While those of the older generation talked, the younger generation spent their time training.
As they didn't sustain any long-lasting damage, it wasn't long before they began training again. In the now-ruined arena, Jing Hai and Lei Jiang dueled each other while Lan Huang stood back and watched. Several others like Wan Li Quan observed from the sidelines, wanting to glean some inspiration or insight from the techniques.
They were all doing quite fine except for one, Ming Yue.
She had not awoken, not even from Dong Kuai's medicine or with the nursing of Du Hua.
Ming Yue rested in one of main hall's room, he breath was still there but it was faint.
Elder Fei sat next to her sleeping body worried. During Zuo Er's attack, he had spent most of it with the students of the Eternal Blade Sect while Fu Men, the Sect Leader was busy fighting two of the Tao Feng Elders. Being an elder of this sect, he had a responsibility to uphold and needed to keep them alive. He did not think that Ming Yue would end up in such a state, unable to wake up.
Elder Fei was quite disappointed in himself despite the consoling words of Fu Men.
"Fei Yun, there is no reason to continue dwelling on this. You may blame yourself for not helping this young girl but she would not blame you. It is impossible to protect all that you care for", the head of the Eternal Blade Sect rested his hand on Elder Fei's shoulder before leaving the room.
"You should return with us. You have already reached the Earth Realm so there is much for you to do at the sect", he said.
As much as Elder Fei did not want to, he knew that Senior Fu Men was correct. There was nothing he could do here but once he returned, he would go and see Cui Fen. But she and her daughter would definitely ask about Ming Yue and he did not know what he would once that happened.
Meanwhile, Senior Qing met with her elders along with Du Hua. Sitting together, they listened to Wen Jing's explanation of what she had seen. Ming Yue's strange behavior and the fact that she was the one behind the bloody massacre. Before that, those that were in charge of the flag point that Kuang Li took down described everything that they saw. Ming Yue's sudden change after being suppressed by the Yen Sisters, the feeling they felt from her.
In their words, she was like a "personification of death". She didn't kill indiscriminately as none of them had been attacked by her but she killed with a startling amount of efficiency. Only targeting those in the purple uniforms, she left bodies everywhere she went. It was to the point where even Senior Qing was slightly shocked at the amount of bloodshed.
On that note, none of the seniors knew what to do. They could only speculate the cause of her current state as well as this display of deadliness. Perhaps this was her without any sort of inhibitions, there were neither mental nor physical limits.
"But what could have done this?" they thought.
Sure, there were multiple techniques that would allow someone to battle beyond their limits or significantly boost their power. But, it was unlikely that Ming Yue learned one of them as they were deemed too dangerous and kept in secret.
It was quite similar to those techniques. When she was first examined, her body was almost it its breaking point. Her energy was dried up and she was incredibly weak, yet there was no lasting damage.
This detail was certainly strange but it narrowed down the source of her comatose state. If it was not physical damage that she underwent, then it was damage to her mind and soul.
As the elders continued to talk, they felt that waking her was a lost cause. After all, studying the soul was a difficult subject. Only those that were well-versed in mental techniques had a better understanding of how one's soul moved. Yet, such people were few and far in between.
Despite such odds, Du Hua had a possible solution to Ming Yue's condition.
"Let me take her to Heaven's Gate", she said, "I do believe that there is an expert on the soul within the institution. He may have a chance of helping her."
"This..." Vice Leader Lu was a bit hesitant at agreeing with her.
"If you think that it will be too troublesome for me, don't worry. After hearing you all describe this girl, I've become a bit interested in her. Besides, you said she makes medicine too right?" Du Hua smiled, "Come now, we've known each other for so long."
"It's fine. You may bring her there", Senior Qing said, "Should she awaken, Ming Yue would likely flourish at Heaven's Gate."
"Hm, Excellent. I'll be on my way then", Du Hua left the hall with a coy smile.
"What should we do now?" Vice Leader Lu looked at Senior Qing for orders.
"First we recuperate at the mountain and repair the huts and gardens. Then, we start hunting down the Tao Feng."
Everyone nodded at her orders and quickly moved. As Clear Spring Mountain began their operations, many waves of events washed over the continent. The Tao Feng had become confined on all sides, there was no chance for them to recruit and going outside of their territory meant death or capture. Wandering cultivators like Lan Huang and Lei Jiang went off on their own. The former began hunting again while the latter returned to Red Lotus Country.
In the Capital City of the Clear Sky Kingdom, Qiu Bing rested on his throne within his palace. Looking over the many documents, he read them one by one, issuing orders and checking reports. Suddenly a obsidian mirror placed by his tale began to glow, he looked at it and stood up, walking towards the mirror.
As the glassy surface glowed and shimmered, it revealed a old woman.
"I've come to report, my king", the woman spoke in a soft tone.
If Ming Yue was here, she would recognize her as the one from the small hut! But who exactly was she?
"Don't call me that senior, You best me in both strength and age", Qiu Bing smiled.
"Is that an insult?"
"Heavens no, so what do you need to tell me? What is happening in the Demon Continent?" he asked.
