"We first entered the mountain pass forest in order to find the drakes as per your instructions, Sect Master Rodomir," Olivia began, her voice steady despite the weight of her words.
The dense canopy above cast dappled shadows in the village square, deepening the somber mood. Ambient sounds from the livestock and distant murmurs from the cowering villagers illustrated the stark, disquieting presence of the elders surrounding the young disciples.
"The teams searched in different areas at Elder Shufang's command after we could not find traces of them. After we parted, we continued down to the mountain torrent when we were ambushed suddenly by the worms. The attack came from underneath Elder Shufang's feet." The vivid memories of despair, agony, and bewilderment of the battle clashed against the fabricating story forming in her mind, sending a chill down her spine.
She paused, choosing her words carefully. Her heart raced, each beat echoing in her ears like a drum. "The strongest of the worms was the first to strike. Using his profound knowledge, he knew the beast was a Feral Mantle Worm and that we disciples were not its match. He commanded us to withdraw to safety. As the fight continued for hours and he noticed the beasts had already infested the area, he threw me the flare as his final act before he used a secret art to kill the leader." Olivia lowered her head, hiding her face as she spoke the exaggerated tale of Elder Shufang's heroism, hoping they wouldn't see through the deception.
The sect masters listened intently, their eyes boring into Olivia. Each word she spoke was met with silence, the tension in the air growing thicker. Olivia could feel their scrutiny, their unspoken questions hanging in the air like a storm about to break. Her eyes dilated from the stress as the pressure exuding from the continent's strongest cultivators pressed against her.
"Mmh. A' expected fro' an eldur," Bahlber nodded in approval, his gruff voice echoing in the silenced forest village.
"Amitabha. To sacrifice one's self for others is good karma. I shall pray his soul is guided to Buddha," Brahtma intoned, clasping both palms together in a gesture of reverence. The sincerity of his words contrasted sharply with the skepticism that followed.
Sasuki refilled her kiseru, her eyes narrowing as she scoffed at Olivia's story. "A beautiful tale you told, Inner Disciple Olivia, but what about the other beasts? They breed uncontrollably. Killing one wouldn't warrant the use of the flare. So explain how the rest died, if at all." Her voice was laced with skepticism, each word a challenge.
"Where does that confidence come from to stop us?" she asked, her glare cold and sharp. The intensity of her cold, venomous gaze made Olivia's heart jump, her mind scrambling for a response.
"Young one, the battle was long and against many… how is it you have come to this humble village to celebrate and not finish the task given?" Sasuki's mother opened one eye, her presence imposing as she stood before Olivia, wisps of energy swirling around her.
The air grew heavy with tension, the amethyst purple qi swirling around the elder's cane casting an eerie glow while slowly encircling around the disciples' necks.
Olivia's blood ran cold at the sight of the purple qi, her instincts screaming to flee as far as possible. Her mind halted, trying to process everything while restraining the desire to flee. "I fail to understand… please enlighten me!"
"As my daughter is insinuating, this one questions your claim as well. If Elder Shufang found your strength lacking to fight in the beginning, how is it that you were not only able to exterminate the Feral Mantle Worms but also slay all the drakes in the forest as well?" Sasuki's mother slammed her cane on the hard ground, making a clean, seamless puncture in the earth.
The sight and sound of the act made the disciples frantically quiver; they opened and closed their mouths, unable to utter a word in response. The elder's presence was overwhelming, even stalling the movements of the other elders.
The air grew thick with tension, the amethyst purple qi swirling around the elder's cane casting an eerie glow while slowly shrinking around the disciples' necks like a readied guillotine. Olivia's face blanched, her mind scrambling for a plausible explanation while keeping her promise to Illia intact.
"Pardon me, dear sect masters, but allow me to be the one to explain." Soloman stepped forward, his eyes catching the fear and pain in the disciples' faces. He kneeled in front of the weathered-faced elder, careful not to get too close to the ominous energy surrounding the cane.
"…Hmph. They can't even handle a little intimidation. Proceed." The elder's voice was cold, her gaze piercing. Seeing the young man audaciously present himself so close that her qi was cutting into his body, she couldn't help but acquiesce.
