Two days later.
In the interior of a golden castle, exist a courtyard not much different from the hundreds of such. But it was known as the only grand courtyard of the entire castle. There was a unique aura spreading thinly through the air amongst distinct flowers and plants fragrance, at the center of its open space was a staggering, dainty statue of a woman holding a large bow facing towards the heavens as though it would burst forth in confrontation. On her perfect neck was a long chain holding an octagonal ornament imprinted with distinct array light.
Seated below this statue was a man who appears to be relatively young, but the sharp look in his eyes tells otherwise, basking in the statues holy light and a small golden rock with dainty feature markings swirling in blue light around it was some meters behind him.
The man appeared to be sitting in the air.
Seated on this golden rock behind him was also a man whose appearance was that of a middle-aged man—cross-legged, with long dark hair reaching the ground, his thick eyebrows seemed to have been cut in the middle by something frightening. He has a slightly oblong face and sharp experienced eyes and delicate ears—a little longer than normal, wearing a dark-blue robes which seemed to be oversized, was meditating in his position when he was suddenly jolted awake.
"Ahsk." a little sound escaped him which seem to tilt the air around into a swirl.
A woman enters the courtyard immediately after, walking earnestly without making any sound. She was holding a sheet in her hand. She tore a piece from it after write some words therein before passing it to the man on the golden rock.
The man's pupil noticeably turned dark when he read the words.
"What! Three days!" surprise filled the man's face while his brows furrowed immediately after. He walked to the man below the statue and leaned slightly to reach his ears while he passed him the message, inaudible to anyone except them.
The young semblance man's eyes opened slowly with constricted pupils and looked at the man beside him. "Yoon, how much time has passed? How is it three days away already, and you're just informing me now." the young man rebuked, while he shook his head bitterly.
There is no need complaining. They have to go on with this. He also knew the position of the man in all of this; he had to let this go. "Hold your reins firmly so as not to make it loose. A loosen rein would spell wrong for yourself and others looking up to you." he lectured in a softer tone.
"Yes, master." Yoon replied. His voice contained a hint of helplessness. 'they only know how to give me endless trouble' he thought while his eyes flashed to the figure behind who shuddered apparently. 'you've got an explanation after this also a…' his thought was suddenly cut by the aura released from his master beside him.
Without enough time to evade, he was flung backward toward the courtyard walls. The wall appeared fine without a single ounce of dirt or dent after he smashed it. The same couldn't be said for Yoon though.
"kho..kho..." Yoon breathed, forcefully catching his breath. However, a slight trail of blood could be seen leaking out his mouth.
The woman swooshes to Yoon in an instant and inspected him. "Are you okay?" she asked, while casting her eyes on the man below the statue who seem oblivious to what has occurred.
"I'm fine!" Yoon answered, with obvious excitement. "Ashra, wait outside for a moment, the master can't be disturbed." he added as if nothing had happened at all.
Ashra was a bit disappointed since all he ever cared about was his master. "Yes." she replied subtly with a frown on her delicate face.
After Ashra was gone, Yoon immediately went in the direction of his master but stopped five meters away. He simply couldn't go any further. Any attempt to proceed won't be a free walk in the park. He stood there and watch closely. 'it seems the master is making a breakthrough. More importantly, it's only three days away before the great battle, since only Ashra and I knows about this and master would surely not intend to make it public, it would surely come in handy and as a huge surprise for them in the battle to come' Yoon thought seriously while most of his attention was on his master's breakthrough.
It is not a secret that; for a cultivator at this realm to make a breakthrough to the next was extremely dangerous that most won't dare to take this step. Furthermore, they have to trend carefully or only death awaits them. Taking this step was not easy at all. One doesn't have to be daring alone but also forbearing, decisive, cruelty to oneself and above all having the willpower to back all these up. Also, this breakthrough is very beneficial for juniors like him. He wouldn't miss this chance.
After some time of meditation and thinking all this experience through, Yoon's thought was suddenly cut short by a burst of wind surging everywhere in the yard, his master was abruptly floating in the air. Life seemed to have been drained from his figure. Yoon feared the worst and rushed forward but the harsh wind wouldn't allow his free flow.
With a sharp burst, the wind energy swept towards him. The force was much stronger than when his master initiated the breakthrough. However, Yoon snarled. He wasn't bordered by this level of energy, so he didn't attack or defend the wind energy with his technique.
It is known to all cultivators not to interrupt others especially while undergoing a breakthrough. Such interference might be the cause of a cultivator's downfall and probably, death.
Yoon eyes shimmered as a smug expression appeared on his face. He wouldn't fall for such an obvious deceit. All in all, since he had entered the range of the breakthrough, he had to repel the energy one way or the other. This time wasn't same as before. After all, last time he wasn't ready and because he was so close to the master, he couldn't maintain proper defense.
Yoon swept his hand through the air and a semitransparent barrier appeared before him. The energy hit the barrier, washing its either side, the force was heavy but couldn't make direct contact with him. The force swept his air dangling backward, going passed him. Yoon deactivated the barrier after its task was done as it vanished in the air. He stood there not going forward nor backward. That was just a warning from it. Proceeding forth would mean being encase in a much more powerful swirl.
The master couldn't be dead. Yoon had to hold on for now. He'd never seen anyone going through this stage. "Perhaps, this is the norm." he encouraged himself.
After some time of deep meditation, Yoon understand he wouldn't gain much from this any longer. He had to comprehend and digest this knowledge before it is completely gone. He walked out of the courtyard. He had to teach the little girl waiting outside what to say. The master won't forgive his mistake twice. Also, it seems he'd have to take control from now on. The great battle is only three days away.
_______
Two days later
The golden castle grand courtyard seemed to have undergone a massive change compared to it last appearance. The flowers and other sentience being appeared to have lost their luster, that with one small flicker it would turn to dust. The master sat on the plain ground in a meditative position. The courtyard doors opened at this moment and in came a man ragged, with a fervent look on his face.
"Master, I brought what you asked." said Yoon, while he scratched his ears with one hand and allowed the sweat trail down his face.
"Yoon, you aren't weak by any means, and you've done well this pass few days. I would do well to reward you when all this is finished." the master praised immediately he received the item.
Yoon smiled as pride filled him but quickly turn modest. "I don't dare accept any gift." he managed to force this out of him, even though it's not true.
"Well then." said the master with a knowing smile.
Yoon almost cursed out instantly but quickly stopped. However, he thought secretly, 'shameless' while showing a modest look.
"Is the army prepared?" the master questioned. The smile still plastered on his face.
"Yes, master." Yoon replied, equally thrilled.
"Good, the Blood Pool sect can't appear weak in the eyes of others," said the master thinking of the past and continued, "let them rest. We leave at dusk. We can't allow the Triple Kill sect nor the Daun tribe arrive before us. Let our men be staged at the border and engage if they see them on sight." the master finished with his eyes shut.
"Yes." Yoon nodded. Seeing the master's shut eyes, he quickly left to relay the message.
The master's shut eyes opened shortly after, filled with cruelty. "Let's see if there's any one of you after this."
While there are many benefits and adversities of the battlefield, the most commonly used was to clear blood feuds and write a new record.