For the next few days, Hou, Mo Huai, and all those in the Solar Tomb lived in peace. Mo Huai was introduced to all the people, in preparation for his control over it.
He also began to show off to the people his power. Not in an oppressive way, but a helpful way, remolding the world. This was similar to what Hou did but it was much more precise.
Field were pushed to the outside of the valley, houses moved into perfectly organised streets. The roads paved perfectly into stone bricks.
He helped those who were sick or injured, using healing laws and different pills the impossible became possible.
Hou had resparked his relationships, meeting with those that survived. Ever since Hou left to defeat Nelzahar, he had forgotten all he had left behind.
He had to break the news the Armen and René... That Junior had died. He did not tell them that he was the one who killed him, nor did he explain much. But he explained that he had perished, leaving the couple in a stupor. Armen's hands shook as Hou spoke. Junior's name hung between them, a ghost neither could banish. Though Hou tried not to think of it, he still had killed his nephew and worst of all... He still thought it was the right thing to do.
When 60% of Hou sect was killed they suspected Junior and died but still they held on hope. Hope that he survived. He just found what he wanted to do. He was going to learn magic from Hou, but instead on that day bloodshed happened.
He met up with all the people he had left, without his spirit wills those powerhouses became normal. The only exception was Hamar, he had a false arm but with aura he had assimilated it with himself before Hou left. It had turned from a spirit-based power to aura.
Still made of wood, yet it moved with aura as it's power. Other's were not so lucky and became normal, such as Da. Hou's wolf companion and become a normal wolf, yet due to its wills changing it did become domesticated.
In addition, he was given classes on external cultivation and how Sovereign Sect would work. Hamar and Hou were also both given new identities, with supposed backstories they would need to remember.
Mo Huai experimented with swordsmanship, and how aura would react with cultivation. He had some theories but for now decided that he would need to consult more tests before they could be combined.
***
"Now it's time for me to leave again, but don't worry. With Mo Haui here, he's going to make this the best place to live. I even offered free education to become cultivators if anyone wishes"
"I know you need to...but it's going to be hard seeing you go again Hou. At least this time, I get today goodbye myself, not just a note. Bring it in,"
Arm held out his arms wide, and Hou took it. They embraced tightly for a few moments. As they did, Arm whispered,
"Live well, don't forget about me. I've decided, I'll fight again. I'll become a father you can be proud of"
Hou cried a little then patted Arm on the back and let go of his embrace. He took a breath then spoke to Arm normally,
"I won't. I'll never forget, by the time I'm back again, this whole place will be different. And I hope everyone here can grow past the tragedies, and hopefully I'll be able to see that by your progression. Be the best cultivator or swordsman you can, you won't disappoint me even if you did nothing"
Hamar then stepped up and spoke to Arm,
"You're still the leader of the Hou Sect, right under Mo Huai. You have full authority over my people, don't hesitate to call all the guards back. Don't hesitate to order them about, and remember that you are in control here as you've always been. Even when Hou was technically ruling, you did the most. You are the backbone of this sect" Hamar held out his fist.
Arm nodded his head and sniffles, then he hit Hamar's fist,
"You two, I'm sure you'll both do great things. Show them at that other sect, show them we shouldn't be underestimated!"
Hou and Hamar both nodded, then Mo Huai snapped his fingers. A bright flash of light camouflaged his miasma and they dissapeared. They transformed into miasma which flew into the sky.
The shot right into the sky, through the Solar Tomb, through the Clouds Pavilion, through the teleporter, through even more land. They flew hundreds of miles in mere moments, as small wisps of purple-ish miasma.
Luckily the technique worked with Hamar, they had tested and aura wasn't opposing to the power of willpower and laws; they could coexist and so Mo Huai's techniques could work with swordsmasters. Aura shimmered around Hamar not resisting the miasma, but dancing with it, like two streams merging into a river; the aura followed the laws but were little effected. They transformed but did not comply and turn to miasma, just a similar form.
This also meant there was potential for swordsmasters to become cultivators but he would need to test more first. And so, Hamar was sent to a cultivation 'academy' as a swordsman.
They then landed on land, in a forest. They were inside a huge expanse of large slumbering giants, massive trees with a mystical quality. Their leaves glowed multi-coloured and let out a refreshing breeze.
Hou and Hamar formed again, the miasma spiraling into human forms before shattering. As it dissipated into the air, Hou and Hamar opened their eyes.
"So this is Sovereign Sect..." Hou looked around him and stretched his body.
"This is the world outside Solar Tomb..."
They both looked at eachother and burst into a chuckle. They both had new looks, a permanent transformation that could not easily be undone.
Hou looked like a normal boy, average features and a fairly light complexion. He had brown hair with went below his mid-back.
Hamar, on the other hand, looked more refined. He had a refined look of a talented young master. He had jet black hair and a robe which showed off his toned muscles, flowing in the wind.
"You look...cold" Hou spat out while looking at Hamar's very loose clothing.
And Hamar too pointed towards Hou's hair,
"You too, you look...wild"
The two stopped and shook their heads, then in unison they turned to each other and spoke,
"Race?"
The two rolled their shoulder and stretched their bodies. Hamar built up his aura and spread it around his body to enforce himself. Hou similarly circulated his strength laws into his feet, but he also spread flight laws around him.
"Go!" Hou shouted out and the two's race began.
Hou did not have his wings, but he could use the same mechanics himself to help himself run. While airing in Solar Sect, he had been taught external cultivation which also gave him ideas.
He didn't use the external cultivation as it would consume laws, instead he learned from it to improve his body cultivation. He jumped forward propelled by strength laws but sustained it while using minimal mental energy with the flight laws.
In the other side, Hamar burst forward with a blue flash. His aura almost exploded and eviscerated the ground below him. As he ran, the air was being split by his speed. Hamar's veins bulged blue with each step, while Hou's flight laws hummed as effortlessly as breathing.