The team finally made it back from the mission and has never felt so happy to be in the Sect again.
"THANK YOU, LORD!! We're finally back!" Juniper had never felt such joy in being back in the Sect before.
It wasn't only her, but the rest of the team also felt happy being back.
"All right, before we go and take the break all of us rightfully deserve, we have to go report our mission to the mission hall," Mila said
Although reluctant, Juniper followed what she said and the team went to the Core Mission Hall. The reason they went there is that Mila was the one who accepted and formed the group, so they had to go to the Core Sector due to Mila being a core disciple.
The others were amazed by the Core Sector, it was filled with nice-looking houses, their training ground was filled with state-of-the-art equipment, and it was rich with magic in the air due to the herbs and plants growing all around them.
Soon, they entered the Core Mission Hall, the inside was huge despite the little number of disciples there. Mila approached the elder at the reception and placed the mission slip and spatial bag containing the horizon flower on the table.
The elder looked at the slip and remembered that this was the team that took the mission. He then looked at the bag and wondered what treasure was there, as he didn't believe they got the Horizon Flower. The Elder took the bag and looked inside and was overwhelmed with shock.
He saw a beautiful flower with its petals having a myriad of colors and the center being an amazing gold. The elder was so shocked that he was shaking slightly as he looked back at Mila, asking with his eyes if this was what he thought he was. Mila simply nodded.
The elder's face was filled with even more shock, he closed the spatial bag, told the team to wait there, and ran off to Sect Leader's Temple.
The team waited around doing nothing but talk, especially about the reward they would get.
"Heh, I can't wait to get my 5,000 Magic Crystals!" Juniper said with excitement.
"I honestly feel they should pay us more after what we've been through," Barrett complained
"That's valid, but you have to take it up with the elders and Sect Leader," Mila said to warn Barrett
The elder returned and told the group to follow him to the Sect Leader's temple.
The team made their way there. Barrett and Juniper were nervous as they have never been inside the temple, while Adonis, Lena, and Mila were fine as they have been there already, whether it be because they have frequented this place or had been here for something bad.
They entered in and saw all the elders to their sides and the Sect Leader in front of them on a throne-like chair. All of them kneel to the elders and Sect Leader.
The Sect Leader spoke first, "You are the team that acquired the Horizon Flower correct?"
"Yes, we are Sect Leader," Mila speaks.
"Then may you tell us about how you were able to get it and how the mission went."
"Certainly."
Mila explains to them what had happened during the mission, the golem, the ambush, and everything except for how they got the Horizon Flower.
"Those damn Sky Mountain Sect bastards!!!" One of the elders yelled after hearing how they ambushed and took the stuff they acquired.
"To think they use such a lowly tactic." Elder Maron expresses his dissatisfaction.
The elders were disappointed and angry by what the disciples of the Sky Mountain Sect did and expressed it. The Sect Leader put up her hand and all the elders became quiet but still hold a frustrated face.
"We are sorry for what happened to you, but that doesn't explain how the Horizon Flower got found."
"I know Sect Leader, I want to leave that up to the one who found it, Adonis Lock."
The elders and Sect Leader were surprised when they heard this and Adonis walked up to them.
"It is nice to see you again Sect leader, elders." Adonis bowed to them.
"Yes, it is nice to see you too Adonis." The Sect Leader proclaimed.
"I will begin my report." Adonis proceeded to tell them the same story he told his team.
"And that is the end of my report." Adonis then looked at the shocked faces of the Elders, the story was so unbelievable that even the Sect Leader looked surprised.
"Adonis, you are telling the whole truth, right?" The Sect leader said as her slit pupils glowed white.
"Yes, I am," Adonis said confidently.
Adonis already has a grasp of what the Sect leader's eyes do, they have some type of lie-detection ability and it may or may not have more than just that.
The Sect Leader merely smirks and praises Adonis on his hard work and his development.
" All right, you may all now leave, Elder Leopold will give you your rewards at the Mission Hall."
"Thank you, Sect Leader!" The entire team said all of them were walking out until the Sect leader said, "Adonis, can you stay here for a moment?"
Adonis stopped and looked at his team and they told him they will wait for him at the Mission Hall.
Adonis looked up at the Sect Leader and asked, "What does the Sect leader want to say to me?"
"Adonis, do you want to participate in the All-Sect Tournament?"
All the elders and Adonis were shocked by this.
The All-Sect Tournament was self-explanatory, it was a tournament that all of the sects in the world joined to show how powerful their sect is. It is through this tournament that sects can gain fame and more benefits from the empire. The tournament was extremely popular as well, the heads of all 7 Great Families usually appeared to watch and even the princess or prince of the Imperial family would watch the tourney.
"Ar-Are you sure about this Sect leader!?" Some of the elders felt like the Sect leader was making the decision too hastily, especially the elders who still doubted Adonis's ability.
"I am 100% certain, Adonis has shown massive improvements in strength and cultivation, if he continues to grow like this, his "trash" title will be long forgotten."
The elder had no rebuttal as everything the leader said was true. The elders turned their attention to Adonis to see his decision.
Adonis thought clearly about this, all of the pros and cons of taking part in such an important event. He concluded that the pros far exceeded the cons.
"It would be my honor to participate."
"Good, the tournament starts in 3 months, by then I expect you to become a Core disciple, as they are the only ones that can participate in it."
"Don't worry, I will Sect Leader."
"And one last thing, due to your achievement of getting the Horizon Flower. I've decided to grant you one request of anything you like."
"Anything I like?"
"Yes, anything."
Adonis thought for a moment, he thought back to his garden in his Soul Domain. He had Fire Lillies to increase his fire affinity, but he lacked any herb or plant that increases his lightning affinity.
'To become stronger, I need to raise my affinities first. From what I know, Sparkling Sage is a lightning plant that can help increase your lightning powers temporarily.'
"Can I have 100 Sparkling Sage then?" Adonis asked innocently.