[Book II Chapter 2] Dylan: Vengeance

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High within the branches of a forested peak, Dylan stared across the valley at a large gate, ignoring the palatial complexes scattered up the mountain behind. For the last six months, he’d been staking out this branch of the Divine Serpent Sect. Tonight, his labor would bear fruit.

’ll come.>> A ghostly figure dressed in white appeared besides him, hovering in the air. An apparition only he could see.

Dylan nodded and smiled, fondly fingered the ring on his left index finger. Shaped as a dragon eating its own tail, this supreme treasure of the Rolling Cloud Sect held the soul of a saint from five thousand years ago. Dowart Fain had revealed himself shortly after he’d taken possession thirteen years ago, taking up the role of mentor. Under his guidance, Dylan’s cultivation had grown by leaps and bounds, reaching the rank of saint.

Three figures emerged from the gate. Two wore wore simple uniforms, but the third had the elaborate robes of an inner disciple. Liu Mufei… and he brought subordinates. Dylan’s worry dissipated when Liu departed in the expected direction.

“I’ll get ahead of him.” Dylan grinned viciously. “It will be easy with those two slowing him down.”

Dylan dropped into the next valley, racing to the line of stone pillars rising above the trees. Leaping across three at time, he glanced to the right at the distant city above.

Sanwue’s interior had become a giant twisted land following the Fracturing. Most places, the earth was stretched and pleated like a blanket, with the long roots of light snaking between during the day. Gravity was always down compared to surfaces, making a great part friendly to settlement.

Exiting the forest, Dylan jumped onto a fertile plain and ran past a jade monolith buried in the ground. The pulsing power within separated Sanwue from the Ether’s influence, warding away curses and hostile entities. From here I’m entering the wilds where beasts rule.

Ahead the land frayed, dividing into wide stands which danced and intertwined together. Dylan followed the route he’d burned into his memory. It grew darker, but he didn’t summon light for fear of revealing his presence. Instead he moderated his pace, relying on the wandering swarms of rainbow fireflies to guide the way.

When he reached a lake running and floating across the broken land, he stopped. Past the water, a hundred strands twisted together into a giant messy knot. Dylan knew several passages within contained rifts to the Ether, connecting to a vast separate space presided over by a divine red cobra. While the serpent rarely crossed over, any encounter would be fatal. Even the lesser threats residing there were ferocious, which is why few approached. Dylan carefully made his way to the knot’s upper portions and entered.

Summoning fire to his left hand, Dylan navigated the pitch black maze. Soon he reached an open space where he could see a violet glow seeping through where strands were interwoven in the shape of those finger traps children play with. He jumped over and squeezed through a crack.

Hundreds of blue flowers filled the interior, their purple leaves and stems radiate a soft light. Cave lilies. They could be refined into medicinal pills, and this many would be worth a fortune. However, the real treasure was something else.

At the end of the upwards-curving cave was a spherical room the size of amphitheater. In its center was a single beautiful flower, its silver pedals glistering under the moonlight. Dylan watched a shining speck drift upwards and out a hole in the ceiling.

Dowart appeared by his side, stating pensively, <>

Dylan had discovered this place when trailing Liu two months ago, and it had broken his heart to leave such valuable ingredients out in the open. However, he needed the bait.

I wasn’t prepared last time, but tonight is different. He returned to the finger trap cave and slipped into a fissure in the ceiling. Liu will leave his helpers to collect the cave lilies while he attends to the lunar iris.

As minutes passed, Dylan recalled the day eleven years ago which had upended his life. He’d returned to Sacred Cloud Sect with his master, Han Xiao, only to find it in ruin, his fellow disciples murdered. At the sight of the girl he’d been fond of, he’d collapsed to his knees. His master grabbed him and sprinted through the destruction to the highest room in the complex. There eight saints were gathered around a newborn child. Nearby lay his master’s wife, dead.

His master gave him the ouroborous ring and directed him to flee with his daughter. Han then launched himself at the eight in a wild furor. Duty overcame shock, and Dylan safely reached the escape tunnel with his precious charge as his master sacrificed himself.

