A woman laid inside a crater spanning several meters in size. Her mouth oozed out blood and by her side was a broken sword.

“Father, I do not even know what there is to talk about. Sister is weak and does not hold the power to train Kiro effectively. Have her transfer him to me and I can guarantee that within a few hundred years, our sect will definitely be feared even among the top powerhouse sects!”

Two people were currently hovering in the air. One was a woman whose beauty rivaled that of the women in the crater. The only difference was that she gave off a more sinister aura than her sister who others describe as being cold. The other was an old looking man. His face was like that of a decrepit old man, yet his body bulged with the muscles of someone in their prime. The contrasting body made it seem like someone had sewed an old man’s head onto a young man’s body.

Right now the old man was looking at his younger daughter who was bleeding from the mouth.

He did not attempt to hide his disappointment as he gave a long deep sigh.

“Daughter, your sister is right. You have always been the weaker between the two of you and Kiro’s constitution is too rare to be left in your hands. Although you found him first, his talent will be wasted if he continues to be left in your hands.”

Father I.....”

With only a stare, he completely prevented Pascal from talking. She also knew there wasn’t anything she could say that could change her father’s mind. She lived her entire life in her sister's shadow and everyone, including her father, knew she could never measure up to her sister. She clenched her fist so tightly blood began to flow out.

As Pascal began to give up hope the sound of heavy steps could be heard.

“I’m sorry sect master, but I, Kiro Koga, will not change my master even if I were beaten like a dog and dragged through a forest of needles!”

A handsome youth walked out of the shadows and appeared before everyone. This handsome youth, known as Kiro, had suddenly shown up at his master’s most desperate of time.

The two people still hovering in air were slightly shocked at his presence. Despite being in the Golden world realm, they had not detected his presence until he had spoken.

But the shock was quickly replaced with displeasure upon hearing what He had just said.

“Disciple Kiro, what makes you think you have a right to discuss this matter? We are discussing the future of the sect and that means allocating you to someone who can actually help utilize your talents!” The women hovering in the air gave a cold stare at him.

Kiro was not disturbed and gave a smile.

“Elder Iris, master found me three years ago. Back then I lived the life of a regular young master. I had everything I ever wanted and more, but eventually life became dull and boring. When master had found me and introduced me to the life of cultivation my seemingly boring life became one of excitement and wonder! ”

Tears ran across his cheek but an exaggerated smile crept up on his face.

“Without master, I would not be here today and I would probably still be living a mundane life. To me, I owe master everything and to even think about leaving master….I would rather kill myself!”

Silence

No one knew what to say. Never had they seen a disciple so loyal to their master and without any hesitation, he disregarded another elder!

It was at this point Pascal had tears running down her cheek. Iris could only make a clicking sound from her mouth.

The Sect master thought for a moment before sighing once more.

“Daughter, you have found a worthy disciple, treat him well. Whatever cultivation resources he needs, we will provide it all!”

Without caring anymore, he turned and left. Iris bitterly followed her father.

“Master!” Kiro helped her out of the crater.

“Good Disciple, you have made your master very proud.” Her face was that like a delicate swan, exquisite and elegant. She was a beauty capable of capturing the hearts of countless men.

“Please don’t say anymore master, what I said are my true feelings! As long as master wants me I will never leave you, even until the end of time!”

Although it was very faint, Pascal’s face blushed a light pink and her heart fluttered slightly.

If Kiro wanted right now, even if he were to make a brazen move on his master right now, she would probably not mind.

However, he did nothing of the sort and instead asked a question.

“Master I hope you don’t mind me asking at this time, but I’ve had a burning question in my mind for a long time now.”

“What is it my good disciple?”

“It is about your first disciple, disciple Relic. I’ve talked to many people regarding him. Although we never got along, many fellow disciples have told me they admire him greatly. Even more, they even said that he and master’s relationship was something that could never be broken. Thus, disciple is confused as to why master had originally asked him to sacrifice himself?”

