Age of Heroes

THE WATERFALL PEAK

Arial arrives and see that many of the people he seen in the last peak is there. Some cupped their hand seeing him, as a sign of respect. 

They have seen Arial strength. It is undeniable and as such they respect him. The martial arts world is simple. You respect the strong. 

They remember how many of them mocked him in the initial stage. 

Fearing offending such a strong person many tries to get on his good side now after the battle. Arial already forgot about all of that as he looks around at the Waterfall Peak.

He could not help but utters the word

'This place is beautiful'

All around him he could see tall green trees, birds making their nest on many of the branches.

He could hear the sound of the waterfall in the distance, and he could even see some deer is peacefully sleeping near one of the flowing creek around the peak. 

There is butterfly flapping its wing around, making the place look even more heavenly and enchanting. 

There is peace. Serenity. It is a perfect place to train martial arts in a calm state of mind. 

The sound of the rushing water near the area of his landing soothes Arial heart. There he meets Xiao De. 

'Young hero Arial, I have seen your match. Truly impressive 'Arial nodded and then he asks

'Xiao De of Sun Moon Sect. Am I correct?' 

'Hahahaha. Yes, I am Xiao De.' He cupped his hand. 

'That was an exquisite technique you show in the last battle. I am filled with admiration.' Xiao De once again compliment Arial

'It is nothing. Have you settled yourself?' Arial asked. Arial understand the change of attitude and Arial plays along with it.

Xiao De nodded and he said

'Yes. My teachers and Senior Martial Uncle have already settled in one of the many cottages around this peak. It is marvelous isn't it?' 

'What is?' 

'This Heaven Mountain.' At that Arial nodded. 

'True.' Arial said. 

'Who would have thought in the desert there is a mountain like this?' Arial added

'Yes, that is what I mean. Oh, the Abbess is coming here' Xiao De pointed behind Arial as Arial turns his back to look at the Abbess

Arial could see the Abbess is coming here with her disciple. Xiao De as a junior in martial art world cupped her hand toward the Abbess

'Abbess, Junior Xiao De pays his respect.' 

'It is fine, Xiao De.' 

The Abbes smile. Behind her is Mu Liyun. Her eye is still cold, but her white complexion is still captivating. 

From what Arial heard, her martial arts are also not to be underestimated. Arial did not know much about her.

This is because Arial did not watch her battle. 

'Arial is it?' The abbess said, her voice has a hint of constraint. 

'Yes.' 

Unlike Xiao De who show respect for the elder of a martial art world, Arial have no qualms not to pay any respect to this old woman who is acting high and mighty. 

Arial believe he stand above the rest in the matter of internal energy, a belief strengthens by the statement of Southern Healer when he is in Linzi Temple. 

The Abbot once said to him that his internal energy almost rival or maybe exceed that of his. 

Not to mention, even though he is now in the martial arts world, he is of nobility of one of the strongest forces in the Human Continent. 

Arial do not want to show respect to this abbess. Not because he is more proficient in the matter of the internal energy but because she offends him.

On the other hand, this Abbess should show respect to him. 

Arial himself could not understand why he is always feeling irritable and easy to anger after his return from the Dark Lands

Xiao De sensing the tense atmosphere moved away from the center while the crowd all looked at these two figures. 

A young man with a distinctive regal bearing and an Elder of one of the most respected Sect in the martial art world. 

The tension is palpable. Everyone knows that the Abbess and the young man both offend each other in their first day. 

The Abbess scoffed at the young man thinking that the young man is boasting and does not know to measure his own abilities. 

The young man on the other hand, insults the Abbess in front of all of her disciple and peers. 

Will there be a fight? Batrisya is still on the Heaven Peak discussing matters with the Four Immortals so this is the perfect time. 

'What!' Arial shouted in a harsh tone to the Abbess. 

The Abbess is shocked so does the crowd. But the abbess exercise patience.

'It seems my initial assessment of you is wrong' the abbess said.

'Worrying about the young, I scoffed thinking you are an arrogant man. It seems such notions are unneeded. Who would have thought such a young man to be such a martial arts expert?'

