"Elder Wei, I believe the sect master will call a meeting in a few days regarding this matter. After Elder Shu inspects the corpse, send it to my research tower. I will try to uncover anything I can." Elder Qin said solemnly.
"Alright," Elder Wei nodded, then looked at the other elders. "Do not let any disciples know about this, not even the core disciples. Understand?"
The other elders nodded solemnly.
***
After leaving the Mystic Cloud Sect, Li Yun only ran for about an hour before arriving in the vicinity of the peak guarded by the sect.
Only trees and bushes surrounded the area, creating a dense canopy overhead. Some trees stood tall and majestic, while others were shorter, but together they cast such deep shade that sunlight barely penetrated to the forest floor.
This was Seven Peak Forest, a place known for its thick, impenetrable woodlands.
As its name suggested, the forest contained seven towering peaks. Five of these peaks, however, were not left to nature alone. They were ruled—or rather, guarded—by the five most powerful sects of the Greenwood Empire.
These sects were the Mystic Cloud Sect, Profound Sword Sect, Fairy Heaven Palace, Five Thunder Gate, and the Sun-Moon Temple.
For centuries, these powers had claimed dominion over five of the seven peaks, establishing their strongholds nearby. Their presence ensured control over any resources or treasures that the forest might produce.
The true reason these sects chose to settle on these peaks, however, was the immense danger posed by Seven Peak Forest itself.
Regarded as the most perilous zone in the entire Greenwood Empire, the forest was also the empire's greatest shield. The only way in or out of the empire was through Seven Peak Forest, where countless high-rank beasts lurked, ready to annihilate any army that dared to pass.
It was this ever-present threat that allowed the Greenwood Empire, small as it was, to survive for thousands of years. Larger empires, fearful of losing their forces to the forest's dangers, refrained from launching attacks.
And even if they did somehow cross over to the other side, their surviving forces, exhausted and diminished, would still have to face the overwhelming might of the five sects waiting for them at the peaks. This lethal combination of natural and human defense had kept the Greenwood Empire safe from invasion for generations.
Yet, while the forest acted as the empire's protective shield, it also brought disaster. Beast attacks and tides were a constant threat, ravaging the empire's lands.
This was why the five sects' presence on the peaks was essential—not only for their own interests but also to maintain the balance of power and protect the empire from annihilation.
The remaining two peaks, however, were shrouded in mystery and fear. These peaks were avoided by nearly everyone in the empire and had earned their ominous titles: Life Peak and Death Peak.
The Greenwood Empire was surrounded by the seven peaks of the Seven Peak Forest in such a way that one simply couldn't enter or leave without crossing the forest, making the empire almost a secluded one from the rest of the empires in the Azure Cloud Region.
***
Li Yun's goal for this venture was only the outer region of the peak guarded by the Mystic Cloud Sect.
Understanding that the strength of Titanium Leopards was generally in the Qi Training Realm, and only a select few advanced to the Innate King Realm, Li Yun believed their graves would be in the outer region.
At least, that was what he thought—and hoped.
"Rawr!"
A beast's roar suddenly reached his ears. Turning toward the source, he saw a bear running toward him on all fours.
"Steel Armored Bear!" Li Yun recognized the beast. It was twice his size, with steel armor gleaming all over its body.
He quickly used his movement technique, retreating swiftly to hide behind a tree.
"It's a Level 4 Qi Training Realm Steel Armored Bear. I should be able to handle this with Raging Heaven," Li Yun muttered as he assessed the bear's strength.
'Might as well kill it and be on my way.'
Li Yun drew his sword and activated Raging Heaven. A gust of wind blew around him, causing the grass to sway as his technique activated.
Using Phantom Mirage Step, he quickly appeared in front of the Steel Armored Bear and waited for it to attack.
"Rawr!"
The bear roared when it saw him and charged faster.
A moment later, it reached Li Yun and swung its massive claw with all its strength.
However, as soon as the claw touched Li Yun's figure, he blurred and disappeared, leaving the bear confused.
"Thunderclap Dragon Sword."
Li Yun appeared at the bear's side and attacked its weak spot—the neck. Unlike the rest of its body, which was fully covered in steel, the neck was unprotected.
His sword pierced deep into the bear's neck, killing it instantly.
'Illusory Death is good!'
He withdrew his sword and swung it to the side to clean off the blood as the Steel Armored Bear collapsed to the ground.
Quickly, Li Yun deactivated Raging Heaven. A sharp jolt of pain ran through his body, followed by a wave of weakness and an intense hunger for blood.
"Blood!"
The sweet scent of the Steel Armored Bear's blood filled the air, causing Li Yun's primal instincts to surge. He immediately dropped to his knees, ready to devour the blood like a beast—but at the last moment, he stopped himself.
"Haaah... haaah... I lost control again!" Li Yun gasped, trying to calm himself. He quickly pulled out a bottle of blood and gulped it down.
A sense of clarity washed over him, though the hunger remained. He drank three more bottles before the urge finally subsided.
'Finally, some peace.'
Li Yun breathed in relief and approached the Steel Armored Bear to refill the bottles he had just emptied.
In the end, the bear's blood filled nine bottles, providing him with enough for two uses of Raging Heaven. Plus, he already had more bottles stored in his ring, so he should be set for the trip.
"The movement technique really helps a lot in combat," Li Yun muttered, reflecting on the battle. Without it, he could have still won, but it wouldn't have been this easy.
'The first move of Phantom Mirage Step—Illusory Death—is also amazing.' He thought, realizing that if used wisely, this move could catch almost anyone by surprise.