Her face suddenly became serious upon hearing about Relic.

“It is because… he is weak!”

“…….”

“Just that?” He had a look of surprise

She sighed slightly as she began to recount her time with Relic.

“I originally found him after his town was massacred by evil cultivators. At the time, I was still young, and when I saw his crying face, I stupidly accepted him as a disciple. He constantly cried and would be scared if I left his sight for even a moment. He was truly weak……”

For a brief moment her thought trailed off as she remembered the little boy who used to follow her around. He wasn’t remarkable nor was he special. He was just a normal mortal boy. But even so, those memories warmed a portion of her heart. Not even her family would be able to warm her cold heart.

“Master?” Seeing his dazed master, Kiro quickly snapped her out of it.

Pascal suddenly escaped the trance and continued, “However, the weak has no place in this world! As sect master always says, ‘The weak are merely the stepping stone of the strong. Whether it is friends, siblings, or even parents, if they are weak they are merely tools to be used to reach the apex!’”

She continued, “When I was young I was foolish. Only these past few years I realized that the weak can only be used as tools for the strong. When he chose to reject my order he sealed his own fate!”

“Haha, right so! Senior disciple Relic was truly too weak. To think he had the audacity to betray master’s goodwill. If he had self-destructed he would’ve at least been able to repay some of the kindness master had shown him all those years ago. Alas, this world is filled with unappreciative degenerates! ” He proceeded to shake his head in a helpless fashion. “If he had done what he was told then I could probably have won against that freak of a genius from the Azure Branch Sect. Truly, truly a pity!”

She nodded her head in agreement. “I thank the heavens every day for allowing me to find you on that fateful day and allowing me to become your master.”

Her hand reached out to the side of his handsome face.

“You are my greatest pride, and someday when you take the position of sect master, my life will finally have finally have found meaning.” Her eye’s sparkled like the stars on the darkest night.

Kiro smiled and grabbed her hand “Master you should get some rest. I will come find master later after I’m done my cultivation section.”

“En” She nodded.

She flew up towards her immortal cave. Upon entering, an array formation appeared which prevented others from coming in.

At this moment Kiro was snickering to himself. It wasn’t too loud, only he and the person hiding in the bush behind him could hear it.

He walked towards that bush with a deranged smile, seemingly trying to hold in a laughter which was ready to burst out.

“Senior Relic, how much longer are you going to continue to hide like a rat?!”

The bush shook slightly as a man wearing a mask came walking out.

This masked man was obviously Relic who had hid upon seeing the confrontation

“Damn you!” lifting his fist in the air, Rrelic rushed towards Kiro, aiming to strike his face.

Yet, with just a single step from Kiro, he completely missed and fell face first into the dirt.

Not willing to give up, he got up and charged for Kiro once more. However, every time he would be met with nothing but empty air. His efforts as a mortal were a fruitless one.

Seeing the struggle on Relic’s face, Kiro could not help but chuckle to himself. The struggle of his senior brother brought him great pleasure.

Kiro did not particularly dislike his senior brother. In fact he had quite a good impression of him. Those who knew his real personality would always choose to run away upon seeing him. Those scared of him would mock him behind his back. Those were the actions of the boring and mediocre. However, Relic never did any of that. His only obsession was his master and nothing outside of that bothered him.

Which was why, Kiro took such delight to see his senior brother losing everything. He could feel it, taste it. The anguish Relic felt!

Although the mask hid his facial features, Kiro could feel the despair Relic was feeling.

“Senior Relic, why are you attacking this junior? Did I do something wrong.” Kiro asked sarcastically.

“Why do you treat master in such a way! You meant nothing you said to master!”

What disturbed Relic was not what Kiro said, but that nothing he said was honest. Relic’s relationship with his master was one in the same as a parent and their child. He loved his master as much a child can for their parent and only wished the best for her.

But knowing Kiro, he knew what he said was nothing but lies. His master would end up heart broken in the end and the thought of such a thing happening made Relic lose all rationale.

