The sky coiled over the world, still without clouds, a sect of red tiled roofs was standing tall beneath.

This sect had stood in place for over a century now, and its foundation was much firmer than ever before.

On its summit, a giant structure was erected. Just in front of it, a stone platform hundreds of meters across gently embraced the sunlight.

Seated on its surface, three figures.

One was a middle aged man, Maffrec. The azure colored accent on his robes accentuated its dominant white.

As for the two next to him, one was his fellow, now official disciple, Yu Xian. His black ponytail calm under the windless Heavens.

And of course, the remaining one was Alexander, the same robes as Yu Xian, pure white, or so it appeared at the very least.

Stroking his chin in contemplation, Yu Xian looked at his Sect Master in wonder.

"Sect Master, why do you have a beard today?"

Groping his chest-length white beard as if a sage, Alexander just smiled in a casual manner.

"What does that have to do with you? I just felt like having one for a bit, can't I?"

Shaking his head like a rattle, the youth quickly raised his hands.

"I dare not, I dare not... It just felt weird, Sect Master. But it definitely is fitting of your wisdom!"

Hearing is brother smooth talk his Sect Master, Maffrec did not want to fall behind, adding with a forced expression.

"Indeed! Sect Master looks just like a sage now! Truly fitting indeed! By the way, about the Water Dao... Argh!"

Being smacked on the head by Alexander, Maffrec looked down hurriedly.

"Don't talk nonsense! Did both of you think I would give away insights if you complimented my beard?"

Having their intentions laid out in front of them made the two disciples blush in shame.

"Well, I don't mind telling you about it, just that it has nothing to do with your words!"

Beaming with energy, they were both brought back from disappointment by Alexander's sentence.

'Sect Master is truly a great man! So caring for his disciples!'

'Does Sect Master intend on keeping face? I never thought he would care for it...'

Guessing their thoughts, Alexander grumbled inside.

'As a Sect Master and mentor, having face is important! What would happen if they decided to ignore me? It would ruin my plans!'

Alexander truly did not care about face in the end, but it was still a good tool for persuasion. Not only so, but playing the Sect Master to the end was quite entertaining. How long had it been since Alexander took face with some degree of seriousness?

Discussing for a few hours, Alexander asked about their progress in cultivation.

"Sect Master, I managed to breakthrough to the Divine Realm's middle stage last night!" Yu Xian felt quite proud of his achievements, having finally managed to escape from the Dao Heart Realm's clutches a few decades back.

The same expression could be seen on Maffrec's face as well.

"The same for me, Sect Master, I may not be as talented as brother Yu, but I still made it to the Saint King Realm's peak!"

Nodding, Alexander stroke his beard in glee.

"Managing to reach the Saint King Realm's peak... compared to someone I know, it truly is a show of patience and worldly experience!" Secretly gazing at Yu Xian, Alexander scoffed.

Shivering, Yu Xian could tell what was going on.

"Sect Master! Don't look at me like that! It was just a small lapse in judgement!" How could Yu Xian not remember thirty years ago? He was breezing through the major realms with his sudden success in comprehending the Dao. And when he had just managed to become a Grand Rank Saint, or more precisely, an eighth layer Saint King, he had decided to breakthrough to the Saint Emperor Realm right away, not patient enough to trouble himself with Supreme Saint Marks for the Saint King Realm's peak.

The obvious result was Alexander finding out with just a glance. And after being punished by him and crippled once more, Yu Xian had to start all over again!

"Well, at least this time you learned your lesson, kid! Next time, don't be impatient! It is extremely important on the Martial Dao's lonely journey."

Gritting his teeth, Yu Xian was exhausted.

'How could I dare to do that again?! You crippled me!' It was not that Yu Xian could not tell how important the Saint King Realm was now, but that being crippled truly felt terrible, an experience no soul would be willing to experience.

And he had experienced it twice already!

*Step*

A lively platform just ahead, a young woman in white robes advanced with steady steps.

Once done with the stairs' last threshold, she stepped on the platform, soon caught by Alexander, glancing at her all the while stroking his beard like an elderly.

'I love playing with this beard, I get why so many people do it on impulse, it is quite addictive after all.' His thoughts over, he spoke to the young woman, her hair rose gold.

"Livia, what brings you here? This Alexander doesn't remember having called for you?"

Frowning at her Sect Master, Livia cleared her throat, delivering a piece of news.

"Sect Master, I simply wanted to inform you that..."

"That?"

"That there are Devouring Sects, and has been for the last century now..."

Frowning as well, Alexander did not understand her point just yet.

"Devouring Sect?"

"No, Sect Master, Devouring Sects!"

Narrowing his eyes, Alexander pursed his lips.

"Sects? Not Sect?"

"Yes."

Scratching his head, Alexander felt like the conversation was truly getting nowhere.

"I don't get it, just tell me!"

Exhaling, Livia spoke loud and clear.

"I meant to say... that there are not just this Devouring Sect in the Celestial Heart Region."

His eyes narrowed, the three disciples present felt the temperature drop.

"Where? How come I never heard about this? Tell me what you know!"

"Sect Master, this information was gathered by a disciple outside for a mission, they said that a Devouring Sect already existed since a thousand years ago. They were just not well known, so nobody ever said anything before this."

