Harleen and Ivy hadn’t spent much time with Aubree, but they already considered her family. They owed their current success to Aubree’s help.
“Ivy!” Aubree smiled. “Don’t say things out of spite. This is a rare opportunity for you!”
“I’m serious, if…” Ivy began.
“Haha, don’t worry!” Tyler Bailey laughed heartily from the side. “Although the Institute has rules against students bringing family members, your case is special. I will make an exception and allow Aubree to accompany you to the Institute.”
“Really?” Harleen and Ivy’s faces lit up with joy.
“Of course!” Tyler Bailey smiled again.
“Thank you, Vice-President!” The two bowed in gratitude.
“Thank you, Vice-President!” Aubree also bowed. For her, staying close to Harleen and Ivy was the best outcome. She had no other motive but to ensure their safety. She wasn’t comfortable leaving them in an unfamiliar environment until they were fully grown.
“Haha, no need for thanks!” Tyler Bailey laughed once more. “Let’s go to the Institute!”
After saying this, he greeted Matthew Lawrence and took the three of them away.
Watching their departing figures, Matthew Lawrence murmured thoughtfully, “Time waits for no one. I hope you two grow quickly; the Institute can’t wait much longer.”
South of the Sky City, inside the Quicksand Sect compound, in a grand hall, a group of elders were chattering, their faces grim.
Soon, a man in his fifties with thick eyebrows and big eyes, broad shoulders, and a sturdy build walked in. He was Lane Chapman, Vice Master of Quicksand Sect and brother to the Grand Master Victor Chapman. He was also the father of the lady of the Chapman family whom Billy and his group encountered in the suburbs. His aura clearly marked him as an Otherworldly Realm expert.
During this period, Grand Master Victor Chapman had been in seclusion, leaving Lane Chapman to handle all sect affairs.
“Greetings, Vice Master!” The elders bowed simultaneously upon seeing him.
“Grand Elder, why did you call me back in such a hurry? What’s happened?” Lane Chapman asked an old man in a blue robe.
He had been out on business for the past few days and had rushed back upon receiving the Grand Elder’s message.
“Vice Master, Elder Cooper has been killed!” Grand Elder Izayah Chapman responded gravely.
“What happened?” Lane Chapman frowned slightly.
“He was killed by the manager of Akabuchi Chamber of Commerce!” Izayah Chapman continued.
“What?” Lane Chapman exuded a chilling aura. “What exactly happened?”
“It all started with Miss Chapman,” Izayah Chapman sighed and explained what he knew. He was helpless because the lady of the Chapman family had asked Cooper Chapman to deal with Billy without informing him. Cooper Chapman hadn’t mentioned it either; he had only just found out.
“Outrageous!” Lane Chapman roared after hearing Izayah Chapman’s account. A terrifying pressure filled the hall, causing most people to shiver involuntarily. The oppressive aura of an Otherworldly Realm expert was not something ordinary Holy Realm individuals could withstand.
In his fury, Lane Chapman waved his hand, instantly reducing a row of chairs to dust.
“Vice Master, please calm down!” The elders shivered again and bowed.
“Where is that boy now?” Lane Chapman asked Izayah Chapman sternly.
“At Ethereal Sect,” Izayah Chapman replied.
“Ethereal Sect?” Lane Chapman frowned deeply.
“Yes,” Izayah Chapman nodded.
“Are you sure that boy is Billy from Skydragon City of Forbidden Ruins Space?” Lane Chapman asked again.
“Yes,” Izayah Chapman confirmed with another nod.
Lane Chapman exhaled heavily, his face darkening.
“Vice Master, that boy killed many of our Quicksand Sect members. If we don’t avenge this, everyone will laugh at us!” said a gray-robed elderly man.
“Indeed!” another elder chimed in. “Everyone in Sky City knows about this now!”
“If we do nothing, our sect members will find it hard to hold their heads high outside!”
“But that boy is hiding in Ethereal Sect. Are we really going to break ties with them?” an old woman responded.
“Break ties if we must! Who’s afraid?” the gray-robed elder insisted. “We’ve been oppressed by them for years, and we haven’t settled the matter of our young master yet. This is a good opportunity to resolve everything!”
The elders were indignant.
“Grand Elder, what do you think?” Lane Chapman asked Izayah Chapman after taking a deep breath.
“Vice Master, we must avenge this!” Izayah Chapman replied. “However, Ethereal Sect’s strength cannot be underestimated. I heard that Jorge Craft’s power increased significantly after he emerged from seclusion a few days ago. He also purged Abel Craft’s faction completely. Ethereal Sect is now entirely under his control. Confronting them head-on is not wise.”
“What do you suggest then?” Lane Chapman asked.
Izayah Chapman’s assessment was accurate. Ethereal Sect’s Elder Pavilion alone was formidable, not to mention Jorge Craft himself. A full-scale conflict would be disastrous.
“I suggest we wait until the Sect Master emerges from seclusion before making any decisions,” Izayah Chapman advised. “I have a feeling he might succeed this time.”
“Very well,” Lane Chapman nodded slightly.
“Vice Master, how long until the Sect Master comes out?” asked the gray-robed elder from earlier.
“I’m not sure,” Lane Chapman shook his head. “It could be one or two days or even a couple of months…”
Before he could finish speaking, an overwhelming pressure enveloped the entire sect compound. Even someone as strong as Lane Chapman shivered involuntarily, a look of surprise flashing across his face. The others, including Izayah Chapman, felt suffocated under the intense pressure, which unmistakably belonged to a late-stage Otherworldly Realm expert.
“Vice Master, what’s happening? Is it someone from Ethereal Sect?” Izayah Chapman asked after taking a deep breath.
“I don’t know; let’s go see!” Lane Chapman said before quickly heading to the entrance, followed closely by the others.
Outside, the pressure was even more intense. Many disciples were already sitting on the ground, pale-faced and terrified.
“Who’s there?” Lane Chapman shouted towards the sky after taking a deep breath.