In the Soul Cross Sect...

Sylvia had just returned from the Moonveil Clan. After witnessing the Skye family being attacked by two strange Reapers, she had stayed behind for a while longer to protect them.

Thankfully, no other attack was carried out against the small family or any other person in the clan.

At first, she considered reporting this to her soon-to-be parents-in-law, she decided not to as it could cause them to panic unnecessarily.

Hence, she only reported the attempted attack to the Patriarch who subtly increased the security around the Skye family.

After all, just like Seraph, Jayde Skye was an absolute genius. The young boy was someone whom the clan cherished so much, as he would naturally grow to become a powerful cultivator in the future.

Sighing in her heart, Sylvia pondered about the strangeness of the Reapers that had attacked the Skye family.

’That guy especially... seems too familiar.’

She tried to link him to the people around her, but it was of no use. She couldn’t match him with anyone.

’Maybe I’m just overthinking it.’

Massaging her forehead, she pushed open the door to her house and stepped inside.

This was the house she had gotten after becoming a Core Disciple of the sect, so she was used to it after some months.

Taking off her robes, she stepped into the bathroom and lowered herself into the bathtub where a warm water had been prepared in advance.

"Ah..."

A soft sigh escaped her lips, and she felt her body relax. It was truly a pleasant feeling, having the warm water caress her skin.

Her curvy figure was deep in the water, but couldn’t be hidden completely from sight.

As she rested deeply in the water, the image of a person came to her mind. Instantly, her body was flooded with a strange heat, and she felt her cheeks growing hot.

’Seraph... where are you now? I... miss you.’

It had been a while since she had seen the man she loved, and his absence was driving her insane. This was the reason why she had personally traveled to the Moonveil Clan to see his family.

Unfortunately, the visit didn’t really help in relieving her longing. Instead, it only made her want him more.

’Haa... are the others going crazy like this? If they are, it’ll be a fierce battle for his attention once he returns.’

She didn’t know when, but somehow, that clueless disciple that her sister had asked her to show around, had now become an important person in her life.

The memory made her smile, remembering the boy who’s height barely reached her torso back then.

’Tsk. That boy is a real charmer, eh? Even those twins are now head over heels for him. Their grandmother must be having a hard time restraining them, right?’

......

Just as Sylvia had thought, the two young women Sera and Dera had developed a daily routine of stormiest into their grandmother’s mansions to ask for a particular thing.

Today, hearing the doors swing open with force, Elder Mei sighed in her heart.

’These brats. Haven’t I told them no repeatedly? Why are they here again?’

She was currently meditating and levitating midair with her eyes closed. Sensing her granddaughters approaching, she opened her eyes and smiled.

"Dera, Sera. You two are here again. Are you that fond of me?"

Seeing her sweet, gentle smile, Dera immediately rushed up to the woman and hugged her.

"Of course, I do!"

Elder Mei touched the ground with her feet and properly embraced the girl. Then, she glanced at Sera who had a sulking expression on her face.

"Come here, Sera. Or you don’t want to greet grandma?"

The girl’s eyes fluttered, and she hesitantly stepped forward. Smiling wider, Elder Mei pulled her close and hugged her too.

After a few minutes, she released them and asked, pretending to be oblivious.

"What have you come to see me for?"

Dera’s expression instantly became serious, and she looked at her with pleading eyes.

"Granny... can we get in contact with the Sect Master, pretty please?"

Immediately, Sera followed, her voice cold, but softer.

"Yes. He’s the one who got him to wherever he is now anyway. He should understand why we need to see him."i

Elder Mei sighed and answered them. "I already told you, contacting the Sect Master was forbidden except it’s something really important."

Dera rolled her eyes, "Of course, I’m aware. It’s just that can’t there be an exception? Just staying here while being clueless is..."

Sera nodded, her expression dark.

"Dera is right. You’re the second in command. Don’t you have some kind of privilege, granny?"

Elder Mei sighed and shook her head.