{Soloman, follow my words exactly. They can't know about you creating that lightning that exterminated the worms or the method of killing the drakes. The woman before you is a 'Nascent Soul' cultivator; she kills cultivators with a glance and slays mortals as easily as breathing.} Priscilla's voice was calm but urgent, a reminder of the stakes.
[I'll put my faith in you, Priscila. Both our asses are on the line here.] Soloman's thoughts raced, his heart pounding in his chest. He took a deep breath, steadying himself before speaking.
"Our team knew of the importance of the golden flare being launched in the sky and ran to assist without regard for ourselves. As we approached Olivia's team, they had already slain twelve of the lesser worms using the terrain to their advantage to expose the underbelly scales. Using the scales of the dead, they fashioned simple spears and knives to fend off the stronger worms. Illia gallantly used Master Mùchén's teachings to instruct us on how to kite the beasts to a specific area in an attempt to launch a singular devastating strike," he said calm and steady.
"Midway in prepping for the assault, dark flashing clouds formed above us and a harsh, deafening howl was heard. The sound was so intense that our bodies couldn't cope, and we collapsed on the ground, barely conscious." Soloman continued to kneel, painting an unbelievable lie so absurd it demanded belief.
"As the flashes grew stronger, the winds picked up, creating a funnel that gathered all manner of creatures together. Without warning, the power of the sky struck the core of the funnel, eliminating all life trapped within." He observed the facial expressions of the elders, hiding his own. He had to use the implants in his heart to steady its beating, ensuring they wouldn't sense the lie.
The elder's eyes narrowed, her expression unreadable. The area was silent, the tension almost tangible. Soloman could feel the weight of their scrutiny, each second stretching into an eternity.
"Though I cannot sense qi as the other disciples can due to my deformity, I can assure you that the lightning strike formed was not from qi or relics but by the power of nature. If I may be so bold, I believe it to be the blessing of the Skylark Raijū Beast." He gave his conclusion for the elders to dissect. Their eyes widened hearing that name, then quickly turned into a cutting inspecting glare.
[What if they ask for specific details?]
{You did well, Soloman. People as strong as them can sense the difference in causations of qi and nature. I have every journal made regarding the Skylark Raijū in my library already; if they have any questions, we have answers.} Priscila proudly proclaimed as she wiped sweat from her brow.
[Here's hoping.] He took a quick glance at his prostrating group, silently urging them to play along.
"Oh~." The elderly woman removed her dragon hairpin that carried a sliver of her consciousness and directed her will inside to scan the entire mountain range.
fwwwweeeeeet~
The black jade whistled through the air, its haunting echo sending chills down the disciples' spines. The sound mirrored the power she wielded, its resonance almost tangible.
"This one will check if it was a natural power or not that made that lightning. Young one, you claim it to be the work of a deity-grade spirit beast. That must have been quite an inspiration to gaze upon its fangs and horn for those who can cultivate." She side-eyed Soloman with a bland tone that belied the gravity of her words.
She walked past Soloman and stood before the trembling disciples, her vicious qi hovering around their necks like a razor noose. The pressure exuding from her words felt like boulders to the nearly fainting disciples.
"Right?" The other sect masters exchanged knowing glances, allowing her to lay out her bait. The tentative agreement was made with no room to step in otherwise.
{Shit.}
[What?!]
{You can't gaze upon a deity-grade beast without suffering death or insanity.}
[They can just say they couldn't see it.]
{The Skylark Raijū Beast has a beak and talons on a wolf body… She's baiting them.}
[Fuck…]
The group broke down in tears, overwhelmed by her presence and fearing for their lives under her scrutiny. Speaking out of turn, answering incorrectly, or remaining silent—all options led to the same dire conclusion with this twelfth ex-master of the Terra Blossom Sect Zhìmìng Huā, known for her bloody and merciless reputation.
Bahlder wanted to intervene, the loss of powerful younglings was too much to bear, but Sasuki's arm blocked him. She silently shook her head as a drop of sweat fell from her cheek; even she knew her mother wouldn't heed her own daughter's plea.
"One's might is One's will, emotions and blood relations are of no matter." Her mother's teaching as a child were tattooed on her brain.
Both representatives of the two groups knew they had to be the ones to answer her question. They caught onto Soloman's cue to play along, but the mention of a mythical beast was beyond their wildest imaginations. Illia's eyes darted about, desperately seeking an answer that would spare them from slaughter. Olivia struggled for breath under the weight of expectation, her mind racing with images of glorified and powerful beings. Hearing each other's lack of breathing only made them realize they were dead in the water.
