Happiness and sadness dance in unending conjunction, forever interconnected like the two sides of a malevolent coin.
A singular entity capable of bestowing boundless happiness upon one and unbearable sorrow upon another. Such is the nature of duality, where emotions, born from the same source, sprout forth and blossom in opposing directions.
For both sects, this competition held immense significance. Joy spread like flourishing branches among the disciples of the Heavenly Thunder Sect, while the disciples of the Heavenly Aquaflame Sect were burdened with sadness and a myriad of negative sentiments, particularly those who tasted defeat in these battles.
As one side revelled in happiness, the other held their heads low, not solely due to their losses but because they were utterly decimated in the face of their opponents. Not a single disciple from the Heavenly Aquaflame Sect was victorious against the might of the Heavenly Thunder Sect.
"I had anticipated a true challenge in facing your esteemed head disciple, but alas, it seems my expectations were misplaced," Yanos roared, his voice thundering through the martial hall. Contempt dripped from his gaze as he looked at the defeated Martin.
"I merely ranked third among the inner court disciples of my sect, yet your supposed number one prodigy couldn't even lay a finger on me."
Spit!
Disgustingly, he spat upon Martin's visage.
"You wretched fool," a voice seething with rage resounded, yet it did not originate from any of the disciples of the Heavenly Aquaflame Sect present. None dared to utter a single word in the presence of Yonas' ominous aura.
Was it fear, shame, helplessness, or a crippling lack of confidence?
Indeed, it was all of these.
Yet, above all, it was their own crippling Weakness.
Boom!
An explosion reverberated through the air, shaking the foundations of the martial hall. All eyes turned towards the origin of the furious voice, drawn to the scene unfolding before them.
Crash! Crumble! Shatter!
From the heart of the chaos, a commotion of destruction reverberated, intensifying the emotions of the onlookers.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The thunderous sounds erupted from the VIP section, where a once grand pavilion now succumbed to ruin. Its proud structure collapsed, reduced to a pile of debris, crashing down with an earth-shaking force.
"High Elder Sun, what is the meaning of this?" A voice laced with disbelief and accusation rang out amidst the chaos.
Emerging from the wreckage, six figures soared through the air, gracefully landing on the remnants of the pavilion. Four individuals aligned themselves on one side, while two stood defiantly opposite them.
Clad in robes stained with blood, the two figures on the same side bore clothes adorned with intricate embroidery, depicting rivers and golden flames—the emblem of the Heavenly Aquaflame Sect.
Facing them stood the remaining four, donned in dark indigo robes meticulously patterned with thunder motifs, a testament to their power and elegance.
"Elder Sun, are you betraying the Heavenly Aquaflame Sect?" questioned one of the wounded figures, his voice tinged with anger and disbelief.
Elder Sun, standing amidst the three elders of the Heavenly Thunder Sect, locked eyes with the individual who dared to question him. To Elder Sun, they were mere nuisances, inconsequential in his grand design. With icy resolve in his gaze and a venomous edge to his voice, he dismissed their accusations.
"Your thoughts hold no weight in my realm of concern," he retorted, turning his back on them. His attention shifted to the battlefield, where his former junior lay defeated, unconscious on the ground.
All eyes were upon them, and a flicker of anger burned within Elder Sun's gaze as his voice pierced through the martial hall.
"I've been an elder of this sect for three decades, and now at 38 years old, I've dedicated every second, every minute, and every day to the prosperity of this sect. I have devoted my life to the dream of witnessing our sect rise up to its former glory, just as it once was."
"When I was only eight years old, there were countless people who doubted and questioned my decision. Why would a genius like me join a declining sect? They were all bewildered, but I was not. I understood the glorious history of this sect, and I made the decision to honour our ancestors and assist in restoring the sect to its former greatness. Many doubted me, but I proved them wrong."
Clutching his teeth, he roared once more, his voice dripping with sorrow and fury: "I proved everyone wrong by giving my absolute best."
The veins on his neck were visible as he continued his roar: "I managed to restore the name of the Heavenly Aquaflame Sect to prominence within the kingdom, and I aimed for its recognition throughout the entire continent. However, all my efforts in the past four years have been in vain due to the toxic politics plaguing our sect.
The decline began as soon as we started ascending the path of success, and now everyone within the sect is consumed by a power struggle. It's become a game of who can wield more influence, turning our sect into a den of chaos. These internal conflicts of the past four years have destroyed everything I worked for in the last three decades."
"The deserving individuals were denied their rightful opportunities, while the elders and those with influential connections reaped the benefits. What has become of us? Is this a sect or a mere family clan? A true sect should reward the efforts of its disciples fairly, but such principles no longer hold true in our sect."
"Over the past four years, we have witnessed a tremendous decline, and today serves as undeniable proof of that. Not a single disciple emerged victorious in their battles. Not a single inner court disciple, who should embody the fruits of the sect's past ten years, showed any meaningful results. This stark reality reveals the profound weakness of our foundation, exacerbated by the poisonous politics infecting our sect. I cannot bear it any longer."
"There are countless outer sect disciples who have joined our ranks this year, and I refuse to witness them endure the same fate. These power-hungry vultures, driven by their insatiable thirst for control, will bring ruin to this sect. Look at them."
"S-Stop it, you." One of the injured elders of the Heavenly Aquaflame Sect spoke with difficulty.
Elder Sun Smirked and pointed disdainfully at the kneeling sect elders, nursing their injuries, and continued, "The moment I declared my quiet departure, seeking my purpose and a means to revive our crumbling sect, they turned on me.
They branded me a traitor, accusing me of revealing my true colours in the face of our decline. It pierced my heart to hear such slander from my fellow elders, individuals whom I had dedicated three decades of my life to serving. The anguish within me swelled."
"As they launched their assault, I retaliated, and the outcome speaks volumes. Despite these elders being on the same level of cultivation as myself, they couldn't even graze a single strand of my hair. It was then, in that pivotal moment, that the righteousness of my decision to abandon this sect became unequivocally clear."
"The very conviction and the unwavering mentality that I infused within the depths of this sect over countless years have vanished into oblivion. These wretched, power-hungry elders of our sect have ruthlessly annihilated the very essence, the resolute conviction, that a sect requires to transcend mediocrity and ascend to the pinnacle of greatness.
Their insidious greed has left nothing but ruins in its wake, extinguishing the flames of ambition that once burned bright. Alas, the chance for recovery, for redemption, has long since withered away."
His gaze swept across the entire martial hall, encompassing every corner, and as he inhaled deeply, an intense sadness reflected in his eyes. His voice trembled with regret as he uttered, "Henceforth, I have made the fateful decision to sever my ties with this sect."