Arial look at the Abbess and he seen sincerity on her word. In a way, Arial is not completely faultless in that matter. 

He had to admit since his journey in the dragon lands, his temper always flares up. The Abbess has shown him face. 

It will be too much disrespect if he does not show her face too. The crowd all curious of Arial words. 

Arial took a deep breath, release it and then he cupped his hand. 

'No. It is not completely Abbess fault. Young as I am, my blood boils fast. I spoke insulting words in a fit of anger. I will accept Abbess word previously as a reminder for the young generation while I hope that Abbess would accept my words as a speech in anger, nothing worth mentioning or remembering.' 

The Abbess smile. It seems this young man has no intention to prolong or take offense on what happen a few days before. 

He even gives her face in front of her peers. The Abbess rather makes good relations with such an amazing martial arts expert then being enemies with such person. 

But of course, if Arial insist on making her life difficult and insulted her again, after she gave him face, even though if she has to use every single remaining resource she has, she will fight him. 

Thankfully this can end in a peaceful manner. 

'Then Young hero is a reasonable young man while I am a nagging old woman' and she laughed. 

Arial also laughed. The crowd sense that it seems whatever enmity they have is resolved now that the Abbess is even cracking jokes. 

'Is that Mu Liyun?' Arial said gesturing to the young woman behind the Abbess. 

Though Arial notices a girl carrying many bags behind Liyun and have almost the same face like Liyun.

'Yes, one of my disciple. I hope you will go easy on her if you face her in the next battle.' 

'Don't say things like that Abbess. She may have some secret or powerful moves that I don't know. '

'Maybe' the Abbess grins. 

'We will be in the North side of the Peak. If young hero wanted to discuss some martial art tips with this old woman, please find me in the North side.' 

'I will remember that' Arial said cupping his hand. 

With that the Abbess moved away and with Mu Liyun went away to their cottage. The girl holding the bag is seen following them. A courier? Huh.

'Hu. That is intense, Young hero Arial.' Xiao De quickly return back to Arial side after the tense situation has been resolved

'Just call me Arial, Xiao De. We are not far apart in age are we?' 

'I am eighteen years of age.' 

'I am nineteen.' Arial said.

'Older Brother, Arial then' he said. 

Arial sighed. 

'Fine, if that is how you want to address me.' 

'Sun Moon Sect and Yilin is in the South side. This night if you want to drink some wine please come to our Sun Moon Sect area. I brought a lot from the Central Plains.' 

Arial just smile and nodded

'I will see.' 

Then cupping his hand, Xiao De went to join his fellow disciple. Then Arial begin walking around to find a cottage. 

He found a comfortable cottage, with one room and a few blankets. Arial chose this as his place. 

He then laid his body, looking at the ceiling of the cottage. Today he will rest. Training furiously is not his type of training. 

It is training effectively. When the body is tired, doing more will only exacerbate the conditions. 

And internal energy training should be done with the calmness of mind, the harmony of body and soul.

Suddenly a voice reverberates around the area. Arial didn't even bother getting up. He just listens. 

Batrisya it seems is announcing the order of battle tomorrow. 

'For the battle in Waterfall Peak, these are the name of the competitor and their school. Sun Moon Sect will face Yilin. Two Bladed Sect will face Shadow Skulker sect. Ermeishan will face Lishan sect. All Conquering Sect will be given exemption as it is decided by a draw. This is all.'

Then Batrisya added

'The battle will commence in two days. Please rest your tired body, enjoying the Waterfall Peak. Until then.' 

Then the voice dissipated. There are some chattering outside, encouragement and well wishes exchanged among the many acquaintances. 

Arial on the other hand is excited

'So it seems I will not have any enemies. What luck!' 

Two days? What should he do with two days? Maybe he should reconsider the offer that Xiao De told him and went to the Sun moon Sect to taste some drink

Then before he could even get up, from outside Arial could hear a voice announcing something. Arial perked up his ear and concentrate. 

'The Sun Moon Sect is holding a banquet tonight. The participant is invited to come, to deepen the relationship between sect. Any one that is interested can also join'

Hearing this Arial made his decision.

'Maybe I'll go' Arial muttered. Smiling he close his eyes and take a nap.

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