Vaanavan watched the group of very childish adults going down the Mountain passage with a relieved sigh, 'Did I talked little too harshly with them?' he wondered to himself as he watched their tensed back all the way down and their was a heavy Silence even though he could watch them just fine and clear because of his eye powers he could not hear what they talking to themselves, he got curious.
He quickly activitate the holographic screen of the system, with his control panel he could easily Opparate this useful function pretty quickly not only that he, can also adjust the angles to see them and hear their voices even if they muttering to themselves very clearly. with a thought transparent screen appear before him in a blink of an eye it's focusing on the experts front profile all of them had gloomy and dispirited aura about them.
All of them to certain extent looking pissed they would threw dark looks at certain person behind them, who was supported by his friend. Who was also looking pretty displeased from the way his lips pressed and cold look was any indication.
But who was extremely upset over the matter was none other than the amiable looking Old Man, whose face now twisted from anger he, stopped himself from rushed over and beating up someone to half death. But he has some decent self-restraint in him, from able to restraining doing something reckless like this so an inconsistent appeared.
The others also notice this and throw a wary look at him just in case he lost control and attacked, a pained moan could be heard as the person slowly getting back to his senses he dumbly take In the surrounding, the place where he was at, the people with him, and his body condition his face twisted as he felt the sore pain in all over his body.
He noticed everyone was looking at him with some level of hostility, he straightened up only to see his friend from neighborhood also looked at him very coldly. He was trying to process what happened while keeping his cool not flinching from all the hostility.
'What happened, did I do something wrong make things worse or what?.....hmm! We are in Misty Mountain not in battlefield so what happened? Did I failed to catch some intruder why are they kept looking at me with such a look' he thought, seems forget about what happened he, asked "Why are you all looking at me like this? "
Seeing his bewildered and alert look his friend explained what happened up there he, shivered hearing this matter from his friend; it seems his mind was trying to conveniently forget about this traumatic memory for the time being 'I just felt like escaped my death by a hair's breadth'
He looked at the fourteen people with him felt very ashamed and awkward. His heart skipped a beat when he saw a cold gleam from the old demon eyes so he hurriedly apologized everyone "I apologize it was my fault, I was tempted and become shortsighted did something despicable to offend you please forgive me! I'm sorry you all have to suffer because of me, I will owe you all a proper apology" he readily promised them he was indeed ashamed and importantly he didn't want to be on bad terms with everyone it would be social suicide he, didn't want to something's like this happened to him.
Balli's eyes gleamed with wickedness as he stared at the old man then at the apologizing newbie his eyes rolled with glee but his voice was filled with remorse and guilt, he said to that pitiful person, "Sigh! it's really pity old demon didn't get to show off his present, he was very hopeful you know he was very excited in fact it's really.... sigh" he let out a mournful sigh.
The man fidgeted awkwardly as he noticed the old man's annoyed expression, Mara, who was watching his teacher with a suspicious expression interjected "Old Man, can't you be keep quite for situation like this, are you trying to fan the flames. Is this necessary someone going to get hurt"
Balli looked at him with indignant expression, "Brat, why are you always slandering my character like this when, did I ever do anything like that. Stop wildly accusing me!" his face was flushed in anger.
The Old Man also looked up and glared at his friend, then turned to looked at that fidgeting newbie "You didn't understand my situation do you? did you know how hard it was to achieve something like this.... I know you don't do it on purpose but still..... lad, it's quite hard for me to forgive you but for this once I let this matter slide"
The person gulped at this comment then stuttered "I'm really sorry, I also heard you have convinced that felines to protect our land and have some plan..... I'm really sorry, I wasn't... right in my mind" he started apologizing he, himself know if something like this happened to him, he would be also very pissed like this 'No harm in bowing my head'
The Old Man took a deep breath in the end seeing other party's guilty face, he decided to let this slide with simple word "forget It" then turned his face other side.
"Did you see this! Now tell me, do I still look like a petty and meddlesome person to you? Didn't you see they reconcile with each other" Balli said with child like enthusiasm even the experts around him seemed convinced by his act.
But his tone took one eighty degree sudden enthusiasm to pitiful and self blaming tone in the blink of an eye "Sigh! it's really pity if only we had told them everything beforehand, this sort of misunderstandings would not have happened" he turned to Aadhi who, was standing right next to him dragged him into this as well.
"Do you think if we were not this secretive about that lord and his peculiar character this newbie could still end up this pitiful? Now that I see him looking all guilty over that matter" he looked at all of them with his innocent look he finished "He was indeed quite likeable fellow isn't he? " he particularly enunciate the last line very stressed manner.
