News of the Southern Academy attacks creates a sensational hit across Hazhui, where the notoriously hard to breach Demonic Sect was having a catastrophic intruder alert.
In total, 13 students died and many more injured. The damage it has done to the Southern Academy and by extensions the Demonic Sect reputation is by no means small.
Furthermore, the principal of the Lin-Ren-Bei Academy has sai—
The sound of paper being ripped permeates a room, done by the Lord of War Nazawa Aigen out of frustration of the Information Bureau Heaven's Ears misinformation being spread.
The intruder only managed to breach the Forest of Darkness and the outer territory of the Academy, those lot didn't even manage to breach the Dormitory.
And the biggest hoax is the 13 students died because of the incident.
"Thirteen?? At least make it more believable, only One Students died. ONE!"
He screams to no one, his snake-like eyes blown wide from anger. The only thing that stops him from wrecking the office is because he had successfully humiliated the Mugeon Dynasty Strategist in a meeting filled with their proxies and even neighboring Sect.
The shameful and flustered face that good for nothing handsome man has filled Nazawa Aigen with the much-needed positive energy.
"I am ashamed, I do not realize that our Fengbao Array has been tampered with"
Pulao said, sitting at his desk as he files the document related to the reimbursement of the victims affected.
Simultaneously he read the report regarding the identity of the intruder, about 7 people from the Fierce Heaven Sect, ex-members he should say for the Fierce Heaven Sect refuse to acknowledge them and has said that they have been excommunicated from the Sect under the punishment of breaking their laws.
The other who is responsible for killing 4 Maws were still unknown, officially at least.
"No need to worry Elder Pulao, this incident is a great shock for all of us. To think that the Border Town around the border ring of Sianchi, Outer Coil Array, Dragon Pillars and Vehemence Crimson Birch were all compromised at the same time".
Nazawa Aigen stilled his anger in favor of professionalism, tossing the ripped paper into the air before they combust into flame by his technique. Before he swipes his robe in case some paper scrap clings to him.
Thirteen Watchguard found dead, Array number 3, 301 and 3345 failed to activate, Dragon Pillars malfunctioning and Vehemence Crimson Birch unable to be properly aggregated is a sign of inside sabotage.
While Musashi Gen confirms that one of the intruders is revealed to be a spy and saboteur, Nazawa Aigen refused to believe that a mere hired blade of the Fierce Heaven to be so capable as to sabotage the Vehemence Crimson Birch.
For a start, Vehemence Crimson Birch isn't a Sect Array, it's a weapon of mass destruction in the form of swarm of locust.
Crimson Locust to be exact, while mass use is indeed devastating, they were often used for scouting. The fact that their masses went asleep and failed to aggregate as scheduled meant someone with intimate knowledge deliberately lulled them to sleep.
Either one of the Lords, or one of the Elders.
"You know it too, right? Lord of War"
Pulao said in low voice, having completed writing his report as he set his ink pen down. Bringing both of his hands together and resting them at his desk, his normally lazy gaze becomes stern as he regards Nazawa Aigen.
"…A traitor is amidst our rank"
Nazawa Aigen quickly nods, bringing his hand to his chin as his snake eyes cast downward.
"Indeed, but who?"
Pulao tried to remember everyone's schedule during the day of the breach. A lot of the Elders went out fishing except for Elder Nang, Elder Ken and himself.
Elder Nang went out to pray on his deceased daughter which he had done annually since ages ago.
And himself was busy protecting the Academy.
That leaves Elder Ken whose excuses being, 'I wished to remain at my abode, the jade turtle meat which I have coveted has recently arrived upon my embrace and I shall indulge in it'
If he's a glutton, understandable. But Elder Ken is a famous ascetic who loath animal products.
Even fellow Elders found the excuse confusing and out of line for him.
But if he planned to sabotage the Vehemence Crimson Birch, why give such a poor excuse? The kind of excuse that screams 'I want to do something bad so here's a shitty excuse'.
The punishment for sabotaging the Sect is severe, the Demon King has repeatedly shown everyone what he did to traitor. Death is a far merciful option than his retribution.
So, if Elder Ken really did sabotage the Vehemence Crimson Birch, why use that as an excuse?
It is too convenient and too suspicious to the point its theatrical; someone must've framed him.
That leaves Elder Nang, but there is not enough evidence to back up his suspicions. So, he decided to hear what the Lord of War has to say about the Lords.
"Do you have any suspicion?"
Nazawa Aigen asked as he helped himself to sit on one of the couches, of course after he pathologically lifted every single dirt and dust there with his 'World Awaits'.
Pulao regards him and speaks
"You first"
"This one thinks of Hu Zaujan…"
Lord of Blood, much like Viren, any record of his face has been burned. He is a faceless person who had a special artifact to distort his face, making him look painfully average to everyone.
