A week after Aaron Zhul city, a gathering of the upper seats of the Earthern Warriors Sect was underway.
Inside a grand hall of the sect's palace sat the sect master upon a throne made of bones and materials that had a greenish brown glow. In front were the elders, protectors, and the various elites.
"So, who have we found out why the heavens have cursed this city, or is it the plot of some powerful cultivator?" the master asked as his narrowed eyes swept the hall.
"We haven't found any reason for this curse, our investigations haven't shown anything that would offend the heavens. This seat believes that a major power offended a powerful cultivator, but if they have, most likely it was without them knowing." One of the elders stated.
"We can't rule out that it is the heavens, because what if it was a heaven's chosen that was offered? That person might not have done anything, but the heavens wouldn't take it kindly. It could also just be a wanderer's revenge for past grudges." replied another elder.
"We've been in lock down since the death of the city lord, no one has left or entered. If it was someone's doing, they could still be here waiting it out. Does anyone know of powerful cultivators that have visited the city before the curse?" asked a third elder.
This question caused everyone to pounder. But in a corner a man's face turned to shock after a little bit, but due to his seniority he stayed quiet.
The master was quiet during the whispers and talks among the elders, just listening and watching. He sighes as it seemed that the city had offended the heavens.
But at this point he looked towards the entrance, and noticed that person's expression. "What is it little Shi? Do you know something?"
The man in the corner who was called 'Little Shi' started. He then bowed to the master. "I did meet a strong cultivator once. Four of my mine went to teach him a lesson for what they thought was abuse of his daughter and lost miserably, they then came to me and we gathered some more of our brothers to seek this man out, but when I checked his power, he was even stronger than Master. So we just left him alone. I had also met his daughter on my way back from the escort mission and she was healthy, which furthered my opinion to leave him alone. She had told me that they had been attacked by bandits, and they were about to leave for the capital, but her father still had some errands to finish. I didn't think about it until now, but if he is so strong how could bandits harm him in any way?"
'Little Shi' is the same large man that both Ritz and Aaron met, the 'elder brother'. His words caused all of the elders' faces to darken, and the master sank into contemplation.
"You are saying he is stronger than me? By how much would you guess?" The master asked with black lines on his face. He clearly didn't like the implications of this.
"A couple of realms I have to guess. If comparing to master he was like a mighty mountain where as master is a small hill." little Shi replied.
"Hmm...." the master stroked his chin. "I hope it wasn't because we offended him. We would become the sinners of this city. Do we know where he is, or what he has done within the city?"
"According to our brothers he had spent most of his time in the inn he and his daughter were staying at. There was only two times that we've seen him outside. First was when he sent his daughter out of the city, after which the four brothers confronted him at the central fountain. The second time was when I took our brothers, he was again at the central fountain." little Shi replied.
After spending a few moments to consider his words, the master finally said as he stood up. "Lets go check the fountain, send someone to check the inn if he is still here, but do not, and I mean do not, approach or antagonize him."
After speaking all of the elders and protectors stood up and followed the master, little Shi followed as well.
At the well, the elders were searching around for anything out of the ordinary. The master was supervising when someone ran up to the master. "Reporting to the master. The man has already left the inn after the first day of the curse. I consulted with the city guards and they confirmed that he has left the city."
"This isn't good news. He clearly did something, but we cannot find anything. We might have to ask for assistance from the Capital." One of the nearby elders stated.
"Hmm... it does seem like that. If he is as strong as little Shi says, we might not be able to see anything if he has done something." the master said before issuing an order. "Send word to the Capital requesting assistance. We require someone skilled in investigation. The rest shall return to the sect and await the envoy. Let us pray that they can find out the cause of this curse."
The master then sighed and led everyone back to the sect to await the help from the Captial.