'Maan, she was so sweet when we met for the first time.' Ash thought bitterly, 'Turns out we can't trust anyone at face value, otherwise they might turn out to be a life-sucker or a different kind of sucker…'
His disappointment mingled with a touch of cynicism. It was to be expected considering the cultivation world does not treat the fair and good rightly.
Ray's exasperation burst forth, his frustration evident on his face. He never expected someone from their own prestigious sect come after them, and that too for their lifeforce. Even though it didn't exactly feel like a betrayal, it still left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Bryan's eyes narrowed, his voice cutting through the glum atmosphere, "You won't be able to lay a finger on us, bitch!"
"Pffft!" Ash spat out his laughter as he definitely did not expect Bryan to call her that.
Ray nodded, "A certified one, that too."
Fiona's smile didn't falter in the slightest. Their defiance and unity made it all the more satisfying, fueling her desire to take their lifeforce even more.
Her maniacal eerie gaze bore into their souls, as if scouring to see who would be her first meal.
"Soundless…" Suddenly, her lips parted to utter an incantation, "Aegis!"
A burst of energy surged forth from her body, rippling through the surrounding space like a tangible force. Waves of raw power expanded outward, creating a spherical barrier that encased both Fiona and the trio within its confines.
The barrier shimmered with a greenish glow, its edges pulsating with a mesmerizing display of arcane symbols.
It seemed to be woven from threads of Fiona's natural energy, intertwining and strengthening, forming an impenetrable shield that separated them from the outside world.
Fiona, standing amidst the ethereal glow of the barrier, observed the trio with a chilling smile. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of anticipation and sadistic pleasure, revelling in their captivity.
She knew that they wouldn't be able to escape the barrier that she had personally erected. Only cultivators of equal power or stronger can break through the barrier, much less the trio who were merely at the Natal Realm.
"Cool barrier." Ash spoke while his eyes darted around the barrier.
"Of course, it is." Fiona's alluring voice sounded out, "I personally created it, after all."
"Now…" Fiona licked her lips and said, "Shall we start?"
*Boom*
Fiona unleashed a devastating aura, a suffocating pressure enveloped the trio, pressing them down like an invisible vice. The air grew heavy and dense, making each breath a struggle.
It felt as though the very atmosphere had transformed into solid walls, constricting their movements and rendering them immobile.
Their bodies trembled under the immense weight of Fiona's power. It was as if the force of ten thousand boulders had descended upon them.
Wisps of green energy pulsed around Fiona, swirling with a malevolent intention that seemed ready to devour their souls.
The jungle around them seemed to groan in response to Fiona's overwhelming presence. Leaves wilted, branches cracked, and even the once vibrant sounds of wildlife faded into an eerie silence.
Nature itself seemed to bow before Fiona's dominance, acknowledging her superior strength.
The trio's muscles strained against the invisible shackles of power, but their efforts were in vain. Their bodies felt as if they were encased in solid stone, and every inch of their being screamed in protest.
"You three should thank me for being gentle." Fiona's sweet sickening voice flowed into their ears.
'Thank her for being gentle? What is she, a nutcase?' Ash thought with gritted teeth, as he tried to fight back against the unrelenting pressure.
"You must be thinking ill of me." Fiona serenely walked forwards with a wicked smile dancing upon her lips, "I'll allow it considering you three can do nothing in front of a true powerhouse."
The realization of helplessness washed over them like a tidal wave. They understood the true horror of their predicament, caught in the grasp of an adversary whose power surpassed their wildest imagination.
Her presence exuded an unsettling aura of superiority. As she drew closer, the echoes of her taunting voice reverberated through the stagnant air.
She circled around them, her movements fluid and graceful, like a predator toying with its prey.
"Hahahahaha!"
Her laughter rang out, a chilling sound that echoed through the enclosed space. It was a sound comprised of warmth and malicious intent, a haunting melody that echoed from the depths of her twisted soul.
Fiona glided over to the front of the immobilized trio, her footsteps barely making a sound on the jungle floor. Her eyes gleamed with a sadistic pleasure as she revelled in her imminent victory, relishing the power she held over them.
"You see, my dear little playthings." Fiona purred, her voice dripping with malice. "I am going to drain every ounce of your precious lifeforce. Your energy will become mine, fuelling my own power and granting me eternal youth and strength. How delightful it will be to watch you wither away while I bask in your stolen vitality."
'She loves to talk a lot. Is that what all evil bitches do? Monologue like no tomorrow?' Ash internally grumbled at their misfortune.
As she drew closer to them, Fiona extended a hand, her fingers suddenly glowing with a dark green, ominous energy, "Prepare yourselves!"
She hissed, her eyes narrowing with sadistic glee, "Your end is near, and I shall have the honour of taking them!"
Ray saw her fingers were nearing them, with the intent of draining their life force. Ray closed his eyes and reckoned it was about time.
'System! NOW!' He mentally commanded the system.
[Ding]
A resounding ding echoed in his mind, signaling the activation of a powerful artifact.
[Activating the Obsidian Teleportation Amulet!]
In an instant, the world around them seemed to shift and warp. Reality seemed to twist and contort as the trio was enveloped in a vortex of energy.
