Lightning Is the Only Way

"You do realize that six of the seven Peak Sects are currently out for your head, right?" Zero's Essence asked.

Gravis sighed. "I know, but it's necessary. I already told you how I had been unmasked. Sure, it feels a bit shitty that Arc was basically unveiling my existence without my consent, but I get where he's coming from."

"By remaining unknown to the world, I run the risk of being found out. Of course, I was also found out recently, but there is a difference between everyone finding out at once and only one power finding out."

"If only a single power found me, I might not even notice that they found me. Then, they would gather an irresistible net of powerful Cultivators while analyzing my background. Without me noticing, they would watch me and gather all the relevant information about my friends and family."

"And then, when they feel like they have prepared enough, they will catch all my loved ones and pressure me into joining their Sect."

"That's when my life would be over."

"On top of that, they wouldn't even be under any stress for time or anything similar to that. No one else knew about my existence, and they would have all the time to plan for my eventual capture."

"Yet, by being unveiled in public, all seven Sects start at the same position, and they have to compete with each other. In a sense, resisting seven rudimentary, hastily planned attempts at capturing me is easier than resisting one thoroughly planned out attempt."

"Even more, the Sects wouldn't want to directly anger me just yet. After all, I could join a different Sect out of spite, and that Sect would be in a lot of trouble in the future."

"Arc used the equilibrium of the Peak Sects against each other, and I would be the one benefitting from it."

Gravis smiled bitterly. "Sadly, he probably didn't realize that I would anger six out of the seven Peak Sects at once."

"However, even that isn't as bad as being found out secretly. After all, I know that everyone found out, which allowed me to hide my tracks and background."

Gravis took a deep breath. "I still feel guilty about doing it, but I had to eradicate the Eternal Fire Sect. They were the only ones that knew about me, and with them gone, the Peak Sects have no lead."

"Right now, as long as I don't contact my loved ones, the Peak Sects won't know where or who I am."

"That's already the best I can ask for. I just have to stay low and stay hidden. Additionally, I have plenty of tempering opportunities now. I don't need to search for my opponents since nearly all the Peak Sects are my opponents now. All these people looking for me are my enemies."

they are

Then, Gravis remembered something.

you check if the Eternal Fire Sect still exists and

Essence remained silent for some

the people of the Eternal Fire

Fire Sect, the closest Sect found the territory of the Eternal Fire Sect completely

had used the opportunity that the Vice-Sect Master was absent to stage a surprise attack against the Eternal

Lightning Peak Sect while your son joined the Mortal Sect. No

released a sigh of relief. "What about

the

thought back

but now, she was in

glad that she managed to

also wanted to meet her again, but that wasn't an option

or any of his other

Formation Arrays. They were probably constantly questioning their own perception while flying around and looking at every

Sects would take thousands of years,

only way for Gravis to

longest time Gravis would be apart

this was still

best opportunity for his last push towards

decided to do something I don't like, but I think that Ancestral Gods should be smart enough

looked at

Gravis seemed rather calm.

of an option right now,"

standard practice. We can only allow the most unimportant members of a Sect to join us after

normal to eradicate an entire Sect.

the side of his head. "I mean, I get it. It feels so normal for all of you, but it's

Essence blinked once