…
Several moments later…
Swoosh!
The large cherry blossom landed on the ground and dispersed into hundreds of petals before vanishing into thin air.
The moment the group landed, Izroth received an alert from the system.
〈System Alert: You have entered the ?Thousand Blossoms Peak?.〉
The Thousand Blossoms Peak was located on a mountain that bordered O’Tohelm and the Wild Lands.
There was a long pathway that one typically had to journey up if they wanted to reach the Thousand Blossoms Peak. However, for those like Sylvia who possessed a Floating Blossom, they could safely travel directly to the peak.
If someone without a Floating Blossom attempted to enter the Thousand Blossoms Peak using a similar method, the defensive formations in place would activate. And, according to Sylvia, even those at the late stage of the legendary realm would not have an easy time escaping once they became trapped.
“Welcome to the Thousand Blossoms Peak, Izroth,” Sylvia said with a light smile.
Izroth took in his new environment as he swept his gaze around the mountain.
There were several structures of different sizes made from a granite-type material.
In addition, the scent of cherry blossoms filled Izroth’s nostrils the moment he set foot on the mountain. This was due to a massive cherry blossom tree located towards the back of the Thousand Blossoms Peak.
This tree stretched nearly one hundred meters into the sky. And, from its branches flowed luminous pink cherry blossoms.
“Welcome back, senior sister! Junior sister!” A voice sounded as a gust of wind blew before Izroth and the others.
Woosh!
The instant the gust of wind calmed down, a young woman appeared at its center.
She had emerald eyes and short black hair that stopped at the lower part of her neck. Her attire was similar to Sylvia and Sychia’s.
NPC Name: Thousand Blossom Saintess, Jade(???)
NPC Level: ???
A smile appeared on Sychia’s face and her eyes lit up when she saw Jade.
“Senior sister Jade. You did not have to go through the trouble of coming out to greet us personally.” Sychia said as her cheeks flushed a light shade of pink as she avoided direct eye contact.
“What are you saying? Why wouldn’t I come to greet this mischievous junior sister of mine?” Jade grinned as she moved closer to Sychia.
She then continued, “Who would have thought this usually well-behaved girl would trick me and escape from the Thousand Blossoms Peak?”
“S-senior sister, I…” Sychia wanted to say something, but could not find the right words.
Those who wanted to leave the Thousand Blossoms Peak could not do so without going through the Thousand Blossoms Saintess, Jade.
Although she was called a Saintess, in reality, her role was more similar to that of a protector and enforcer. Jade was responsible for the safety and well-being of the disciples on the Thousand Blossoms Peak.
The reason Sychia was so embarrassed when faced with Jade was that the last time they met, she tricked her senior sister into letting her leave the mountain despite her master’s wishes.
Under normal circumstances, Jade would have confirmed the person’s words. However, given her status as the Thousand Blossom Maiden and her well-behaved personality, Jade simply took Sychia’s words at face value and allowed her to leave the Thousand Blossoms Peak.
Naturally, when Sylvia revealed Jade’s blunder, she was properly scolded.
“I apologize for the way my selfish actions reflected poorly on you, senior sister Jade,” Sychia said in an apologetic tone.
A helpless expression appeared on Jade’s face as she let out a small sigh.
“Forget it. What’s done is done. Next time you trick me, I won’t let you off so easily, got it?” Jade replied.
Jade knew the reason why Sychia tricked her had to do with the current state of her master’s health. In the end, how could she be upset with her junior sister over an act of passion?
Sychia may have referred to it as a selfish action; however, Jade saw things in a different way. The fact that Sychia was willing to risk a heavy punishment for sneaking off the Thousand Blossoms Peak for the sake of her master—Jade was moved.
After the greetings and apologies were out of the way, Jade shifted her attention to Izroth.
As the Thousand Blossoms Saintess, even if it were someone accompanied by her senior and junior sisters, she could not simply permit anyone entry into the Thousand Blossoms Peak.
“Senior sister, junior sister—this is…?” Jade spoke inquisitively.
