Ash and Bryan were surprised as they exchanged a bewildered glance.
Ray, on the other hand, maintained a composed expression, having already suspected their affiliation with the Infinity Lunar Palace. He nodded slightly, acknowledging Luna's confirmation with a knowing look.
"The Infinity Lunar Palace? One of the three Hegemonic Sect?" Ash did not expect that at all. The legendary status of the Infinity Lunar Palace was well known amongst the cultivators, renowned for its mystical cultivation and mainly for the fact that they only accepted female disciples.
Luna said with a gentle smile, "We're sorry for hiding our identities but in the outside world, caution is necessary. We just wanted to ensure our safety."
Ray interjected, his calm demeanour soothing the atmosphere, "There's no need to apologize. We understand the importance of discretion. We would have done the same if the circumstances were different."
Ever since he experienced what happened in the illusion, his sense of calmness has evolved into something greater, void of the shackles that once held it down. It seemed like a heavy burden was plucked out of his body and thrown into the void, lost forever.
"Now, that this is cleared up. What should we do about them?" Ash redirected their attention to the pressing matter at hand and gestured towards Yorak and his clansmen.
Selene interrupted with a thought, "Judging from the altar and the sacrifices, it's highly likely that they're trying attempting to create a blood-type energy fruit."
Ray furrowed his eyebrows, seeking clarification, "A blood-type energy fruit?"
Selene nodded, her voice tinged with a tone of urgency, "A blood-type energy fruit is more potent than a normal energy fruit birthed from this world. The reason it's more potent is because of the intensity of the blood and lifeforce infused in the energy fruit. More the intensity of blood and lifeforce, more the potency. Hence, why this…practice is considered to be extremely evil, and anyone involved in it must be eradicated without mercy."
'The fuck is this shit…' Ash thought with bewilderment. The magnitude of the sacrifices and the blatant disregard for life left him speechless.
'Anything for power huh…'
"Now, I'm questioning whether the entire Azure Clan is involved in it or is it just him?" Ray's eyes flashed with a sharp glint.
"Regardless of whether they're involved or not, Yorak is now considered to be an enemy. He desires to gain insurmountable power from the energy fruit, regardless of the consequences. He has no regard for the lives he had sacrificed and I'm sure he's waiting for the prime opportunity to sacrifice the other two as well." Selene's eyes hardened with ferocity as she spoke in a fierce tone.
"Yorak Vilnius is in the Elemental Fusion Realm." Ray shared his findings with the group.
"Though they outnumber us, I'm sure we can easily take care of them. The only concerning matter is time. We just need to act swiftly." Bryan's confidence shone through as he spoke, his voice steady and firm.
Luna smiled at their confidence, her eyes matching theirs, focused and sharp. She said, "Agreed. It's time to put an end to their monstrosity. Let's go."
Meanwhile, Yorak Vilnius was basked in an overwhelming sense of elation. Everything had unfolded according to his meticulously crafted plan, without the slightest hint of deviation or failure. His eyes gleamed with a sinister excitement as he observed the swirling pool of blood at the center of the altar, surrounded by his 14 clansmen, their faces filled with anticipation and fascination.
With a malicious gleam in his eyes, Yorak addressed his fellow clansmen, his voice dripping with twisted satisfaction, "Soon, my brothers, we shall offer up the final two sacrifices and reap the rewards of our labour."
He spoke with a mixture of malevolence and hidden cunning, covertly observing his clansmen with a vicious glint.
The intricate carvings adorning the altar glowed with an eerie luminescence, pulsating in a mesmerizing rhythm. The blood that coated the surface of the altar and its surroundings seemed to respond, as if drawn by an invisible force, swiftly converging toward the center with an unsettling speed.
Yorak's eyes flashed with a perverse anticipation as he licked his lips in excitement. The dark corners of his mind reveled in the impending culmination of his sinister plan.
"It's time!"
He raised his hand, signaling his clansmen to bring forth the unconscious body of Nathe Pelke and Villie Storm.
The clansmen, devoid of empathy and consumed by their loyalty to Yorak, started dragging Nathe Pelke and Villie Storm towards the altar but was interrupted by a surprise attack.
*Swoosh*
The group of five were waiting for the right moment and they swiftly moved into action, launching a coordinated surprise attack on the clansmen. The element of surprise worked to their advantage as they caught their opponents off guard.
*WHAM*
They didn't bother to hold down their power and instead, unleashed their skills with full force. The mixture of Hail Strikes and Phantasmal Fist caused a lot of damage due to the clansmen's unguarded surprise.
"ENEMY ATTACK!"
Luna and Selene brandished a pair of beautiful white jaded swords, moved with a fluid grace, swiftly eliminating four clansmen with a series of precise and elegant sword strikes. The fallen clansmen crumpled to the ground, with bleeding chests.
But before they could continue attacking, Yorak interrupted their assault with a face full of malicious intent. A sinister smile curled on his lips as a pair of blood-red sickles materialized in his hands, their gleaming edges reflecting a bloody aura.
"Truly unexpected…"
*Boom*
With a resonating boom, the trio engaged in a breathtaking display of equal power, displaying their formidable skills and refined movements.
*Clang*
The clash of metal echoed through the hall as swords and sickles clashed, the sound reverberating with an undeniable air of the authority. Their movements were a blur of speed and agility, their auras intermingling in a symphony of white and dark green. Their battle was so intense that an invisible barrier seemed to surround them, preventing anyone from approaching their battlefield. Their intent was clear, to eliminate one another without mercy.
