The staircase to the Cloud Spire Pavilion was not made of stone, but of solidified light. It spiraled upward into the clouds, each step humming with a low, resonant frequency that tested the stability of one's cultivation base. For ordinary cultivators, climbing it required immense focus.
For Kelser, it was trivial.
He walked up as if on flat ground, his frost aura naturally dampening the chaotic energy of the steps. Elara walked beside him, her hand resting lightly on his arm to stabilize her own flow. Behind them, Jian whistled a tuneless melody, bouncing on the balls of his feet, while Mina moved silently, her eyes scanning the invisible formations woven into the air.
"Look at all the fancy banners," Jian noted, pointing upward. "Blue for Azure Sword, Green for Verdant Cloud, Iron Grey for the Bone Clan... oh, and look, a black banner with a red moon that's been torn in half. That's new. Did we do that?"
"We destroyed their sect," Mina said dryly. "They probably couldn't afford a new banner yet."
Kelser didn't smile, but his grip on Elara's hand tightened slightly. "Stay alert. The summit is neutral ground, but neutrality does not mean safety. It only means they won't attack us openly... initially."
As they reached the top, the clouds parted to reveal a breathtaking sight.
The Cloud Spire Pavilion floated on a massive island of white jade, suspended thousands of feet above the mountain peaks. Bridges of pure light connected various pavilions dedicated to different sects. In the center stood the Grand Hall of Accord, a colossal structure with roofs curving like dragon wings, guarded by ancient spirit statues that radiated Nascent Soul pressure.
Dozens of cultivators were already gathered in the central plaza. Robes of every color and quality fluttered in the high-altitude wind. The air buzzed with conversation, spiritual sense probing, and the subtle clashing of egos.
The moment Kelser and his group stepped onto the platform, the noise died down.
It wasn't an immediate silence. It started as a ripple, spreading outward from those who saw them first, until the entire plaza fell quiet. Hundreds of eyes turned toward the entrance.
Whispers broke out, hushed but urgent.
"That's him..."
"The Ice Demon."
"And the Silver Witch."
"They really came. After destroying the Blood Moon Sect?"
"Look at their aura. It's terrifying."
Kelser ignored the stares. He kept his gaze fixed on the Grand Hall. But Elara could feel the tension radiating from him through their bond. He was calculating threats, escape routes, and potential ambushes.
Relax, she projected gently into his mind. We are guests here.
Guests can be poisoned, Kelser replied internally. Or trapped.
Before they could take another step, a figure detached itself from the crowd and approached them.
It was Elder Lin of the Azure Sword Sect, the same man who had invited them. He wore formal blue robes embroidered with silver swords, and his expression was polite, though his eyes held a flicker of caution.
"Master Kelser, Lady Elara," Elder Lin bowed deeply, showing more respect than usual. "And your companions. Welcome to the Summit of Clouds. We are honored by your presence."
Kelser nodded once, a stiff, minimal gesture. "Elder Lin. We accepted your invitation. Do not make us regret it."
Elder Lin smiled tightly. "Of course not. Please, follow me. The other sect leaders are waiting in the Grand Hall."
As they walked through the parting crowd, Kelser felt the weight of hundreds of spiritual senses brushing against him. Some were curious, some fearful, and a few... hostile.
He sensed a particularly sharp, cold intent coming from a group standing near the entrance of the Grand Hall.
They were three men dressed in heavy, dark grey armor adorned with iron spikes. Their leader was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a scar running down his cheek and eyes that burned with barely contained hatred.
Iron Bone Clan.
The leader stepped forward, blocking their path. Elder Lin hesitated, looking nervous.
"Stop right there," the Iron Bone leader growled. His voice was rough, like grinding stones.
Kelser stopped. He didn't look afraid. He looked bored.
"You are blocking the way," Kelser stated flatly.
"And you," the leader spat, "are a murderer. You destroyed the Blood Moon Sect, yes. But you also killed disciples of the Iron Bone Clan who were merely guarding their interests!"
Jian stepped forward, grinning. "Oh, you mean the guys who were helping kidnap villagers and harvest organs? Those 'interests'?"
"Silence, thief!" The leader's hand went to the hilt of his massive war hammer. "I am General Krog of the Iron Bone Clan. And I demand satisfaction for my fallen kin."
The crowd gasped. Challenging someone at the summit entrance was a grave breach of protocol, but Krog's anger was palpable.