“Forgive the late introductions. This is Izroth, an Honorary Saint of our Order of a Thousand Blossoms.” Sylvia stated.
“Honorary Saint…?!” Jade seemed taken aback by Sylvia’s words.
It had been many generations since they last received an Honorary Saint.
However, hearing just those two words, Jade’s entire attitude shifted as the wariness she previously displayed towards Izroth transformed into one of appreciation.
“Forgive my rudeness, Honorary Saint Izroth. As the Thousand Blossoms Saintess, it is my honor to welcome you to the Thousand Blossoms Peak.” Jade said as she properly greeted Izroth.
When Jade heard the name Izroth, she immediately thought of the person who defeated the Right Hand of Siren, Enigma who was from the Circle of Six Gods.
While Enigma himself was not that strong, the ability he obtained from receiving the divine blessing of the God of Disharmony made him troublesome to deal with.
That ability had caused them countless headaches and reaped the lives of several Thousand Blossoms Disciples. Therefore, by eliminating Enigma, Izroth effectively avenged the lives of their fallen disciples.
The Circle of Six Gods and her Order of a Thousand Blossoms were like oil and water—the two simply did not mix. This ill-fated relationship stemmed from when a member of the Circle of Six Gods killed a Thousand Blossom Maiden several generations ago.
Ever since then, the two had become sworn enemies that could not exist under the same sky. However, neither one had been able to gain an upper hand over the other for many years.
Izroth gave a nod in response and said, “Your Thousand Blossoms Peak has quite the view. It is a shame that I do not have the leisure of sightseeing.”
“Pardon?” Jade blinked a few times with a perplexed look on her face.
“Jade, how is the master’s condition?” Sylvia asked.
The moment she asked that question, the atmosphere grew heavy as Jade’s expression became grim.
Jade shook her head and replied, “It’s not looking good. Since you left, her condition has deteriorated even further. Senior sister, according to the physician, the master has less than a day left in this world.”
Jade delivered the news with a heavy tone.
Sychia’s eyes widened in shock. She felt as if her soul had been suddenly pulled from her body.
Less than a day? Wasn’t there still supposed to be a few days left? And, before that, wasn’t it a few months? How could it have gotten this bad so quickly?!
“We cannot afford to delay any longer! We must visit master at once!” Sychia said hurriedly.
“Indeed, delaying any further is unacceptable,” Sylvia stated.
Sychia turned to face Izroth as she lowered her head.
When Jade witnessed this, she was shaken. A Thousand Blossom Maiden was bowing their head to someone besides their master? If others learned of this, then it would create all sorts of trouble.
“Sychia, you-” Jade wanted to say something, but before she could speak, Sychia spoke out.
“No matter what price I must bear, I shall accept it without question. That’s why, please, Izroth… Save my master!” Sychia said.
A carefree smile formed on Izroth’s face after witnessing Sychia’s sincerity.
“Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, even if death itself were here, it could not claim your master’s life without my permission.” Izroth stated boldly.
He then continued, “Lead the way.”
“Follow me!” Sychia said as she took off at great speeds into the Thousand Blossoms Peak.
Izroth followed quickly after Sychia.
“Jade, hold off your report to the elders for a while,” Sylvia said as she, too, trailed after them.
“But, senior sister, if I do that, you will-”
Jade was not able to finish her sentence before Sylvia had already disappeared into the distance.
“…” Jade stood there silently for a moment before she released a heavy sigh.
“It seems things around here will become troublesome very soon. Well, I cannot lie to the elders. But, I suppose I can take my time walking there to deliver the news.” Jade muttered to herself.
The next moment, Jade began to walk slowly to a certain place within the Thousand Blossoms Peak.
…
Meanwhile…
Swoosh!
Sychia came to a halt as Izroth and Sylvia appeared beside her.
The three came before a large marble door that was sealed with a special magic formation. It emitted a powerful wave of pulses that contained cold energy that could freeze one’s heart upon contact.
This was the room Sychia’s master stayed in. And, judging from the aura coming from behind the door, the situation was not good.
