossing his arms, Alexander was left with not many choices. If only this Veridian Sect was not affiliated with the sect world... in this case, he would just be able to erase them from this world and be done with it.

"I'll hear you out at least. But beware of your words!"

"I understand!"

Taking a few deep breaths, his forehead moist from the sweat, the elder resumed.

"Sir, our sect master only wants you to participate in the Lured Cloud Sect's quota tournament! By getting highly placed, this will, with you still affiliated with us, grant our sect a higher amount of spots to enter the sect!"

'No way I'm doing this shit. Boring tournaments and whatever errands those are...'

"Sir may be thinking of simply agreeing on paper but not in action. I will just say that this matter will be relayed to the Lured Cloud Sect! Failing to comply to these conditions will only result in your eviction of the sect."

"Therefore, sir should-argh!" Suddenly grabbed by the throat, the elder gasped for relief.

"I said mind your words! Do you not listen? Why should I bother? I gave you all an opportunity, yet you reward me like this? I'll just stay here and enter that cloudy thing sect myself!"

Still struggling, the elder's feet would not reach the ground, flailing about endlessly. But with a single spark of inspiration, he regained control.

"Urr- the... the contract! Cough! The contract! You signed it!!"

Tilting his head as if lost to the complete nonsense he just heard, Alexander was left dumbfounded.

"So what? Are you stupid? Why should I care about this?"

"There was a soul contract in it! You're done for now!"

"..."

"Are you actually braindead? Do you think I wouldn't check for it before signing? There was no such thing."

"Haha! There was!"

Taking a profoundly deep breath, Alexander exhaled it slowly.

"Alright. I'll give you one more chance."

"Either you drop the act or you die. Simple as that."

"Ugh..." His smile turning upside down, the elder felt like a little hare caught by the wolf.

"It's..."

Gripping harder, Alexander looked at him dead in the eyes before pronouncing his very last warning.

"Think. Think very, very carefully about this. The moment you spout bullshit, your cultivation journey ends. You billions of years of cultivation... all gone! With a snap of my fingers!"

"So? What were you about to say?"

Gulping audibly, the elder was stuck.

"The contract..."

"The contract?"

"Does..."

"Does?"

"..."

"Mmh? I didn't quite catch that."

"Doesn't have a soul binding effect... it is just a piece of paper with no value whatsoever..."

Harrumphing aloud, Alexander threw the elder down to the ground.

"Yeah, I thought so!"

Leaning forward, he approached the elder's ear, whispering chilling words.

"Next time, you won't be so lucky! Got it?"

"Y-Yes! I understand! My mistake sir!"

"Good! Now piss the fuck off!"

"Yes!!"

Left alone in the room, Alexander clicked his tongue while watching an old overweight elder run away from him.

'Shitty sect filled with shitty people! How can a cultivator even be overweight?'

'My impression of this place was quite alright at first... but what even is this? A dumb fatso like him is an elder? It's putting shame to so many people... can't believe his cultivation to be so high...'

'It's irritating!' Once more, Alexander could not stop his memories from surging. He felt indirectly humiliated from this elder. To think he, Qiu Qigang, and so many others were not as strong as him... it brought great shame to his lifelong struggle.

.

.

.

A certain day, under the blue sky, a giant bird flew in direction of the Veridian Sect.

The bird itself was a mighty powerhouse while the people resting on it were even more unfathomable. The giant fiery bird of bursting ember and wild flames soared across the Heavens with dignity. And, hanging from its sides, a large green banner. On it, one would immediately notice the drawings of fleeting clouds covering a glimmering sun. The circular symbol atop all of these felt simple.

It was an envoy of the Lured Cloud Sect. A mighty entity standing proudly above countless even within the elusive Core Territory.

A place so many desired to enter, where one would gather the opportunity to ascend above their limits. One of the three sects from the sect world.

In this territory, only the True Martial Legacy and Saint Hall could contend with them.

The envoy of such a place was now seen hovering above the lowly Veridian Sect.

"I, the Lured Cloud Sect's envoy, have arrived!"

Already prepared, the sect master and elders of the sect all flew toward the manly voice in the sky.

"Greetings, envoy!" Fists cupped, people bowing, this welcoming sight would make on misunderstand the might of the Veridian Sect.

A place where the sect master was at the Empyrean Realm, it could not be ordinary. Yet, faced with something even more profound, even this sect was left with no other choice but to kneel down.

'Envoy of the cloudy sect? He is... unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, quite strong.' Gazing in direction of the distant sky, Alexander gently relaxed his hand, a loud thump echoing. The shadows of the dimly lit house covering him, his vision warped.

Staring down, he swiftly ignored the corpse at his feet. And with cold eyes, he spontaneously disappeared from view.

Shortly after, a few knocking sounds emerged. To uncover the corpse he left, a shrill scream from a gentle youth. This poor young man was terrorized by the sight in front of him. As a mere servant, he still held knowledge of his master at the very least.

"Elder!!!"

.

.

.

After welcoming the envoy, said envoy was gracefully sent to the main hall of the sect, showered with praises and beauties. The most incredible delicacies were served to him while the strongest powers of the region licked his boots like dogs.

"...oh oh oh! Sect master Har is too polite! This envoy is just doing his duty today! If you have anything troubling you, please be at ease and open your worries to this envoy!"

The Veridian Sect's master acting like a peasant boy discovering the capital, he blushed like a bashful lady.

"Actually... our sect has encountered a problem. It is not really a problem in fact, but more of something like a riddle."

"Oh~?" Focused on the sect master of long green hair, the dark haired envoy subconsciously hinted at a servant to serve him more wine.

"What could have made the Veridian Sect's master so confused?"

"Ahem! Earlier these last few months, a young man of great strength came to our sect in hopes of joining. Obviously, he was not denied. However..."

"However?" Sipping on his newly served wine, the envoy looked curious beyond reason, his eyes filled with bright stars.

"However... this man seems to be interested in your mighty Lured Cloud Sect!"

"So?" Frowning a bit, the envoy felt quite strange. If not for his amicable relationship with this sect master, hearing such words would have made him draw his blade already.

"He first intended to join and wait, but because of one of my elders being pushy, he retracted his intention to help promote our sect! So, I was wondering on what to do now... I would like for him to follow his dreams, but I still need to put the sect first!"

Nodding a few times, the envoy gently deposited his cup on the table.

"I understand. Sect master Har is a man of great virtues and blissful temperament! This envoy won't make things too difficult for you. I will let him join, but not without associating him with your sect!"

A bright smile showing itself, sect master Har cupped his fists in gleeful thankfulness.

"I thank the envoy!"