Sect Master Rodomir performed an act unbecoming of his title by kneeling and demonstrating a gongshou when asking for leniency. "Matriarch Zhìmìng Huā, please quell your rancor. Your reputation alone reduces even the strongest cultivators to mere children; these actual children find even breathing a herculean task before you."
Sasuki, looking at Bahlder's face and seeing his intention to step forward still, could only hold onto his hand to stop him. She turned to view her mother's hunched back but appeared mountainous in her eyes and collected herself to muster every fiber of her being to speak up. Visions of her mother's brutality when she was younger came to her mind, so only one word was formed.
"M-mother."
"Hm?" She looked over her shoulder and saw her only daughter's small pleading face. Following her arm, she saw her holding hands with Bahlder, who was tensing his muscles to rush forward.
"Tsk. To be young." She released the qi around the group's necks and returned to her daughter's side. The oppressive weight lifted allowing the kneeling disciples to gasp for breath once more, but the fear of execution lingered in the air.
"Thank you." Sasuki whispered, her voice barely audible. The relief was palpable, but the tension remained.
She quickly returned to her usual demeanor as she lit her kiseru. The smoke curled around her, once more. "Answer her question."
The two representatives frantically searched their minds for an answer, aware that the release of qi around their necks did not guarantee their safety. Illia sifted through every memory of her master, hoping to recall any relevant information he might have mentioned. As the sect master's patience waned, she prepared to give a vague and ambiguous response. Seeing this dangerous gamble, Soloman decided to make one of his own.
"My knee sure is hurting." Soloman spoke in a loud voice while emphasizing one word in particular. The sudden outburst from Soloman, who was known for his deliberate speech, caught Illia's team off guard, slicing through the tension like a blade.
{What are you doing?!}
[Gambling.]
"Must be my old mortal body." He tried passing off his remark as nonsense, hoping Illia understood his intention. He rubbed the back of his head to convey his awkwardness in this situation.
Illia, who had spent countless hours absorbing his teachings, knew there was significance behind his words—a message hidden in plain sight. Her eyes dialated as her mind rushed to decipher his meaning.
"Git on up, boi." Bahlder patted him on the shoulder and carried him over to the table to finish the meal.
[Just watch, Priscila. They are smarter than what you give them credit for.]
Illia, observing the interaction, racked her brain to decipher the message. A man who never kneeled to her elders, never used respectful tones or speech, was made to do so here under the threat of death of others. Even now as he got up, he reverted to his usual self, talking as equals with Sect Master Bahlder.
Ignoring the disturbance, the old woman returned to the discussion, pressing the issue by placing the bait again for them to take. "How did the beast inspire you? It is a rare event to see a Skylark Raijū use its fangs and claws to summon the wrath of the heavens."
Her brain wracked with thoughts and interpretations of his words, 'My knee sure is hurting.' The word knee was elongated. The out-of-pocket sentence appeared like utter nonsense.
"Knee, knee, knee. Why knee?… Hurting, his knee was hurting from…" A flash of understanding came to her as she whispered under her breath. The realization was sudden, a ray of clarity in the stormy chaos in her mind.
"Responding to the elder!" she exclaimed, seizing control of the conversation before anyone else could stumble in the dark. Her voice steady and her back straight to display the confidence in her actions.
The group flinched at her sudden outburst but were even more taken aback by her confidence in facing their potential doom.
"We saw nothing!" Illia's smile shone with conviction, forcing the elders to squint against its brilliance, while her fellow disciples' shoulders sagged in despair. Soloman covertly smirked at her words, a small victory in the face of overwhelming odds.
[See?]
{You are lucky that your students pay attention to you. Especially the women.} Priscila added the last part with a bit of venom.
[Are you angry?] He was confused at her phrasing.
{Hmph} She puffed her cheeks as she pouted.
The sound of the echoing whistle permeated the atmosphere as they awaited the matriarch's response. The disciples nervously looking at Illia and their potential executioner unaware of what to think or feel. The conversation felt like hours when only a few seconds had passed since the dragon hairpin was released.
"… Oh? Why not?" She cracked open her eye with anticipation, her gaze sharp and probing.
