Death... and me

On the way, Rean couldn't help but ask, "I've heard this 'Ten Greats' mentioned before. What does it mean?"

Paulo then explained with a respectful expression, "The Ten Greats are exactly what the name implies. They're considered the ten strongest cultivators in our Huring Continent. Core Elder Etherian is one of them. However, this rank was created a long time ago, so no one knows if all the Ten Greats are still alive or not. I knew Senior Etherian was still alive, but I can count in my hand how many times I saw him. As for the others, I wouldn't be impressed if a few have already passed away or left our Huring Continent."

Cassia agreed with Paulo, saying, "You know quite a bit for a minor elder."

Paulo scratched the back of his head, replying, "It's because Senior Etherian was my idol when I first joined the Sacred Land. I still remember the stories about him during the Continental War several millennia ago."

Cassia couldn't help but giggle after that. "Hehe. It's good to see some people still remember it."

"What stories?" Rean asked back.

However, Cassia shook her head as she carried the twins while flying. "We're almost there. If you feel like it, you can ask him directly."

Etherian was in his residence, drinking some tea when he looked in a certain direction. Not long after, Cassia appeared with the twins and Paulo. "So, you're here." However, Etherian also noticed Paulo. "And you are...?"

Paulo immediately bowed to Etherian. The excitement on his face was obvious for anyone to see. "Hello, Senior Etherian. I'm a minor elder of the Sacred Land. These twins came from my country, so I was going to prepare their things when I found out that you wanted to see them. Lady Cassia then let me come along. It's my pleasure to meet you in person."

Etherian nodded, not minding it too much. "Is that so? Oh well. I normally never come out as I don't care about the Sacred Land's problems. Unless it's in danger, I leave everything in the hands of elders like you. You were quite lucky to have caught me here, so it could also be considered fate."

Etherian then took out a pill with three colors inside a bottle and threw it at Paulo. "I can see the blocked meridians in your body. It was most likely the backlash during a harsh attempt at a breakthrough. If you take this pill, it should heal them in a few days. Just be careful not to commit the same mistake again."

"This..." Paulo couldn't believe the thing in his hands. "But this is too expensive. I only came here because I wanted to meet you, senior. I can't possibly accept it."

Roan then tried to grab the bottle as that pill very much interested him. "Since you can't, I can. Give it to me."

Paulo immediately pulled his hand away as he looked at Roan with a dark expression. "In your dreams! Is that how you treat your elders?"

Roan glanced at Paulo and said, "I didn't even know you until a few minutes ago." Sure enough, Roan couldn't care less. "If you want the pill, then just say it. Otherwise, give it to someone who wants it. I know I definitely want it as I'm an alchemist."

Paulo was taken aback for a moment before he nodded. Right after, he bowed to Etherian. "Thank you, Senior Etherian. I shall make good use of this pill."

Etherian couldn't help but laugh out loud after that. "Hahaha! You should be more like the young men on your side. If there's an opportunity, take it. Don't waste time with meaningless pleasantries."

"Yes, Senior Etherian."

Cassia then asked back, "So, can I head back already, old geezer?"

Paulo almost froze when he heard Cassia's words. 'How can you say that in front of one of the Ten Greats?!' Of course, he didn't dare say anything and waited to see the result.

However, Etherian simply sighed before waving his hand, telling her, "You're not as cute as when you were a kid anymore. Shoo, shoo. Go take care of your things."

Cassia snorted in response. "My things and a certain old geezer who never takes care of his own things, so his great-granddaughter has to do everything for him. Anyways, I'm out. Also, don't try to run away again. There's a huge pile of documents that I can't approve without your consent. Later, you better be prepared to spend a few days in front of your desk. There's a limit as to how much you can distance yourself from the Sacred Land's affairs."

Great-granddaughter?! Paulo was surprised to hear that. He didn't know of it at all. He was sure that none of the elders he was acquainted with in the Sacred Land knew either. 'Is it really okay for me to be hearing these things?' He wondered.

Eventually, Cassia turned around and disappeared into the distance.

After she wasn't close anymore, Etherian laughed. "Hehe! I want to see how she'll find me. If I want to run, no one can stop me. To hell with all that office bullshit!"

Paulo couldn't help but feel that the image of the man he had built in his mind was crumbling down. That wasn't the type of person Paulo thought Etherian would be.

It was then that Rean noticed something. "Hahaha! No wonder almost no one knew if you were still alive or not. You just kept hiding yourself to run away from your work."

"Idiot!" Paulo rebuked Rean. "How can you say that about Senior Etherian! When he leaves, he stays out for many years. There are definitely more important reasons behind his absence."

Too bad that Etherian shook his head. "Nope, there isn't. I just hate office jobs, so I try to stay as far away from it as possible."

Paulo felt like crying already as Rean looked at him and said, "See? I told you, didn't I?"

"Shut up! I don't wanna hear it anymore." Paulo decided that he would close his ears and eyes from now on.

Roan didn't care about any of that, though. "So, why did you call us here?"