"As it is, the continent is peaceful to an extent. Kong Zhi seems to have disappeared into thin air. The six commanders are currently discussing whether they should allow the populace to enter, namely we of the martial world. However, they might allow merchants and craftsmen to come as well."
"That would be for the best. We could claim a stake for the land for ourselves, maybe find some treasures."
"Indeed, but there have been movement within the armies. After all, just like us, many smaller kingdoms and sects sent in their own groups and units to aid the armies and to observe the continent. To many, the Demon Continent provides a wealth of the unknown. I've come across numerous strange plants and objects. Demon Cultivators are incredibly different from us. From innate powers to unique methods, there is much that could be learned."
"True.."
There was a sight pause, both were pondering what the next move should be.
"We should wait and see", Qiu Bing spoke after coming to a decision.
"Quite passive I see, different to what my strand of will witnessed", the woman gave a little smile at the emperor.
"That..that was different. War is all about strategy, waiting around is a legitimate stratagem. My children were being threatened, I wasn't going to allow that", Qiu Bing sputtered.
"Oh, I'm just teasing you."
His kingly disposition suddenly broke, revealing his childishness. He pouted just a tad bit before returning to his original state. Showing this sort of behavior was surprising, if others saw him they would be slack jawed to see their lord like this.
"Although, there is something you must know. The Tao Feng Sect did send in their own group to one of the armies. They've begun allying themselves with several others. They might be attempting something soon."
"I see... Well senior, if there is nothing else that needs to be reported. You can go now."
"Not going to call me grandmother, is it?"
"Urgh... good bye, Grandmother."
"Hm, good. Oh... and what about that girl? Ming Yue I think, what do you think of her? Qing'er seems to have attached some importance to the girl. Well to be fair, she is good stock."
"This... is a bit troublesome to talk of. She has talent but as of now, I'm not sure she would ever awaken from her injuries. The Medicinal Elder Du Hua has taken her back to Heaven's Gate to see if someone could heal her."
"I see. Well then, good bye Little Qiu. I'll be back to report if something else happens."
With that, the mirror began to shimmer as the image of Qiu Bing's grandmother disappeared.
"Agh, Grandmother...always jumping forward", Qiu Bing smiled before returning to his work.
She was no ordinary figure but the previous empress of the Kingdom, Qiu Cang Long. On top of that, she was the previous Sect Leader of Clear Spring Mountain and Senior Qing's mentor. Such a powerful figure set off on a new chapter of her life, traversing the Demon Continent with a group of elite soldiers that she herself had raised.* With her cultivation at the Sky Realm, her strength was slightly lower if not equal to that of one of the commanders!
In the Demon Continent, Qiu Cang Long finished speaking to a small obsidian piece before looking back. Staring at her group, she smiled helplessly.
"Guess, we just stay put?" she said looking at the eyes of her comrades.
Far to the west where Kong Zhi forces resided, they too were just idly standing by. Every now and then there would be some skirmishes with the humans but nothing too major. This was due to Kong Zhi having barely left the catacombs of his ancestors. He was still within the ominous rooms but with every passing day, his aura would emanate from it growing stronger.
"When do you think he will come out?" said one of them.
"Who knows? But when he does, that will be when we take over the Human Continent!"
"How are you so sure?
"One of the Kings said it, you know Ironclad Tie Jia."
"Really?"
"Of course, the three Kings have all been saying the same thing. Once Kong Zhi comes out, victory is certain. Until then, we continue growing our armies, gain more warriors, breed more creatures."
"I see. Say, what do you think the Human Continent is like?"
"I don't know, maybe green, luscious? As long as there's food I don't really care."
"Guess so."
Similar conversations happened throughout his forces, curiosity and excitement but most of all hunger. There was a type of yearning within their hearts.
As for Kong Zhi himself, he was at the end of the great halls, meditating in front of the statue of his ancestor. Multiple scrolls were sprawled around where he sat. His eyes slowly opened, revealing a grayish sea within his eyes, like clouds that blocked the sun. A dark power manifested within him.
"I need more", he muttered to himself as his eyes closed once again.
Within the skies of the world, the High Council summoned their messengers to the main room. Their thrones stood tall and firm.
"All of you, the Thirteen Messengers."
"The Demon Continent may be calm but trouble will ensue."
"Kong Zhi may have disappeared but he is not gone."
"His search for more power has led him to the graves of his ancestors. With each day, he grows stronger."
"Find his location and disrupt him at the critical moment."
"Go now and with haste."
From their floating castle, thirteen figures flew out and headed for the transportation circles. Among them was Su Yao, An RI, and Di Mu.
Below them was a lonely road, there was a small group walking through. Wearing white and pink uniforms, these were the student of Du Hua, members of Heaven's Gate. A large carriage moved about in the middle of their formation. Within the carriage that floated down was Du Hua and Ming Yue, accompanied by Du Hua's personal attendants.
Their travel was a lengthy one but one without much interruptions. However, it wasn't long before a mystical city appeared a distance away. Numerous towers and grand buildings could be seen from afar. The most eye-catching of it all were the gates. Made from a pure white material, it glowed under the sunlight and brightened the land.
"We're almost there, It's Heaven's Gate."