"A person's skill is the more important factor if cultivators have equal realms. But it can also be important, even if your enemy has a higher realm. This can be the comprehension of the sword, or alchemy skill or simply practice and expertise with a single element. Just as important, is your state of mind, and the strength of your soul. If you believe your enemy is too strong and cannot be defeated, then your belief makes it so and you will never win." Pef spoke before the gathered disciples of the Inner Court, all of them of a higher cultivation than Pef himself, yet all extremely frightened of the young Holy Son.

Pef sighed inward, already guessing that teaching the Inner disciples would be a different problem than the obedient Outer ones.

"For today, we will practice elemental control. I want you all to copy my moves, but as close as possible try to make it same size and speed. Your grades will be calculated on the basis of your ability to listen, not personal power." Pef explained as he summoned a large sword of ice, and slowly began demonstrating the first nine moves of the sword, slowly changing angles so the disciples could see the moves from different viewpoints.

As he expected, almost none of them could follow his instructions to the letter. A single woman did, keeping her sword steady until the third move where it dissolved from qi exhaustion. She also had a lower Spirit Realm cultivation, much like his own mother did when he was born.

Others tried to show off and move fast like an expert, or make the sword bigger, or any other kind of 'improvement'.

"The lady here, you passed. All others, failed! Now go run a hundred laps around the courtyard." Pef demanded with a sad smile.

He smiled a bit wider as the woman forced herself up and started running. After hesitating for a moment, the other disciples followed her lead, and began running the laps. About 200 kilometers should get them into shape.

Pef then turned towards a nearby Inner Court Elder, and waved her closer. "You have quite a good disciple here." he spoke softly while nodding towards the single graduate of today's test.

That Elder was also a woman, quite the rarity in the Icefire Sect. "Yes, Holy Son. Disciple Zhong Di may be among the weakest in cultivation, but she is determined. As if she has an inner fire pushing her forward."

Pef measured the Elder with a frown. For an Elder of the Inner Court, her cultivation was still only in late Sky Realm, barely above the strongest Inner Disciples. However, to become an Elder she must have other talents or qualities, but not enough to get recruited into the ranks of Core disciples.

"As you do, my lady. It must have been hard, for a woman climbing to an exalted Elder position in such a patriarchal sect. Well, until I arrived." he allowed in a kinder tone, while mentally planning his next move.

'Icefire, are you thinking what I'm thinking?' Pef asked inward with hidden glee.

'Still tiny' an invisible feeling answered in his soul.

'Tiny yes, but fierce.' Pef mused inside, while staring at the Elder with almost hungry eyes.

"Is there anything else, Holy Son?" the Elder asked a bit confused. Her eyes were not showing fear, but more like curiosity and apprehension.

"Uhm. Show me what I've just taught." Pef ordered with a tiny smile on his angelic face.

The Sky Elder nodded then formed her own ice sword, then flowed gently through the nine sword moves without missing a beat.

'See now, little Icefire? She learned it all, perfectly.' Pef exclaimed inward, happy to have found a decent student.

'Agreement' the Icefire replied, sounding a bit interested as well.

Seated nearby, the Sky Herald opened his eyes to observe the scene, since the Holy Son never did things without ulterior motives.

"Come to my courtyard tonight, and bring the girl as well. You passed the test, so you will both receive a reward." Pef offered in a careless voice, then held a hand out.

The Sky Herald instantly jumped to his feet to lift the boy on his shoulder. "Alchemy Hall?" the man asked to be sure.

"Yes, fly guy." Pef answered absently as they lifted off and flew towards the Hall, while the Inner Disciples still ran the laps.

The Elder stared after the departing Holy Son with a frown of her own. If Pef wasn't a little boy, she'd be concerned about getting invited into his bed, but this couldn't be the case.

Plus, the boy had just acknowledged how hard it had been for her to reach Elder status in a man's world.

As for the Sky Herald, he seemed miraculously healed now and even cultivating again, although the man had stalled for two thousands years in the second Star of Sky Realm after he got injured.

Perhaps the young Holy Son could truly create miracles, even for herself.

---------------

"Oh, this Serpent General is at Tyrant Realm. Do you feel confident, little sister?" the glove asked with her melodious voice, while glancing dispassionately at the giant serpent beast leading the Serpent Army towards the city they had just claimed, a large metropolis of 10 million people, formerly governed by a theocratic regime.

Lara turned towards the city behind her, walls filled with low level guardsmen trembling at the sight of the invading army.

"I'm not confident at all. Yet, I must fight anyway. These Serpents will massacre everyone in the Plum Field City if I don't." she answered in a grave tone.

Beside her, a large floating sword, turned gently as if staring at the city as well.

'The stakes are getting larger now. And some of the invaders will reach the walls.' the Ruler concluded with tactical precision.

'I can reveal my City Shield spell if it comes to that. But I expect it won't. Just watch!' the glove answered confidently.

And just as the glove said, little Lara sped forwards while spreading a thousand sword strikes gleaming with sword qi, decimating the approaching army and forcing the Serpent General forward to protect the troops. And then Lara pounced on the beast, breaking the beast's Domain and defenses with her blue-glowing Skill, and then just crushing it with the follow-up strike.

As she began chasing the lower level Serpent troops, her own cultivation climbed as well, and entered Tyrant Realm as well, thus proving the blue-haired girl her own Dao Domain and increased area of effect damage.

Devoid by their leader and demoralized by the high loses, the Serpent army began to panic and flee, scattering in a hundreds directions. The few unlucky ones that fled towards the city were caught by Lara and dispatched with ease, not ever reaching the city walls.

'It was only a low level snake.' the Hear Dividing Ruler concluded as the battle came to an end.

'True, but the beast was stronger than our Soldier, and also had an army. It was an even fight for the Legion.' the glove allowed in a grand voice.

"Elder Sister! Can you help me fix the city now? I want taller and stronger walls and turret towers, and then stronger guards..." Lara explained as she sat down beside the winged woman.

"..." the glove blinked almost confused. "I can do that, but it won't work like you expect to. People need to build things themselves to learn their value. Are you ready to rule a city, little sister?" the glove wondered out loud.

"I am certainly not ready. But I have to do it anyway." Lara said with a determined tone, while looking over the white plum flowers city with protective eyes.

'That's my girl! Now we get to train your heart.' the glove answered inwardly, only heard by the flying Ruler.

The big sword was sad, but it had to be done. A heart had to grow before it could divide.