Xin Feng and Hua Mei wouldn't continue their plan. Therefore, they went back to the sect. The canyon had crumbled in after all, and the place wouldn't get any visitors anytime soon with all the craters and potholes everywhere.
The two went straight for the headquarters, to relay the urgent news. If not taken care of in time, it would turn problematic.
Xin Fen pulled out the parasite of his inventory to explain the details to the patriarch. The patriarch knew how urgent the situation was, so he went and called all the sect masters for an emergency meeting. When all the sect masters were there in the meeting hall, the patriarch explained the main points of what he was told by Xin Feng. The masters where in shock, and after they had confirmed the yin energy within the crystal, they knew the dangers that would befall them if they got the information too late. The evil sect's approach had no loop holes, and would eventually be successful when at least one parasite escapes the eyes the sects. A parasite, that if hidden but fed to its brim, would grow unimaginably.
"The number of parasites is unknown, but if all of them grow stronger and takes over strong cultivators, it would be an end to all of us."
After the patriarch had finished his words, Xin Feng continued with his own.
"Some of you might already know this, but the Crimson Lunar's cult goal is to let mortals be on top of the power chain. If we put ourself in their position, we can see why they devised their plan. Create parasites that only lust for Qi, the parasites eliminate everything with Qi, and lastly, the parasites die from hunger or get killed the Crimson-lunar cultivators. It would bring the mortals to the top, and they wouldn't have to worry about beasts or cultivators. A brilliant plan in all honesty…"
"So, you're siding with them?!" One of the sect masters interrupted in rage.
"No… You see, they are quite the ignorant bunch. They are so desperate to become significant that they forget that there are greater beings than spirit cultivators. They forget there are others from foreign lands that don't use spiritual energy. Will they keep going with their rituals to take care of foreign enemies? Will they be able to protect mortals like we are doing? Because what I see, is that they kill innocent for power. For greater good? But if they have to protect themselves against foreigners, they'll sacrifice innocents again. Isn't their goal nothing but fraud then? We must take care of them, for they are nothing but a plague! I believe the Inner Devine Retribution sect to be the best in handling attacks like this. What do you think, patriarch?"
"Wise words." The patriarch nodded. Xin Feng nodded back, smiling inwardly after he had asked Balance if his wisdom had increased.
"Does everyone agree to warn the other sects and assist them in defeating this threat?" The patriarch asked to which they all nodded.
"The Inner Divine Retribution sect it is!"
…
All of them that were in the meeting room went in the direction of the Divine sect. Whether they were sect masters who traveled through the ground because of their earthen roots, in the air because of their fire or air roots, or with flying mounts because of their water or unique flightless roots. There was no time to waste. They would only stop to refill their Qi. Hua Mei had to travel along with someone's mount, because she had a water root as her main root, and she didn't have enough Qi too fly as long as them with her special technique. Mounts were also more efficient, but the problem was that they made it more crowded.
Amidst their travel they stopped because there was an unexpected situation. One of the three sect masters that were traveling through the ground spotted the same aura as the parasite in a nearby cave. The three sect masters who had an earthen root, split the ground open to reveal the monster that was living underground.
"Thank the heavens, this one seems to have the aura of a profound realm." One of the three sect masters muttered.
*Growl!
"Shut up." A female sect master who was at the nascent late stage three uttered, before she shot a big pointy ice through its body and core.
"Dealt with."
"Let's go then. This should be a sign that there is still salvation."
…
After a few more hours, they made it to the Divine sect. They landed in the center of the sect in an open spot near the Great elders. The disciples near that area scattered away, before the Great elders stepped out of their meditation.
"What does the Astral Projection sect pay its visit for?" The youngest Great elder questioned.
The Patriarch bowed slightly out of respect, which the others followed. "Greetings Great elders. Our country is in danger due to our common enemies of the Crimson Lunar cult. We came for a visit because we have a tool of them that your sect might be able to understand."
The Patriarch gestured Xin Feng to come and do his part. Xin Feng waved his hand that was covered with soil to indicate that he was removing from his storage ring. The parasite sat between his hand, unable to move or pull its limbs out. When the Great Elders saw what Xin Feng held, they knew what danger was awaiting them in an instant. Their eyes widened, as they backed away a few steps.
"The prophecy…" The oldest Great elder muttered. He walked to the Patriarch in slow steps, before he stated. "The strong remains but gets defeated due to the abundance of beasts as food…"
The second Great elder stepped forward saying that something has changed. "The first appearance of the strongest should've been in our sect six months later, but something has changed fate. That ascended realm monster, which is actually a parasite, now lies at this boy's hands."
"Who… Who was able to find and defeat it?" The fifth Great elder stepped in.
"U-Uhm!" The patriarch signaled.
"The ones to defeat it, are of course our two greatest prodigies."