He continued to attack, not resting even though his body was hurting all over.

Chuckling, Kiro said, “I’m not sure what senior is talking about. I definitely meant every word I said to master. She came into my life when I was trapped in the world of the mundane and brought me to an exciting life. I really am thankful. ”

“I do not know why master has changed so much over the years but right now she relies on you! Why do you tease her with words you don’t mean!” tear droplets began to fall from the mask.

“tsk, tsk…. Despite having been with her so long, I’m surprised you still don’t understand.”

“About what?!”

“Didn’t you see how her sister and master were treating her? Don’t you think it is weird how master never talks or even communicates with her family?”

Relic stared blankly at Kiro. As if a thought suddenly struck his mind, Relic came to a realization.

“Do you mean….”

“Exactly, she has an inferiority complex towards her sister. I imagine her father dotes highly on the elder sister and constantly berates the younger one for not being good enough. In my opinion, it would be weird if she hadn’t become the way she is.”

“If you know then why do you…”

“Because it is interesting! I did not lie when I said I lived the life of the mundane. Even the world of cultivation is nothing but meditation and betrayal. To me, the futility of the human endeavor is much more interesting!”

Relic only stood silently, unmoving.

“Still, I would say her abrupt change in her personality cam about by her family. She was probably in a situation where abandoning you was the best option and her already low self-image also boosted her decision.” He then gestured for them to look at the cave and pointed “She is already in my grasp, if I wanted to, I could probably take her right now! ” He laughed manically but still glaring at Relic’s expression.

Kiro continued, “In fact, I think you should be thanking me. If not for my magical treasure, they would have immediately sensed you and killed you on the spot. You also would not have known why master asked you to self-destruct, which I assume probably, bothered you immensely.” He sighed, “Even I’m amazed at how nice I am. Though, I did get a good laugh out of it so I guess it equates out.”

Kiro showed no signs of stopping his talking. However, it was then Relic who turned away and began to walk away.

“Hey…where are you going?”

“Kiro, you won’t hurt master, right?” Relic stopped without turning to talk..

“I don’t know I do what I like. Perhaps I will cop out a feel for master this afternoon just for the fun of it.” He licked his lips and stared at Relic menacingly.

Relic did not bat an eye and only sighed. “She relies on you, please don’t let her down…..”

Without another word, Relic headed towards the exit.

Kiro was surprised by Relic’s reaction. He thought he would collapse from despair, or rush towards his master’s immortal cave to beg for forgiveness. What a show that would have been!

“Tsk, how boring, seems like their bond isn’t as great as I thought.” Kiro muttered to himself

Perhaps if Relic had come here before visiting Kubo’s place, things would have exactly developed that way. Yet, despite now knowing the truth, he felt resolve.

“As long as master does not hate me, then that is good enough.” He murmured to himself.

Relic believed there must have been something that made his master this way. There was absolutely no way his master, who had taken him in when he was younger, would suddenly turn so merciless to her own disciple!

He walked undisturbed by anyone and soon reached the gate of the sect. There he saw both Kiba and Wen with surprised looks on their faces.

“Brother Relic!” They both exclaimed.

“Wen, Kiba, thank you for allowing me in.” He gave a bow.

“No need, did you find out the answer to your question?” Wen quickly asked

“Yes, and I will be leaving to travel. This will be my last time here for a long time.”

Kiba and Wen both had sad looks on their faces but they knew that it was for the best. They didn’t know what answer Relic received but they did not want to pry.

They said their good byes and Relic headed out.

It wasn’t until the sect became barely visible did Relic look back with a look of determination. “I will return master, and when I do, I will be strong enough for you to hold your head high!” This was the solemn oath Relic made in his heart. Despite having a broken cultivation, he would never give up this dream.

He would continue to walk for a continuous period of 10 days before reaching a familiar residence which housed an unruly little girl and a genius wandering doctor.