As the intense confrontation unfolded, Yorak's prowess and experience in battle became evident. Every strike he made exuded a viciousness that surpassed that of Luna and Selene. His movements were precise and calculated, giving him a distinct advantage over his opponents.
"Imperial Wind Slash!"
With a malevolent cry, Yorak unleashed a technique of his own.
*Slash*
Countless wind slashed materialized in the air, slashing through the air with deadly precision. The wind slashes rained down upon Luna and Selene, aiming to shred their defenses.
However, Luna and Selene were not easily deterred. With astonishing agility and keen reflexes, they deftly evaded the onslaught of wind slashes. Their movements were akin to a graceful dance, their bodies twisting and turning with fluidity as they sidestepped the deadly projectiles.
When a cultivator successfully breaks through to the Elemental Fusion Realm, he or she can awaken an element that would greatly influence one's combat prowess. The awakened element is completely dependent on one's fate unless they have a special bloodline or physique to influence their awakened element. In the case of Yorak Vilnius, his awakened element is the power of wind.
"Tch!"
Harnessing the power of wind, he moved with exceptional agility, his attacks were imbued with a swift and relentless ferocity, each strike carrying the force of a gale.
In response, Luna tapped into her own awakened element, the power of the Moon. Only the special chosen of the Infinity Lunar Palace had the ability to utilize the power of the Moon, signifying her unknown special status.
"Moonlit Veil!"
With a focused concentration, she summoned forth the essence of the lunar energy, surrounding herself and Selene in a shimmering cloak of moonlight. The Moonlit Veil not only enhanced their agility and defense, but also bestowed upon them an ethereal beauty, magnifying their enchanting presence on the battlefield.
'The power of the Moon…?!' Yorak's eyes widened in shock as he understood the severity of the situation he was in.
'They need to die…' Yorak ruthlessly thought as he continued attacking.
Yorak's wind-infused attacks clashed against the cloak of the Moonlit Veil, creating a mesmerizing display of swirling energies. The gusts of wind swirled around Luna and Selene, their movements seamlessly blending with the fluidity of the moonlight.
*Clang*
Their blades, shining with a silvery glow, clashed against Yorak's blood-red sickles, fortified by the power of wind. Each strike resonated with the clash of elements, sending out specks of remnants.
Sensing an opportunity, Luna swiftly joined her hand while Selene engaged Yorak in combat. A surge of power emanated from Luna as she summoned the essence of her elemental power. A majestic silvery ring of light materialized in front of her. With a wave of her hand, the ring of light shot towards Yorak with astonishing speed and precision.
Caught off guard, Yorak found himself enveloped and bound by the ring of light. Agonizing pain seared through his mind as the ring of light continued to tighten around his body, immobilizing him in place. He struggled against its grip, his expression contorted with both anguish and fury.
The Moonlit Veil and the Lunar Ring had proven to be formidable skills, challenging his dominance.
"It seems like I didn't have to use my elemental power, sister." Selene said as she watched Yorak suffer.
Luna shook her head and said with a warning tone, "Don't let down your guard, Selene. I doubt that's enough to take him down!"
"A-Aargh…"
"Aargh, how…" Yorak's voice quivered with rage, interrupted by the relentless force of the ring of light.
"…dare..."
"…YOU!!!"
A burst of energy shot forth from his body resulting in the Lunar Ring shattering into pieces. A triumphant bloody smirk curved his lips.
Luna and Selene readied themselves as they could feel the buildup of natural energy in Yorak's body. They were ready to face whatever he has to throw at them.
"Zephyr's Grace!"
Unleashing the true power of his wind element, a heavy and dense aura enveloped him, accompanied by a faint sheen of green light that cloaked his form. With each passing moment, his speed and reflexes heightened, granting him a newfound strength in battle.
"Tempest Assault!"
He became a blur of motion as he closed the distance between himself and the two girls. Yorak's attack unleashed a barrage of swift and relentless strikes. His sickles danced around through the air with deadly precision, leaving streaks of red and gusts of wind in their wake.
Luna and Selene, though momentarily surprised by Yorak's surge of power, quickly regained their composure. They nimbly evaded his onslaught and they anticipated Yorak's attacks, countering with strikes of their own.
Meanwhile, the trio, consisting of Bryan, Ray and Ash were making quick work of the clansmen by bombarding, and whittling them down one by one.
"Haha, fuckers! You thought you could beat us?!" Ash taunted them as he pummeled the enemies.
As the clash intensified, a hidden figure emerged from the shadows and attacked the three, sending them a few metres back.
Ray activated his skill 'Behind the Veil' and immediately frowned. He informed the other two with an alert tone, "He's in the Shattering Sea Realm."
"For fuck's sake…" Ash sighed.
"…"
The enemy's presence alone sent a chilling wave through the air, his aura exuding dominance and power.
The Shattering Sea Realm clansmen, a smirk playing on his lips, taunted them with a low, sinister voice, "You three are brave to challenge us, but you are outmatched. Prepare to forfeit your lives!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
Bryan and Ray were stunned and looked at Ash who was laughing his ass off. The unexpected reaction caught the opponent off guard, their confident façade faltering under Ash's audacious disregard and blatant disrespect.
Ash coughed lightly and took a deep breath. He glanced at Bryan and Ray, and spoke with a calm yet determined tone, "Bryan, Ray, leave him to me."
*Swish*
With a swift motion and a smile on his face, the Eternal Frozen Scythe appeared on his hand, which exuded a bone-chilling aura that sent a shiver through the enemies' spines.
"Scared?"