Chapter 1 Leaving The Mountains

• One day, within an antiquated monastery atop Mount Dragonia, a bearded, white-haired friar who exuded a sagelike existence softly asked, “Sky, how long have you been in the mountains?”
• Behind the friar, a handsome young man by the name of Skylar Lucero replied respectfully, “It has been eighteen years, Master Dorian.”
• “Eighteen years.” Dorian Yardley did some simple calculations with his fingers. He sighed before announcing, “You can leave the mountains now.”
• Skylar's face remained calm, yet his heart was somersaulting in agitation. After eighteen long years, Master Dorian has finally permitted me to leave the mountain!
• And so, he bowed deeply toward Dorian's retreating figure.
• “Thank you so much, Master Dorian!”
• As the words left his lips, four figures emerged from behind him.
• Gilbert Tubney, an oily-faced, chubby priest clad in a tattered robe, spoke first. He grinned at Skylar and said, “Sky, when you leave the mountain, don't ever let yourself be wronged. If anything happens, seek out the Philans. I promise to have the Eighteen Mountain Guardians appear in front of you as quickly as possible.”
• Beside Gilbert stood Caelan Greene, a kind-eyed gentleman in green robes. Caelan added, “You have mastered all of my medical skills. As you bring renown to our lineage of Divine Healers across the land, always remember that doctors are to patients like what parents are to children.”
• Nicholaus Emryn, an unremarkable-looking elderly man in a grey robe, watched Skylar and gave a slight nod. With a somewhat raspy and rigid voice, he stated, “If someone offends, you, just kill them. I'll take the responsibility.”
• “Tone down your killer instinct, Nicholaus. Sky didn't descend from the mountain to be a Death God like you,” Tyrell Gavell chided Nicholaus. Tyrell, dressed in a neat suit, appeared vigorous and healthy. He turned to Skylar with a smile and advised, “I have already arranged things with multiple military forces, Sky. Just approach them if you need anything. However, if any troubles arise, I'd appreciate it if you could help handle them on my behalf.”
• “Thank you for all your sage advice, masters!”
• Skylar looked at the five mentors with whom he had lived for eighteen years, a lump forming in his throat. “Take care of yourselves when I'm not here,” he said. “Once I've sorted things out down below, I promise to visit you often.”
• After that, he walked confidently to the foot of the mountain.
• As he left the monastery, Skylar stared at the dense forest covering Mount Dragonia, his face as stoic as a calm lake and his gaze as cold as winter.
• “The Burton family, the Yaeger family, the Lloyd family. I'll make sure every one of you who turned against the Lucero family back then pays the price!” he vowed out loud.
• The priests in the monastery stopped smiling after Skylar's departure.
• “Old man, why on earth did you allow Sky to leave the mountain?” Gilbert voiced his dissatisfaction with the friar.
• Dorian narrowed his eyes as he slowly rose and walked into the monastery. “Different things work together in mysterious ways. In the grand scheme of things, everything is predestined. Obstinacy may render an emerald a worthless stone and a precious sword a dusty ornament.”
• “You've all been acting abnormal for days. That young lady at the foot of the mountain, is your doing, isn't it?” Gilbert asked.
• Dorian paused momentarily before replying, “I did make the arrangements, but tell me, who wouldn't plan something interesting for Sky?”
• Upon hearing this, the four priests exchanged peculiar glances, smiling silently.
• Dorian strolled toward the temple, hands clasped behind his back, lost in thought. He murmured, “I'm about to go into seclusion. Remember to have Seraphina's Misty Rain Pavilion keep a close eye on the matters below the mountain. After all, Sky is our only disciple.”
• “I'll let Seraphina know right away!”
• Gilbert was the first to dash out of the monastery, walking in the opposite direction of Skylar.
• The others watched as Gilbert disappeared in a puff of smoke, their faces twisted in disdain. Simultaneously, they spat out, “That lustful priest!”
• Seraphina Reyes was Skylar's sixth master. She was known for her gentle yet seductive persona. Her figure was remarkably striking, making her the ideal lover of every man.
• Misty Rain Pavilion, as its name suggested, was an enchanting place, brimming with nature's beauty and elegance.
• Surprisingly, these types of places were not only widespread across Clusia, but they even had a foothold abroad.
