Legend of the Divine God

More than three months had passed since the war between the Nine Ice Family and the Azure Wood Family had erupted. Yet every clan and faction remained wholly absorbed in gathering every scrap of information about the ongoing conflict. And as time went on, each new report left them more and more astonished.

They were stunned to learn that the Azure Wood Family's overall strength could already be compared to that of a Noble Clan. What shocked them even further was the revelation that the Azure Wood Family now possessed more—and higher-grade—armaments than even the most powerful noble houses.

On top of this, six mysterious Adventurers and Rogue Adventurers had appeared to aid them. Because of this, all sorts of speculation and conjecture began to swirl among the renowned figures of the realm.

Some believed that a formidable Adventurer was secretly backing the Azure Wood Family from the shadows. Others were convinced that the Azure Wood Family had been preparing for this war for years in secret.

Each person had their own theories and rumors, yet not a single one could be confirmed. The sudden, meteoric rise in the Azure Wood Family's strength remained an unsolved mystery.

Meanwhile…

In the territory of the Cloud Soaring Sect, Noah sat quietly in his chair, the room bathed in an almost oppressive calm. A grave expression crept across his face as a series of firm knocks echoed from the door.

"Enter," Noah said softly.

The door opened with a slow creak, revealing a woman clad in a violet robe. Her appearance was, by most measures, unremarkable, and she was clearly older than Alicia of the Alchemist Association. Even so, her aura radiated the power of a 7th Level Profound Rank cultivator.

Had Finn been here, he would have immediately recognized her—she was one of the elders present during the selection for the Seven Great Faction Games.

This was the same elder who had restrained Roy Lilytel when he'd lost control and tried to charge at Finn, despite the obvious outcome of defeat.

Her duty was to enforce discipline, to mete out punishment to any member of the Cloud Soaring Sect who dared violate its rules. Other than Noah himself, Marcus, and the Grand Elder, no one else had the authority to punish offenders—for she was the Disciplinary Hall Elder of the sect.

"Sect Master Noah, you summoned me," she said, dipping into a respectful bow.

Noah didn't answer right away. He simply watched her in silence, his eyes unreadable. At last, his calm voice broke the stillness.

"Six core members have violated our sect's rules. Why have you still not taken action to detain and discipline them?"

His eyes betrayed not the slightest flicker of emotion, his face as blank as smooth stone.

The Disciplinary Hall Elder stiffened, startled by the question. She straightened up and met Noah's gaze, confusion gathering in her eyes.

"Sect Master, the members of the Disciplinary Hall have been monitoring all core members around the clock. No one has evaded our watch. Forgive me, but I don't know whom you refer to," she replied cautiously.

"The six members of the Soaring Seven," Noah said evenly. "Do you believe their actions are justified?"

The Disciplinary Hall Elder froze again. Now she understood precisely whom he meant—and her confusion deepened.

"I thought they were acting with your tacit permission," she whispered, searching his face. Then, her voice grew more solemn as she asked, "Forgive my boldness, Sect Master Noah, but…why have we yet to fulfill the promise we made to Finn Doria? We swore to protect his clan from anyone that would dare to destroy them. And yet, even now, we have taken no official action to help them."

Her words fell into the room like stones dropped into deep water. A long silence followed as she realized, too late, that she shouldn't have raised such a sensitive question—especially when she herself knew only fragments of the truth.

She sighed quietly and inclined her head.

"Because it is the Sect Master's command to discipline those who violate our sect's laws," she said at last, her voice low but steady. "I will carry out my duty as head of the Disciplinary Hall. Ashe Vermillion's group acted without authorization from the Cloud Soaring Sect's higher-ups. I will see to it they are returned here and given appropriate punishment."

Though she spoke firmly, her heart rebelled at the order. She knew well that punishing Ashe's group was not just. They were the only ones truly upholding the promise the sect had made to Finn. She did not wish to interfere with their mission.

Yet this command had come from the highest authority in the sect. She had no choice but to obey.

Noah did not answer her further, nor did he attempt to stop her as she turned and quietly left the chamber.

Outside, she passed an old man in violet robes. She bowed deeply in greeting, and he nodded back before continuing into Noah's room.

With a flick of his hand, the old man closed the door behind him and approached Noah without preamble.

"Elder Marcus," Noah greeted gravely. He drew a long, quiet breath before continuing, "Have you learned anything about Brien Latter's true origins?"

Marcus slowly shook his head and sighed. "Nothing yet, Sect Master Noah. I still haven't obtained any meaningful information about that young man. Even the Adventurers' Guild refuses to speak of his identity. I offered them a substantial price for their cooperation, but they continued to reject any request to release information."

Noah fell silent again, his gaze clouded with thought. At last, he murmured, "Even the Adventurers' Guild refuses to speak? Then it is likely true—there must be something unusual in that young man's background."

