Chapter 123: The Lull

Chapter 123: The Lull

Yao Shens expression was uncharacteristically grim as he cut connection to the communication mirror. His fist clenched into a ball, his eyes shimmering with cold fury as he considered what his oldest disciple, Shadow, had told him.

They tried to assassinate Yanyue, Yao Shen thought, his Qi fluctuating in response to his emotional instability. He had known that it was a real possibility, and had been warned of the same by Wujing Yang in the information docket he had sent over along with the cultivation manual he had asked for.

They tried to assassinate Yanyue, The thought echoed in his mind. He had known of the possibility and prepared for it. In fact, it could be said that he had left his disciples behind as bait, to draw the spies out that were no doubt concealed within the Heavenly Sky Sect.

Even then though, Yao Shen had not expected the vicious demons to strike with the strength of a mid-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator for a mere Foundation Establishment Disciple!Folloow current novÊls on nov/3lb((in).(co/m)

How ruthless, Yao Shen snarled under his breath, his expression twisted into an enraged scowl.

If it had been merely two years ago, the Demonic Path Spy would likely have succeeded in assassinating any of his disciples besides Shadow. As uniquely talented as the rest were, it required a prodigy beyond imagination for a Mortal tier to battle and win against a Soul tier cultivator.

Of course, he would not have committed to this gambit of his if the safety of his disciples were not ensured. The Rune of Focus he had traded Vondar for was only applied to the Hybrid Lumenite Armor he had crafted for his disciples, his own divine sense brand responsible for assessing any threats to their person and reacting to it.

That was the reason why Yanyue had been able to survive unscathed in her encounter against a demon that had traded his vitality for the strength of a Nascent Soul.

It was a powerful, tempting rune, but there had been no hesitation in Yao Shens mind when he did not imbue it onto the Full Lumenite Armor. The more important reason lay in the necessity of concealing possession of the armor, if they did not wish a dwarven holy war at their doorsteps. The secondary reason was more rooted in ideology over practicality, for Yao Shen did not wish for the precious armor to become a weapon.

Powerful though the armor maybe, there were a hundred ways to counter it. One did not need to necessarily kill to neutralize a threat. Yao Shen wished to strengthen the Azlak Plains and he could not accomplish such an ambitious goal by offering crutches to the Modern Sect.

The Full Lumenite Armor would give the Elders the freedom to go where they desire, to cultivate even in the most dangerous of environments unscathed. Few in this generation and perhaps many more in the next would be able to use such a precious opportunity to ascend, though Yao Shen still knew such a feat to be at least decades ahead.

Illivara Feralheart, Yao Shen muttered the twisted mockery of elven naming traditions aloud, the one who he suspected to be behind the assassination attempt. A spymaster that uses twisted flesh puppets to do her bidding, toeing the line of the pact but never crossing it. Not in a way that can be proved, He analyzed, his expression only darkening as he mused upon the true nature of the threat he was facing.

A pity she is dark elf and not human, Yao Shen continued, his physical body even know buried deep within the earth as he patiently waited for the singular moment where his intervention would be the most valuable.

The thirty six Nascent Soul cultivators stepping out of Demon Gate Azlak, a wide, cavernous chamber concealed deep beneath the Nayun Forest, certainly did not consider what they had to go through to be eligible for this mission to be disorganized.

Their hearts were marked by a Blood Qi technique that would cause it to implode within fractions of a second if they were to reveal, either via spoken word, hint or divine sense, the location of the Demon Gate. It did not matter if even a Soul Paragon or the fabled third step cultivators were to try and torture and interrogate the Elders, the location would not leak.

Many, many, too many righteous path cultivators over the years had tried to break this monopoly over information and they had all, every single one of them post the era of turmoil, had failed. No matter how profound ones technique may be, it mattered little if the subject of their interrogation would die long before they were successful.

The Righteous Path was fundamentally incapable of understanding such ruthlessness.

That was precisely why the leader of their expedition was Flesh Puppet Yifang Huang of the Celestial Four-Element Sect, one of five hegemons of the Eastern Righteous Path alliance alongside the Tower of Radiance among others a former Mid-Stage Soul Emperor who had been assassinated under the orders of none other than Illivarra Feralheart.

Depart in thirty minute delays, A gravelly voice ordered, alluding to the pre-arranged groups.

There were no nods of confirmation, not a single word of gossip exchanged. The Elders merely organized themselves in three groups of twelve each and awaited the next command, even though they were aware of the specifications of their roles well in advance.

None present wished to catch the ire, or even worse, the eye of Illivarra Feralheart.

Darkness shall assail the Sacred Flame. Shadow and Flame shall obfuscate and incinerate the Divine Mountain. Blood shall taint the Wind. Leave in the order I have called out, The unpleasant words grated against the ears of all pleasant, yet none dared even let out the slightest word in response.

Fear took on a different dimension in the realm of cultivators and Illvarra was one of the prime examples. Even demons did not wish for their soul to be invaded and their flesh crafted to serve anothers bidding.

An hour later, only the Flesh Puppet Yifang Huang remained in the chamber that was suspected to be the underground lair of a long-extinct spiritual beast species.

Now, She began, her rotting-flesh features twisting into a cruel smile. Let us see if this Human Dao cultivators preparations can surmount the Arkael Familys trained bloodhounds.

Two artifacts were retrieved from her spatial ring and placed before her. A thirty-six beaded necklace and an Azure Gemstone that rested inert.