Aadhi face darkened as if he could see through all of his plan, he immediately chided him "Balli, quite messing around with everything this wasn't something you could twisting around like you wished be careful what you are talking, what are you trying to imply here" Aadhi turned to look at the now shaking man with pale face and wide eyes on the side.
"Hey Soodan, don't heed his words to your heart, he wasn't the kind of person you should trust and take every word to heart; he was a black hearted person he was trying to wrap and twisting things here, make you angry for his own entertainment" Aadhi advice him seeing this fellow fell into Balli's petty trick.
Soodan looked very pissed, "I don't think he said anything wrong in fact I must admit before I had wrong understanding of him. He was the kind of person who spoke from his heart unlike some people here " He instantly jumped to gun; hearing this the looks of the people around turned cold.
Another newbie spoke up "I agree with him, this situation could be easily avoided, if you guys just told us everything beforehand. Are you guys thinking we have no rights to learn of this or didn't care about what happened to us from the beginning...
maybe there is some other reason? "
Even though the other two didn't say anything, their stance seems very clear to all, from just the look they were giving to the eleven; Maybe they were once members of from some of these experts tribes or they think not all of them have such an insidious reason do them in, just because they didn't inform them about this matter.
The Old Man looked at the four of them with intense look "You guys also think it was some dark plan against you guys" he asked in deep voice.
Soodan yelled at him hearing this "Old Man Quite posturing, you are always like this, when did you care about anyone besides you, weren't you always like to ordering us around, thinking you are above everyone else don't you? your petty self didn't want us to gain favor from the Lord " he accused him 'Did he think I would be still afraid of him, he was quite shameless and even imitating the Lord with that tone! to think I once thought highly of him, I must have been blind'
They were already at the foot of the Mountain, the area was still clear there was no tribe peoples yet to come here today. It seems the distraction was quite good, Vandhi frowned as he take a domineering step to the front, uttered coldly " Hey newbie! do you think just because you reached peak qi realm, you can act unscurpulous, and disrespectful here huh?"
"Fellow cultivator Vandhi from what you said, should we take this as a threat " this time Soodan's friend spoke up sizing up vandhi with cold eyes.
"Did I even have to answer this dimwit, what are you two years old? It's exactly just that, if any of the four act out arrogantly, then don't blame me if I didn't polite with you guys, I don't tolerate if someone disrespectful to my master"
"We really like to see, exactly what are you going to do about it" this time even the other two step forward.
Naala and Dheeran spoke up seeing this, "Hey you two!? you guys also taking step into this. What do you both think you are doing? Step down! don't you guys trust us in this. Is this how you guys treat us once you join us"
"This is not nice thing to do is it?" dheeran asked look at the one with thin mustache
"Leaders this is not us, who started this, you saw all of this right? he threatened all four of us. Are you guys going to pretend this didn't happen or what? " a plump woman spoke in deep tone.
"We are trying to clear things up, don't be upset with me I respect you lot leader " the man replied back staring nervously at dheeran.
When dheeran about to say something else, the Old Man steped up his face darkened to the extreme, he gestured for dheeran to stop arguing, "Since you think I was responsible for this matter why don't we settle this matter in Old way here. I will try my best to control my strength to your level, you can join forces with them if you want" There was a cold gleam in his eyes, they indeed didn't tell this four beforehand because he was occupied with other matters didn't have time to tell them yet. directly introduced to let Lord decide about this, but they now even blaming him for what happened, did they take him as a pushover he, was extremely furious.
The four of them stunned first, then they bristled even though they know the Old Man was powerful they think with four of them, even if they could not beat him they wouldn't be losing either various choices appeard in their head.
Soodan voice interrupted their thoughts, "No need we, could fight one on one, I don't want to involve everyone in this matter" there was a sharp edge in his voice the Old Man nodded "Use your full power and most powerful attack to be fair I wouldn't use my claw techniques to fight " he said In deep voice with that they both standing on their stance.
Soodan kicked off the ground joomed towards the Old Man in his fastest speed his fists whirled into action it was aiming for lethal spots on the human body apparently he, was very proficient in fist arts.
The Old Man wasn't starting to attack like his usual style of fighting, instead he dodging and deflecting the barrages of attacks in calm manner, even when he saw the signs of opening he didn't show any interst in attacking but slowly controlling the tempo of the fight.
The other three gulped seeing this, they didn't think the Old Man could fighting someone at the same realm without breaking sweat, even they find it unacceptable this means he, can also adjust his fighting rhythm to fight four of them easily.
'Was the difference that big aren't we also peak qi realm why is there such a huge difference' they also know that there is difference between newly advanced prestigious and those who, stagnant in this level for century but this could not be this big right?.
