Chapter 23: Peak Master

Chapter 23: Peak Master

Kassandra, I did not invite you here to scare my son.

Upon hearing her name, Kassandra curved her lips towards Auslen in a graceful smile before standing up from her kneeling position, gliding her emerald-green eyes towards Cedrick in playful observation.

Standing a few meters away, the startled cultivators finally recognized the identity of the woman standing before them. They quickly bowed before speaking in earnest.

Greetings, Peak Master Kassandra!

Without turning her gaze, Kassandra waved her hand dismissively as she commanded with her delicate voice.

You all are free to go. I'll be taking care of things from here.

Not daring to disobey, they immediately stood from their bow and exited the room in haste.

After watching their departure, Auslen turned his gaze towards Cedrick and Kassandra, who were currently staring at one another in pregnant silence.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Kassandra smiled meaningfully as she opened her mouth to speak.

Its been over 100 years, Cedrick. Are you not going to properly greet your Senior Sister like you used to? Or do you feel that you no longer need to show me even that modicum of respect, now that youve become a bigshot in the Western Empyrean Continent?

Listening to her reprimanding his father, Auslen tilted his head slightly.

Senior Sister? How old is this woman?

Auslen knew that his father was over the age of 300, so he was inevitably somewhat curious about the true age of this Kassandra standing in front of him, as she did not look a day over 20.

However, he would not dare to ask, even with the power of childish ignorance that his young age granted him. He knew from one painfully memorable experience with his mother that, while asking an ordinary woman their age was familiarly taboo in this world, asking a female cultivator the same question could be particularly dangerous.

Cedricks expression remained the same as he replied, Your seniority only applies here if your strength eclipses mine. From what I remember, that hasnt been the case for some time, am I wrong?

Kassandras smile did not budge as she quickly bit back, You are not wrong, Junior Brother. But, from what I recall, I am the one doing you a favor. Surely that manly pride of yours isnt worth the years of peace and comfort I can provide for your precious son and nephew. Am I wrong?

Silence once again fell in the room.

From what Auslen could tell as he observed their silent confrontation, neither of the two adults seemed to have any intentions of acquiescing to the other.

Sigh. It seems like I should provide some help for my stubborn old father this time.

After making up his mind, Auslen left behind Nathaniel and Vincent, decisively stepping forward with a cute smile on his lips and a slight blush on his cheeks. He didnt stop until he arrived directly in front of the bottom Kassandras robes, causing her to glance down towards him with slight curiosity in her eyes.

Auslen poked her yellow robe as he spoke enthusiastically, Hello! Are you Dads friend? Im Auslen, by the way!

As if he didnt want to be left out, Nathaniel quickly came running over next to Auslen, grabbing onto the bottom of her robes as he exclaimed, Hi! Im his cousin, Nathaniel!

Looking down at the two children, Kassandra was amused as she kneeled down once more.

She softly spoke with a gentle smile, Hello, Auslen and Nathaniel. My name is Kassandra, Peak Master of the Inner Sects Shifting Wind Peak. Pleasure to meet you both."

After experiencing direct eye contact, Nathaniels face suddenly turned bright red as his eyes shyly shifted away from Kassandras enchanting face straight to his boots, causing her to giggle softly before she focused her attention towards Auslen with a knowing gaze.

She reached out her right hand to lightly play with his hair as she secretly transmitted her voice to him: What a beautiful, smart boy, trying so hard to protect his father from being placed in even the slightest disadvantage.

After observing Auslens suddenly guilty expression, she glanced up at Cedrick teasingly before she continued: But you dont have to worry about your father. Hes quite used to being bullied by me.

Noticing her secretive communication with Auslen and the frivolous disdain for him in her gaze, Cedricks eyes couldnt help but twitch, but Kassandra continued, despite clearly sensing Cedricks growing annoyance.

However, as I am in a great mood from seeing my Junior Brother after so long, Ill allow your cute attempt at distraction. If only your father could be as loyal as you are, Auslen.

She shook her head to herself in regret as she finished her sentence, finally letting go of Auslens golden hair.

Not bothered by the exposure of his intentions, Auslen forced his cheeks to redden even more while he chuckled slightly in outward embarrassment. He glanced back at his fathers somewhat pointed gaze before dragging Nathaniel to the side where Vincent was waiting.

