The grand hall of the Bai Sect was quiet, the air heavy with incense and unspoken tension. Song An stood before the circle of elders, their wise faces fixed on him with a mix of curiosity and concern. Bai Xuanlu, seated at the center, exuded an air of quiet authority. Her calm demeanor and piercing gaze held the room in silence.
"You came with urgency, young man," Bai Xuanlu said, her voice steady but commanding. "What trouble do you bring to our sect?"
Song An hesitated, glancing at the gathered elders. Then he shook his head. "Before I speak of my matter, there's something I must ask first."
The elders exchanged glances, and Bai Xuanlu gave a slight nod. "Speak."
"Why did the Bai Sect leave Baihin and move to Gumen in the east?" Song An's tone was firm, his words cutting through the stillness.
A heavy silence fell over the room, broken only by the faint crackle of the incense burners. Bai Huang, seated to Xuanlu's left, sighed deeply. "It is not a story we tell lightly," he began. "Baihin, our ancestral home, became... uninhabitable."
"Uninhabitable?" Song An frowned. "What could make you abandon a place your sect has called home for generations?"
Bai Jaxue, the youngest of the elders, leaned forward. Though youthful in appearance, his sharp eyes burned with intensity. "An ancient seal beneath Baihin broke," he explained. "It unleashed something dark—demonic energy that corrupted the land and the minds of those who remained too long. Shadows came to life, and whispers filled the night. Even our strongest cultivators began to falter."
Bai Ming, the oldest among them, nodded solemnly. "We tried to contain it, but the evil only grew stronger. Staying would have meant the destruction of the Bai Sect. So, we made the hardest choice—leaving Baihin behind to protect our people."
Bai Xuanlu's voice cut through the air, calm yet unyielding. "We chose Gumen for its remoteness and purity. Here, we can rebuild and grow stronger, away from the corruption. But make no mistake—we have not given up on Baihin."
Song An's gaze flicked to her, sensing the fire behind her words. "So you still plan to return?"
Xuanlu's eyes gleamed with resolve. "One day, we will reclaim Baihin and seal the rift for good. The Bai Sect does not abandon its home. But for now, we must be wise and prepare for that day."
Song An nodded, the weight of their story pressing heavily on him. Straightening, he took a deep breath. "Thank you for sharing this. Now, let me tell you why I've come."
The hall of the Bai Sect was cloaked in a tense silence, the elders watching Song An with curiosity and caution. The weight of the tale they had shared about the demonic presence in Baihin still hung in the air. Song An took a deep breath, his expression grave, and finally broke the quiet.
"Elder Xuanlu, Elders of the Bai Sect, the reason I came here and the reason you moved your sect... they might be connected."
Bai Xuanlu straightened in her seat, her sharp eyes locking onto him. "Connected? Explain yourself, Song An."
He swallowed hard, organizing his thoughts. "In my sect, the He Sect, we've been facing something strange these past weeks. Many of our disciples and even villagers near our grounds have disappeared without a trace. At first, it seemed random—people missing after a trip to the forest or on a journey to another village. But then we noticed a pattern."
"What kind of pattern?" Bai Huang asked, his deep voice laced with concern.
Song An met his gaze. "It only happens after the sun begins to set. No one has ever gone missing during daylight. And those who disappear… there's never a struggle, no signs of a fight. They're just gone."
Bai Jaxue frowned. "And you've found no explanation?"
"We didn't, at first," Song An admitted, "until one of our elders and I went to investigate. We spoke to villagers near the He Sect. They told us stories, ones that chilled me to my core. They said that after dusk, something comes—something demonic. They've seen shadows creeping through the fields, heard whispers and low growls in the night. And when morning comes, more people are missing. They're terrified."
Bai Ming leaned forward, gripping his staff tightly. "A demonic creature, you say? And you believe this is connected to us?"
Song An nodded. "Yes. The villagers mentioned something else. They said that the shadow spoke, just once, to a farmer who fled from his home one night. It told him, 'The seal is broken. They ran, but they cannot escape.'"
The elders exchanged dark looks, the weight of the words pressing down on them. Bai Xuanlu's face was pale, her voice quiet but firm. "The seal... the one beneath Baihin."
"That's what I believe," Song An said. "Whatever was unleashed in Baihin hasn't stayed there. It's spreading, reaching further with every passing day. And now it's near the He Sect. I came here hoping you might know more, but I didn't expect your story to match so closely with what's happening to us."
Bai Jaxue rose to his feet, his youthful energy giving way to urgency. "If the creature is moving beyond Baihin, then the rift is growing stronger. We can't ignore this."
Bai Xuanlu raised a hand to calm him, though her expression remained troubled. "We cannot act recklessly, Jaxue. But Song An's warning cannot be taken lightly. If the corruption has spread to other sects, then we must act quickly."
Song An took a step closer, his voice steady but urgent. "Elder Xuanlu, I didn't come here just to warn you. I came because I need your help. If this continues, more lives will be lost—not just in Baihin or Gumen, but everywhere. The Bai Sect has the knowledge and strength to face this threat. Please, lend us your aid."
The hall was silent for a long moment, the elders lost in thought. Finally, Bai Xuanlu stood, her gaze steady and resolute. "You've brought us dire news, Song An, and I believe you. If the seal's corruption has reached this far, then the Bai Sect has no choice but to confront it."
She turned to the other elders. "We must prepare. The battle for Baihin is no longer just ours—it's a fight for the survival of all."
Song An bowed deeply, relief and determination flooding through him. "Thank you, Elder Xuanlu. Together, we can put an end to this darkness."
The hall was quiet as Bai Xuanlu stood, her elegant figure commanding attention. She turned to the other elders, her tone firm. "If the corruption is spreading, we cannot face it alone. I will seek help from the Li San Sect in the north."
A murmur ran through the elders. Bai Huang was the first to speak, his voice laced with caution. "Elder Xuanlu, that is not an option. You know why."
Bai Ming nodded in agreement. "The Bai Sect must stand on its own. We cannot expect aid from them."
Xuanlu frowned, her gaze hardening. "This is no time for pride or hesitation. If the rift spreads, it will destroy us all. The Li San Sect may hold knowledge we lack."
Before the discussion could escalate, Song An stepped forward. "Elder Xuanlu, I understand your concern, but we may not have time for negotiations."
The elders turned to him as he continued, his voice steady but grim. "My uncle, He Juan, the leader of the He Sect, has been using his powers to hunt down this creature. He's faced it more than once, but his health is worsening with each encounter. The corruption is wearing him down."
Bai Jaxue's eyes narrowed. "He's fighting it directly? That's reckless."
Song An nodded. "He knows it's dangerous, but he won't stop. If something isn't done soon, I fear he won't survive the next battle."
Bai Xuanlu's expression softened, the weight of the situation clear in her eyes. She looked at the elders, her voice calm but resolute. "We must act quickly, then. If the Li San Sect is out of reach, we will find another way. But we cannot delay."
The room fell silent as her words hung in the air, and the elders reluctantly nodded. Song An bowed deeply, his heart heavy but grateful. "Thank you, Elder Xuanlu. Whatever you decide, I will stand with you."
Song An bowed before the elders, his expression resolute. "I must return to my sect," he said firmly. "My uncle is handling the creature, but he's pushing himself too hard. He needs me."
Bai Xuanlu's gaze softened, but her tone was steady. "You are the next leader of the He Sect, Song An. Protecting your people is your duty—but be careful. The path ahead is dangerous."
Song An nodded, determination shining in his eyes. "I won't fail."