The other three could be comparable to Soodan, who was strength based fighter while the other three has their strength in different aspects of fighting, the plump woman was a type to exploit opponents weakness and fight them.
The man with mustache was an ambushing while fighting someone, his fighting style was erratic and unpredictable, most of them ambush and self-harming method. Soodan's friend on the other hand was agility to fight so they thought it wasn't possible for them to win this Old Man.
In just a half an hour he become dispirited and desperate by fighting the old man, even though a expert at his level could fight half a day without worrying about being tired if they are not seriously injured or implicated in any other way.
It was just taxing to fight someone like this Old Man, he was angry with the old man even if he lose he would get the satisfaction of fighting him bravely but in this kind of fighting As he was being leading around the nose, trying his very best but yet to land a single hit on him, this was quite frustrating.
And dangerous, in this he would become depressed enough to lose his will to fight while struggling with an old man was mentally and physically was exhausting. What is the point of fight, what is the point in it, is there anything he could get by this kind of fight, the Old Man didn't even bother to attack him.
Stubbornly keep deflecting his attacks and dodging them, Soodan felt the forms he has been perfecting for years look very unfamiliar to him now not only that there was a stiffled and hollow sensation started to well up in his chest.
He unknowingly slow down and eventually stop, looked emptyly at the Old Man, who was looking at him Indifferently there was no hint of any emotions could be seen, he raised up his hand made a fist in a casual manner throw ed a punch aiming at Soodan's left hand the attack wasn't particularly fast but Soodan helplessly watched the fist connected, there was a sound of bone breaking heard.
The other three guys, flinched away, Soodan throwed away by the force rolled on the floor, the old man said "If you grow strong enough, come and fight me if you want. if you managed to beat me I apologize to you for our carelessness" his tone grow darker "But until then understand one thing we aren't on the same level be obedient when you have to "
The Others watched him solemnly, what he did wasn't someone, of his standard could be doing they also could understand, he was extremely pissed to be a scapegoat for everything as they unanimously think of him as a leading figure but neglected he can't make every decision there is.
Even if it was patriarch, he couldn't take right decisions every time the leaders have to judge and corrected if they see any problems in his decision.
Then they turned to the instigator, who kept fanning the flame he, still had a innocent expression with a tinge of sadness in his face they thought to themselves, he was really crazy and despicably dangerous person for them to have him around.
Then there was tremor in the ground even they could see Mountains are shaking, a strong suffocating pressure spread from the Mountain not aiming for anyone particularly but seems someone lost control Sky above the Mountain turned red all the energy in the surrounding started to boil.
Wind started to blowup from as they gathering in that place rapidly at first the the experts was alarmed then assessing the situation they weren't in any danger they even wondering, was the Lord going to do something grand once again.
But few people notice something abnormal about the whole situation Naala asked Aadhi and the old man "Is it just me or you guys also felt something was not right?" she has this uncomfortable feeling unlike the awe and wonder from the previous two times.
"Is the Lord being angry with us disturbing him" Kada asked as he gestured at the arguing people with confused expression.
"The Lord was definitely angry" Juala being Taciturn reply came concisely.
"If that's the case, then I have to say lord didn't seemed angered by us, I guess it feels like he was very emotional over some other thing or his emotions got out of control " Inaam said with thoughtful voice, everyone turned to looked at him with surprise and curious look"We didn't doing anything wrong as far as I can think of, didn't disturb him aside from this little commotion, but it was a traditional way of settling things amongst us, so I'm quite sure it has nothing to do with us"
"Yes! I agree with his reasoning, if you ignore the few details like how old demon act unfitting of his status, went so far as to broke this newbies' arm and fighting will and toyed him around for the satisfiscation of his cruel heart then, I also agree with this statement" Balli commented In casual tone still looking warily at the sky with narrowed eyes.
when he looked down and noticed a pale faced old demon and all other looking at him with wide range of emotions he continued to saying "By the way it's better, if we leave this area quickly and while we at that also, stop our people from climbing up, trust me, we don't want to have any casualties and lord's anger do we?"
With that he started to walk away, little fastly they never thought he would dare enough accusing old demon, they all know him well he was always elusive and shameless, what happened did he gone mad.
On the other hand Old Man's face changed as he started to walking away from there as well, speechless by their change behavior and what happening around them they, also hurried away towards those two, there was even more loud rumble as the ground shaken up a frightening and blood curdling killing intent shot up to sky with enormous pressure.
They notice something unbelievable, with a sudden pressure on them even though it wasn't directed at them, they still frozen couldn't move, who strain their head enough to looked up at the sky above the Mountain almost passed out from fright.
