Just from their attitude alone. I could tell that Shen Rong is really wild-spirited and yet, he doesn't force anything on anyone. Everyone in the Red Sea Shelter remained here because of their own decision and together, they've managed to coexist, even though the Red Sea Shelter is slightly divided into families, they've coexisted under the leadership of Shen Rong. Truly, he is a wonderful leader.
I could tell because he never had any violent reactions when I asked if Wu Yan could be transferred to another shelter. In all truthfulness, I've only asked that question as a jest, and a test to see whether Shen Rong would be acquiescent to it or not.
And quite remarkably, he did. Now, I could tell why Liu Zhi and the others admire him as the Shelter Leader. He's a capable leader, kind of just like me when I was previously looking after the Tang Sect.
My Tang Sect.
"I-if it's fine with shelter leader then I— " Wu Yan stopped as if she was short on breath.
Wait, what?!
"Wu Yan, you don't have to do it. I was just testing shelter leader to see if he wi— " I furiously shook my hands in denial.
"Very well, then I have no say in the matter anymore. As of today, Wu Yan is free to transfer into the Tang Shelter. I just hope that you won't forsake your party. I also hope that Liu Zhi and the others will be willing to. If they wanted to transfer to Tang Shelter with you, then I won't stop you as well." Shen Rong concluded.
"Shelter Leader, as I said, there really is no need for it. I am already allied to the Red Sea Shelter and I can tell that Wu Yan is comfortably residing in this shelter. Moreover, I don't know if she'd be able to adjust there in Tang Shelter. Wu Yan, I just asked it to surprise and test shelter leader, please pay it no mind." I hurriedly responded. Although I can tell that Wu Yan would willingly submit to me, I don't want to make anything uncomfortable to her.
I mean, my youth! It's just about to start! I don't want to ruin it by forcing Wu Yan to abandon her shelter and go to mine.
"I-if you say so, Yong Rui." Wu Yan looked down, her face almost buried on her chest. "But my decision will remain unchanged. Wherever Yong Rui wants me to go, I will gladly traverse there. My life already belongs to you, Yong Rui." She continued.
"Man, just get married already ahaha." Shen Rong voiced out as he held out a cup of wine towards me. "A toast for our Wu Yan and Yong Rui." He offered. v
Wu Yan and I hesitantly reciprocated the offer with a slight nod.
...
"Now, for the more pressing matters." Shen Rong continued. "Do you know of the Black Spirit Sect, Yong Rui?"
Black Spirit Sect... when I was Sect Master, Black Spirit Sect was one of the most formidable sects in China as they were a group of cultivators that specialize in summoning. From spirit beasts to monsters, to undead, they really are a force to be reckoned with. But back when I was trying to break through from the Dao Realm to the Transcendence Realm, the Black Spirit Sect disappeared from view. Rumor has it that they managed to access the dimension of the spirit beasts and resided there instead, and there were also rumors that they were carefully gathering a force to attack the most provident sects in the world.
But since their disappearance remained a mystery, no one knew what happened to them.
Upon seeing Shen Rong's mortified expression. I carefully nodded. Of course, I've certainly heard of the Black Spirit Sect and heard of them. After all, they tried to take over my Sect multiple times but I managed to defend it from their filthy hands.
Shen Rong rummaged through his pockets and showed me an inscription on a paper. It was a simple inscription of summoning a low-level spirit beast, or rather, a spirit beast in the mortal realm in rank.
But as soon as I saw the inscription, I realized that the ink used on it was something unusual. It was s unusual that I never thought anyone would use it as a catalyst in summoning.
"Yong Rui, this inscription pattern is common, but the material used is- "
"Rabid human blood." I interrupted him. "That blackish, ink-like substance and that rotten odor... there's no doubt about it. "
"Five years ago, my master, the former leader of the Red Sea Sect, found this in one of the hideouts of the Black Spirit Sect. Since then, I more or less concluded that the outbreak is caused by them. They probably managed to discover the virus after mixing a few herbs, infected someone with it, and used their blood as a catalyst to summon something evil. Or maybe, this is what they used to travel to a different dimension where no one would be able to find them while they strengthen their forces. All of these are just my speculations, of course, but from this inscription alone... well, you know what I'm meaning to say, right, Yong Rui?"
"Yes, this more or less proves the fact that they're connected to the outbreak. Heck, it might not even be far-fetched to conclude that they are the ones who caused it, directly or indirectly." I continued. "Also, I would also like to bring up something."
"Continue."
"Back when the outbreak started, I heard from someone that the infected appeared inside the Sects all over China. It may be true that someone really did plant a few infected in the Sects just so they could whittle down their influence.
"Yes, from the news I heard. Wasn't the Tang Sect the first one to get attacked?" Shen Rong continued. "Now I know why. Their Sect Leader was approaching a breakthrough to the Transcendence Realm. The perpetrators probably thought that at the very least, they could halt his cultivation. But not only did they manage to destroy Tang Sect, but they were also successful in killing their leader, or rather, turning him into one of the infected."
"That's right. If the instigator of this outbreak really is the Black Spirit Sect, then I won't rest with my hands behind my back." I continued. "I will do my best to look for them and give them the punishment they deserve."
"Recently. I managed to obtain information that the Black Spirit Sect was seen hopping between dimensions. If we're able to know of their portal's whereabouts, then we should be able to track them down and destroy them for good. But from what I heard, the Black Spirit Sect is probably staying in the Middle Plane."
"The Middle Plane? Isn't the Middle Plane just a myth?!" I exclaimed.
The moment I said that, Shen Rong looked at me with a doubtful look in his eyes. "Where have you been living all this time, Yong Rui? Did you leave as a hermit? "
"Yes, Yong Rui." Wu Yan agreed as her face approached mine. She seemed concerned about my well-being as if I just asked a weird question.
"Didn't you know that the Middle Plane exists? It was proven three years ago when Master Ling managed to reach the Transcendence Realm."