Li Wei moves on, his hope fading. The day wears on, and he hears nothing but mundane chatter. He begins to accept that either no other sect is present, or they are discreet.
Dao Feng, Li Wei, and Lin Yue regroup in a quiet corner of the bustling city. Dao Feng looks at them, his expression serious. "Anything?" he asks.
Li Wei shakes his head. "No."
Lin Yue mirrors his response. "No."
Dao Feng nods, his mind already working. "Right, let's get to work. Locate whoever runs this place, use Bone Manipulation, and sit on our asses and collect the sect tax."
Dao Feng, Li Wei, and Lin Yue move through the bustling streets of Xianyang, their destination clear. They reach the administrative quarter, blending into the crowd as they make their way to a large building guarded by stern-looking officials.
Dao Feng approaches a clerk, his presence commanding. "We seek an audience with your superior," he says, his voice steady. The clerk hesitates, eyeing the trio warily.
Dao Feng leans in slightly, lowering his voice. "We represent the Bone Ash Sect. It would be unwise to delay us."
The clerk's eyes widen in fear, and he nods quickly. "This way, please." He leads them down a corridor to a set of double doors. Beyond them, a noble sits with his entourage, deep in discussion.
The clerk announces them, and the room falls silent. The noble looks up, curiosity and suspicion in his eyes. Dao Feng steps forward, offering a polite bow.
"Thank you for seeing us. We wish to discuss matters of mutual interest."
The noble nods, waving them closer. As they approach, Dao Feng suddenly launches a Bone Shot, the sharp shards tearing through the air. The projectiles pierce the guards' armour, blood spraying as they fall. Li Wei and Lin Yue react instantly, joining the attack with their own Bone Shots.
The room descends into chaos. The noble's entourage barely has time to react, their screams cut short by the deadly accuracy of the attacks. Armour crumples under the onslaught, bodies collapsing.
Dao Feng moves with cold precision, his attacks relentless. Li Wei targets the remaining guards, his focus sharp. Blood splatters the walls, the scent of iron filling the air. The floor is slick.
Amidst the carnage, Dao Feng grabs the noble, forcing him to the ground. With a swift motion, he implants a bone fragment into the man's shoulder. The noble gasps in pain, eyes wide with terror. Dao Feng's face remains impassive.
Dao Feng implants another bone fragment into a nearby guard. Without a word, he twists his hand, and the guard convulses, his body writhing as the bone grows within him, tearing through flesh and bone. The guard's screams fill the room, ending abruptly as his body goes limp.
The noble, shaking and pale, watches in horror. Dao Feng leans in close. "Comply, or face the same fate."
The noble nods frantically, the fear in his eyes clear.
Dao Feng releases him, standing tall. " You will follow our instructions."
Dao Feng stands in front of a city official, his expression stern. "Who's in charge of the city?" he asks.
The official bows slightly, avoiding eye contact. "The king and the council"
Dao Feng nods. "Seek an audience with both."
"Yes, of course, immortal master." The official replies, clearly nervous.
Dao Feng, Li Wei, and Lin Yue stand in a quiet corner of the hall. Dao Feng turns to them, his voice low and firm. "Don't give away our presence. We will use Bone Manipulation on the king and all council members. Anyone with authority in the city must be brought under our control."
A while later the noble leads them through a series of narrow, dimly lit corridors. The walls are adorned with faded tapestries, their once vibrant colours now dulled by time. Their footsteps echo softly on the stone floor, creating a rhythm that matches the tension in the air. As they approach the council chamber, the heavy wooden doors creak open, revealing a spacious room bathed in a golden glow from numerous torches.
Inside, the king and his council await, seated at a long, ornately carved table. The king sits at the head. His face is stern, but curiosity flickers in his eyes. The councillors beside him wear expressions of wary anticipation, their eyes shifting
Li Wei fires Bone Shots at the nearest guards, aiming for their chests. The projectiles pierce through armour, blood splattering as the guards fall. Lin Yue follows suit, her shots equally deadly, creating a scene of gore and panic. The guards stand no chance against the onslaught, their attempts to defend futile.