Days later, the Divine Serpent Sect announced all Sacred Cloud followers had been wiped out for practicing the demonic arts. Dylan knew this to be false. Tears of frustration flowed at how easily everything he’d cared for had been wiped away. The Sacred Cloud Sect had been his family as long as he could remember. He vowed to neither forget or forgive.

While the eight saints had been garbed in plain robes, their faces were seared in his memory. Over the years, time revealed three belonged to the Divine Serpent Sect. Soon it will be two.

Footsteps echoed across the cavern, and Liu ran by. Dylan dropped down and silently traveled back to his two companions, a man and a woman, who were busy harvesting. Drawing his sword, he slit their throats in one swift move and coldly watched the light fade from their eyes. “You chose the wrong sect.”

Liu was observing the lunar iris, back to him. Taking a determined breath, Dylan dashed forward at his fastest speed. Unlike the others, Liu was able to react to the approaching danger, but he was still slow to draw his weapon. Dylan’s thrust struck his chest, yet it was repelled by sparks of green energy. A protective sphere formed around his opponent, partly cracked.

Dylan sneered and redoubled his efforts, determined to break through the protective charm. Liu stumbled backwards parrying as best he could as the sphere suffered more damaged.

Within the jade ring, Dowart silently watched the one-sided onslaught. He’d witnessed Dylan grow up and understood the young man well. Dylan cared deeply for those close to him. For them, he would fear nothing. Right now, a man responsible for the deaths of his loved ones faced him. Remaining calm was impossible.

Liu had retreated to the finger trap cave when the barrier finally broke. Dylan grinned with glee, certain of victory, but Liu raised his left hand with smug confidence, revealing a small lantern dangling from a chain. He shouted, “Chromatic Domination.”

Under the light bursting forth, all color drained away, and the world became black and white. As an oppressive layer fell on him, Dylan grimaced. What a powerful divine treasure.

The tables turned instantly. Liu unleashed a flurry of blows as Dylan struggled under the harsh suppression. Not good. Liu’s affinity was for darkness, and the shadows cast by the lantern were rising up against him, blocking his counterattacks. He dodged what he could, but they eventually entangled his feet.

Dylan became calm and serious. Water step. As Liu lunge forwards for the kill, Dylan escaped the binding shadows and danced through attack. He then reached back with his left hand, “Vacuum Prison.”

The atmosphere within a large radius disappeared, and Liu was lifted off his feet as air rushed to fill the void. Earth stance. Dylan planted his feet to anchor himself, and the strength of mountains flowed up his body.

Fire strike. Flames exploded from Dylan’s sword, their fiery red piercing the monochrome. His slice landed true, cutting and searing at once. The force flung his opponent against the cave wall, sending the lantern flying from his grasp. Color returned to the world.

Liu struggle to sit upright against the stone, his middle section a mess. “What was that?” He spat in anger.

“Four element transcendence, a supreme martial art.” Dylan held a deep reverence for the skills Dowart had imparted to him.

Liu regarded him in fear and loathing, “The Divine Serpent Sect won’t forgive this slight.”

Dylan cared nothing for the meaningless threats. Liu Mufei obviously hadn’t informed the Divine Serpent Sect about the lunar iris, hoping to monopolize the benefits. Instead he asked, “Eleven years ago, you attacked the Sacred Cloud Sect. Why?”

Liu widened, “You are the boy who escaped! If only the others hadn’t hesitated to slay the babe, you would’ve never had the opportunity.”

“Why the attack?” Dylan repeated, grinding his teeth.

Liu smiled, “To end the lives of practitioners of the demonic arts, of course.”

“A vile lie!” Dylan plunged his sword into Liu’s chest and twisted.

Wincing, Liu chuckled as blood flowed from his lips, “You’ll get no answers from me.”

Dylan decapitated him. He didn’t have the patience to extract answers. The Divine Serpent Sect would send out search parties in the morning, and he couldn’t afford to be found.

He looted a dimensional pouch from the fallen saint and glanced over at the fields of cave lilies, feeling a pang of regret. Maybe I should’ve let them harvest more, despite the risks. Sighing, he summoned fire to burn the corpses. He needed to hurry back to the Morning Dew Compound and his young mistress, Lin Xiao.