Red Cloud Sect Entrance

First Moon and Fourth Elder looked at each other deeply from across the ravaged and destroyed field. First Moon’s eyes were bloodshot and his body radiated a strong killing intent that caused the surrounding air to freeze. Fourth Elder’s body was drenched in both sweat and blood. His clothes were in tatters and his hair was in utter disarray.

The two attacks that they had launched had been about the same strength, with First Moon’s being slightly more powerful. The only reason why Fourth Elder was the one covered in blood and not First Moon was because his body was weak. His cultivation level and training made it so that he could fight others on a higher level than him, but he didn’t focus on body cultivation at all. He was mostly a long distance fighter and therefore, being put in a situation where he had to fight up close, he was at a disadvantage.

His opponent was on of the Four Moons of the Jiandan Clan. Although they weren’t the strongest force within the clan, they still had tremendous power amongst their group. They weren’t as monstrous as the disciples and Elders of the Red Cloud Sect, but they were still able to fight those with a higher cultivation level than themselves. First Moon was at the peak 5th Grade of the Earthly Rank and he alone could handle two others on his same level. He could even contend with normal 6th Grade Earthly Rank cultivators.

But… none of those things were what made the Four Moons dreadful. It wasn’t because they hailed from a big clan, it wasn’t because they had tremendous talent, it wasn’t because they could fight those on a higher level… it was because they cultivated the element of corrosion. Corrosion was apart of the wicked path of the Elemental Tree and it was feared throughout the Divine Crystal Continent.

All elements in the universe could be found on the Elemental Tree: whether it be fire, water, lightning, souls, chaos, etc. they were all on the Elemental Tree. The tree however, was a complicated one, but on the general basis of everything, it could be divided into two simple parts. The Fiend Path and the Saint Path. The Fiend Path consisted of wicked and vile elements such as corrosion, darkness, yin, and demonic. The Saint Path had much softer and common elements like water, healing, light, and stars.

The Fiend Path was seen as a vicious path that only those with twisted minds would dare to tread. That was because those who cultivated the elements on the Fiend Path would inevitably be brought under the protections of Devils and be given curse power. While those who tread on the Saint Path would be under the protection of Gods and be given blessed power. This was only known through stories, however, as most of the people of this planet weren’t at a strong enough level to truly understand the workings of the Elemental Tree. They got most of their knowledge from stories and pieces of written information. Although those stories and the information was truly ancient, it was enough for the masses to decide that the Fiend Path should not be treaded.

The Four Moons of the Jiandan Clan actually walked this path, however. No one knew why one of the strongest clans in the Divine Crystal Continent would allow these people to cultivate fiend elements but with the combination of the corrosion element, their backing, and their strength, it was suffice to say that the Four Moons were a formidable force that many people dreaded.

Fourth Elder coughed up a mouthful of blood. The thick crimson-black blood landed on the ground in front of him as he staggered heavily and fell to one knee. His gaze still never left First Moon’s. He glanced down quickly only to notice that the blood on his body was slowly turning into a deep black. He coughed up another mouthful of crimson-black blood.

“Fourth Elder!” The disciples and Elder’s called out simultaneously. There was no time to save him as in the very next instant a figure dressed in silver armor appeared right in front of his kneeling body. The figure held his hand in the air and a brutal and menacing pressure exploded out.

“Die!” First Moon didn’t waste many words as he thrust his hand forward at Fourth Elder’s chest. This hand carried the full might of his cultivation base level as well as the corrosion element. This strike alone was enough to seriously wound if not kill a full strength Fourth Elder, let alone a weakened one. First Moon’s eyes were bloodshot and his hand clenched into a fist. He clenched his fist together so hard that the knuckles within could be heard cracking.

Fourth Elder looked as the fist approached his chest. He could do little more than just stare at it as it came closer. Black blood dripped from his lips and his body was feeling a weird numbing sensation. He couldn’t feel his fingers or his toes, then it was his arms and legs, and it was building up in his chest. His skin was turning black as the inside of his body was slowly being destroyed by the corrosive element that First Moon was using. He couldn’t even smile bitterly as soon his face became numb.

His whole body was numb and he couldn’t even move an eye muscle. He felt cold and detached, as if he was an outsider looking in at the world through this foreign body. All he could do was wait for death in this lifeless unmoving body of his. He didn’t even fear the idea that he would die in this instance, it wasn’t like he was going to feel it or anything. It would be instantaneous for him. Past images and visions of his life flitted through his head as the fist seemed to slowly approach.

‘This has been a good life. I joined such a magnificent sect, I cultivated all the way to the mid Earthly Rank stages. I could be considered an expert in most places. Heck, I could’ve even started my own damn sect if I wanted.’ He gave a mental sigh. ‘Well, I won’t have the chance to do that anymore. At least I get to reunite with my beloved and drink all the alcohol I want.’ Fourth Elder felt much warmer inside after experiencing his life in a flash.

The fist was right in front of his chest, only three inches away from obliterating his body completely. All of a sudden he heard a weird noise from in front of him. It sounded like a ghostly wail, as if someone had just heard the most terrible horrific news. First Moon screamed out in a bloodcurdling voice as the fist that he had thrown out swept to the side, narrowly missing Fourth Elder’s body.

First Moon clamped his hands on to his head and screamed out in agony. “Nooo! Stop fucking with me! He ain’t dead! My brother isn’t fucking dead! I’ll tear you to fucking pieces! Get the hell out here now! Ahhh!” His eyes were dyed completely red and tears of blood could be seen streaming down his face. He was having an utter mental breakdown moments from eradicating Fourth Elder.

A soft laugh could be heard in the area as a small dainty figure in white robes appeared. She seemed to resemble a goddess out of the ancient manuscripts, someone completely out of legend. Her beauty would cause kingdoms to wage war against each other just to be able to see her figure. Her looks and body were absolutely stunning to behold.

‘He dared to attack my sect with his measly power? Heh. Death would just be too easy for him. Let him see how his partner died by my disciples hands. I’ll let him witness his head being chopped off and rolling on the ground countless times until he loses his bearings and mental faculties.’ Sect Leader Fu stood behind Fourth Elder looking calmly as First Moon screamed in agony.

The vision was only harming him mentally, but Sect Leader Fu had used some of her power to make it so that each time sorrow or grief struck him, he would suffer a huge painful backlash that would attack his soul. With each time the vision was replayed, his grief would rise and his soul would be attacked. This was an ending cycle that gave the scene that was now playing before everyone.

“Hahaha.” Sect Leader Fu laughed a beautiful laugh that made all of the tension the disciples and Elder’s had swiftly go away. “This princess cannot simply let you off that easy. Hehe. We’ll save your true punishment for when we have some more spectators.” Sect Leader Fu subconsciously licked her lips. With a wave of her hand First Moon disappeared from the spot he was standing in. Sect Leader Fu turned around to face the crowd of disciples and Elders.

“This matter is now over. Because of this little event I’ve decided to cancel the Body Spirit Exam. Come tomorrow, we’ll begin the Red Cloud Sparring Day event. This event will decide the ranks, position, authority, treasures, and other things for yourself once the war comes. Do your best.” With that she paid no further attention to the crowd as she disappeared. Fourth Elder who was behind her had also disappeared as well.

The crowd was just left standing there with mixed emotions. This had been a huge catastrophe that had nearly cost them their lives. Fourth Elder was heavily wounded, part of the sect was destroyed, and most of them were injured themselves. Yet, once the Sect Leader had come she had ended it all in an instant. Why hadn’t she done so before?! Yet, nobody voiced this as her power, clearly surpassed their wildest imaginations.