The Sect Tower stood high above the surrounding landscape, an imposing structure of stone and steel that seemed to pierce the sky. Its formidable architecture and intricate carvings had withstood the test of time, remaining pristine despite the ravages of weather and age. Banners fluttered from its battlements, their colours still vibrant, a testament to the enduring legacy of the sect. It was a symbol of resilience and strength, likely to remain standing for decades, or even centuries, to come.
Inside the highest floor Lei Tei and Lei Fei were currently engaged in a game that was alike Go yet different as instead of coloured discs, there were instead carved figures that resembled warriors.
"So Lei Fei, how are the Clans doing ?" Lei Tei asked as he moved a piece.
"Nothing much, looks like The Empire has allocated some resources from Dragon Tail to The Clans ."
"I see."
"Hmm."
"How is The Supreme Yin Sect faring against the Divine Sun ?"
" They can barely fight them on equal grounds, The Divine Sun is completely obliterating them." Lei Fei yawned.
"I see."
"Hmm."
"Any news about Ling Xuan." As Lei Tei asked, Lei Fei froze.
"Ummm about him, except for the usual coming out for Mystical Lightning he still has shown no signs of ending his seclusion."
Hearing this, Lei Tei could only sigh.
"For five years he has been in seclusion, what is he even doing ?"
"Brother, you accepted his request for seclusion in the first place, why ?"
"I thought that since he had to cripple his Cultivation and then restart it again in a single day on top of him reaching Peak Apprentice as well, perhaps he needed time to stabilise himself."
"Yet only five months later he arrived to break through to the Adept Realm." Lei Fei snickered.
The Thunder Visceral Refinement Technique, while repetitive, stood out for its distinct approach compared to standard Body Refinement. Instead of utilising natural Qi as a catalyst, the Thunder Law Sect harnessed Qi derived from Mystical Lightning, which significantly enhanced its potency.
Advancing through the levels of the Thunder Visceral Refinement Technique required precise skill in controlling Mystical Lightning to refine specific parts of the body. For instance, in the Adept Realm, practitioners focused on refining their bones. This process strengthened the bone marrow, leading to blood enriched with more Qi, which in turn significantly boosted the individual's overall strength
"Three times he has come out of seclusion, and each time it was only temporarily. In two of those instances, he emerged solely to advance his cultivation. At this rate, I'm concerned he may become a freeloader," Lei Tei sighed.
Typically, disciples of the Thunder Law Sect were assigned duties by the sect itself, compelling them to venture out and gain valuable experience. However, Ling Xuan, now an expert martial artist, remained within the sect, prompting Lei Tei's apprehension.
"We have to do something about it, brother," Lei Fei urged Lei Tei.
"I know," Lei Tei sighed, continuing to play.
—-------------------------------------------
"Finally it's complete." Carto Harts muttered as he watched the Library tremble.
It was not the first time such an event occurred over the past five years with the explanation being that the World or rather Brahman had set specific rules that limited the amount of freedom that one can exercise when creating their Cultivation Technique and Ling Xuan's technique was something that was dangerously close to breaking these rules.
"Well, that's what happens when you try to replicate the power of organisms that can literally bend the laws of the world to their will," Ling Xuan smirked. Through his research, along with Xia Longwei's book, he had discovered that Qi was not only a form of energy but also the fundamental force of The World that holds all organisms and the laws of Reality together.
"There is no way to become a Mythical Being—that's the central constant set by the world. Mythical Organisms are the first organisms of this world and are thus favoured by it. Grandmaster is the peak for everything else, for they have already reached a state of Mortal Perfection," Ling Xuan muttered. These were the first words he had read in Xia Longwei's book, and it was indeed the truth.
"Yet this is where the loophole lies." Ling Xuan grinned as the Library slowly stopped trembling.
Who said that one needs to be a Mythical Beast to be at the level of Mythical Beasts? Brahman giveth and Brahman taketh. As long as the technique does not break the rules set and is centered on the very factor that makes Mythical Beasts powerful, one can easily become as strong as, or even stronger than, them.
"My masterpiece is complete." Ling Xuan started at the computer as the Library completely calmed down.
"So tell me Carto, what will you do now?" Urizen's voice called out.
Hearing which Ling Xuan smiled.
"Pralaya"
—-----------------------------------
It was a normal evening for Bao Yi as he drank some of the wine given by his friend. The warm, amber liquid sloshed in the cup as he took a hearty swig, relishing the burn.
"So, Kang Lao, tell me what happened with your fiancée again?" Bao Yi asked, burping loudly and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Oh, nothing much," Kang Lao replied with a dismissive wave. "That woman was just crazy. You know our wedding was arranged by Feng Mui, so there wasn't much hope of it being successful."
"Your family actually asked that broke matchmaker? That old man doesn't have any skill left, and if he did, it probably went down the drain the day he orchestrated the marriage of Xia Longwei! Man, that was the greatest disaster!" Bao Yi laughed heartily, slapping his knee.
"Oh, I remember that! Wonder why the Dragon Emperor even let him live after that?" Kang Lao chuckled, shaking his head. "Anyway, what happened to her?"
"I don't know, but some speculate that she and her children were sent somewhere else by the Dragon Emperor. Who knows, really?"
"I wasn't asking about her, I was talking about your fiancée." Bao Yi snickered, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Oh, about her," Kang Lao sighed, his expression darkening. "She was apprehended by the sect and was sent to the dungeons to serve as a trial for new examinees."
"She deserved it, to be honest." Bao Yi said, leaning back and stretching.
"Yeah, you're right." Kang Lao took a swig from the jug of wine, his mood lightening slightly.
Suddenly, Bao Yi froze, his eyes darting toward the forest. The jovial atmosphere shattered in an instant.
"Kang Lao, did you hear that?" Bao Yi asked, his voice tense.
"Hear what?" Kang Lao replied, looking around in confusion.
Bao Yi didn't respond. Instead, he stood up abruptly and sprinted towards the forest, disappearing into the darkness.
"What the—!" Kang Lao stood up, his heart pounding in his chest. "Bao Yi!" He shouted, but only silence answered him.
A sudden rustling sound made Kang Lao whirl around. His eyes widened in horror as something flew towards him, landing with a sickening thud at his feet. It was Bao Yi's severed head, his lifeless eyes staring up in frozen terror.
Kang Lao's breath caught in his throat. He opened his mouth, wanting to scream, to alert the sect, but it was too late.
WHOOSH
An arrow flew through the air, striking Kang Lao squarely in the forehead. His head burst with a grotesque splatter, and his body crumpled to the ground.
"Open the gates." A whisper called out from the dark.
In the next moment, the gates to the Sect began to open, no guards could be seen defending or even remotely close to the gate.
SWOOSH
Several individuals run out of the forest and straight into the Sect.
The attack had started..
Pralaya had begun.