Wu Long looked at the person who spoke. He was middle-aged with short black hair and a thin mustache. From his temperament, one could tell he was someone astute and experienced.

“You are...?”

“I am Li Zhihao, the Grand Elder of the Aether Sect,” the middle-aged man cupped his hand.

Wu Long returned his greeting.

“Apologies for my ignorance, but I thought the Grand Elder of the Aether Sect is Pan Zixin.” He said curiously.

Huo Honghui and Li Zhihao had a look of sadness in their eyes.

“Grand Elder Pan Zixin passed away eleven years ago in the last invasion. Li Zhihao was chosen to be the next Grand Elder after his death,” said Huo Honghui.

At this moment, Xia Lihua who was silent this entire time finally spoke.

“Can you tell us what happened that year Senior Huo? she asked.

Although she had the highest status here, she was by far the youngest, so it was not weird for her to call everyone here Senior.

Shaking his head, Huo Honghui bitterly said, “There isn’t much to say. That year, people from the Upper World descended. After so many generations we were no longer surprised by their sudden appearance. The Ancestors of the Southern Continent immediately gathered and fought them. We lost, miserably. Many Ancestors died in that battle including the previous Grand Elder and Guardian Zhao Ping. These people were different from previous invasions, they were overwhelmingly powerful. They called themselves the Celestial race. If you thought the Nether race was strong, then you’re wrong. Compared to the Celestial race, they still pale in comparison. Not to mention only fifty Chosen of the Celestial race descended and it was enough to decimate the Southern Continent. In our moment of despair, the Young Master appeared. He was an unfamiliar face, we did not recognize him but you can guess what happened next. The Young Master defeated them and we won.”

Xia Lihua, Wu Long, Zhang Chao, and the rest listened with serious expressions.

“There is something I don’t understand, you mentioned many Ancestors dying at the hands of the Celestial race but during the battle with the Nether race, we saw numerous Ancestors.” Wu Long asked in confusion.

“That was thanks to the Young Master. His talent in Alchemy is beyond our understanding. He concocted pills to help the Southern Continent produce more Holy realm experts and recover our numbers,” replied Huo Honghui calmly.

“What!”

“How is that possible!?”

Shock could be seen on the faces of the Northern Continent Ancestors including Xia Lihua. One must know that the Holy realm was already the limit of the Mortal Haven World. To reach the Holy realm with this World’s limited resources and low quality of Heaven and Earth Essence would require immense talent and fortune. But now, there's a pill that could allow people to break through the Holy realm?

“What exactly are these pills?” Wu Long asked in agitation.

Huo Honghui shook his head, “The Young Master calls them Destruction Coalescence Pill.”

“Destruction Coalescence Pill.”

“Huo Honghui, do you think the Guar- the Young Master can make more of these pills?" Wu Long asked.

“You’ll have to ask the Young Master.”

Xia Lihua became more curious about this new Guardian. No longer wanting to wait to meet this person, she said, “Since the new Guardian only wishes to meet me, Senior Huo, please show the way.”

Huo Honghui nodded and said, “Follow me.”

Xia Lihua passed by Bai Ming and stopped.

“Senior must be Bai Ming, Lihua appreciates everything you’ve done,” she said while bowing.

Bai Ming smiled gently at Xia Lihua

“You need not be polite Guardian Xia. With your potential and talent, you will be the first to ascend to the Upper World in thousands of years. It is only natural to help you.”

Xia Lihua said nothing and simply bowed. She turned and followed Huo Honghui.

Making their way to the tall cliff, Huo Honghui looked at Xia Lihua and hesitantly said, “The Young Master is a little… eccentric and often says things that can be a little hard to hear. That is merely the way he is and the Young Master doesn’t mean anything by it.”

Xia Lihua nodded, “I understand.”

As they get closer to the cliff, Xia Lihua, through her excellent vision could see a figure sitting in the chair facing their direction. The figure remained still and didn’t move.

They landed a short distance in front of the figure allowing them to get a better look at him.

“Young Master, I brought Guardian Xia,” Huo Honghui cupped his hands and slightly bowed. His tone was polite.

Xia Lihua looked at the young man in the chair. He slowly opened his eyes and her heart instantly skipped a beat. His face could be described in one word, perfect. In addition to his sword-like eyebrows and chiseled jaw, she found it hard to believe someone like this even exist. His long, black hair was slicked back with a few strands hanging over his eyes, along with his otherworldly aura, if immortals existed then this person would fit the description.

Xia Lihua focused on his eyes. They were are black as night, and hidden within his pupils was a blinding light that could easily go unnoticed if one didn't pay attention.

The young man didn’t look at her but at Huo Honghui.

Huo Honghui’s heart also skipped a beat but he was different from Xia Lihua. He was nervous.

“I thought I said no more formalities. You should give the title of Sect Master to someone else. Your hearing is going bad, we can’t have a Sect Master like that,” the man said.

cough, cough

“I still have to take care of the other visitors so I’ll leave first Young Master.”

Huo Honghui swiftly flew away.

“Don’t think I didn’t hear you talking about me earlier.”

Huo Honghui almost lost his balance in the sky and flew even faster.

Xia Lihua saw this exchange and couldn’t help but smile. There were not a lot of people who could see the dignified Sect Master of the Aether Sect run away in such a manner.

He stood up from his chair and walked towards her.

As the distance between them shortened, her heart sped up. But she didn't shy away, with her head high and back straight, she exuded unparalleled confidence, not only in strength and appearance but herself.

He stopped just a step away in front of her and she noted his height. She was considered tall herself but this young man was a head taller than she was!

He leaned in, further closing the gap between them, and with a dashing smile he said, “Hi, I am Ji Xian.”