Outer Residential Circle, Xi Clan, Pylon Mountain Range.
The grand walls that surrounded the outer and inner circles of the Xi Clan stood tall. These large walls separated the Xi Clan from the outside world, a symbol of the difference in heritage and prestige among other powers in the area. There were two main entry points, each opposite of each other, at the very North and very South. These were normally the only forms of entry. Any type of flying device, or practitioners who could fly wouldn't be able to cross land past the walls. This was due to the barrier, the Reflection of Heaven and Earth. This barrier was one of the strongest of the Gek'hial Province, keeping the Xi Clans checkpoints safe and guaranteeing the safety of the Xi Clan from any aerial assaults. Though now, that barrier was no more
***
Outside the Xi Clan, Pylon Mountain Range.
"What has you so worried, Meiying?"
Carrying Xi Heji in her arms, she flew from tree to tree, descending the mountain to the base.
"I felt an unfathomable presence in the sky, I don't believe it is simply a passing beast. This being is at least a stage above the Grand Patriarch."
Her icy eyes narrowed.
"It wouldn't be surprising if Han Clan is going to attack. Though from my knowledge, they never possessed such a powerful practitioner."
Looking back, she saw the many Xi Clan & Han Clan elders hovering in the air, waiting for either side to make a move.
"I don't believe anything the Han Clan possessed could've broken the Reflection of Heaven and Earth, it is likely they have formed an alliance with someone."
Xi Heji shook his head in her arms.
"There is nothing a Clan such as the Han Clan could do to garner the help of an expert such as the one you speak of, that means they aren't necessarily fighting together, but maybe because they share a common goal that both can mutually benefit."
He looked up to her face, although seeing her focus on the path in front of them, he continued.
"Has the Grand Patriarch ever told you of something that could possibly interest such a power?"
Xi Meiying shook her head.
"Nothing that I know of".
She jumped off a tree branch, landing on the ground and began walking.
"Uhhh, Meiying…"
She turn to look him in the eyes.
"Yes?"
He looked at her awkwardly.
"I can walk."
She nodded as she let him down. Though he was just healed, his body was still exhausted from the accelerated healing runes. Though he couldn't jump tree to tree, he can most definitely walk.
Xi Heji looked back in the direction of the Xi Clan.
"What about Grandfather?"
Xi Meiying noticed the worry present on his face and twas about to reassure him. Suddenly, a pressure descended upon the area. Turning to look around, Xi Meiying noticed a figure floating amongst the two clans.
"They are not fighting right now, and it seems that the being revealed himself. Though I don't know who that is, that person is very strong. It would be in the best interest for the clan to hand over whatever they may possess in order to avoid a confrontation."
She said as she walked further down the mountain.
"A fight seems very unlikely, Grandfather should be fine."
Hearing this, Xi Heji calmed down a little.
***
Primary Infirmary, Inner Residential Circle, Xi Clan.
The Grand Patriarch hovered over the center Infirmary as he sent his sense through the building. The Patriarch and Sky Emperor appeared behind him.
"Have you found her?" The Sky Emperor asked impatiently.
"She seems to have left."
"What!?" The Sky Emperor shouted.
"This is not a problem, Sky Emperor. I've placed a tracking rune in a person very dear to her, I know she wouldn't leave here without him."
Pulling out the receiving stone, the stone immediately locked on to the tracking rune, releasing aura in that direction.
The Grand Patriarch flew in that direction, the Sky Emperor and Patriarch following behind.
"Just know, patriarchs of the Xi Clan, she is your saving grace. Forget the alter, if you don't find her, I'll personally give you front row seats to the torturing of your entire family. You only have one chance."
The patriarch and grand patriarch shivered at the thought of it.
***
Pylon Mountain Range, Great Province of Gek'hial.
Xi Meiying and Xi Heji were talking as they headed down the mountain. All of a sudden, Xi Meiying felt strange fluctuations emanating from Xi Heji. Xi Meiying immediately found that it was a rune, located on his forehead. She immediately stopped walking, turning around to face him, reaching her hand out towards his face.
"Meiying, what are you do-"
Placing her snowy white hand on his forehead, she circulated her Emperor Stage Qi, instantly knocking Xi Heji out with the pressure. With him, the rune collapsed, dispersing into tiny purple particles.
She narrowed her eyes. Looking in the direction of the Clan, she sensed three powerful presences heading her way. She immediately dashed further into the mountain range.
An ability of her Azures Frost was complete masking her Aura and Qi fluctuations. It was so much so that if a person was walking by her, they would think she was dead. Her Azures Frost would freeze and completely slow down her qi flow to nearly a stop, allowing her to continue to move freely while also appearing undetectable. Though this ability was really strong, being able to completely blend in with the surrounds, it also came with a draw back as well. Using Azures Complete Mirroring of Ice further causes her to lose control of Azures Frost faster, in dangerous situations such as the one she believes to be in, it may cause her to lose rationality.
Xi Meiying always thought something was strange. The endless resources she was provided, and some resources beings such as the grand patriarch and patriarch could use, were provided to her without question. The Grand Patriarch was very lenient with her over rules. Because her exceptional talent, such things would be natural. But later on as she broke through to the mid level of Emperor Qi Stage, she noticed the Grand Patriarch started paying more attention to Xi Heji, when before, never paid him any mind.
Xi Meiying was strong, strong enough that coupled with Azures Frost, the patriarch and grand patriarch would die to her hands eventually should they decide to take a fight with her. Having such a talent, she is destined to not remain in such a lowly clan, and to ensure that they don't lose an investment that they worked so hard on, there was only one way they could control her. At least, this is what she could come up with.
Xi Heji.
Immediately, she put multiple details in her head. The fighting ceased immediately, either the powerful figure found what it came here for, or the powerful figure needs her for something. Because, although Xi Heji is a rare talent in the path of martial arts, coupling with his recent injure, there wouldn't be any reason for such a figure to be there for him. So the only reason? She could only think of herself. Having a special mutation of Azure Frost is only known to Xi Fengge, the patriarch and the grand patriarch. Even information on her possessing Azures Frost is kept a secret, Xi Heji doesn't even know. Maybe the figure wanted to dissect her? Maybe take her as a wife for her talent, and bear children? Whatever it was, it wasn't good. She needed to find a cave, somewhere within the mountains to hide Xi Heji away from the battle. Fighting with him would not only be a burden, but would open up a weakness for her.
***
After an hour of running, she found a suitable cave, that after sending her sense into it, even she couldn't see the end. She deemed it perfect for Xi Heji to camp out until she finds a way to solve this problem.
Sensing no beast within the cave area of her limitation, she placed Xi Heji on the ground. Placing a tracking stone next to him, it was in case something happened to her for Xi Fengge to be able to track Xi Heji down. She got up, walking towards the entrance of the cave. Looking back, she stared at the unconscious Xi Heji.
"I'll be back soon"
She raised her hand, ice forming around the entrance, ensuring no qi escapes it, while being reinforced by her Mid Emperor Stage Qi, ensuring no one or beast could break in. Again turning around, she took off to the air, leaving the vicinity of the cave, on her way to meet her pursers.
Whatever they want from her, she won't let them have it so easily.