Vincent, who was timidly touching the air currents around him in excitement, quickly turned his eyes towards Auslen, looking just as invested in the answer to Nathaniels question.

Auslen simply pointed towards the light as he lightly explained, Someone in there seems to be very talented!

While Vincent looked enlightened, Nathaniel seemed even more confused as he asked, Talented? Were talented too! Why dont they care about us? They arent even looking at us.

Shaking his head, Auslen no longer bothered to explain, relaxing himself as he watched the show below.

This woman seems to be quite the show off. I have never witnessed such a powerful cultivator walking at such a slow and deliberate pace as she does...

However, only a few moments passed before he glanced away from Kassandra as someone else drew his attention.

...

Down below, the light from the Dao Root Measurement Orb gradually began to dim, allowing the figure within to become more visible. But suddenly, Kassandra halted her steps, turning her head towards the crowd to her right in silence.

In the direction of her observance, a tall, handsome man could be easily seen making his way towards her.

His presence was palpable as visible ripples could be seen flowing in the hot air surrounding him, sparking unquestionable unease and fear in anyone who laid their eyes on him.

Those who were smart did not hesitate to quickly retreat from his path. Unfortunately, harsh screams rang out from the the less observant as several people nearby were afflicted with horrible looking burns. It didnt take much more for everyone nearby to completely scatter away from the mans vicinity.

As the crowd dispersed, his golden brown skin and long, wavy black hair came in view. A few moments later, he stepped into place beside Kassandra, revealing his dark red robes that were embroidered with golden flames.

His crimson irises glanced above her before tilting his head slightly with a smirk.

He transmitted his deep voice to Kassandra, You aren't usually the type to meddle in the Entrance Examination, Kassandra. Whose children are these? Considering that two of them have refined some Profound Qi even before the Examination, they must be of some significant background.

She smiled at the man in polite greeting as she continued walking forward. She replied, Hello to you too, Isley, The kids are relatives of Cedrick, my Junior Brother. And did you truly have to injure those mortals?

Hearing her reply, Isley immediately lost interest in the floating kids, choosing to quickly follow behind Kassandra as he continued: It's the simplest method. If I release even the slightest soul pressure, instead of giving me space, the poor mortals will explode. Nevertheless, if you are interested in checking on that girl up front, you should not bother yourself.

Kassandra didn't cease her steps, but she did ask: I am not the only one who will be interested in such a rare talent. However, by your statement, I assume that you are already aware of her Elemental Affinities?

Isley replied: It should be equal parts fire and water. I hurried here after being notified, but Im sure that bitch Grania isnt far beh

An emotionless, resounding voice sharply cut his sentence short.

Go back, Isley. Shes mine.

At this moment, amazed gasps rang out from the hall as a gorgeous white robed woman gently descended from the space above, the slightly frigid air wrapped around her sending chills down Auslens spine as he watched the woman pass by.

During her descent, the womans violet hair twirled around her white fur coat that was layered over her thick white robes. Once she landed, her frosty blue gaze landed onto Isleys eyes, which were suddenly filled with intense, fiery vitriol.

Around them, the crowd had already given them an extremely wide berth in fear and respect, directly opening passage to the wall where the talented little girl was waiting.

...

Noticing the now wide-open view, Auslen turned his head in curiosity towards the child in question to see a particularly nervous, but otherwise ordinary looking girl around the age of eight or nine. She had dull flaxen hair and her clothing was quite simple. Surrounding her were several blue-robed cultivators and a couple of average looking adults, who Auslen guessed to be the little girls parents.

Unfortunately, it didnt take long for Auslen to satisfy his curiosity. Having lost all interest in the girl, he turned his attention back towards the three underneath him, wondering if it would be inappropriate if he pulled out some peanuts to snack on during this moment.

...

Below, Grania refused to acknowledge Isley any longer as she silently turned her gaze towards the still smiling Kassandra questioningly.

Kassandra glanced sideways at the little girl before she turned back to smile calmly at Grania in reassurance, I have no interest in the girl, for obvious reasons. My curiosity has been settled, and I already have several duties to complete before todays end. So, I will leave the rest of the matters here to you two Peak Masters.

She winked playfully at Isley, who was still scowling in Grania's direction, before waving her hand in the air, causing gentle currents to rapidly expand outwards.

In the next moment, she and the three children floating above disappeared from the hall with a soft gust of wind.