"Don’t be hasty. Seraph will come back when the time is right, okay?" She ruffled their hair and smiled fondly.

"You two should focus on cultivating and increasing your strength. You shouldn’t be content being weaklings, okay?"

The two young ladies rolled their eyes, then nodded.

Sera’s expression shifted slightly, "I understand, granny. I’ll go cultivate soon."

Seeing that her sister had given up, Dera also sighed.

"Fine. We’ll go cultivate. But next time we come, you better let us use your communication talisman!"

She harrumphed childishly, then hurried out of the building. Sera was a step behind her. Before she left, she glanced back at waved at Elder Mei.

"Goodbye, granny!"

The woman smiled at her, then the doors closed shut. Once her granddaughters were out, Elder Mei’s smile dropped.

"That Seraph brat. What the hell did he do to my girls? Hmph, if their parents were here, he’d already be roasted meant. Tsk, tsk, tsk."

She clicked her tongue and returned to her meditating position.

"What surprises me the most is that child Song seems to be affected too. This is really strange. Doesn’t she usually disdain the other gender?"

Closing her eyes, she pushed away her thoughts and focused on mediating.

.........

Sera and Dera didn’t immediately returned to their own house. Instead, they headed to a house that belong to their pair of friends.

Knock! Knock!

Dera knocked loudly, her hands on her hips, and a grin on her face.

The door creaked open, and Tamar’s head popped out slowly, her gaze sweeping past everyone present. Seeing that it was only the twins, she stepped back and opened the door wider.

"Come in."

The twins stepped inside the cozy house and spotted Ariana laying on her bed with her back turned to them.

Instantly, Dera’s lively grin dimmed. "How’s she doing?"

Tamar sighed, "She hasn’t eaten for over a week now."

"Why?" Sera frowned, crossing her arms below her supple bosom.

"Apparently, she has been having nightmares about something bad happening to Seraph. That’s why she’s slowly collapsing on herself."

Tamar explained with a tired look in her eyes.

It seemed she was genuinely exhausted from having to take care of Ariana who was practically a crybaby.

"Something bad happening to him?" Dera frowned heavily, her expression troubled.

Sera also looked conflicted, "I don’t understand why she’d have those nightmares, but I think we really need to get in contact with Seraph."

Just then, the communication talisman in her storage ring began vibrating, and she immediately sensed it.

She took it out and played the voice transmission. It was from her grandmother.

"Sera, call your sister over now. The Sect Master has a message for you guys."

The room froze, then a soft voice broke the silence.

"Is it about Big Brother...?"

The three girls turned to Ariana who had stood up at some point and was looking at them.

Sera’s lips twitched. "It’s possible."

Sigh. The silver-haired girl sighed, then put on proper clothing.

"Let’s go."

The others glanced at each other, then immediately went out of the house back to Elder Mei’s place.

When they entered, the woman had a serious expression.

"Oh, I wasn’t expecting Ariana and Tamar." She said calmly, then continued. "The Sect Master instructed you guys to head east towards the Hudson Village. Seraph is currently there, and he might be in need of your help."

Ariana’s blue eyes narrowed. "Did he say anything more?"

She shook her head, calmly closing her eyes. "It’s better if you depart immediately. It might be something urgent."

"Alright. We’ll get going." Sera nodded and turned around. The other three followed her, their steps filled with urgency.

’Strange... what could Seraph need help with?’

Dera thought as she held her sickle tightly. Although she didn’t know what kind of problem he was facing, she was ready to fight to the death for him.

"Should we inform Sister Sylvia and Elder Song?" Tamar asked, causing everyone else to pause.

They didn’t know what exactly was wrong, and extra hands would surely be welcomed.

"That’s unnecessary. Since the Sect Master only contacted Elder Mei, he believes Sera and Dera will be able to handle it. Calling more people would only make an unnecessary crowd."

Hearing Ariana’s reasonable words, no one could say a thing against it. In the end, they all agreed and departed from the sect.