Chapter 153: Search for the Missing Disciples
Three days had passed since the fierce battle involving Elton's group.
Now, in the skies above the devastated region, two large flying magical vessels approached, each escorted by smaller craft—four behind one, five behind the other. They were two separate forces, both drawn here after receiving urgent distress signals.
Trailing them at a distance was a mixed assembly of other factions, the most prominent among them being forces from the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect.
From the air, it was easy to tell how destructive the recent battle had been—an area spanning at least four miles bore the scars of violent clashes.
One of the two arriving forces bore the Red Star Eyes insignia across all five of its escort ships. These were members of the Aka Boshi no Tengan Clan.
Inside the command cabin of their lead vessel sat none other than Christian, Christy's grandmother. Also present were Christy's parents, Jonovan and Christina, along with several other high-ranking clan members. The mood was grim.
Of all of them, Christina was the most restless, barely able to keep herself composed.
"Mom… even now, we can't find a single trace of Christy outside of her residual aura in this place… Oh heavens, please let my daughter be safe."
Her voice trembled.
Jonovan squeezed her hand gently, though his own expression betrayed his worry.
"Relax, honey. The fact that we haven't found her could mean she's fine—our tracking might simply be blocked. There was a horrific battle here, after all."
Christian's eyes, glowing faintly with swirling crimson runes, settled on them both.
"Now, now—you two need to breathe. I am certain she's alive and well. I can see it faintly through the Red Star's Fate Tracer ability. Christina, once you reach the Mortal Shedding Realm, you might be able to use your own variation of this ability."
That reassurance, small as it was, kept hope alive in the room.
It was then that a communication request came in—from the other large vessel traveling beside them. The Aka Boshi no Tengan accepted the transmission, and a holographic projection shimmered into view.
If Elton's group had been present, they would have recognized the faces immediately.
"Grand Duke Aerlan Nightbloom—what a pleasure. And Duchess Aeloria Nightbloom, long time no see," Christian greeted warmly.
The figures of Aeloria and her grandfather Aerlan appeared alongside a number of fanged elf elites—including Jewleaf, Shayleaf's father.
"It's an honor, fellow Daoist Christian," Aerlan said, inclining his head politely.
"Madam Christian—the honor is mine," Aeloria added, bowing slightly.
Christian returned a polite nod.
"So then, what was it you wished to discuss? Have you found leads?"
It should be noted—both Christian and Aerlan were Middle-Stage Mortal Shedding Realm experts, and not ordinary ones. Their presence here was due to their special ties to Christy and Shayleaf.
Aerlan gestured for his granddaughter to speak.
"Ria—explain."
"Yes, Grandfather."
Aeloria's polite smile faded into seriousness.
"Madam Christian, I believe you're aware of my special ability?"
Christian only smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.
"I believe I can locate Lady Shayleaf and Lady Christy—but for that, you'll need to accompany us deep into the Crimson Forest, in the Fae region."
A robed Aka Boshi no Tengan clansman frowned.
"What? Why go there? With all respect, while they were indeed in that region for a long time, they fled long ago and ended up here."
Aeloria remained patient.
"To be frank, it's the safest route for our fanged elves to access our entrance into the Whispering Expanse."
Another woman from the clan frowned in confusion.
"Why would we go there? Are you saying they somehow ended up in the Expanse? There's no entrance in this area—how would they even get there?"
Aeloria explained calmly.
"Ever since the dimensional openings linking this pocket world to the real world began, dangerous rifts can appear spontaneously. The presence of Late-Stage Mortal Lords—or stronger—can trigger them. From the damage we've seen here, it's highly likely that's what happened. They might have fallen into one."
The room went silent.
Christina went pale. Falling into such a rift could mean instant death… or imprisonment in a hostile dimension.
Christian's gaze sharpened.
"Why do you think they're in the Whispering Expanse?"
Aeloria's tone was firm but vague.
"…Foresight. I can't give you many details—but I believe there's a high chance they're there."
Christian held her gaze for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well. We'll follow your lead."
"Wait—Madam Christian!" another clansman began, but she silenced him with a raised hand.
"We'll follow Duchess Aeloria's arrangements."
"Thank you, Madam Christian," Aeloria said with a deeper bow than before.
"Thank you for trusting my granddaughter's words, fellow Daoist Christian," Aerlan added.
Christian smiled faintly.
"It's no trouble. She earned my trust years ago—back when we first met in Celebi Forest Kingdom, and during the war campaigns here and in Brawlmanica. You've also aided my granddaughter plenty."
The two forces began making preparations. Some of the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect experts in the area were brought in on the plan—after all, Shayleaf and Christy were both core disciples.
As for Daoist Blue Heavens Sword… the sect had received a peculiar order from higher up: Do not search for him.