Chereads / Stains of Red / Chapter 25 - What Lies Ahead

Chapter 25 - What Lies Ahead

Sky Society, Region of Wind.

It was still night out. As the Sky Society was situated in the Sky, no vegetation or formations of earth were present to cast shadows, allowing the Society to completely bask in the light of the Moon. With the cover of night, movement of life seemed none existent within the Society beside the sounds of wind that remained constantly present.

Within a grand estate, six figures were gathered in a large room. Though there were no lights, the room was illuminated a bright green. If one focused their attention to this source of light, their eyes would land at the center of the room. A large concentration of a seemingly green energy densely crowded a human figure within it. Mysterious runes lie around it as it created a vortex of energy from its surroundings. The six figures remained motionless, as if they were still for days.

Besides of humming of the runes, no other sound was present. Yet, this absence of sound gave of the opposite feel of a chaotic atmosphere. The expected tenseness and grave feeling did not permit through the room, instead, a feeling of anticipation loomed over it.

Suddenly, the figure within the concentration of energy moved. Instantly, all of the figures disappeared to then reappear right beside the figure, crowding him almost immediately.

As the figure sat upright, his body was revealed. His eyes wandered around his body as he opened and closed his hand.

"""Sky Emperor!"""

The six figures immediately recognized the Sky Emperors conscious state as they got down on one knee. The Sky Emperor turned to look at the Six Saints of the Sky as he gathered together his thoughts.

"Have there been anyway disturbances in my absence?"

The Saints of the Sky raised their head to meet his, one of them speaking out.

"Nothing of concern, Sky Emperor"

The Sky Emperor nodded as he closed his eyes and remained silent. After a short moment, another one of the saints spoke up.

"Sky Emperor, we have delayed your orders to gather a better understanding of the situation. What happened? As soon as we are aware of the situation, we'll depart for the Xi Clan!"

The Sky Emperor rose up to his feet, slightly stumbling as one of the Saint caught him. The Saint voiced her expression of concern.

"Are you alright Sky Emperor? It is not best to move after going through the treatment of the World Recovery Array."

The Sky Emperor raised his head to look at her as he shrugged her hand off.

"No need"

He pasted his gaze around the saints, taking a deep breath.

"The enemy I fought was a formidable one, stronger than even me. It is not an enemy of the current Peak Grand Qi Stage, but a person who inherited a God Inheritance."

The Saints widened their eyes.

"A God Inheritance!?"

The Sky Emperor raised his hand above his head to quiet them down.

"Quiet! I am not one to make rash decisions. Although this person obtained a God Inheritance, they have just broken through to the peak of the Grand Qi Stage. Using the abilities of the inheritance, they are able to exert the most amount of power a practitioner of the Grand Qi Stage can handle, maybe even slightly above, still, it is not an enemy we cannot handle in unity."

The Saints sat quiet in contemplation. Not long after, one of them raised a question.

"Who was the person who inherited this inheritance?"

The Sky Emperor turned to face the new speaker.

"The genius of the Xi Clan, Xi Meiying."

Some of the Saints nodded.

"I would have guessed as much. She was the only decent talent in that rural clan. If the patriarchs of the Xi Clan could've obtained a god inheritance, we would've faced problems with them long ago."

The Saint contemplated again before one of them spoke.

"Sky Emperor, which inheritance did she obtain?"

The Sky Emperor closed his eyes as he answered.

"The Goddess of Blood."

***

Inner Residential Circle, Xi Clan.

Xi Heji raised his head as he spoke to the figure standing on his window ceil.

"Did you do this Meiying?"

Xi Meiying smiled faded as she answered.

"Do what?"

Xi Heji looked at her confusingly. Just as he was about to ask her of the oddity within his body, his mouth froze. A voice resounded within his head.

"I would like to keep my presence a secret"

Xi Heji paused as he was brought back to reality by a voice.

"I felt Qi Fluctuations coming from your room and thought you may have mastered a new body tempering technique."

Xi Heji understood Xi Meiyings perspective. Of course, anything to do with his qi paths was out of the question. Although he hadn't mastered a body tempering technique, it would be the best assumption when taking to account Qi Fluctuations emitting from a room which housed a person that could not use qi. This is because body tempering techniques manipulates the qi around certain parts of the body and use it to amplify martial art techniques or movements. The more proficient the technique, the greater control one would have over their surroundings. This is different from the traditional qi path circulation which one would use qi that flowed from within their body. Although Xi Heji knew she was wrong, he was in no hurry to correct her.

"I did, I apologize for waking you."

Xi Meiying smiled as she laughed.

"No, it's okay."

She then turned around to face the night sky.

"Well, it is very late. I don't believe Grandfather would fell well knowing you are not sleeping."

Putting one foot overhanging the four story drop outside Xi Heji's window, she paused as the wind fluttered her silky red hair. The cool breeze of the night slightly dropped the temperature of the room, giving it a magical feeling coupled with the moonlight which shone upon her, allowing Xi Heji to only see her silhouette.

"Just because your qi paths were crippled doesn't mean your weak. You should feel no rush to try and learn new techniques to breach the gap between us. I'm sure that with time you will be able to surpass the hurdles this life has set for you."

As her voiced faded, her figure also followed suit as she disappeared into the night. Xi Heji eyed the spot she disappeared for a moment before turning around and returning to his bed.

'I guess she was worried about me. Though she must've seen the light, as she was present almost immediately when I woke up.'

He turned his head once to glance at the windowsill once more.

'I don't believe she has any motive to lie to me as well'

Xi Heji found the situation strange but set the matter aside. As Xi Heji had just attained a new 'body', he was extremely excited to grow accustom to it. But the strain of merging with his spirit body fatigued him, resting being the best option for recovery. Walking to his bed, he covered himself with the sheets as he closed his eyes.

***

Not far away from the estate, Xi Meiying remained standing mid air, her eyes still set towards Xi Heji's window.

'She noticed me'

The Goddess of Blood laughed in Xi Meiyings head. Xi Meiying smiled in return.

"It is only natural. I'm sure we'll see her soon."

Her red eyes shone as she closed her eyes, seemingly waiting for something.