Zenos could barely contain his excitement when he heard that a Deity level being was slayed on this continent. Anyone at the Deity Level have gone through two Rebirths! How did this weak rustic continent accomplish such a thing?

“Tell me more!”

“The swordsman is apparently called Musashi. We don’t have much intel on him but our sources say that the whole continent is converging at his territory to participate in some tournament.” Hugans said carefully. He knows the young master’s temperament and anticipated that he would’ve found out about it either way. “The dealings of this continent belongs to the Death Origin Organization, Devouring Ghost Sect and the Grim Reaper Corporation. We have informed them of your arrival but you must not create too much trouble and stand out or else your father has personally instructed us to take you back by force.”

“Only the lowest bunch of the eighteen powers has been assigned to this continent, how would they dare act against our Blood Clan? I know I know but what could possibly happen to me in the weakest continent? I thought they barely have anyone higher than level 80. I’m already level 92!” Zenos brushed him off. “Besides with sister’s blood clone and your own blood clone at level 99, who can harm me?”

The woman beside Zenos pretended not to hear him and looked as if she didn’t want to be here at all. Even with her cold expression, her stunning features would make any man fall for her.

“There are still a few formidable forces in this continent such as two notable sects, Shaolin and Wudang. They are an enigmatic group and rarely show themselves in public but millenniums ago it was said that the Fallen Angels Clan’s ancestor also suffered a loss to Wudang’s founder.”

“What really? No way! They all have high grade special bodies!” Zenos exclaimed once again. “Seriously why are they the weakest again?”

“Overall their military might is the weakest by far and there are five frail empires ruling over each provinces. Any one of the six major sects, six largest organizations, or six strongest clans from our continent could rival their combined might. Besides the greatest swordsman, Shaolin, Wudang and possible ancient beasts that live in seclusion, there’s probably no one that has achieved Rebirth at all.”

“That is truly pathetic… see what do I have to worry about? I even have a Saint armor that father gave me.” Zenos said sympathetically, he genuinely felt sorry for this continent that could be wiped out easily by his own clan if not for this barrier in front of them.

“Our intelligence reports also states that the Hades Sect has sent… Prince Devia over. We have no idea for what purpose though.” Hugans said slowly. It seems more prudent to tell him now before he finds out. These two are extremely competitive.

“Prince Devia? Pft what prince! Just because he was born a few centuries ahead of me, he thinks he is all that. If I see him again, I’ll definitely not let him off.” Zenos sneered. It seems like there is quite a bit of history between the two. The flash of anger quickly subsided and he gave orders to his servant.

“Let’s go, I want to see the swordsman that could cut down an expert from the Devouring Ghost Sect.”

“As you wish.”

The three leaped off ominous evil being they were on and turned into three streaks of crimson light towards the land below.

Back at the Raging Thunder Sect’s camp, with a rumble, Ryu reappeared right outside his private tent. His face covered in sweat, if he didn’t not escape earlier, he might have ended up being controlled as well. Right after the Superman Mode ended, he instantly felt his power drop so low that it would have been impossible to resist those controlling black threads. Whoever attacked Ryu was too proficient in shadow arts that made it impossible for Ryu to even get a look at his opponent.

“Is something wrong?” Cro-La said as he rushed out of his tent after sensing something approaching from the ground below. At first he thought it was an intruder but found out it was Ryu with three coffins behind him.

“I had a troublesome encounter with a few people.” Ryu said as he forced a smile. The encounter had reminded him that there’s always someone stronger out there. The fact that this person could be from within the Raging Thunder Sect camp made his hairs on his back stand up.

“This is…” Cro-La said in disbelief after the coffin lids got released. His jaws dropped and his eyes looked like they were about to pop out. “They are elders that had gone missing a few years ago.”

“What?” Ryu replied with shock. The attacks that these people used were not lightning based.

“These elders… disappeared a few years ago right after I got poisoned by an unknown expert. No one knew what happened them.” Cro-La paused and after a few seconds of internal debate he continued, “These elders were long time supporters of mine. There were some suspicions that the elders hoping to take over the sect after my demise had something to do with their deaths.”

Hearing this Ryu could only frown, taking a political debate this far is ridiculous. At the end of the day, you are all part of the same sect. Why kill over it? However, these people seem to be breathing still.