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes distant.

"Cease your investigation for now. If they suspect we're digging, they'll only become more guarded. We don't know yet what their ambitions are, so it's wiser to move carefully," he instructed.

Marcus nodded solemnly, accepting the order. Yet he did not leave right away. He fixed Noah with a steady, searching look and spoke quietly.

"Sect Master Noah, are you certain we will not extend any official aid to the Azure Wood Family? If you only grant me permission, I will go there myself to announce that we stand in defense of Finn's clan…"

Noah met Marcus's eyes and slowly shook his head.

"We cannot intervene in this matter. We are in no position to challenge the combined forces of the Nine Ice Family, the Ice Feather Sect, and the Crown Prince himself. If we reveal our support, everything will spiral into chaos, and countless innocents will be caught in the crossfire. I am certain that in his greed and cruelty, the Crown Prince would personally see the Azure Wood Family destroyed."

"…And beyond all that—I will not gamble with Diana's life."

Marcus fell silent. Though his heart yearned to act, he could not deny the truth in Noah's words. This was not merely a struggle between rival clans. The entanglement of powers was too vast, too treacherous.

He exhaled heavily and spoke in a low voice, "I understand, Sect Master. I heard that Ashe Vermillion, Lore Lilytel, and Ezekias Sieve all petitioned their clans for help. Each of them was denied—no doubt, also because of the Crown Prince's influence."

"…And there is something else. The Royal Clan still does not know the true level and rank of Ashe Vermillion. If they learn the truth, they will all be astonished."

Noah fell silent, sinking into deep contemplation. A quiet sigh escaped him, and in his eyes flickered a tangled, unspoken sorrow.

--

The sun had already risen, flooding the world in pale, brilliant light.

At the summit of a tall mountain, a young man stood upon a floating sword, his expression intent as he studied the scrap of paper in his hand.

Slowly, he lowered the map and scanned the landscape below with watchful eyes.

"If this map is accurate…then I'm finally standing in the place that old man fled to," Finn murmured.

There were clear markers drawn on the parchment, making it easy for him to track the route to the spot marked with a crude X.

After a few moments of observation, he descended to the mountain's rocky slope. The instant his feet touched the ground, he saw a small cave ahead of him.

At first glance, it appeared utterly ordinary. But Finn could feel something different—a presence hidden within, something that made his instincts prickle.

He stored both the map and his Silver Flying Sword inside his interspatial ring. Then he closed his eyes, extending his senses carefully across the area.

When he felt the faint trace of a life force in the cave's depths, he smiled.

"At last…I've found you, Old Man Xuan," Finn whispered to himself.

After considering for a moment, he set off with steady steps into the cave.

He moved slowly, every sense alert. The further he went, the more convinced he became that something lay buried here—something that exuded a sinister, chilling power.

Perhaps there really was a hidden treasure here. But he didn't care. He hadn't come for riches. He had come to find Xuan. Anything else was irrelevant.

Even so, he knew he couldn't ignore the danger. No matter that he was now a 9th Level Profound Rank adventurer—there were still threats that could end him in an instant if he grew careless.

Deeper inside, the cave was unremarkable—just another tunnel of rock and shadows. Apart from the oppressive energy he sensed far ahead, there was nothing that distinguished it from countless other caves he'd explored.

Darkness pressed in on all sides. He raised his hand, summoning the Blue-green Alchemy Flame to illuminate his path.

Minutes later, the source of the life force gradually began to take shape.

--

In a pitch-dark chamber, a thick chain was wound tight around an old man's body. Only his neck and face remained free, the rest of him pinned against the stone wall by the weight of iron.

Exhaustion and hopelessness were carved into his features. He had been trapped there, unmoving, for countless hours. The chain that bound him was no simple trap—it had been forged by a formation master.

After a time, a glimmer of light appeared from deeper in the darkness. The old man's dull eyes widened, sudden relief breaking across his face.

"Someone… Someone has come!"

He squinted toward the glow, straining to see the figure approaching.

"Help! There's someone here—please! Whoever you are, help me!" Xuan's voice cracked with desperation.

The figure with the torchlight did not answer. He simply continued forward, step by unhurried step.

Xuan still could not make out his features—only the silhouette of a man.

He drew a ragged breath to call out again, but then he froze as the stranger finally spoke.

"How are you, Old Man Xuan? It's been…what, over a year since we last met?" the voice drawled, deceptively light.

The flame in the stranger's hand lifted, illuminating his face in full.

He was smiling wide—so wide it seemed almost cheerful—but no warmth touched the dark gleam in his eyes.

Recognition struck Xuan like a lightning bolt. His relief turned instantly to terror.

His eyes went round, his mouth opening in a strangled gasp.

"Finn… Doria?!"