Dual Mystic Plain, Fire Extreme palace branch's Main Hall,
The Fire Extreme palace was an existence comparable to the longevity sect in strength, they also had their own territory in the flowing Light Empire, similar level to that of longevity sect in the nearby area.
They didn't have any good relationship with each other since their founding. It was nearly impossible when they located very near by the mystic rivers separated their territory as a natural border.
They kept each other in check and refrained from others growing too quickly after all they eyed each other's territory for further development of their own sects so this often led to some scuffles with each other from time to time.
By stroke of luck during one of their treaty forty years back longevity sect allowed them to found a branch in their territory on the condition the other party should return the courtesy with this both of them put their ever present tension and anxiety in their hearts to rest and finally have a peaceful relationship between each other.
Such a ridiculous treaty came to existence because the former sect leader Thennavan who was also the only uncle of Thuruva and Taman wanted to end the animosity between the two forces by doing this.
But unlike the longevity sect's sincerity and honesty in this treaty, the Fire Extreme Sect saw this as an opportunity to slowly take over the resourceful plain and vast territory by slowly taking deep root in their lair.
They even willing to sacrifice resources and talented individuals in the gamble some elders even willing to send their descendents to infiltrate the longevity sect great elder Karen was like that he was so devoted to his sect he willingly sent his only blood relation
someone who was like a son to him.
Today he got the news that his nephew had died from his trusted aid. He was furious and felt anguish. He was grieving for his nephew when he got summoned to the meeting even though he was in no mood for this meeting. He has this agenda. He came here for this meeting.
It wasn't surprising when he realized he was among one of the first few who came early. When fellow elders saw his grief stricken expression they came to console him or God at his misfortune as not all of them have him in their good books.
" Old friend, how are you feeling did you want me to accompany you to knock their door those b*******" Just let me know when you decide," one of his old friends comforted him with indignation.
" That's right Karen, you and I were considered close friends to go through innumerable hardships in our youth, not to mention you had my back when we ventured in the serenity mountain range for my sake " Another one interjected their conversation directly went to the point " If you want my help just say so"
"The heartless b******* they were doing this on purpose, I don't believe they didn't find who he was when they captured him, was it that hard to find out his background they should have let him go " another one unreasonably spoke up.
Though it couldn't be completely called
unreasonable, it wasn't big deal for sect of this levels planted spies in their rival sects even longevity sect planted such spies but there were always special cases when other party find out the spy they captured had special kind of background like now they wouldn't kill them off or put them in prison like the rest.
They use them as hostages and often make some deals with these sects on the condition the spy didn't know any crucial information about the sect. A negotiation takes place knowing the spy has some background the sects gritted their teeth and only hand over the party for something useful in return.
"Brother Karan was really a brave soul; he even willingly sent his nephew to the tiger's cave. It's a pity talent like him couldn't make it back" one of the newcomers decided to say something when the faces of Karan's friends changed.
" My heart was bleeding from the fate of my talented nephew.... sigh! this is very unfortunate brother Karan you were already old please sit" his companion also speaks with a slight gloating expression.
" You immoral f****** Do you think I wouldn't teach you guys a lesson ? Karan's friend moves towards them in rage. His friends hold him back. The situation comes to an abrupt halt when they hear a door of a certain corner opened and an imposing looking middle aged man walks in towards the hall.
He took note of the situation in the hall and his expression became a little stern as he glared at a certain few people as he walked towards the high platform where a grand looking chair was placed and took his seat. He was the acting branch Leader.
"Branch leader !"
"We pay our respects to the Branch leader ! " they chorused as they saluted the middle aged man.
After taking a closer look at the hall once more his eyes landed on Karan there was a certain amount of sadness in his eyes too but he didn't say anything to Karan like these elders but addressed everyone.
"Elders, all of you please take your seats " he gestured to them to take their seats then stood up from his seat speaked to them in a rather dignified voice.
" I hope everyone got notified about what happened today, one of our talented genius who striving for our bright future and purpose got killed by longevity sect elders while he was in the midst of doing his special mission his presence will be missed greatly"
He looked at the expressions on everyone's faces, some were truly looking sorry while others had indifferent expressions on their faces, few of them even sporting gloating expressions.
He knows when it comes to a powerful force or any sect not everyone will see things on the same page unless it's concerned with their own interests. It was impossible for everyone to be the same. Even he himself wouldn't bother such a meeting If not for the fact the one got killed was the nephew of a great elder.
His purpose was to sooth the old man's anger and grievance and see things rationally " I felt they have overstepped their bounds and somehow purposefully provoking us what do you guys think we should do from this"
Karan's friend shot a concerned look at his friend before speak up " Branch leader before anything this humble one ask we should retrieve nephew's body for proper burial ceremony we could also ask clear explanation for their cruelty"
Sect Master also cast a brief glance at karan then nodded at his friend, he cast glance at other people in the hall.