"Their strength?" Alexander was quick for more crucial knowledge.

"Apparently, their Sect Master is either a peak Immortal Sky Realm master or a first stage Greater Existence Realm Grandmaster."

Raising a brow, Alexander scoffed audibly. But his jovial face turned ice cold right after.

"Where?"

-----

A lush mountain range surrounding a peaceful meadow, its core was filled with nothing but bustling structures.

While not many, these structures had been present for over a millennia, withstanding the trickling weather of time and its many tribulations.

Gazing down on this historical sect, a bearded man in white robes.

His snow white beard gave the man an old and worn look, like a hermit. But when closely peering into his eyes, one would be able to see boundless vitality.

"Devouring Sect... huh~? What a shame... Truly a shame!" Pitiful in his voice, Alexander was not feeling as such inside.

'Dare to exist? Fine. Dare to keep your name when I'm here? Bold!' Alexander was not unreasonable, except when he felt like it. And unfortunately for the Devouring Sect below him, it was this exact moment.

Raising his hand like the grim reaper, the ice cold eyes of Alexander shone with a bright light filled with dignity.

As the relaxed hand fell motionless right in front of his body, the sky dimmed.

"Who goes there?!!" Shocked by a sudden emergence of danger deep within his heart, a slightly old man erupted from his chair in a heartbeat.

But before he could do anything, a tremor was heard, soon followed by a powerful pressure crushing his flesh.

Dust flying everywhere, Alexander's impassive expression watched the sight beneath.

A giant palm shaped depression going hundreds of meters deep had formed, snuffing the structures in its path out of existence.

It was the result of Alexander's [Heaven's Fall]!

With its renewed powers, the might it could exert had been boosted countless times.

*Cough !*

Blood dripping from his mouth in droplets, the neither old nor middle aged man rose from the wooden debris.

"The hell!?" The man was still confused beyond reason, his grey robes beyond dirtied.

Looking up, the man was only the more confused.

'It's a bad dream... Yes! It must be it!'

"Your Excellency? What has my Devouring Sect done to offend you?! This Kui would like an explanation if available!" Courteous in his words, threatening in his tone, the man felt that winning was an easy feat.

After all, Alexander's martial art, used during a sneak attack, had actually failed to claim his life or even deal significant damage to him.

However...

The world shadowed, Alexander's [Qi Pressure] exploded like a raging tsunami sent crashing down all around.

"Greater Existence Realm!" Shocked, the man could tell how much more powerful Alexander truly was compared to himself.

"..." About to beg, the man simply could not find the courage to do even so little.

"Your sin is quite obvious..." Seeing Alexander narrowing his eyes menacingly, the man's body slumped.

"Ahhh~... Weakness is it? I have lived for almost fifty millennia, I am aware of the world's principles... I did something completely normal that you did not like..."

Sneering, Alexander nodded.

"It's rare to see such a smart man out there."

"How would I not know? This Kui has not done anything remotely offending to anybody for the past centuries. I just want to know... what the reason is? I can tell it is trivial, but how trivial..."

"Do you really want to know?" Hearing Alexander's tone, clearly filled with entertainment, caused the man to shiver.

'Is he saying that the reason could very well damn my soul and Martial Heart? But since I'm going to die...'

"Your Excellency... Can't I do something to repent? Isn't it better to make friends when you can?"

About to kill the man, Alexander's hand halted.

'I do need some things...' Stroking his beard, Alexander dispersed his rampaging Celestial Qi with a thought, only extending his arm as if asking for something.

"I can let you live... but it will depend on two factors."

"Senior, this lowly one is all ears!" Bowing gracefully, the man named Kui had no choice but to bow his head for an opportunity.

"First, will your Martial Heart not crumble once you know the reason? If it does, then you can die. As for the second factor... I need proof of your servitude... something unshakable!"

A bright light flashing in his eyes, Kui understood its meaning.

"If my Martial Heart does not crack... then I most definitely will!"

Nodding, Alexander spoke.

"The cause of your downfall was the sect's name. A century ago, I, Alexander, founded a sect with a random name, this sect was the Devouring Sect! Your sin is simple. You were the first, I will grant you that, but you were too weak!"

Trembling, the man had to take a few deep breaths to calm his anger. He knew how out of proportions the cultivation world could be, so he still managed to calm his inner turmoil.

Seeing the man survive the calamity brought upon his path, Alexander smiled.

"If you do it, then come serve as an Elder of my Devouring Sect!"

Bending his knees, the man raised his hand, his eyes determined.

"I, Kui Hulor, swear to the Heavens that I will never act with malicious intentions towards Alexander. I will fulfill my role as an Elder to the best of my capabilities without fault! I give my life to Alexander and his Devouring Sect, If I ever break this oath, may the Earth consume my flesh and the Heavens char my soul!"

The usual clear sky filled with dark clouds for an instant, forming out of nowhere, they soon disappeared.

"Good! Come with me, oh and don't forget to bring whatever your sect had."

Looking behind for a brief moment, Kui Hulor could only sigh in desperation.

'The river of time washes even the sturdiest of foundations...'

Gazing at Alexander's back, the man hurried his steps.

"Yes!"