“They seem to be controlled by someone from behind the scenes. This person… is extremely powerful, I’m afraid even I might not be a match for him or her. I was almost ensnared by the same skill that controlled these elders.” Ryu warned Cro-La. Hearing this Cro-La couldn’t helped but be shocked. Who else besides him in the sect had a cultivation strong enough to challenge Ryu?

“Thankfully the skill seems to have been broken now. They are extremely frail right now, you can question them after nursing them back to health. I would still keep them restrained just in case though.” Ryu said as he headed back to his tent. Cro-La instantly ordered people to take care of these three elders.

“I need to increase the rate of my cultivation faster!” Ryu said to himself right after he entered his tent. If the mysterious stranger attacked him again, without a higher cultivation he would not be able to resist the attack and could at best only flee once again.

“There are a few King Domain and Emperor Domain cultivating materials left from founder Exoe. At best it’ll raise me to the next level. Alexis only has materials that I can use starting in the late stages of Emperor Domain. Prince Na’Vi’s items are much more profound and could only be used once I pass level 100 at least.” Ryu said with a sigh. Due to the tree-like objects in three of his four reservoirs, his cultivation has slowed down to a snail’s pace.

His clones can’t cultivate or else it would’ve helped him out immensely. Other than spiritual medicines or herbs as the source of Qi, he could also cultivate in a Qi enriched environment like the inner sanctum of Forbidden Forest.

“That’s it! I can train there!” Ryu exclaimed. He suddenly remembered that Exoe mentioned the Thousand Swords Graveyard is also a Mythical Zone on par with the Fiend Tower, Endless Labyrinth and possibly the Forbidden Forest.

Right now Ryu is at one of the three cities between the Lin Province border and the Thousand Swords Graveyard. The distance is only a few hours away. He also has the skeletal key that is similar to the one in Exoe’s memory, meaning he could probably enter whatever dungeon is at the Thousand Swords Graveyard. It is a test of luck, skill and compatibility, not something purely based on cultivation levels alone.

“The Thousand Swords Graveyard doesn’t open for another week though… there’s also that unknown assassin amidst the camp.” Ryu said with a sigh, he couldn’t figure out how he could cultivate faster. He sat down and took out the remaining cultivating material that Exoe provided him. There wasn’t much left, he already absorbed the majority of it in the past two weeks.

There was a polite knock a few hours later.

“Honorable guest. The sect leader has requested you presence if it’s not too much trouble.”

Opening his tent Ryu saw Elder Jin whom he met at the Saint Jade Sect’s camp. He led Ryu to the other side of the camp facing east. A large group of elders were already crowding there in front of a tent larger than the rest but still smaller than the main tent the sect leader resides in.

“Are you accusing me of something? If not, scram!” A domineering voice boomed out that made the ground tremor slightly. A stocky man around five feet tall with exaggerated bulging muscles angrily shouted. He wore no shirts and a ring of brown beads hung around his neck.

“No one is accusing you brother.” Cro-La’s calm and diplomatic voice rang out, trying to ease the tension. It seems like a group of elders royal to the sect leader is confronting the leader’s brother over something.

“Then explain this Elder Gon. How did Elder Daji, Fulu, and Su end up in this state?” One elder demanded.

“I told you years ago. They confronted me regarding the poisoning of leader Cro-La and as I have stated countless times, I had nothing to do with it. It was the last I saw of them. Why not ask the guy who brought them in?” Elder Gon, Cro-La’s brother, replied coldly. According to Cro-La, Elder Gon is the strongest after himself within the sect.

“Who doesn’t remember the tantrum you threw when your father passed the position to leader Cro-La?”

“Who else could have subdued three elders besides you? They were last seen at your residence too.”

“Like hell you don’t know anything!”

“Enough! I have absolute faith in Elder Gon’s words. Everyone please take a step back, if the three injured elders wake up from their comas then please inform us right away. I would like to speak to my brother alone with our guest.” Cro-La’s voice finally snapped over the chatters.

Seeing their leader getting mad, which was pretty rare, the crowd dispersed reluctantly. Only Ryu, Cro-La and Elder Gon remained.

“Brother, if you say you didn’t do it then I believe you. Don’t take it personally, the elders are just worried.” Cro-La tried to smooth things out with his brother.