" Branch leader, I found this extremely unusual movements from them I couldn't help but feel they are up to something we better prepare ourselves for inevitable contact our main palaces before things could turn bad for us"
" I agree with what elder Valuthi said, many of us feel uneasy about this matter, they wouldn't have dared to do this if they didn't have some nasty design for us" another elder put his two cents.
"I guess this has something to do with that recent seven palaces meeting" another one speaks gravely.
" What are you talking about longevity sect was member of this alliance, are you sure you can handle the our branch affairs with that brain of yours" She glanced at him with disdain " what does this have anything to do with us " an elder exclaimed hearing this looking startled by the sudden topic completely sidetracked into something else.
" According to the Intel I received not only, Thuruva attend it, he also urgently called Iron wall Taman for that meeting lat-"
" I can't believe you even brought this up... what kind of nonsense are you talking about...haven't you heard about it? This happened because Thuruva's daughter got sick unconscious for a couple of days alright!? Then you go around thinking up such a ridiculous reason everything " a woman in her middle age mocked him.
" Hmph old witch, have you lost your mind, what kind of nonsense do you think you believe... I don't mind telling you it wasn't just you who knows stuff. I paid a certain source to know in and out of this incident so keep quiet" he snorted after looking at everyone he took a deep breath.
He threw a side glance at sect leader then mocked the woman " Guess what I managed to find out that little girl was perfectly alright has no signs of ' any sickness' or any internal injury I say they were just using this as guise to keep us in the dark while plotting something malicious"
Everyone couldn't help but give it a thought, even the branch leader narrowed his eyes as he attentively listened to their bickering, his eyes flashed with unknown glint, his thoughts were like his expressions hard to understand.
Before Karan could open his mouth he secretly said something to him via voice transmission as Karan went a little stiff as he cast a blank look as the branch leader got to his feet and bade farewell claiming he didn't feel well.
No one notices anything amiss with this little episode as both parties involved in this are acting keep their brief interaction brief and simple with that aside, the branch leader returns to listening to their arguments.
*** *** ***
" This should be the ultimate goal of every single martial artist, " Thuruva said, then cast another glance at his daughter who was looking a little lost for the hundredth time that day.
In an elegant looking pavilion about a dozen something teens of various ages seated and listening attentively to the lecture of an unwavering sword.
Thuruva didn't know what to think about this situation he was little worried about her of course not like in the past but about her health to be precise.
He knows his daughter wasn't like how she used to be before she has been diligently training, even regularly visiting sect libraries everyday. If possible , one had to balance things between their practice and other things in their life. It would put strain on her mind.
He was afraid something happened to her like last time he didn't want her to become sick, 'Well I have to talk to these two little girls...hmm maybe later tonight or tomorrow morning ' he faltered as he thought about the meetings and work he cast another glance at both of his daughters.
Vaani couldn't help squirm uncomfortably as she noticed her unc- foster father glance at both of them. She almost wanted to pinch Megha when she noticed the latter gaping at the ceiling In a funny way.
Vaani nudged her slightly and asked a question to cover up things in a timely manner "Sect Master, what do you mean the ultimate goal? Can you elaborate it a little more?"
The other disciples also sat straight as she asked such a question. Obviously not everyone was familiar with the ideology; few had heard of this term and did not know about this in depth.
Thuruva nodded his head at Vaani with a gentle smile he started to explain about this topic Vaani wasn't sure whether he noticed her actions just now or not she didn't bother to think about it as he started his explanation.
" I think everyone should know about bits and pieces of age of Gods right at that time it was said world was filled with vitality that every human has certain possibility of attaining Godhood and the ultimate goal of every human was strive to achieve it before the end of their life span"
He smiled lightly as he took note of everyone was now looking at him with rapid attentions paused mysterious effect " This all come to an end when battle between Gods took place, it was so intense and horrifying they cleave our world to pieces and drives it to brink of destruction "
The room filled with solemnity with grave voice he continued " Can you children imagine what happened to our ancestors in that situation, not only the gate of heavens closed for us even our life span plummeted to mere hundred some years "
" Our ancestors felt so much despair to live in such a dangerous world, a group of talented individuals fortunate enough to find alternative methods to ensure our survival they obtained War God Inheritance which was start of the Martial Arts Era they are selflessly founded War God Temple in every corner in the continent guided the pitiful-"
His passionate speech faltered when he just happened to notice from the corner his own daughter rolled her eyes with disdain he immediately felt stifled and embarrassed by this he couldn't help but look at everyone present.
He himself deep down felt this was some nonsensical lore but it was a traditional in their sect to teach it to every generation disciples in fact all most all of the sect follow this tradition to certain degree he couldn't believe this brought him into a situation where his own daughter thought he was talking some nonsense.
But it's alright he know about Megha's personality well enough to not caught off guard 'It's alright I'm only doing this for the sake of tradition' he console himself
"Ahem, ahem.. anyway what important from this "