The sky which was now looking like it was painted in red and black had cracks all over the sky in that area, it was just like they had read them about the calamity the sky covered in cracks the lethal energy seeping in to it.
It was only lasted for less than five minutes, but it was enough for them to remember this in their life long not only them many tribe peoples are standing outside of their tents with pale face and frightened look, albeit less affected by the pressure or the strong wind and earth tremor, they were still more affected by it, this was the symbols of calamity descends.
The Old Man and the other got up from the ground their faces were pale, they didn't feel the terrifying killing intent but could see the results of it the boulders around the Mountain exploded The Old Man gestured for them to stay still he, hesitantly went to take a look for the damage.
Shaking off Mara's hand from his shoulder Balli also rushed to follow him. Mara looked very furious and anxious as the other people stopped him from follow his master, he talked to Naala with hushed whispers, Vandhi who, was bold enough to inched closer enough this duo hear rather ambiguous words like "auntie you can't wait longer" "Yes! he was started to acting rather strangely" "you have to squeeze stubborness out of him" "Don't worry, you just started to beat him up I'll be witness he agreed to spar you" "Exactly, I worry something going to happen if he acting like this"
Vandhi made a peculiar face as he turned his face away from him. Even though he could not hear what Naala was saying he somehow imagine some things, he could not help but mourn for elder Balli in his mind, why was this lunatic so obsessed over his master, this guy was indeed weird like that.
When he looked back at the others he almost, chocked by his own spit almost all of them eavesdropping here 'Even I can't manage to here anything in this darn wind what are they thinking!?' he wondered, everyone was so discreet that he felt like this was his first time seeing them.
Unlike other who pretend to not notice his gaze, 'This newbies! was he purposefully targeting me and get a raise out of me ' the man with thin mustache stared back at him steadily, trying his best to not starting to curse him. vandhi frowned when he noticed something he burst out laughing pointing at the man "You wet yourself in fear hehehe, as expected of you"
The Man face flushed in shame, when the other notice this they grimace the plump woman took few steps away from him made a face, Aadhi looked at vandhi disapprovingly and voiced out "Everyone, be quiet both of them are coming back"
The two of them were rushing back, their appearance was somewhat ragged and looking rather pale in the face, their expression was very serious as well "I don't think it would be good to allow our tribe people to climbing up the mountain for few days at least it, would be quite dangerous don't send them up for few of days... maybe we should go check up on lord... tomorrow?"
The Old Man's tone was not quite assertive, he seems little shaken up by something, Balli's face was extremely serious as well so they didn't talk much of it they hurriedly went towards the settlement, not everything was alright to speak in the open they also had to meet up with the small tribe leaders as well so they all went away, no one talked on the way.
___ ___ ___ ___
On the top of the Mountain Vaanavan or the system didn't aware of the anonymous entity was watching his every move silently with intriguing expression on their face 'Was he really didn't aware of my presence or just pretending to act like this, if so why is that?'
The figure was watched him as he mumbled to himself, the figure knows better now 'He must be talking to that heavenly treasure' but it couldn't locate the treasure on him, which seems very unusual and tricky.
The figure spoke as it eyes glowed with brilliant glow "You know, I really don't understand what are you doing or why are you doing this but don't you think it was very rude to ignore me and disregard my presence. It's just simply made me more and more curious about what are you doing in such a low level planet with mysterious heavenly treasure isn't it very interesting"
The figure was closely watching his face for some kind of expression but seeing none so far their expression little stiffled there was strange thought appeared in its mind as the figure looking at the person in the cave.
'Why does I get this strange feeling since I saw him could it be really 'Him' then how?' This figure has familiar feeling ever since they seen him for the first time the other day but considering some things, the figure didn't thought possible but the more it was near this person the stronger the intuitive feeling was.
Could not completely ignoring this line of suspicions the figure called out "Amara!" the reaction was indeed something it wasn't expecting a huge pressure and killing intent shot up to the sky his turned from blue to red like ruby as it locked onto the figure this time the figure could said with certainty the familiar ruby like eyes looked on to this figure.
The ground and space cracked by the aura and pressure but the mysterious entity didn't even flinch but staring at the ruby like eyes with same intensity now feeling familiar yet unfamiliar aura pretty much settled who this person was, what's going on.
Vaanavan fainted the figure didn't very surprised by this but raised an eyebrow when they noticed a warm silver glow covering his entire body, "Hahaha, I know you couldn't have died, I finally found you!" the figure's blue eyes glowed more darkly there was a slight hesitation but quickly turned their head towards the direction of settlement and "tsked" in annoyance "I'll be right back hehehe" the blurry figure vanished from there completely.