The clearing where the Lunar Essence had once hovered in all its glory was now filled with tension. The silvery glow that had captivated everyone earlier was gone, leaving the altar barren and lifeless. The once-precious artifact had been reduced to an ordinary stone, devoid of its mystical energy.
A heavy silence fell over the gathered cultivators as they stared at the altar in disbelief. For a brief moment, even the Moonlit Direwolf's retreat went unnoticed as confusion and suspicion swept through the crowd.
The elder of the Azure Sun Sect was the first to break the silence, his voice sharp and commanding. "What trickery is this? The Lunar Essence cannot simply vanish!"
His core disciples stood behind him, their expressions tense as they exchanged uneasy glances. Shen Wei, always quick to speak, muttered, "Could one of them have stolen it while we were occupied with the Direwolf?" His gaze darted accusingly toward the representatives of the Crimson Blade Sect and the Emerald Flame Sect.
The leader of the Ethereal Blossom Sect, her expression calm but her tone laced with steel, replied, "Careful with your accusations, Shen Wei. We were as focused on the battle as you were. Perhaps it is your own sect that should be questioned."
The elder of the Crimson Blade Sect, a burly man with a fiery temper, slammed his staff into the ground. "Enough of this nonsense! None of my disciples would dare act without my orders. If the Lunar Essence is gone, it's because one of you seized it during the chaos!"
The patriarch of the Yang Family, one of the four great families, sneered. "Perhaps your sect lacks the discipline to keep its disciples in line, Elder Fu. Or perhaps this was your plan all along?"
His words sparked a wave of murmurs among the other families and sects. Accusations flew back and forth as the factions turned on one another, each defending their own honor while subtly implicating others.
The atmosphere grew even more charged as the four great families began to clash. The patriarch of the Zhou Family narrowed his eyes at the Yang patriarch. "Your arrogance is as insufferable as ever, Yang Hao. Are you suggesting that my family would stoop to such treachery?"
Yang Hao smirked. "If the shoe fits, Zhou Lei. Your family has always been skilled in deception."
The patriarch of the Chen Family intervened, his tone measured but firm. "Enough. If we turn on one another now, we'll only weaken ourselves further. We should focus on finding out what happened to the Lunar Essence."
The Li Family representative, a woman with sharp features, folded her arms. "Finding out the truth won't undo what's been lost. We've all failed here, and now the question is who bears the blame."
The families glared at one another, their long-standing rivalries bubbling to the surface as they sought someone to hold responsible for their collective failure.
Meanwhile, the tension between the sects continued to escalate.
The leader of the Emerald Flame Sect spoke coldly, "If the Azure Sun Sect truly had no hand in this, then perhaps they can explain why their outer disciple"—he gestured toward the forest where Makoto had been spotted—"was lurking on the outskirts instead of assisting in the battle."
The Azure Sun Sect elder's expression darkened. "An outer disciple would have neither the means nor the audacity to interfere with the Lunar Essence. Do not deflect blame onto my sect to hide your own failings."
The Ethereal Blossom Sect leader chimed in, her voice calm but cutting. "Perhaps the Crimson Blade Sect is to blame. Their disciples were unusually aggressive, as though trying to divert attention from something."
Elder Fu of the Crimson Blade Sect bristled. "Mind your words, Song Lin. If you're looking for culprits, perhaps your precious Ethereal Blossom Sect should start by questioning its own disciples. After all, no one would suspect you delicate flowers of duplicity."
Song Lin's eyes flashed with anger, but she maintained her composure. "You would do well to remember that even flowers have thorns, Elder Fu."
---
The Brewing Conflict
As the leaders and patriarchs argued, the tension among their disciples mirrored that of their superiors. Heated whispers and sharp glances filled the clearing as suspicions ran rampant.
"It must've been the Crimson Blade Sect," one disciple muttered. "They're always looking for an edge."
"No, it's the Zhou Family," another countered. "They've been too quiet. Suspiciously so."
The factions grew increasingly divided, their unity shattered by mistrust and rivalry.
---
Makoto's Perspective
From his concealed vantage point in the forest, Makoto observed the chaos with a faint smirk. He had anticipated this outcome the moment he absorbed the Lunar Essence's power.
"These fools," he thought, his disdain evident. "They spend more time blaming one another than they do reflecting on their own shortcomings. How far this world has fallen since the days of true cultivators."
Makoto's sharp eyes picked apart the weaknesses in each faction's stance and arguments. He noted how their rivalries undermined their ability to cooperate, how their pride blinded them to the truth.
"Even if they had the Lunar Essence," he mused, "they wouldn't know how to use it properly. They're unworthy of its power."
---
The Retreat
Eventually, the elder of the Azure Sun Sect raised his hand, silencing his disciples. "Enough. We've wasted too much time here. The Lunar Essence is gone, and further bickering will accomplish nothing. We will report this failure to the sect master and regroup."
The other factions followed suit, though none looked satisfied as they began to withdraw from the clearing. Suspicion lingered in the air, ensuring that the fractures among the sects and families would not heal easily.
Makoto waited until the clearing was empty before stepping out from his hiding place. The smirk on his face widened as he watched the retreating figures.
