Orion arrived at Elder Winston's house with a sense of anticipation and respect. As he approached the front porch, he could see the elderly man sitting with his eyes closed in deep meditation. The serene expression on his face made it clear that he was a master of his craft, and Orion felt a deep sense of reverence as he approached him.
"Elder Winston," Orion said, bowing respectfully. "It's an honor to see you."
Elder Winston opened his eyes and smiled warmly at Orion. "Ah, Orion. It's good to see you," he replied, his voice deep and soothing. "And what a surprise! You have become a Lord Realm cultivator. That is quite an achievement."
Orion felt a rush of pride at Elder Winston's words. He had worked hard to reach this level, and it was gratifying to be recognized by such a respected elder in the cultivation world. "Thank you, Elder," he said, his voice tinged with excitement.
The Elder raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "But I sense that there is something else on your mind, Orion. What brings you here today?"
Orion took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts. "It's about my death match with Senior Disciple Marcus," he said finally. "I'm not afraid of the match itself, but I know that Marcus has some powerful connections. If I were to kill him in the match, it could lead to some...difficulties."
The Elder nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "I see," he said. "So you are concerned about the repercussions of defeating Marcus."
Orion nodded. "Exactly. I don't want to bring any trouble upon myself or my sect, but at the same time, I can't hold back in the match. It's a matter of honor."
The Elder smiled faintly. "I understand your dilemma, Orion. But remember, as a cultivator, you must always be prepared to face the consequences of your actions. And sometimes, the greatest risks lead to the greatest rewards."
Orion nodded, his expression resolute. "I understand, Elder. I will face whatever comes with courage and determination."
The Elder nodded approvingly. "That is the spirit of a true cultivator. And remember, Orion, the path of cultivation is not just about becoming stronger or defeating opponents. It is about self-improvement, enlightenment, and ultimately, transcending the mortal realm."
Orion listened to the Elder's words with a sense of reverence. He knew that the old man spoke from a lifetime of experience and wisdom, and he felt humbled by the magnitude of what he was saying. The path of cultivation was not just about physical strength and power, but about cultivating the mind, the spirit, and the soul.
"Thank you, Elder. I will keep your words in mind," Orion said, bowing respectfully.
The Elder nodded. "Now, about your concerns with Senior Disciple Marcus. I understand that he has some powerful connections, but you must remember that as long as you are a member of our sect, you are under our protection. If anyone were to try and harm you or bring trouble upon the sect, we would take swift and decisive action to protect our own."
Orion felt a sense of relief at the Elder's words. He knew that the sect was powerful and had many resources at its disposal, but it was reassuring to hear the Elder say it out loud.
"But what about Marcus himself? If I were to kill him in the match, what would happen?" Orion asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.
The Elder paused for a moment, considering his words carefully. "If you were to defeat Marcus in the match and he was to die, there would be no harm to the sect. His background is not enough to threaten us, and we would not be held responsible for his death. However, for you personally, there may be some challenges."
The Elder then continued, "If his connections were to come after you, we could not protect you from them. But as long as you remain within the sect, they will not be able to challenge you openly. It would have to be a covert operation, and we would do everything in our power to prevent that from happening."
Orion nodded slowly, taking in the Elder's words. It was a sobering thought, but he knew that he could not let fear hold him back. He had trained for years to reach this level, and he was not about to back down now.
"I understand, Elder. I will do what I must in the match, and face whatever consequences come my way," Orion said, his voice firm and resolute.
The Elder smiled faintly. "I have faith in you, Orion. You have come a long way on your path of cultivation, and I have no doubt that you will continue to grow and succeed. Remember, the match is not just about victory or defeat."
The Elder then continued, "It is about testing yourself, pushing yourself to the limits, and learning from the experience. And win or lose, you will come out stronger on the other side."
Orion nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude for the Elder's wisdom and guidance. He knew that the path ahead would not be easy, but with the Elder's words ringing in his ears, he felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Orion stood up, feeling a renewed sense of purpose and determination. He thanked the Elder once again for his time and wisdom before leaving the house to begin his training. As he walked through the winding paths of the sect's training grounds, his mind was focused on the upcoming death match with Senior Disciple Marcus.
Orion knew that he needed to train hard if he was going to have a chance at defeating Marcus. He spent the next few hours practicing his martial arts forms, pushing himself to his limits with each movement. Sweat poured down his face as he pushed his body to its limits, striving for perfection in every strike and every step.
As the sun began to set, Orion collapsed on the grass, exhausted but exhilarated. He knew that he had a long way to go before he was ready for the death match, but he was determined to keep training until he reached his full potential.
