The attack came at dawn, not with stealth or subtle pressure, but openly.
Crimson Cloud Sect banners cut through the morning fog like streaks of blood across the pale sky. Three warships hovered beyond the outer ridge, and Golden Core auras pressed downward like suffocating heat. The defensive formation of Azure Wind Mountain flickered instinctively, thin blue light rippling across the peaks.
Lan Qingyun stood at the central platform, robes snapping in the wind. Behind him, fifty disciples gathered in panic.
"Remain within the inner boundary." shouted Qingyan
One disciple tried to protest. "That is an order."
His voice did not rise, it did not need to. They retreated.
Above, a booming voice called his name.
Sect Master Han of Crimson Cloud descended from the lead warship High Golden Core, sharp eyes, broad shoulders. Crimson robes shimmered with flame patterns. Two Golden Core elders followed. Pressure rolled outward like a wave.
Lan Qingyun stepped forward alone. His Mid Golden Core aura rose smoothly to meet theirs. The air trembled between them.
"We sent a letter to azure wind."
"I received it." shouted back Qingyan
"What your answer."
"Azure Wind will relinquish its outer territories."
Murmurs stirred among the crimson elders.
"Are you sure that all sect master Lan?" Sect master Han continued " we believe cooperation will be helpful for both parties."
Qingyan simply replied, "We refuse absorption elder Han."
The air tightened, Han spoke of pragmatism and realism. His aura surged slightly. Cracks appeared along the outer defensive array.
"How long can this mountain stand without its ancestor or strong disciples?"
Lan Qingyun did not answer, then a new presence rose behind him weak and unstable, yet fierce.
Elder Wei stepped forward, leaning on his cane. Golden Core fluctuations erratic, yet unmistakably Peak Golden Core. Even cracked and dying, his pressure was immense.
"You should be resting." old master Wei said elder Han
"You don't need to worry about me sect leader Han."
The sky dimmed as the old master's aura expanded, wild and unstable. Everyone understood. A Peak Golden Core self-destruction could level half the mountain range.
Han raised a hand, stopping his elders, Wind turned violent.
Lan Qingyun stepped slightly forward. His own Golden Core rotated faster.
If it came to that, he would do the same.
Two Golden Core self-destructions at this range would cost Crimson Cloud dearly.
Silence stretched Then Han laughed. "Azure Wind lives up to its stubborn name."
His aura receded. "We have no desire to destroy the mountain. Not entirely."
With a casual gesture, one crimson elder below slashed downward with blazing palm force. A streak of crimson light tore through the lower valley. The earth shook as a deep rumble followed.
Lan Qingyun's pupils shrank the strike pierced the lower spirit spring.
The ground split. Spiritual energy surged wildly, then thinned abruptly. The outer spirit vein had been fractured not destroyed but severely damaged.
Disciples screamed. Tremors rippled upward. Buildings cracked. Dust filled the sky.
Lan Qingyun's aura exploded outward, shielding the inner courtyard. Elder Wei coughed violently, blood spraying as he forced his Golden Core to stabilize the formation core.
For a moment, everything teetered, then it settled barely.
The mountain groaned like a wounded beast.
Sect Master Han's expression remained calm.
"We will take the outer territories. You may keep your mountain" he added menacingly "for now."
"Next time, you may not afford stubbornness."
Crimson Cloud Sect withdrew. Warships turned slowly. Banners faded into morning haze.
Dust drifted like ash. The spiritual flow of Azure Wind felt uneven and thin, like breath through broken ribs.
Lan Qingyun exhaled. His sleeve was torn. Blood traced from the corner of his mouth. He had not noticed when he was injured.
Disciples emerged cautiously. Some cried. Some stood pale and silent. The outer fields were gone. Half the cultivation grounds destroyed. Spirit vein output drastically reduced.
Elder Wei staggered. Qingyun caught him. "They did not press further."
"You should not have moved." Qingyan said worryingly
"Would I have let you stand alone? "Elder Wei chuckled
Qingyun said nothing, Elder Wei looked toward the fractured valley.
"I have failed again."
"You protected what mattered."
"If the spirit vein collapses further, the sect will starve."
"I know."
"How will you stabilize it without resources?"
Qingyun had no answer.
After a long pause, Elder Wei spoke quietly. "If the worst comes, do not hesitate."
Qingyun understood. Self-destruction. Final deterrence.
He did not reply, Night fell heavier than usual. The mountain felt weaker.
Lan Qingyun stood at the edge of the damaged valley as spiritual energy seeped upward in uneven pulses. He closed his eyes and circulated qi, measuring the fracture.
It was repairable but the cost was not bearable by their already teetering sect
He looked at the sky nothing just a vast emptiness embedded by a few distant, indifferent stars.
Still nothing, he laughed softly.
A hundred years of waiting had led here. A sect reduced to a wounded shell. Fifty mediocre disciples. A dying master. A fractured spirit vein. Enemies watching.
Once the top sect of azure wind region now barely surviving.
Wind brushed across the cliff. Lan Qingyun slowly clenched his fists.
"If anything intends to appear, now would be a good time."
Nothing answered, only the mountain's wounded breath echoed in the dark.