• Skylar soon arrived at the foot of the mountain. As soon as he stepped onto the small path between the mountains, he was greeted by the sight of a beautiful young girl. A burly man trailed behind her, both of them looking travel-worn as they made their way into the mountain. Their faces were etched with wariness.
• Skylar had spent eighteen years in the monastery on Mount Dragonia. The mountain remained inaccessible throughout his stay, and the color of his robe had faded from repeated washings. Even though he was handsome, he still looked like a beggar who had been living in the mountains for a long time.
• The middle-aged, burly man stood squarely in front of the young girl and warned Skylar, “Who's this wild punk? Get lost!”
• Skylar was taken aback. Are all the people down the mountain this rude? Do they just insult anyone they're seeing for the first time?
• Before Skylar could argue, the young girl behind the burly man called out, “Mr. Armstrong, he's just a beggar. We shouldn't waste our time. We should hurry and search for Saint Dorian in the mountains.”
• The burly man, Maxim Armstrong, having received his orders, shot a fierce glare at Skylar before turning to leave.
• Skylar swiftly positioned himself in front of the two, arms crossed over his chest as he asked, “Who told you that Saint Dorian was on this mountain?”
• Dorian was the religious name of Skylar's master.
• The title of 'Saint' was a sign of reverence for the leader of Druism.
• Eighteen years ago, ever since Dorian saved Skylar and brought him back to the mountain, he had not shown his martial prowess again. How does this girl, who appears to be my age, know about this? In fact, how did she manage to find her way to Mount Dragonia?
• “Kid, mind your own business,” Maxim growled menacingly.
• The young girl looked Skylar up and down. Despite his raggedy clothes, his face was fairly decent. Burdened by her grandfather's illness, she decided to take a chance and explained, “Dear friar, my grandfather is gravely ill. Only Saint Dorian can cure him. Do you happen to know where in the mountain the Saint resides?”
• Skylar furrowed his brows. Although he wasn't sure where they had gotten their information from, he knew that his master, who was currently at a critical juncture of deciphering the divine secrets, would definitely not abandon his seclusion for them. He stated somberly, “I've been here for eighteen years, and I've never heard of any Saint Dorian.”
• This statement wasn't a lie, either. His other masters always addressed Dorian as 'old man'.
• Upon hearing those words, the young girl's hope was already dwindling. Her lively eyes blurred with tears, and a trace of desolation appeared on her delicate face. However, it was quickly replaced with determination. “Still, this is our last hope. Let's go up the mountain and continue our search, Mr. Armstrong.”
• Skylar didn't want them to disturb Dorian's seclusion. He stepped in to stop them, expressing calmly, “I've been living here for quite some time, and I've never heard of any Saint. However, if there's something you need, I might be able to assist you.”
• Upon hearing Skylar's words, a glimmer of hope sparkled anew in the girl's dispirited gaze. She was about to say something when Maxim interrupted, “Kid, this is Ms. Bianca Weiss, the heiress of Jeahron's esteemed Weiss family. Put away your shrewd ideas, or you won't even know how you died.”
• The glimmer of hope in Bianca's eyes quickly faded as she appraised Skylar's ragged attire once more. True. How could a beggar possibly cure Grandpa's illness?
• Skylar couldn't help but chuckle, realizing he had been mistaken for a fraudster. After a moment of contemplation, he addressed Bianca, “If I'm not mistaken, you're here on behalf of your grandfather, aren't you?”
• “Acting all mysterious, aren't you? Ms. Weiss already told you earlier that we're here specifically due to Old Mr. Weiss' illness.”
• The disgust on Maxim's face was palpable as he continued in annoyance, “Hurry up and scram. You're holding up important matters. Don't blame me for being rude!”
• Skylar didn't become angry. Instead, he calmly stated, “I can also tell that your grandfather fell ill three months ago. Moreover, on the fifth, fifteenth, and twenty-fifth of each month, he would experience intense body pain, making it difficult to sleep. His health has been deteriorating, and he's on the brink of death.”
• He added, “The hospital also couldn't find anything wrong with him at all, right? Only a friar can alleviate your grandfather's suffering to some extent. And the hospital probably told you that only Saint Dorian could save your grandfather, didn't they?”
• With every word Skylar spoke, the young girl's eyes sparkled a bit brighter, while Maxim's expression grew increasingly sour.
• “Please, you must save my grandfather,” she pleaded.
• Bianca rushed forward in urgency and clasped Skylar's hand tightly.