"We must respect the strong. How can we mere young cultivators dare to gaze upon it's majesty?" Illia slightly cocked her head to emphasize her innocence.
Minutes of stillness passed with only the two men talking in distance and the echoing whistle adding liveliness to the stark scene.
"… This one has finished scanning the range. The strike is indeed made by the power of nature. No movement underneath the ground either. The threat has been eliminated." Hearing her report, Rodomir let out a sigh of relief, feeling the weight lift off his shoulders.
"T'em drakes lef' too?" Bahlder asked as he refilled his mug with 'pine needle brew'. Hearing his question, the other elders remembered the teams' dereliction. They subconsciously turned to Soloman for elaboration.
"They were killed by the worms when they were still few in number, leaving their corpses unfinished. The other villages, including this one, found the bodies and stored them for food. That's why they were celebrating just before you got here." He provided his input upon noticing the gazes resting on him. His voice was calm and casual, as when he first spoke to them.
Rodomir nodded, considering Soloman's explanation. "I have a question myself, if you don't mind, Rodomir," Soloman said, trying to redirect the conversation to avoid any slip-ups.
"It's Sect Master Rodomir to you, boy! Speak," Rodomir snapped back informally.
"The drakes are gone, the worms vanquished, and our sect triumphed in two out of three tournament segments. We seek our rightfully earned prizes."
Rodomir's expression softened slightly. "… Indeed. They shall be granted on the morrow." He strained a soft smile, reluctant in the competition's results.
Soloman shook his head. "We don't need those rewards." He rejected openly in order for the others nearby to hear.
Rodomir's face turned red, his pride wounded. "Are my rewards lacking to you?" His voice was tight as his fists, barely concealing his anger.
"The rewards? Ah yes, that distasteful spectacle for your mortal patrons. They must indeed be paltry for one such as he to refuse," Sasuki interjected with a derisive sneer.
Rodomir's face glowed as he mentioned the prizes. "Twelve bone vein condensing pills and one earth-grade treasure."
The pipe in Sasuki's hand snapped at the mention of the pills. "Are my pills not good enough for you?!" In fuming anger, she boldly grabbed Soloman by the collar. The haughty attitude made people blench while Bahlder's eyes softened.
"No, not at all, Ms. Sasuki. It's just that those pills are useless to our team. See for yourself." He pointed to his team, who nodded their heads aggressively.
"We are all 'Core Forming' stage cultivators. Those pills hold no merit for us." Andre nervously stepped in to elaborate.
Hearing this, she and her mother used their senses to inspect their aura. Confirming their level, she dropped Soloman.
"Hmph. Be careful when you speak. My pills are perfect. There is nothing left for us here; we shall take our leave." She sauntered away and left the sect territory with her mother. Thier departure was swift and elegant leaving only the scent of herbs.
"I gunna tak' ma leave as well. See ya anther time, Soloman. Com' and pay a visit, ya hear." Bahlder flickered out of sight without waiting for a response.
"I, too, shall take my leave. May your journey be bountiful." Brahtma eclipsed himself in golden light and disappeared.
Rodomir was left alone, his chance to showcase hospitality squandered by the abrupt exits of his esteemed guests. The disreagard of his sect's reputation left evident and almost insultingly so.
"So, what do you desire instead, two earth-grade treasures?" he ventured, expecting greed to drive Soloman's demands.
Soloman shook his head. "We seek no artifacts; we merely request a copy of your sect's encyclopedia. Should be a simple enough request, right? No cost to you." Soloman tried incentivizing him to relinquish their sect's discreet secret document.
Rodomir raised an eyebrow. "…You are correct about that."
"Right? How about it?"
Rodomir chuckled. "It's a non-issue…the book you're asking for is attainable for public viewing to everyone. Hahahaha~." His laughter echoed through the emptied square, a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the air moments before.
{Pfft hahahahaha~.}
Hearing the laughing from both inside and outside his head irked him beyond measure. He looked over at two groups to see if they knew about this. They immediately looked in different directions to avoid his gaze while Illia glared at Olivia who looked away from her. The realization hit him in the stomach only added to his displeasure at the sound of laughter in his dispense.
{Master Mùchén played you to gain a victory for his beloved sect.} She spoke in between her laughter, with tears rolling down her face. The amusement in her voice only added to his frustration.