A white-robed figure was seen walking the mine tunnels, his black hair flowing behind him as his red eyes stared at the humans he passed, everyone who saw him thought of him as someone with status.
His handsome features were like an otherworldly immortal, with sharp eyes that could steal the hearts of maidens and a red lotus insignia branded between his brows adding to his devilish charm.
His slender frame wore a white robe with silver trimmings, his hair tied in a black crown behind him as his slightly pointed ears were hidden behind the hair falling beside his sideburns and a beautiful black and silver dragon-patterned saber sheath, hung by his side.
His eyes glanced over the miners as a small smirk passed over his lips as he made his way to the exit.
"STOP!"
A shout was heard as it echoed through the expanse of the cavern.
An outer sect disciple was currently guarding the entrance as he stood in the way of this figure and as his eyes fell upon him as the figure came closer, his eyes widened in shock, this person was clearly a young boy but his skin was like a girl's.
His skin was pale and unblemished, his lips were bright and rosy, his bedevilling red eyes stared into your soul, while his teeth were white like pearls.
Unconsciously the disciple began to feel a bit of inferiority in front of this person.
"You stopped me. . . Why." A stern voice sounded as an oppressive blood qi permeated the surrounding area.
His heart felt crushed as he looked at this boy, as the pressure continued to climb.
He gasped for breath as he began to sweat, buckling at the knees as he crashed into the cavern floor.
"Your excellence, I am just following the protocol of the Cult! Please do not offend the Cult on my behalf!" He spoke as he was somewhat reassured by the Cult he had behind him.
"The Cult? Blood Gate Cult? How amusing," said the figure.
Thinking the boy was fearful of the Cult behind him, he went to speak again only to be cut off by the man's next words...
"This must have been the Cult my master asked me to join. . ." The figure said bemused.
The disciple held down his head as he began to shiver uncontrollably as sweat poured from his body.
"Spare this little one's life your excellence, I am not worth your troubles!!" He pleaded.
All he could see as he looked up is his red eyes staring down at him with a hint of a smile.
"May this little one ask your excellence of his grand name as we shall surely be sect mates in future?" He begged.
"Wan...Tao," he responded as he walked through the formation leading towards the outside.
Upon standing on the formation, the disciple who blocked him shouted from afar, " This little's one name is Xie Zemin!" as he placed a glowing gem into a slot amongst the formation.
He noticed the gem used as he had read about them before, they were called Spirit Stones; an accumulated mass of Spiritual Qi which then hardened into a solid object.
As his eyes peered upwards as the platform he was on began to rise, taking him slowly out of the mine as he passed floor by floor on his way up.
This figure was Xiao LingYue, who had adopted the identity of Wan Tao, using his looks which were not as fae-like as others his plan was going well so far.
His eyes were the only thing that could give him away as he can pass off his slightly pointed ears as a genetic trait, such as other humans having darker skin, varied coloured hair, big teeth n so on but his eyes were an issue.
Luckily he happened to read that certain ocular techniques could change one's eyes, and that was the excuse he was going to give, if it didn't work he'd just escape.
*************
More sunlight began to shine in as he passed the third layer and was approaching the second, he shielded his eyes with his sleeves but soon he had to close them completely until they adjusted...
As he felt the platform lurch to a stop he could hear the noise surrounding him as well as many gasps, his heart raced as his hand slowly reached for the hilt of his blade.
His eyes slowly adjusted as he opened them slowly, his brows furrowed from the intense light.
"Who are you?" A wary feminine voice was heard from nearby.
His head turned as he saw a stern-faced human woman around her last 30s staring at him with her weapon drawn.
"My name is Wan Tao, my master sent me to search for the Blood Gate Cult to train under," He cupped his hand and bowed just like the many times he had practised in the mines.
The man beside her eyebrows raised as she asked forcefully, " Who is your master?"
"My Master was Mei Qingdao, a high deacon of the Outer Sect. I am her closed-door disciple and have brought her recommendation to the sect." As he handed it over with both hands as his head was held low.
The male deacon looked towards the woman as he nodded, leaving her to sheath her sword.
"I shall bring him to the Main sect, you all continue as usual," he stated as he beckoned for LingYue to follow him.
"My name is Deacon He and the woman before was Deacon Lai, what were you doing in the mines?" He asked quizzically as he glanced at LingYue from the corner of his eye.
"I had reached here before but after stating my purpose I was led away by an outer sect disciple who said he'd show me the sect, but he tried to lead me into the mines to kill me."
" I only escaped while he was fighting with a girl he brought as well named Liang Qingling. " LingYue explained as he watched the reactions of Deacon He.
His heart thumped as he saw a drastic change in Deacon He's facial expression, thinking his lie had been exposed until he heard Deacon He cursing.
"Goddammit!!"
" Which dog bastard attacked Liang Qingling?!" He repeatedly cursed as he shouted.
LingYue bowed slightly as he was inwardly snickering.
Now that he would place all responsibility on a dead man, everything was moving smoothly and they could see the majesty of the Blood Gate Cult in the distance. . .
He turned and said,
"That disciple's name was Fang Buhei."