With swift precision, they spring into action. Dao Feng uses Bone Manipulation on the king, implanting a shard deep into his body. Li Wei and Lin Yue do the same to the council members. The room erupts into chaos as guards react, but the trio is ready.
The king and council are unable to resist. The demonstration of power leaves no doubt about the trio's dominance. The last guard falls, the room quieting once more, filled only with the heavy breathing of the subdued officials.
Dao Feng steps forward, addressing the king and council. "You are now under our control. Any resistance will be met with death."
Without warning, Dao Feng raises his hand, fingers curling in a precise gesture. The council member's eyes widen in shock and pain as he suddenly clutches his chest.
The council member's body jerks violently, his face contorting in agony. The other council members gasp, some rising from their seats, but none daring to intervene.
The victim's bones begin to twist and shift under the skin, moving in ways that defy nature. His mouth opens in a silent scream, blood trickling from the corners of his eyes and mouth. The sound of bones cracking and realigning fills the room.
With a final, brutal twist, the council member's spine snaps, and he collapses to the floor, lifeless. His body lies twisted, the once proud figure now a broken puppet discarded by its master. The chamber falls into a stunned silence, the horrific display of power leaving a lasting impression on all present.
The officials' faces pale with fear. The message is clear, and the city's leadership is firmly in their grasp.
Dao Feng, Li Wei, and Lin Yue are in the chamber with the king and council. The air is tense. The king, feeling the pressure of the bone manipulation, tries to assert himself.
"Madness! Assault me in my own palace? How dare—" the king begins, but his voice is cut off by a sharp pain as Dao Feng moves the bone growth inside him.
The king's face contorts with agony. "Stop this! You cannot—" He gasps, his resistance waning under the intense pain.
Dao Feng remains cold and focused. "Resistance will result in death," he says, his tone devoid of emotion. He increases the pressure, and the king's body convulses, his cries echoing through the chamber.
Li Wei watches Dao Feng's mastery with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. The precision and brutality of the technique are impressive, and he wonders if his own abilities have reached a similar level now that he is at the 9th level of Qi Condensation.
The council members, seeing the king's plight, are paralyzed with fear. The message is clear: defiance is futile. Dao Feng releases the bone growth slightly, allowing the king a moment to breathe.
"Do you understand?" Dao Feng asks, his voice ice cold.
The king nods frantically, his defiance shattered.
Dao Feng steps forward, his gaze cold and unyielding. "This city is now under the control of the Bone Ash Sect. You will meet our demands or face severe consequences."
The king and council members look on, fear and apprehension evident in their eyes. Dao Feng lays out the demands with precision.
"First, we require one hundred live humans each month."
"Second, all bones in your graveyards. They are to be collected and handed over immediately."
"Third, we require a residence fitted with all amenities. Ensure it is prepared to the highest standards."
"If you fail to meet these demands, half of the council members will be killed at random," Dao Feng says, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
The king, still pale from the pain induced by the bone growth, nods weakly. "We will comply"
"Oh also eliminate the entire bloodline of the Jiang family, bring me their heads" he commands. "I've heard they are a minor noble family"
The king looks taken aback but nods slowly.
Li Wei watches Dao Feng with a sense of admiration. Dao Feng's ruthless approach is evident, yet Li Wei understands it is not driven by mindless cruelty. Dao Feng has a job to do for the Bone Ash Sect, and he is carrying it out with precision and efficiency.
Li Wei nods and approaches a noble who he had personally used Bone Manipulation on. "I need your assistance," he says warmly, intending to sow division by treating the noble well. He plans to create internal strife among the aristocrats by making this noble appear favoured, thereby isolating him. Even if controlled by a bone shard, a noble acting in his own interest would be a more efficient helper. Additionally, Li Wei intends to appear more reasonable than Dao Feng, allowing him to reap all the rewards from these maggots.
"Pick out my own personal residence, suitable for me," he commands
The noble, sensing a potential ally, nods eagerly. "Of course, immortal master. It would be an honour."
Dao Feng interjects, "Shouldn't we stay together?"
Li Wei responds calmly, "Brother Dao, it has been a long journey. I need some privacy."
Lin Yue adds, "For once, I agree with the bumpkin."