The Extra's Rise

After spending the day with Stella, it was time for me to depart for the Eastern Continent with Seraphina. The goodbye with my family had been brief but warm—my parents and Aria seeing us off with the kind of casual affection that made leaving easier.

My mother still acted like everything was completely normal despite having revealed her true cosmic nature to me, which was honestly a bit jarring. But I was getting used to the idea that she wanted to maintain the facade for Douglas and Aria's sake. Some secrets were meant to protect the people we loved from truths they weren't ready to handle.

Seraphina and I reached Mount Hua Sect through one of the advanced warp gate systems that connected major locations across continents. The familiar surge of dimensional energy gave way to crisp mountain air and the sight of ancient buildings perched on impossible peaks.

"Mount Hua Sect," I muttered, taking in the view that never failed to impress me. Memories flooded back—some challenging, some wonderful, all of them significant to who I'd become.

This was the place I had visited many times for Seraphina's birthdays, but more than that, for training. This was where I'd forged my Grade 6 art through months of grueling practice. This was where I'd truly gotten close to Seraphina, where our relationship had evolved from friendship into something deeper. This was where I'd been able to forge my own path in this world, separate from the cosmic engineering that had shaped my existence.

"It feels different being back here for you right?" Seraphina asked softly, her ice-blue eyes resting on my face.

Before I could respond, familiar footsteps approached across the mountain stone. The first person to greet us was my master and Seraphina's uncle, Deputy Sect Leader Li Zenith.

"Master," I greeted him with a respectful bow, though the formality felt strange given how much had changed since our last meeting.

"Arthur, you have truly become strong," he said as he approached, his weathered face breaking into a genuine smile. But more than that, his eyes held something different from before—respect and acknowledgment that went beyond the teacher-student relationship we'd once shared.

For years, I had been far below Li Zenith in strength, a promising student who worked hard but operated on an entirely different level than a true master. But not anymore. Now I was far stronger than him, operating on scales that made our old training sessions seem quaint.

Before Li could say more, his attention shifted completely as he noticed Seraphina standing beside me. His entire demeanor transformed, stern discipline melting into pure uncle-like affection.

"Seraphina," he said warmly, opening his arms as she stepped forward into an embrace that spoke to years of family bonds. "Look at you. Every time you visit, you've grown more magnificent."

"Uncle Li," she replied with genuine happiness, her usual composed elegance giving way to the simple joy of family reunion. "I've missed you."

"And I've missed having my favorite niece around to keep these mountains properly beautiful," he said with the kind of gentle teasing that only family could get away with. "The ice gardens haven't been the same without your touch."

He held her at arm's length, studying her face with the careful attention of someone who truly cared. "You look tired, child. This business with young Ren has been weighing on you."

"It has," she admitted quietly. "But having Arthur here makes everything more manageable."

Li's eyes shifted between us with the knowing look of someone who had watched our relationship develop over years. "Good. Family should support each other, and you've chosen your family well."

The casual acknowledgment of our bond, the way he included me in the concept of Seraphina's family, made something warm settle in my chest.

"I told you, Master," I said with a slight smile, "I would become the strongest in the world. And I'm far from finished."

"Right, of course," he nodded with satisfaction. "As it should be. The path of strength has no true ending, only new challenges to overcome." His expression grew more serious. "Come, Mo has been waiting for both of you. The situation with the Kagu heir has everyone concerned."

We began walking through the sect's winding paths, past training courtyards where disciples practiced forms that had been perfected over centuries. The familiarity of it all mixed with the strangeness of returning as fundamentally different people than we'd been before.

"The sect feels more... unified than it used to," I observed as we passed groups of disciples who moved with impressive coordination. "More focused."

"Mo's changed approach to leadership has brought significant changes," Li explained with approval.

As if summoned by our conversation about unity, a figure stepped out from one of the side paths ahead of us. Sun Zenith, Mo's adopted son, blocked our route with the kind of casual arrogance that immediately set my teeth on edge.

At twenty-seven, Sun had grown into his low Radiant-rank power with the confidence of someone who'd never faced a truly superior opponent. His resemblance to Mo was purely superficial—where the Sect Leader carried himself with dignified authority, Sun radiated petty entitlement.