Elder Lin stepped in quickly. "General Krog, please! This is neutral ground! No fighting allowed before the summit begins!"
Krog ignored him, his eyes locked on Kelser. "Neutral ground protects diplomats, not monsters. Step aside, or I will crush you where you stand."
Kelser sighed softly. It was a sound of genuine disappointment.
"I warned you," Kelser whispered to Elara.
Then he looked at Krog.
"You want satisfaction?" Kelser asked calmly. "Come and take it."
Krog roared and swung his war hammer. The weapon glowed with earth-shattering Qi, aiming directly for Kelser's head. The force of the swing created a shockwave that knocked nearby spectators back.
Kelser didn't dodge.
He simply raised one finger.
Clang.
The massive hammer stopped dead against Kelser's fingertip. Not blocked by a shield, not parried by a sword. Stopped by a single digit.
The impact should have shattered Kelser's hand. Instead, frost exploded outward from the point of contact, crawling up the hammer's handle and freezing Krog's arm instantly.
Krog's eyes widened in shock. He tried to pull back, but his arm was encased in black ice.
"What—?" Krog stammered.
"You rely on strength," Kelser said, his voice carrying clearly over the silent plaza. "But strength without control is just noise."
With a flick of his finger, Kelser sent a pulse of Asura Qi through the ice.
Crack.
The war hammer shattered into frozen dust.
Krog stumbled back, clutching his now-numb arm, his face pale with terror. The crowd fell completely silent. Even the birds seemed to stop singing.
Kelser lowered his hand. "Is that enough satisfaction?"
Krog opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. He looked at his ruined weapon, then at Kelser's impassive face, and finally backed away, dragging his frozen arm.
"I... I will remember this," Krog hissed before retreating into the crowd, followed by his ashamed subordinates.
Elder Lin let out a breath he had been holding. "Master Kelser... that was... unnecessary aggression."
"He attacked first," Kelser replied coldly. "I defended. That is the rule of neutral ground, is it not? Self-defense is permitted."
Elder Lin couldn't argue with that. "Yes... technically. Please, let us proceed before more incidents occur."
They continued toward the Grand Hall. As they walked, the crowd parted even wider than before. Fear had replaced curiosity. But amidst the fear, Elara noticed something else.
Small groups of junior disciples from minor sects were watching Kelser not with terror, but with awe. They whispered among themselves, eyes shining.
He stood up to the Iron Bone Clan.
He didn't even draw his sword.
Maybe... maybe we don't have to be afraid anymore.
Elara squeezed Kelser's hand. Did you see that?
Saw what? Kelser asked.
Hope, she replied. You just gave them hope.
Kelser glanced at the young disciples. He didn't understand the feeling, but he acknowledged the data. Efficiency improved. Good.
They reached the massive doors of the Grand Hall. Two giant spirit guards stepped aside, recognizing the authority of the invitees.
Inside, the hall was vast, illuminated by floating orbs of light. A large circular table dominated the center, surrounded by seats marked with the insignias of the major sects.
Sitting around the table were the true powers of the region.
At the head sat an old man in white robes with a long beard—Patriarch Feng of the Azure Sword Sect. To his right sat a woman in green silk, her face hidden behind a veil—Mistress Liu of the Whispering Willows. To his left sat a burly man with skin like stone—Chieftain Grom of the Iron Bone Clan (Krog's superior).
And there were others. Representatives from the Verdant Cloud, the Golden Pill Sect, and several independent powers.
All eyes turned to the entrance as Kelser and his group entered.
Patriarch Feng stood up, smiling warmly, though his eyes were sharp as flint.
"Ah, the guests of honor have arrived," Feng announced, his voice amplified by Qi. "Welcome, Master Kelser, Lady Elara. And your... unique companions."
He gestured to the empty seats reserved for them.
"Please, join us. We have much to discuss regarding the future of our realm."
Kelser walked to the table. He didn't bow. He simply pulled out a chair for Elara, waited for her to sit, and then took the seat beside her. Jian and Mina stood behind them, acting as guards.
"The future," Kelser repeated, his voice echoing in the silent hall. "Let us hope it is better than the past."
Patriarch Feng's smile didn't waver, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees.
"Indeed," Feng said softly. "Indeed."
The Summit of Clouds had begun. And the real battle—the battle of words, politics, and hidden agendas—was about to commence.