"Let them nurse their wounded pride," he murmured. "They'll never realize how close they came to true power."
With the Lunar Essence now a part of him, Makoto turned his gaze toward the path back to the Azure Sun Sect. It was time to return, but his journey was far from over.
Makoto carefully concealed his aura as he retreated deeper into the forest, his steps silent amidst the chaos still echoing from the clearing. The energy of the Lunar Essence coursed through him, soothing his repaired meridians and filling his dantian with an unfamiliar sense of completeness. Yet his mind was calm, calculating every move to avoid detection.
"Let them search," Makoto murmured to himself, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "They wouldn't recognize the essence's true potential even if it were in their grasp."
His journey back was deliberately circuitous. He avoided the main paths where disciples and elders from various sects were likely to be found. Despite the overwhelming power he now felt, Makoto knew the danger of exposing himself too soon.
As he ventured through a quiet part of the forest, Makoto heard faint voices ahead. His eyes narrowed, and he hid behind a thick tree trunk, carefully peering out to assess the situation.
A group of disciples from the Azure Sun Sect stood together, their expressions marked with frustration and bitterness. Shen Wei, one of the top three core disciples, was at the center, addressing the others with a sneer.
"What a waste of time," Shen Wei spat. "The elder promised us the Lunar Essence would be within our grasp, and yet we return empty-handed. Useless."
The other disciples exchanged uneasy glances but remained silent under his oppressive aura.
Makoto's gaze sharpened. Fools. They blame each other for their failure, never considering their lack of preparation or understanding. Typical of this era.
Not wanting to draw attention, Makoto slipped away unnoticed, leaving the group to their grievances.
The Moonlit Forest finally gave way to familiar terrain as Makoto approached the outer grounds of the Azure Sun Sect. The towering gates loomed ahead, their presence both comforting and oppressive.
As Makoto passed through, several outer disciples noticed him and whispered amongst themselves.
"Is that Makoto? He looks… different."
"He must've just returned from the Lunar Essence event. But why does he seem so… calm?"
"He's probably hiding his failure. That's what cowards do."
Makoto ignored the murmurs, his expression indifferent. Their opinions were meaningless. They couldn't comprehend the transformation he had undergone.
Before Makoto could retreat to his quarters, a messenger arrived, bowing slightly before speaking. "Makoto, the elder wishes to see you immediately."
Makoto raised an eyebrow but nodded, following the messenger to the elder's hall. The elder, a stern man with an imposing presence, sat at the center of the room, flanked by Shen Wei and the other two core disciples. Their eyes immediately fell on Makoto as he entered.
"Makoto," the elder began, his voice firm, "where were you during the battle for the Lunar Essence? Your absence has raised questions among the sect."
Makoto met the elder's gaze without flinching. "I remained on the outskirts, observing. The battle for the Lunar Essence was beyond my current strength, and throwing myself into it would have been pointless."
Shen Wei snorted. "How convenient. You hid while others risked their lives. Typical of an outer disciple with no ambition."
Makoto's eyes flicked toward Shen Wei, his gaze cold and piercing. "And yet, despite your ambition, you returned without the Lunar Essence. Tell me, who truly failed here?"
The room fell silent, tension crackling in the air. Shen Wei's face darkened, but he said nothing.
The elder cleared his throat, cutting through the hostility. "Enough. Makoto, while your decision may have been pragmatic, it does little to improve your standing in the sect. See to it that your actions benefit the Azure Sun Sect in the future."
Makoto bowed slightly. "Understood, Elder."
---
Cultivating in Solitude
Back in his modest quarters, Makoto sat cross-legged, his focus entirely inward. He could feel the Lunar Essence still resonating within him, its power reshaping his body and mind.
As he meditated, memories of his past life surfaced. The techniques he once mastered, the realms of power he once reached—it all felt tantalizingly close. The restored state of his meridians had unlocked new possibilities, but Makoto knew he still had a long way to go.
"Step by step," he whispered to himself. "I'll reclaim what's mine."
His thoughts turned briefly to Airi and the other powers who had fought for the Lunar Essence. He wondered how they fared after the battle and whether they suspected the essence was no longer within the forest.
Unbeknownst to Makoto, the aftermath of the battle had caused a stir among the sects and families involved. Rumors of a mysterious figure who managed to claim the Lunar Essence circulated, fueling tension and suspicion.
The elder of the Azure Sun Sect, despite his stern demeanor, couldn't shake the feeling that Makoto was hiding something. His eyes lingered on the outer disciple's calm facade during their meeting.
Meanwhile, Airi returned to her sect, recounting the events of the forest to her senior disciples. She chose not to mention Makoto's role, sensing that his involvement would only complicate matters.
Makoto's resolve solidified as he rose from his meditation. The Lunar Essence had given him a chance to rebuild, but he knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges.
For now, he would play the role of the unassuming outer disciple, keeping his strength hidden until the time was right. But deep within, he carried the confidence of someone who had walked this path before—and would do so again.
"Let the sects squabble over their scraps. The true power lies with me, and I won't stop until I've reclaimed it all."