One week ago

News of Xiao Pao’s defeat spread like wildfire across the sect. It had been forever since he was ranked below rank eight but now, not only was he beaten, he was beaten by Akata. Nobody could deny Akata’s strength now as he proved himself capable of not only taking on people with his body but also his mental energy.

“I thought his body was tough but his mental strength is even more fearsome!”

“Have you ever seen Xiao Pao look that exhausted after a match? Yet Akata looked perfectly fine. Just what kind of mental strength does he have?”

Of course the ranked disciples were discussing Akata also.

Third Cabin

“That damn Akata! He’s advancing at too fast a rate. Who would’ve thought that trash of a cultivator could come so far. His body strength I can handle but his mental energy is on a whole other level. Gah!” Xi Fe gnashed his teeth as he cursed Akata. His face was red with anger. Clearly he was upset about Akata rising through the ranks so easily.

Four people were seated at a table when news came of Akata’s utter victory over Xiao Pao. Their previous conversation quickly steered in the direction of him.

One boy that looked around 13-14 years old looked at a young girl and spoke. “Ming Xu, I’m pretty sure that Akata will keep challenging cabins which means that you will be the next one challenged. Are you ready to go through with the plan?” The person that was speaking was none other than Xiun Wu.

Ming Xu looked at Xiun Wu deeply and then nodded her head. “I’ve been waiting for this moment. After our match has concluded he won’t be ranked any longer in fact he won’t have anything any longer.” Her voice and eyes were cold but when she looked at Xiun Wu a hint of admiration and devotion could be seen.

“Mn. Good then I’ll leave you to it.” Xiun Wu seemed to think of something and then said, “However is you are unsuccessful then if worse comes to worse I’ll be able to hide you until I can settle things with the sect. Either way you have to be careful as it seems the sect is protecting Akata.”

“I got it. I won’t mess up.” Ming Xu’s eyes were fierce and her voice was firm.

“Humph. I want to personally tear him apart.” Xi Fe had been attacked and humiliated by Ming Lu because of Akata. Of course he held resentment in his heart from Ming Lu but she was still way stronger than him and there was nothing he could do, therefore he wanted to vent his anger on Akata. “I still think that we should handle him before he is able to challenge the Ming Xu.”

Xiun Wu shook his head and sighed, of course he knew that Xi Fe wanted revenge against Akata. “And how do you expect to handle him before the match without anyone noticing?” Of course Xiun Wu was willing to hear him out, if Xi Fe actually had a good idea then it would make killing Akata more of a possibility.

Xi Fe gave a cold smile. “We can kill him in Misty Forest.” Xi Fe spoke every word slowly to make sure that they understood.

Given their status in the sect and how much they had trained of course they knew where Xi Fe was going with this. All of their eyes went wide and they immediately went into thought. Xiun Wu was the first to speak on it after about five minutes of silence.

“That’s not a bad idea at all. If we can catch him when he’s training in Misty Forest then we’ll be able to stage an “accident” which will not put the blame on us.” Xiun Wu had a hand on his chin while he was talking and then looked up at Xi Fe.

“We shall try this before Akata challenges Ming Xu. If it is successful then that will make things way easier on us.” Everybody nodded their head in agreement.

Xiun Wu looked to his left at a young girl about 15-16 years old dressed in brown furs. Her skin was pale and looked like jade. Her face held beauty that could not be topped by anyone in the sect besides Ming Lu.

“Pulong Chu, would you like to handle this?” The way he spoke to Pulong Chu was different from Xi Fe and Ming Xu. That was because she was just about at his level of strength, if she were to break through from Grade 3 to Grade 4 then they would be even.

Her face was calm and held no anger in it whatsoever. There was no coldness that could be seen emanating from her, it was like she didn’t even fit in with the group.

When she spoke every word of hers carried a soft rhythm to it that made the hearts of all people go soft.

“I won’t personally handle him but I’ll send in some people who would be willing to.” She spoke with indifference like she didn’t care what was going on. In fact Xi Fe and Ming Xu didn’t even know if she was on their side of not.

“Good. That’ll be all then. Shall we convent another time then?” Xiun Wu asked and looked towards Pulong Chu.

“Yeah sure. How about in a week. My people will have the job done as soon as they draw Akata into the forest.” With that she stood up and dusted herself off then turned to leave. Nobody stopped her they just watched as she left the cabin.

Xi Fe frowned and turned to Xiun Wu. “Xiun Wu why do you let her stay around? Clearly she has some ulterior motives if she’s sticking to us.” Xi Fe was obviously displeased with Pulong Chu.

Xiun Wu smiled and said, “Yes it clearly does look like she has some other motives for being in our group, but the question is why is she deliberately showing us it? If she wanted to hide that fact away from us she could do a much better job of it but she isn’t. If I keep her close and find out what it is she is going after then I’ll be able to quickly dispatch her.” As he spoke his aura grew colder and colder to the point that Xi Fe and Ming Xu could see their own breath.

“But no worries that is a matter that I will personally attend to. There is no reason for you to concern yourselves of it. For now I want you, Xi Fe, to scout her and check on what happens in the forest when she gets Akata. I don’t want you to intervene unless you see an opportunity to kill him, other than that just report back to me.”

