“There’s no need to be so formal, Mr. Contreras. Your men had no choice but to leave,” Jared said quickly, trying to ease the tension still lingering in the air.
“Don’t bother pleading for them,” Neville said, his tone calm but firm. “The moment they abandoned you, they broke the rules of the Nethergate Sect. As for that Golden Pass you hold, whether you earned it or it was given, it doesn’t matter. A promise from the Nethergate Sect is ironclad. Even if our entire sect falls, we won’t break it.”
Hearing Neville, Jared finally understood just how significant the so-called “meeting gift” from the Vermilion Demon Lord really was.
He had thought it might be a trinket, especially after Rowena fled, but now he realized, for the Demon Lord to obtain a Golden Pass from the Nethergate Sect was no simple feat.
“Mr. Contreras… What kind of organization is Earth Fiend Sect? They sent four Top Level Human Immortal Realm Level Nine, and even a Heavenly Immortal Realm elder. How could one group muster that kind of strength in a single night?” Jared asked, disbelief shading his words.
Jared realized that an alliance this strong could shake an entire region, let alone pose a threat to just one wandering cultivator.
Neville waved a hand dismissively. “Just a bunch of minor level-nine sects banded together. What you faced tonight was every elite they have. Nothing worth losing sleep over.”
With that, Neville led Jared to the Nethergate Sect.
***
Inside the main hall of Earth Fiend Sect, three elders sat rigidly along the sides, flanking the lacquered aisle.
At the head of the hall, on a throne-like seat, sat a young woman in white robes. Her black hair flowed over her shoulders, framing pale, flawless skin and crimson lips that gave her an alluring, dangerous beauty.
Though she appeared no older than twenty, the elders’ eyes were filled with deep respect.
“It is truly an honor that the Soul Devourer has chosen our Earth Fiend Sect, Ms. Vale,” one elder said, his voice quivering with pride. “By the time he fully recovers, our sect at level nine will become the top organization.”
“Yes, the Soul Devourer ordered us to capture the man called Jared. Grand Elder Elmer should be returning with him any moment now,” another elder added, rubbing his palms together.
“I still can’t understand why the Soul Devourer fixates on that Jared,” the third elder muttered.
The other two elders murmured their agreement.
Sylvia said nothing, her deep eyes fixed on the window.
Was the Soul Devourer choosing the Earth Fiend Sect a blessing or a hidden curse?
“Ms. Vale, Grand Elder Elmer and his silhouettes have returned…” an Earth Fiend Sect disciple called as he hurried in.
“Let them in,” Sylvia said, her voice calm but commanding.
Moments later, Elmer entered the main hall, together with the four silhouettes.
Gasps spread through the room when they entered.
Elmer was no longer flesh and blood. His form had become a translucent soul-body. One of the silhouettes revealed a severed stump where his arm had been.
“Grand Elder Elmer… What happened? Could Jared really be that powerful?” an elder asked, voice trembling.
Elmer shook his head. “No. That’s not it…”
“What happened to you? How did you end up like this?”
“And your physical body. Where is it? Who destroyed it?”
The other two elders stared in shock.
A cultivator of Heavenly Immortal Realm losing his physical body was no small matter. Even in Level Nine, cultivators who reached the Heavenly Immortal Realm were extremely rare. Most sects did not even have one.
Only a few ancient sects could claim to have cultivators at that level.
“Enough. All of you, be quiet.” Sylvia snapped, her voice cold.
The three elders immediately fell silent.
“Grand Elder Elmer, tell us exactly what happened,” she said, face darkening.
Elmer gave a small nod and began recounting everything in detail, every moment of the encounter.
Everyone’s brows tightened at once.
“What’s going on with the Nethergate Sect? Why would they protect Jared…” one elder started to question, confusion written all over his face.
But the moment he noticed Sylvia looking his way, he instantly shut his mouth and dared not say another word.
