The three turned to look at Kiden when he uttered that name. He had blurted it out unconsciously, and although he had spoken in a low voice, the three of them clearly heard it. Each had a different reaction. Finn looked at Kiden with a furrowed brow, as if puzzled. The old man wore a solemn expression, while the beautiful young woman fixed Kiden with eyes that held both contempt and scorn.
Noticing that the atmosphere was growing tense, the old man in the purple uniform quickly dismounted from the back of the enormous eagle and greeted Kiden.
"Institution Master Kiden... it's been years."
Kiden turned to the old man and gave a slight bow in his direction.
"Elder Marcus, so it's you. It's good to see you again."
Kiden spoke to Marcus with respect. It was also clear that the two were very familiar with each other.
"You truly are a talented Adventurer, Institution Master Kiden. In such a short time, you've already surpassed me," Marcus said with a smile.
Kiden was a 9th Level Profound Rank, but he was obviously several decades younger than the old man, who was at the 8th Level Profound Rank. That could mean only one of two things: Kiden was either wealthier or simply more talented than Marcus, an Elder of the Cloud Soaring Sect.
Hearing their conversation, Finn realized that the two must have known each other for a long time.
"Elder Marcus, may I ask who the young lady with you is?" Kiden suddenly asked while still gazing at the woman's lovely face.
It had been a long time since Kiden had seen that familiar posture. When he saw it again, the image of a woman appeared in his mind.
Marcus forced a smile and spoke softly.
"She is Ashe Vermillion, the most talented young Adventurer of the Vermillion Bird Family. I'm sure you're very familiar with the Vermillion Bird Family, aren't you? She's also currently the third strongest core member in the Cloud Soaring Sect. Moreover, she's the youngest of all the core members."
'Vermillion Bird Family? That clan is one of the Four Noble Clans! And their overall power is comparable to the Nine Ice Family!' Finn Doria thought.
The Four Noble Clans in the Sacred Dragon Kingdom were the Lightning Wind Family, Nine Ice Family, Vermillion Bird Family, and Earth Sieve Family.
The Lightning Wind Family was the strongest among them, while the Earth Sieve Family was the weakest. Even so, no one dared underestimate the overall strength of the Earth Sieve Family. They had many Profound Rank experts, and no existing Aristocrat Clan could compare to them. The Earth Sieve Family was still a Noble Clan and had existed in this kingdom for a very long time, amassing vast wealth and countless connections.
When Kiden heard the young woman's name, he felt a wave of anxiety. He looked intently at her and couldn't help but ask:
"Miss Ashe, do you have any relation to Vella Vermillion?"
The young woman turned to Kiden without interest and spoke coldly.
"She's my mother."
Finn could clearly see the contempt in Ashe's eyes. He didn't understand why she looked at Kiden that way. He also wanted to know why Kiden was acting like this, but it was obvious he had no right to involve himself in others' affairs.
Kiden grew even more uneasy and asked again, "Your mother...? Then, who is your father?"
He wanted to hear the truth, but part of him dreaded it. In his heart, there was one woman he always remembered when he looked at this young lady.
"My esteemed father is none other than Noah Vildar. Hmph. Why are you asking so many questions?" Ashe retorted irritably.
Kiden ignored her rudeness and instead fell silent, as though deep in thought.
"I didn't know the two of them had a child," he murmured with a faint, sad smile.
Ashe didn't respond. She merely turned her gaze to Finn, her eyes narrowing as she addressed him seriously:
"You're Finn Doria, aren't you? I've heard a lot about you. You're the one who humiliated Tiffanya. I have to say, I was quite impressed by that."
Finn was about to speak, but Ashe continued:
"But if you think entering the Cloud Soaring Sect is that easy, you're mistaken. Nearly every core member struggled bitterly to earn their place. They relied solely on their own abilities to become some of the Sect's strongest. Even if the Sect Master and the Elders have already decided to accept you, I will never allow it without a test. You must prove yourself by passing the trial I will set for you."
Hearing this, Marcus couldn't help but shake his head and force a smile. He wanted to stop Ashe from what she was planning, but in the end, he chose simply to shake his head.
"You will have to withstand and endure a single attack from me. If you can take it without losing consciousness, I will no longer object to your joining the Cloud Soaring Sect's Core Division."
In truth, the young woman wasn't supposed to be part of the delegation sent to collect Finn. But she had been insistent. Even the Sect Master couldn't stop her from tagging along and meddling.
Finn smiled at the condition Ashe laid down. He looked at her carefully.
Indeed, all the Cloud Soaring Sect's core members had undergone countless trials to achieve their positions. But because of Kiden, it would have been easy for Finn to enter as a core member.
"Ashe, is this really necessary? The Sect Master's order was that Finn Doria would not be required to undergo any examination or trial. Besides, we must bring him to the Sect immediately because the Sect Master has something important to announce. You'll only waste time if you keep insisting on this," Marcus reminded her with a strained smile.
Ashe's brows drew together, and she spoke irritably.
"Elder Marcus, every core member went through a trial, and even if this order came from my father, I still disagree with it. All he has to do is withstand one attack from me—and I won't use soulforce. I promise I'll rely only on my physical strength for this strike."
'Sect Master? Father?' Finn thought, startled by their conversation.
From what he understood, this young woman's father was none other than the current leader of the Cloud Soaring Sect—a Faction Master.
He looked again at Kiden, but what met his gaze was a man deep in thought. No one could guess what was going through Kiden's mind. Finn found himself increasingly curious about the true identity of the Sacred Dragon Institute's Institution Master.
He didn't understand how Kiden was connected to the Cloud Soaring Sect's Faction Master. That question continued to nag at him.