“Hmph. So this brat is the one everyone is talking about these days?” Elder Gon asked. A streak of lightning came down at Ryu from nowhere before anyone could respond.

The moment the lightning struck Ryu, Ryu’s body transformed into the state of Lightning Elemental Mutation. All the features of his body was outlined in navy colored lines and his body emitted an azure glow, the incoming lightning seemingly got absorbed like a small stream of water returning back to a larger source.

“Brother, that’s too rash!”

“Pft, another genius appeared before me.” Elder Gon said uncaringly. “Well I’ll tell you the same thing I told everyone else, I had nothing to do with the poisoning and the missing elders. I would rather die than seize the throne in a cowardly way.”

Their eyes locked and a fierce look full of determination and competitiveness was revealed. Even if Ryu had no other methods, he would never have guessed that Elder Gon would stoop as low as the accusations. However he does have other methods and they all point to Elder Gon’s innocence. His Qi within his body didn’t fluctuate one bit and the Mind Tome didn’t pick up any deception.

“Elder Gon, don’t let these false accusations bother you. Your brother have told me about your stellar behavior and your endless tenacity for training, there’s no way you are the culprit.” Ryu said politely as he bowed. From what Cro-La told him, his brother was a secretive person but one thing that is known publicly is that he is devoted to training. He is known to train for weeks and months without stopping in the same location. They both vied for the position of sect leader centuries ago which resulted in Elder Gon’s loss. However, Elder Gon had never once neglected his duties as an elder ever since.

“Hmph, if you know then get out of my area.” Elder Gon spared no courtesy and motioned them to leave as he went back to his own tent. Ryu started walking back with Cro-La as they casually chatted.

“What was the commotion about?” An egotistical voice rang out. A conceited young man walked condescendingly towards them. It was Has-Tai, Cro-La’s son. Upon seeing Ryu, his expression turned a shade darker. He couldn’t forgive him for the humiliation a while ago but there was nothing he could do at the moment. Behind him was Elder Gu who is the strongest after Cro-La and Elder Gon in the sect.

“What are you doing here son?” Cro-La asked with a smile.

“None of your business.”

Why would I tell you? You have forsaken me for those two girls while I’m your son! Has-Tai’s vengeful thought was picked up by the Mind Tome and instantly transmitted to Ryu.

That crafty old witch has contacted me again, each time she’s getting bolder. This time she even promised a phantom heirloom weapon that I’ve never heard of. Likewise Elder Gu’s thoughts were conveyed to Ryu as well.

Right after Ryu entered his tent, he instantly summoned forth Origin Power and started drawing out multiple symbols in the air that embedded into his clothes after their completion. If Has-Tai’s group was brazenly meeting the assaulter who attacked Ryu with the threads, he can’t sneak up on them with ordinary means. Thankfully he has advanced Enchantments at his disposal. Enchantments can conceal his cultivation and hide his movements from detection completely but it can’t make Ryu invisible so he opted to go underground once again.

Slowly but steadily, Ryu stealthily sunk into the Earth and maneuvered at a pace where an ordinary mortal would walk towards where Has-Tai’s group was heading. Before long he reached the area where Elder Gon resided. Since Ryu is underground, he could only see figures based on the outline of their Qi through is second vision.

Elder Gon was mediating in his own tent, nothing out of the ordinary there but a few tents over next to his had a bunch of people. Slowing his pace down even more, Ryu slowly snuck up to the point right under them, with only a few centimeters between his head and their feet.

“Aunt Leia, what are you talking about? What heirloom?” Has-Tai’s impatient voice could be heard.

“The reason you haven’t heard of the Thunder Heartseeker is because it’s not a sect treasure. It’s a treasure of the Lei clan that you come from.” A faint mysterious female voice explain.

“And why are you telling me this?” Has-Tai asked with skepticism.

“I just want to help you inherit what’s yours.” Leia said straightforwardly.

“I don’t need your help, for all I know you could be helping uncle Gon. Let’s go Elder Gu.” Has-Tai snapped.

“Young master… perhaps it would be wise to hear her out.” Elder Gu pleaded after his departing figure.

“This dagger is a rank 7 weapon with an essence. I don’t need to explain its prowess to you now do I? Are you going to let it fall to those girls along with the whole sect?” Leia taunted.