The sounds of the jungle became a distant hum, drowned out by the rushing of wind and the pulsating energy of the teleportation process.
"Sayonara, bitch!"
*WHOOSH*
The trio vanished from sight, leaving Fiona's sadistic face dumbfounded from the situation. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she realized that they had slipped through her grasp, escaping her clutches.
"No, no, NO!" She was seething with rage as she tightly clenched her fist, her nails digging through her palm.
She spread her Natural Sense and couldn't find the presence of the trio anywhere near her vicinity.
"How could this be?"
"Everything was perfect!"
"They were within my grasp!"
"How!"
"How!"
"How…"
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" She let out a furious scream, her voice echoing through the dense foliage, shattering the tranquillity that once filled the surroundings.
After a few seconds, she calmed down but her eyes were now filled with an immense rage, "They must have used some kind of treasure that helped them teleport away from here."
"If they did, then it's highly likely that the treasure they're using is limited to their cultivation realm. At best, they should be within the range of 10,000 miles." Her mind terrifyingly deduced the situation and the capability of the treasure in their hands.
Her thoughts immediately whirled with excitement and greed, 'If I can get the treasure along with them, this would count as a bonus for me.'
She envisioned the endless possibilities that awaited her once she claimed the treasure for herself. The corners of her lips curled into a smug smile as she readied herself to pursue the trio, her steps poised and determined.
But just as she took a decisive step forward, a sudden impact reverberated through the air.
*Boom*
*Crash*
The sound of the barrier shattering echoed in Fiona's ears, breaking her concentration. The forceful crash of the shattered barrier pierced through the silence, leaving her stunned and dumbfounded once again.
"Now, Fiona. You really think I didn't keep tabs on you?" A calm voice sounded out from behind her.
A surge of disbelief washed over Fiona as she turned, her eyes widening in astonishment.
A towering figure standing at 6 foot 5 inches, exuding a commanding presence that demanded attention, stood before her. His physique was honed and athletic, speaking volumes of his dedication to his cultivation practice.
Silvery ashy hair cascaded down his back, tied neatly into a sleek ponytail that swayed with his movements. His hair served as a striking contrast against his fair skin, giving him an ethereal appearance.
His eyes, with white irises, pierced through the darkness like beacons of light. The man wore a purple robe, adorned with intricate silver linings that traced across the fabric, indicating his status.
A notable accessory worn by him was a pair of beady bracelets adorning his right hand, emitting a faint shimmering light.
"K-K-K…" Her voice trembled at his sudden appearance, "Kodi Intera!"
Kodi Intera, Fiona's senior and the unrivalled champion of the Celestial Nirvana Sect, held the coveted title of the Number 1 Ranked Prime Disciple. He who leads the young generation of the sect, and is considered as a prospective candidate to become the next Sect Master of the Celestial Nirvana Sect.
In this critical moment, as Fiona found herself confronted by the formidable figure, a mixture of trepidation and frustration coursed through her veins.
She knew the weight of Kodi's reputation and the immense power he possessed. His every action was scrutinized by the sect, and his skills were unparalleled, making him the unbridled epitome of the Celestial Nirvana Sect's potential.
Fiona's heart pounded within her chest as she faced Kodi, her once arrogant demeanour crumbling in the face of his mere presence.
"Fiona." Kodi's voice resonated with an eerie calmness, each word carrying a weight that pierced through her core, "I am disappointed in you. The pursuit of power has blinded you to the consequences of your actions."
Fiona's voice trembled, a mix of fear and defiance present in her tone, even in the face of the Number 1 Prime Disciple, "Kodi Intera, what business is it of yours? This is an opportunity I cannot afford to let slip away."
Kodi's calm eyes met Fiona's gaze without flinching. "Opportunity at the expense of our sect's harmony and the well-being of your own fellow junior disciples? How laughable and ignorant."
"You have broken an unspoken law that do not align with the path we walk. I, Kodi Intera, shall mete out the rightful judgment upon you."
Fiona felt a cold chill crawl up her spine as Kodi's words sank in. But, despite her blaring instincts, her eyes flamed in pure defiance, shouting with anger, "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO JUDGE ME!"
A surge of bitterness and frustration surged within Fiona's heart, "I was so close…so close to reaching your level."
Fiona spat in a seething voice, "The thought of attaining your power, of besting you, drove me to this point!"
Her eyes locked Kodi's, a determined smile etched across her face, "Even then, our cultivation realms have a small gap." Her voice tinged with a mix of arrogance and desperation, "There's not much you can do to me if I choose to escape!"
Kodi simply stared at her for a moment before he shook his head, "They call me the Voidwalker for a reason."
With a mere wave of his hand, Kodi summoned an ethereal energy around them both, crackling with raw power. The surrounding space contorted and twisted, as if bending to the will of Kodi's immense power.
A spatial distortion formed, swirling and expanding rapidly, engulfing Fiona in its ominous embrace. The air around her seemed to grow dense and heavy, suffocating her with a sense of overwhelming pressure.
Fiona's eyes widened in sheer terror as she realized the extent of Kodi's power. She had underestimated the true might of her senior.
"Prepare yourself, Fiona!"