The Man’s Decree

“Take this. This is Emerald Cauldron Sect's token. There's only one such token, and whoever possesses it can exercise the same authority as the sect leader. You can return to Emerald Cauldron Sect anytime you want. We will always welcome you, and I will always wait for you,” Viola said.

Jared received the token, and when their hands intertwined, she held onto his hand for a long while, feeling the warmth of his hands.

At that moment, Jared also felt a little dazed. I'll feel guilty for making a girl wait for me for the rest of her life. Even so, there are just too many things I have to attend to now. I can't linger in Emerald Cauldron Sect for too long, nor am I able to provide happiness for Viola.

It was already difficult enough for Jared to keep himself safe in Ethereal Realm. If he truly got together with Viola, she would also be thrust into danger. Unable to bring himself to do something as selfish as that, Jared steeled his resolution and broke away from her grasp.

Then, he tucked the exquisite token into his pocket.

Just as they released each other's hands, Ghaylen entered the room.

At the sight of Viola's reddened face, he hurriedly flashed a sheepish smile and said, “Excuse me. I must've gone into the wrong room.”

Ghaylen thought Jared and Viola were sharing an intimate moment and didn't want to disturb them.

“Mr. Samoll, is there something you need?” When Ghaylen was about to leave, Viola stopped him.

“Ms. Warwick, I'm just here to inform you that as you've just assumed the leader's position, you should hold a meeting with the higher-ups in Emerald Cauldron Sect on the first day,” Ghaylen replied.

“Okay. I got it.” Viola nodded.

“You can attend the meeting too, Mr. Chance, since your status in Emerald Cauldron Sect is already higher than an elder like me now,” Ghaylen said to Jared.

“I won't be participating as I'll be taking my leave,” Jared responded with a smile.

“You're leaving, Mr. Chance?” Ghaylen was stunned, then asked in confusion, “Why are you in such a hurry to leave? We haven't even opened the medicinal treasury yet. If you need it, I can unlock it for you anytime.”

“That won't be necessary. I'll visit your medicinal treasury when I have the chance. I have a few friends I've been separated from for a long time, and I haven't heard from them at all, so I need to locate them as soon as possible,” Jared answered.

“Do you know about your friends' whereabouts?” Ghaylen probed further.

Jared shook his head.

Ghaylen furrowed his brows. “Since you don't know where they are, it'll be difficult for you to locate them. I've been in Emerald Cauldron Sect for decades, yet I've yet to familiarize myself with every part of this world. I've only heard that Ethereal Realm's north and south poles are hundreds of thousands of kilometers apart. There are countless sects, towns, cities, and even nations. It will be an arduous journey to find your friends without having any idea where they are.”

Hearing that, Jared couldn't help but sigh. Ethereal Realm is indeed too expansive. It'll be very challenging for me to find Josephine and the others. Still, I won't give up!