Marcus couldn't help but shake his head at Ashe's stubborn declaration. She truly loved stirring up trouble.
Finn turned his eyes back to Ashe and spoke gently.
"Since Miss Ashe wishes to test me, who am I to refuse?"
Marcus was about to intervene again, but Ashe spoke first.
"Elder Marcus, he's already agreed, so can you just leave us be? I simply want to see if this man is truly worthy of joining the Sect's Core Division."
Marcus could only sigh and refrain from further comment. 'This girl really is unbearably arrogant,' he thought.
Ashe leapt down from the broad back of the eagle. Once she landed, she walked slowly and faced Finn.
"Since you're only 9th Level Gold Rank, I won't use my full strength for this attack," she declared haughtily.
Finn merely smiled, as if he didn't care in the least. Truly, he didn't mind whether she used her full strength or not. In the end, the result would be the same: he would enter the Sect, and no one could stop him—not even this proud girl.
Ashe noticed the utter confidence in his expression and scowled. No one ever disregarded her attacks—whether she used soulforce or not. As a 3rd Level Scarlet Gold Rank, even a 2nd Level of the same Rank wouldn't dare underestimate her strikes.
"Hmph! Just say when you're ready." Ashe took her stance and waited for his reply.
Finn smiled at her calmly and spoke.
"I was born ready, Miss Ashe."
He also straightened up and stood tall, smiling without a trace of fear.
"Then receive my fist!" Ashe snapped, irritated. She clenched her fist, leaped backward three times to build momentum, then lunged at Finn. Even though she clearly wasn't using soulforce, the other three still felt the enormous power behind her punch.
As she closed in, Finn positioned himself as if to catch her fist with his palm.
Seeing this, everyone present—except Kiden—was shocked and puzzled.
'He's not going to use any skill to block the attack? Is he underestimating her?' Marcus thought.
Ashe's expression darkened, and she increased her force, convinced Finn was mocking her.
She drew closer and closer until finally, her fist met Finn's outstretched palm.
BANG!!!
When palm and fist collided, an intense gust of wind erupted around them. Yet despite the sheer force, the two Profound Rank experts nearby weren't affected. Even the two Agile Eagles only flapped their wings to shield themselves from the blast.
When Marcus saw Finn still standing tall, he was stunned.
'He really caught the fist of a 3rd Level Scarlet Gold Rank with just his palm!'
Kiden, for his part, had expected this outcome. He already suspected Finn's true level and rank—and in his view, Ashe Vermillion posed no real threat to the young man.
Moments passed, and the powerful wind finally died down. Finn remained standing, perfectly composed, as if the attack hadn't fazed him at all.
He lowered his hand, bowed slightly to Ashe, and smiled politely.
"Thank you for your mercy, Miss Ashe. I'm very grateful you held back."
Ashe couldn't hide her shock. But she quickly regained her composure, narrowing her eyes with haughty defiance.
"Don't celebrate yet, Finn Doria! I didn't use my full strength in that attack. If I had, you'd have lost all your teeth and passed out cold!"
Finn forced a smile and could only think to himself: Women really are so arrogant.
He just laughed softly and replied:
"Of course. I wouldn't stand a chance if you went all out."
Ashe's eyes narrowed even more. Something in his tone clearly irked her, and she snapped,
"What? You don't believe me? Do you want me to test you again?"
Marcus quickly stepped between them.
"I've tolerated you enough, Ashe. Can you stop now? If you don't, I'll report to your father that you delayed our mission."
Ashe stomped her foot in frustration and turned away, leaping back onto the eagle's back. Her face was full of irritation and dissatisfaction.
Marcus sighed, then touched the interspatial ring on his finger. A red uniform and a gold badge bearing a cloud emblem appeared.
"These are your symbols of being an official core member of the Cloud Soaring Sect. Wear the red uniform and keep the badge safe," Marcus explained kindly.
Finn immediately accepted them. He put the red uniform over his white clothes and tucked the badge safely into his own interspatial ring, bowing respectfully to Marcus.
"Thank you very much, Elder Marcus."
"Aren't we leaving yet?" Ashe asked impatiently.
Marcus grimaced. Just moments ago, he was the one reminding her to hurry, and now she was complaining that they were taking too long.
He turned to Kiden and spoke gently.
"Institution Master Kiden, we must be on our way."
Kiden nodded and replied courteously.
"Please convey my thanks to Noah."
He looked at Finn with a warm smile.
"Finn Doria, until we meet again. I look forward to your success."
"Thank you very much for all your help, Institution Master," Finn said, bowing deeply.
"Finn Doria, you may ride one of the Agile Eagles for the journey to the Cloud Soaring Sect. However, you must first tame that Vicious Beast. Its strength is comparable to a 5th Level Scarlet Gold Rank, and it's extremely proud. It won't allow just anyone to mount it," Marcus warned.
Finn nodded to the old man and approached the Agile Eagle.
Ashe watched with a triumphant smile.
'Let's see if you can tame that Vicious Beast,' she thought gleefully.
As Finn neared, he noticed the eagle was ignoring him. So he reached out and laid a hand on its body.
The Agile Eagle seemed irritated and was about to glare at him—but when it saw his broad, cheerful smile, it suddenly felt a strange sense of danger. It quickly looked away and didn't dare move.
When Ashe saw this, she blurted out in shock.
"How...?"
Finn looked at her while stroking the eagle's feathers, smiling warmly as he spoke.
"Perhaps this eagle finds me handsome and considers it an honor to carry me."
The three onlookers were speechless, their expressions incredulous. If the other two managed to hold back, Ashe could not. She snapped furiously:
"Elder Marcus, may I beat this man up? My fists are itching!"