The Awoken Moon Sect was in great spirits. Despite the harsh winters they experienced every day, the bright smiles didn't leave the faces of the fairies of the Outer Ring.
They had received great news just over a month ago. Not only had Heiress Melody received a spot from the Apostles, their Throne, Ryu, had appeared in grand fashion as well. He handily defeated Throne Byrine and even killed an Apostle Candidate!
Faith wasn't always a tangible thing. However, this was mostly the case when it rose slowly. It was difficult to see its affects when it took centuries and even millennia for significant improvement to be made.
Still, there were always exceptions to the rule. The most excellent of Thrones could steal Faith for their Sect at speed unimaginable under normal circumstances. While everyone was happy that their Inheritor was also impressive in her own right, the benefits given by Ryu's success were much more immediate.
First, Castle Master Toria suddenly broke through her bottleneck of several decades to enter the Connecting Heaven Realm. Now, the Awoken Moon Sect had not just one Connecting Heaven Realm expert, but two! Just like that, their slow but steady trend downward halted, reversing direction.
Following that, several elders who had been stuck at the Spiritual Severing Realm for many years broke through as well, entering the Divine Vessel Realm. The Sect went from having ten Divine Vessel Realm experts and one Connecting Heaven Realm expert, to suddenly having fifteen Divine Vessel Realm experts and two Connecting Heaven Realm Ancestors!
This seemed like only the beginning.
In addition to these things, the Sect had given birth to three Common Grade and a Black Grade talent in just the last year. Elder Glirn, their Head Alchemist, had succeeded in entering the Half-Step Heaven Grade, matching the greatest Alchemists on the Pedestal Plane. On top of this, they had managed to find a Small Realm swimming in resources.
No matter how intangible Faith was, only a fool wouldn't understand that this was all in thanks to Ryu. Their fortunes seemed to have turned its head in just a two-year time frame. How could they not be grinning ear to ear?
Today, Ryu brought them an even greater gift. The elders fawned to the point of their teeth shining bright at the sight of Little Sephare.
The little girl, who was very much unused to be praised by so many people, buried her head shyly behind Ryu's sleeve, only peeking up every so often.
"Little Ryu, it seems that having you as a Throne has been the greatest gift of our Awoken Moon Sect. I only regret that we cannot help you more…"
Castle Master Toria sighed from her ice throne, looking on toward Ryu with a complicated gaze. She could faintly feel that he was already far more powerful than she was. In fact, she didn't need to guess. The reports about him defeating Edwin were clear enough. She wasn't enough to even shine his shoes any longer.
Ryu shook his head. "I only do what I must. The Awoken Moon Sect and I have some Fate together, so it's only right that I do my part."
Toria sighed, knowing that she couldn't say much else. With Melody heading off to the Blossom Plane, Ryu had even managed to find them an Inheritor talented enough to take her place.
Sometimes, having an Inheritor that was too talented was only a detriment to the Sect. In such a case, the talent would grow far quicker than the Sect could keep up with. When this happened, the talent would have no choice but to spread their wings and go off on their own.
Originally, Melody had also been an Earth Grade talent. But, after her sister died, her constitution became complete and entered the Heaven Grade.
In truth, these were only Toria's ignorant thoughts. The reality was that Melody's talent had only paused at the Heaven Grade for a moment before shooting up toward the Sovereign Grade. The Blossom Plane wouldn't be likely to hold her for long either.
Still, the effective truth was still the same. Melody could no longer be their Inheritor, but this little Sephare was perfect. In fact, Elder Glirn had already taken a great liking to her after sensing her great qi control. She would be able to learn under one of the best Alchemists of the Pedestal Plane.
"Still, thank you." After recollecting herself, she smiled. She had become much younger after breaking through, so she seemed to be at the prime of her youth. "It's a regret that Ancestor isn't able to come out of seclusion. She is very old already, so her entire focus is on preserving her vitality. My breakthrough is a great burden off of her shoulders, there was a moment when we believed we would fall from the ranks of Fifth Order Sect."
Though she explained it simply, it really could have been far worse. The difference in status between a Fifth Order and Half-Step Fifth Order Sect was too large. Had their Ancestor died before her breakthrough, their disciples would have most definitely been in danger.
Ryu smiled lightly.
Though he didn't explain why, he would always help the Awoken Moon Sect. They were a subordinate Clan of his mother's Ice Phoenix Clan. It was his responsibility to look after them. In the future, they would understand his intentions.
"Alright, that's enough of this old woman talking your ears off." Toria laughed brightly. "The eclipse will begin in just a few hours. Are you prepared?"
Ryu nodded firmly, his expression turning cold once more.
"Big Brother Ryu." Sephare tugged on his sleeve. "Do you really have to go?"
Ryu's gaze softened, patting Sephare's head lightly.
"Work hard. I won't be gone forever, of course I'll come back and see you."
Sephare pouted, but in the end, she nodded obediently. She had only known Ryu for a short time, but had already grown attached to him. He was the first person to treat her so well outside of her brother, mother and late father. The affect of his simple acts of kindness left a permanent print on her heart.
"… Before you go." Toria hesitated before her features steeled with resolve. "Take this with you. I can't explain much simply because I don't know enough, but I'm sure that it will be of help."
Toria took off the blue marble ring on her finger. Considering the shocked expressions of the elders around the iced grand hall, it was obvious how important this ring was.
Ryu's gaze narrowed slightly as he stepped forward to accept it. Without hesitation, he slipped it onto his finger.
In that moment, his Ice Phoenix Bloodline surged uncontrollably as though it was eager to spill out of him. Hidden from the gaze of everyone, a cut manifested beneath the arc of the ring as Ryu's blood was greedily swallowed by it.
The Castle of ice shook, the mighty call of a phoenix causing the skies to tremble.
A light snowfall suddenly became heavy, the temperature plummeting along with its every fallen flake.
The odd changes only lasted for a moment before settling down once more, however Toria's heart vibrated fiercely as her gaze seemed to border on infatuation when it met Ryu's own. It seemed that in that moment, she had finally understood something.
Ryu smiled lightly, neither confirming nor denying Toria's speculations.
"I'll keep it well."