A maid knelt nearby and spoke in a whisper. “My lady, Mr. Saleto reports that Jared has left level three. His strength proved unfathomable, even killed men from Malevolent Path Hail.”
The woman turned, rolling an emerald pendant between elegant fingers. “A Wandering immortal Realm Level Five defeating Mr. Saleto? Jared is becoming a most intriguing variable.”
“Mr. Saleto adds that followed your command, only a light probe, no final break,” the maid continued. “Well done,” the woman answered, allowing the ghost of a smile to touch lips.
She inclined head, the pale glow of the throne chamber glinting off the silver filigree of coronet. “The Celestial Palace has decayed for far too long. Those moss-clad conservatives clutch the old codes like tombstones. if we can recruit a man of his caliber, the reformers might finally carve open a road to renewal.”
She allowed the words to settle, then turned to maid. “Isabel, travel to level four. If Malevolent Path Hall presses Jared too hard, intervene quietly, but do not wound their pride. The Celestial Palace, and the entire celestial race, already carries more enemies than friends. Until our power is absolute, strutting about as though we stand above the clouds will only earn us bruises.”
Isabel Yeats dipped a knee, dark hair brushing marble. “As you wish, my lady…”
“When you find Jared, tell the slate is wiped clean. The Celestial Palace would rather bury the hatchet, and my Fourth Hall will lend its full weight if should ever call upon it.”
Isabel hesitated, lashes trembling. “And Mr. Enaricus, my lady?”
“Ignore him.” Her voice chilled to winter steel. “If insists on courting death, I will not stop him, but I will not allow to drag the whole Celestial Palace into the grave alongside him.”
At that very moment, deep within the gold-lit halls of the Third Hail, an entirely different storm was gathering.
Enaricus, wrapped in a robe threaded with molten gold, slammed his palm against a jade table the instant the report ended.
“Worthless! A mere Wandering immortal Realm Level Five eludes you? Tell that Seventh Hall pup to hand in his badge!”
The courier, knees knocking, whispered, “My lord, the Seventh Hall serves the mistress of Fourth Hall. He was ordered only to test Jared, so may have held back. Jared has already left level three. What are your commands?”
Enaricus drew a razor breath, cruelty glittering in his eyes. “Jared? A leaping clown who dares to toy with the Celestial Palace! Carry my decree!”
“Drystan on level six is to hunt at once. Spare nothing, bring me Jared’s head. If Jared steps off level six alive, Drystan can abdicate on the spot!”
“At once!” The courier bowed so low his forehead kissed the marble before scurrying into the shadows.
Alone again, Enaricus let a thin smile curl across his lips. “So, Selena, you would court the upstart’s favor? Childish. Variables like are better bled than bargained with. We celestials were born above human cultivators. If you choose to cheapen yourself, do not blame me for the violence that follows.”
Thus, the Third and Fourth Hail Masters stood at sword-tips, each embodying a different future for the Celestial Palace. Yet with the Celestial King Decree resting inside the latter’s sleeve, even Enaricus dared not strike outright.
***
Outside sprawling Swordmaster City on level five, a fortress of stone and steel, three travelers approached beneath drifting banners of sword energy, Jared, Flaxseed, and Kishor.
“What a magnificent place!” Flaxseed gasped, tilting his head toward ramparts that soared a hundred yards high.
Across the walls, endless runic blades were chiseled into granite, each carving crackling with caged lightning.
Kishor nodded. “Swordmaster City is level five’s holy land of sword cultivation. Every resident lives and dies by the blade. inside, masters abound, even seventh-tier Earthly immortal Realm cultivators are common.”
Jared brushed a hand over the cool stone, feeling the sword energy surge Skyward. Interest flickered behind his calm gaze. “A whole city of swordsmen? Now that could be fun.”