"Well, well," Sun said with a smirk that didn't reach his eyes. "The prodigal daughter returns, and she's brought her pet hero along."

I felt Seraphina tense beside me, her temperature dropping slightly in the way that happened when she was controlling anger. But before she could respond, I stepped forward.

"Sun," I said with carefully neutral politeness that carried undertones of absolute menace. "Still playing the same tired games, I see."

"Games?" he laughed, though there was nervousness in it. "I'm just welcoming family home."

"Family," I repeated, letting just enough Grey energy leak into my presence that the air around us seemed to shimmer slightly. "Interesting choice of words from someone who's made it clear he considers Seraphina an outsider."

Sun's confidence faltered as he registered the power disparity between us. Low Radiant-rank was impressive by most standards, but it was nothing compared to what I'd become.

"I'd suggest being very careful about any ideas you might have regarding Seraphina's presence here," I continued with the kind of calm that was far more threatening than shouting would have been. "Because if you cause her any problems—any at all—you'll discover exactly how creative someone at my level can be when properly motivated."

The threat hung in the air between us like a blade. Sun's face went pale as he processed what I'd just told him, understanding finally dawning that he was no longer dealing with the promising student who'd once trained here.

"Of course," he said quickly, stepping aside with considerably less swagger than he'd approached with. "No problems here. Just... family greetings."

"Excellent," I replied with a smile that didn't soften the warning at all. "I'm sure Mo is eager to see us."

We continued past Sun without another word, leaving him standing in our wake looking considerably less confident than when the encounter had begun.

"You didn't have to do that," Seraphina said quietly once we were out of earshot, though I caught the slight smile in her voice.

"Yes, I did," I replied firmly. "Some people only understand strength, and Sun needed to understand exactly where he stands in any equation that involves you."

Li Zenith chuckled softly. "The boy has always been too fond of testing boundaries. It's good for him to encounter some he can't cross."

As we walked deeper into the sect's inner areas, I continued observing the changes that Mo's leadership had brought. Disciples moved with purpose and coordination that spoke to clear command structure. Training schedules were posted prominently and followed precisely. Even the architecture seemed better maintained, with repairs and improvements that reflected pride in the sect's heritage.

"Mo has transformed this place," I commented with genuine admiration.

"He understands that strength comes from unity as much as individual power," Li explained. "When everyone works toward the same goals, the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts."

We approached the private areas reserved for the Zenith family, where guest quarters and meeting rooms offered more intimate settings for important discussions. But as we passed one particular path, Seraphina paused with a wistful expression.

"Look," she said softly, pointing toward a trail that wound up through carefully maintained gardens toward the sound of falling water. "The private waterfall. Do you remember?"

I followed her gaze and felt my own wave of nostalgia. The Zenith family's private waterfall, accessible only to immediate family and their most trusted guests. I'd spent countless hours training under that cascade, pushing my limits while the icy water hammered down with relentless force. And later, during quieter moments, I'd swum in the pools with Seraphina, sharing conversations that had deepened our understanding of each other.

"I remember," I said with a smile that carried years of cherished memories. "That's where we swam together."

"And where you couldn't take the cold water," she added with gentle amusement.

"Sorry I wasn't blessed to be a half-elf like you," I replied as she giggled slightly.

The memories painted a picture of who we'd been then—younger, less powerful, but already discovering the connection that would define so much of our growth. Training together, pushing each other, finding moments of peace in the beauty that surrounded us.

"Maybe we'll have time to visit it before we leave," I suggested, though we both knew our current mission would likely monopolize our attention.

"I'd like that," she said softly.

Li cleared his throat gently, reminding us that we had more immediate concerns. "Mo is waiting in his private study. He's gathered what information we have about Ren's disappearance."

We continued toward the heart of the sect's administrative center, where Mo Zenith now held court as undisputed leader of one of the Eastern Continent's most powerful organizations. The boy who'd once competed with me for advancement had grown into someone whose authority was absolute and whose judgment was trusted by thousands.

"Ready?" Seraphina asked as we approached the study doors.

"Ready," I confirmed, though part of me was still thinking about waterfalls and swimming pools and the simpler time when our biggest concern was mastering sword techniques rather than investigating the disappearance of continental heirs.