The blue haired beauty could barely keep his eyes open. Yet, the aura that swam around her was fierce and unbridled. This sort of dichotomy was the scariest to face… No one could predict what she would do next.
Ri smiled as though she was watching a clown show. Anyone with half a brain understood that she had far more potential than God Mist. The only difference between them was age. While Ri had a God Constitution, hers was of the Heaven Grade. While Ri graduated to the celestial realm as a 9th order expert, God Mist was only of the 6th order. Plus, to top all of this off, Ri had gained the acknowledgement of the Water Mist Sect ancestor while God Mist had tried and failed herself many years ago.
Such a shocking difference in abilities should have made this clear cut. However it was exactly because such a difference existed that the Mist Clan was going out of their way to end the troubles as soon as possible. The problem for them was that not only was Ri her own variable… So was Clara. In fact, the latter was likely the reason they had come here today while the First Elder was sent to ensure they couldn't go too far.
"I hope that Grandmaster Clara isn't hoping to follow Junior Sister Alexandria?" Chrysanthemum asked with a seemingly innocent smile. She had long since come to hate Clara as well considering it was her who protected Ri as she accepted their ancestor's legacy.
"And so what if I am?" Clara said coldly.
"Oh." Chrysanthemum tilted her head as though she was shocked. "It's quite brave of you to do so, but there are rules here that even a Grandmaster such as yourself must follow." She explained patiently. "The Dark Ocean might be a dangerous area, but it still represents a former holy land of our Sect, not just anyone can enter as they please. Do understand."
The Second Elder cleared her throat. Something but her overly wrinkled exterior made those around uncomfortable instead of eliciting the will to protect that was more normal.
"Grandmaster Clara, although Core Disciple Chrysanthemum speaks of matters of etiquette, these can mostly be ignored due to your background. We believe in the Sapientia Quadrant's neutrality in all matters, and although your origins remain unknown, we trust that you would remain neutral to our Sect's matters as well.
"Instead, I'd like to touch on something more potent. You can see for yourselves how ghastly my appearance is. I appear to be nothing more than a loose bag holding together my old bones. However, I'm actually far younger than First Elder and even the Palace Master who've maintained their looks so well. This is none other than a result of the entering the Dark Ocean…
"The Water Mist Sect has maintained very good relations with the Sapientia Quadrant and we know how much they value you. For the sake of your safety and maintaining this relationship, we cannot allow you to enter. Our own disciples putting their lives on the line for the Sect is one matter, but we cannot risk the lives of outsiders."
Clara sneered as though she was looking at a fool. However, it was Ri who responded in her stead.
"You all are wrong on multiple counts." She said in a sweet voice. "Firstly, my sworn sister is no longer a Grandmaster, she's a Comet Lord."
The eyes of the four who followed contracted, but when Clara released an illusory cloud of energy that formed beautiful streaking comets around her silver robes, there was no doubt…
"Secondly, as a Comet Lord, she is now allowed to commission work from quadrants of her choice. It just so happens that her first job was commissioned by the Palace Master to aid me in clearing the Dark Ocean and securing another decade of safety of the citizens under our charge.
"Thirdly, it's quite odd for a mere Second Elder to question the decisions of the Palace Master. I must say, there are quite a few of these oddities surrounding your Mist Clan, I wonder why that is?
"For one, the current Palace Master was not the key wielder of her time." Ri feigned shock. "Instead, it was our current Grand Elder. That was truly an odd occurrence, but I believe it was an innocent mistake." Ri nodded to herself as though reassuring everyone around her. "But to think such an odd occurrence would happen again!"
Ri giggled, her laughter filled with disgust and disdain. "Even the 11th ranked quadrant has a True God, but our key wielder is a mere 6th Order celestial. Isn't that funny?"
Many cringed at Ri's words. She had spent so much time in seclusion that many forgot just how fiery her temper was. Just because she had reignited her love for dresses and pretty accessories didn't mean that part of her disappeared by any stretch of the imagination.
"To think that the same mistake would be made two generations in a row!" An imagine-that-like expression coated Ri's delicate features, causing Clara to bite her soft lips to stop herself from laughing. Still, the intelligent Little Wind did no such think, squawking like it had just heard the funniest joke ever.
"Are you trying to say that you should be key wielder instead? How very selfish and self-centered of you. You only entered the sect two years ago." Chrysanthemum sneered before the Second Elder could stop her.
Ri only laughed. "Me? I have no need for the key. When I said a mistake was made for the second time, I was referring to the fact a 6th Order "expert" received this treasure when there are three 7th Order and two 8th Order geniuses of her own generation. How odd though… Despite being of the same generation, those five geniuses are still lower celestials while the mighty God Mist is already a high celestial. Odd, odd… Truly odd."
God Mist's half-closed eyes opened ever so slightly, flashing with a baleful aura.