“No problem.” Xi Fe’s smiled coldly. “He’s as good as dead if he steps into that forest. The sect can’t always protect him.”

“Mn. Ming Xu…” Xiun Wu turned his head to face Ming Xu who looked to be daydreaming. “... Ahem. Ming Xu? Are you listening?” Ming Xu regained focused and looked at Xiun Wu. “I want you to prepare for your match with Akata in case this plan fails.”

“Right!” Ming Xu’s face was blushed red with embarrassment.

“Good. That’s all for now go back and prepare. Akata should be making an appearance any day now.”

Ming Xu nodded and stood up then walked out of the third cabin to the seventh. ‘What was I doing just now fading away like that? No matter I just have to prepare to face Akata and once he’s out of the picture all will be solved.’ At this, Ming Xu picked up some speed to get back to her cabin.

One week later

Akata emerged from Second and Third Elder’s shed. It was a cool evening, the clouds were spread out in the sky covering over the sun but the blue sky could still be seen. Akata walked the path out of the Elder Quarters towards the disciples residences.

‘I haven’t seen my friend in a while. I wonder how is she doing. Ha I can’t wait to show her how strong I’ve become now!’ Akata’s face had a huge smile on his face as he walked down the path. As he trotted along he came across some disciples and even some Elder’s.

Akata stopped and greeted an Elder of the sect. “Greetings Fourth Elder.” The Elder was seated on a barrel drinking wine from a flagon. He wore brown furs and he looked deeply at Akata. Out of all the Elder’s he looked the youngest, about his mid twenties, that was because he was the only one to breakthrough to the Earthly Rank. Of course this excluded First, Second, and Third Elder who were mysterious even within the sect.

“Akata, come here for a second.” Fourth Elder spoke in a deep brooding voice. Akata was confused for a moment and then headed over to Fourth Elder. He walked over to him and stood there.

Fourth Elder took a gulp from his flagon of alcohol and then spoke. “You’ve grown a lot in such little time Akata. I’d say you’re even more talented than I was when I was your age. I believe that you have the capabilities to surpass me. But, not in this place. Be careful and watch yourself.” He took another gulp of alcohol and waved Akata off.

Akata was more confused now. He tried to Fourth Elder to answer some more questions but he didn’t. Akata eventually walked off feeling wary of the whole situation. ‘What does he mean by be careful and watch myself? Does he resent the sect? Or is he another spy? No no he’s the fourth Elder he shouldn’t be a spy. But… what if…’ Akata didn’t know what to think right now and was lost in thought as he walked along the path.

Eventually he made it to the place that housed the disciples. As he approached he cleared his mind of the words of Fourth Elder and shook his head. ‘Now is not the time to think about these things. For now it probably doesn’t concern me and if it does, if it involves the sect I don’t have the power to do anything.’ He then went to a particular building.

The building was adorned with unlit red lanterns. A banner could be seen hanging on the front of the building. On the banner could be seen a red cloud with black lightning coming out. But the lightning was aimed towards the sky. As if it was striking heaven itself. Of course this was the sect’s symbol which was common to see throughout the sect.

The sect split the disciples up between girls and boys. The disciples didn’t live in immortal caves but in places that resembled inns. In fact this section of the sect was called the Red Cloud Inns. All the girls stayed in one building while the boys stayed in another. Of course, you could have your own space if you owned a cabin though.

Akata stood outside of the Red Cloud Inns for girls and called out to his friend. He sucked in a deep breath and yelled, “PEIZHI XIUYING!” His voice carried throughout the inn, alerting all the girls in there. Some girls were startled and looked through the window, others came outside to see who it was, while the last few simply ignored. However there was one girl who just smiled, seemingly warming the surrounding atmosphere. She immediately ran down and out of the inn and straight into the arms of the boy who had just yelled out.

Akata was startled by her speed but nonetheless he wrapped his arms around her and held tightly. She cried out, “Akata where have you been?! It’s been forever since we’ve seen each other it’s like you don’t like me anymore. I’ve heard so much has happened since I last saw you. You have to tell me all about it and…” She talked on and on but Akata really didn’t mind. He still had his arms wrapped around her waist as she talked.

Eventually she calmed herself down and backed up. It was at this moment that Akata could finally see her fully. She was a beautiful girl about 13-14 years old. She wore white furs that made her look a deity that descended into nature. Her flowy black hair came down to her back like a calm waterfall. Her jade like skin sparkled in the sunlight making it hard for anyone to take in her beauty. To Akata and everyone else she was a peerless beauty that couldn’t be contested.

“Humph!” As she backed up her face turned as red as a tomato as she made an angry face towards Akata. “All these things you’ve been through and you haven’t even talked to me about it. We have to catch up immediately! Come come let’s go to my room and talk.” She grabbed Akata by the arm and turned toward the inn.

Akata’s face turned red and his breathing became unsteady as he pulled her back. “Uh… umm… how about we go to my cabin instead? Haha. That way nobody can disturb us even if they wanted to.” Akata rubbed the back of his head as he suggested.

Peizhi Xiuying didn’t seem to mind either way so she instantly nodded her head with a smile and turned and walked with Akata toward the training field with the cabins. Even as she walked she still had Akata’s arm in her grasp.