"Lord of Blood huh? On what basis?"
Pulao inquires further.
"The Fang are filled with traitor as of now, five of their members was executed including a high-ranking captain on evidence of treason. Selling out our information to the Spirit King Sect"
Nazawa Aigen continued his explanation.
"Of course, one should not blame the leader for their member misdemeanor. But the Fang is like a body, when its hand hits you it's safe to assume that the head is the one who orders them to".
And with that, he took his time to straighten his hair once more even though it doesn't need to.
"…I see, plausible suspicion"
Pulao said, rubbing his hand on his chin.
"What about the Elder? Anyone suspicious?"
Nazawa Aigen said as he straightened his posture and back.
"Elder Nang is, the reason is that the Elders agree to hold an outdoor activity and among us, only three didn't attend"
Pulao said, Nazawa Aigen moved a bit closer to hear his voice better.
"Me, Elder Ken and Elder Nang. We can rule out me and Elder Ken…"
"What's the reason for you ruling out Elder Ken?"
Nazawa Aigen inquires, sharpening his eyes towards Pulao.
"Because I said so…"
"…"
Nazawa Aigen sighed, for a second, he forgot Pulao is an Elder. No matter how smart and competent he is, he is stuck up and prideful.
He then gestured for Pulao to continue his explanation.
"And no one knows about this, but Elder Nang deceased daughter is the victim of the previous Demon King hellish pill creation"
"…I see"
Nazawa Aigen wore a grim expression, the dark time of the Demonic Sect where all inhumane act was done. Raiding village, torturing, assassinating among many more becomes rampant during that bloody time.
Perhaps, this Sect recent struggle can be traced back to the Sect previous misdeed under the guidance of a heartbroken tyrant.
"But that's not what surprise me…"
Pulao then pulls out an old paper; it was already fading and full of grime.
Pulao gives that paper to Nazawa Aigen, which he takes using 'World Awaits' and floats it in front of him so that he doesn't have to touch such a filthy thing.
As he read the content that had been restored, possibly by Pulao, his eyes went wide and serious.
"…Is this real?"
He said in low voice, looking directly over the Pulao with his intense snake eyes. Pulao only nodded and closed his eyes.
"By the Heaven…"
Nazawa Aigen rub his hand all over his mouth in shock, Elder Nang daughter is Mi'an.
Mi'an, the same Mi'an who created the Pills Cauldron for the cultivation of the Hellish Pill, is the same one who is burned inside one.
"…So, it confirms my theory that the previous Demon King loath the Hellish Pill cauldron while simultaneously using them"
Perhaps it was a punishment, Mi'an who created such a horrific invention is sentenced to die in her own creation. But the perilous time of that day forced the Demon King to use her invention, nonetheless.
"The record about her involvement on the Hellish Pill cauldron creation were all expunged, only that documents survived"
"…The Demon King choose to hide Elder Nang and Mi'an shame. But Elder Nang still harbored a sense of revenge and hate"
It all makes sense now, but this is still not enough evidence. Nazawa Aigen and Pulao hit a wall known as information dead end.
.
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In Crimson Palace Demon King's office, the Demon King finally had enough courage to read his brother's book.
As he solemnly rubs his finger all over its worn-out pages, making sense of its fading out writing.
As he tried to form a sentence, a knock once again disturbs his peace.
"Hahhh… What?"
His voice is grave and low.
"Lord of Bloom wished to meet you"
"…Alright, let her in"
The Demon King then sealed the book and hid it in the secret compartment underneath his desk.
As the door swings open, Akiri steps in. Wearing her usual floral dress and not the plain white robe when he visits.
Her complexion has been better, her skin regains its liveliness, and her wrinkle practically disappears now.
But her eyes are still blind, its colorless iris didn't move an inch as she smiled.
"I greet the Demon King"
She said as she bowed, the moment the Demon King gestured her to sit, he remembered that she was blind.
"Ehem, sit"
He said, Akiri then does so while stumbling around on the pottery.
"Ooh, apology"
As she moved a bit towards the left, her hips bumped the back of the chair she was about to sit on. Flustered, she hid her face and fiddled with the chair with her other hand to sit.
This tomfoolery lasted for five minutes.
"My foolishness has rob you of your time, my deepest apology"
Akiri said as she bowed, her face becomes beet red from the shame. The Demon King grew restless at the awkwardness.
"I understand, now about the reason on why you are here…"
The Demon King tried to advance the conversation, which Akiri gladly did as her face becomes stern.
"About the intruder, I know their identity"
Akiri said, causing the Demon King to lean forward in his seat, his blank white mask didn't hide the contempt he felt.
"…It's a faction known as Camelot"
"Camelot? I see…"
The Demon King has heard a lot about Camelot, a rogue knight order from Franka who betray their nation and resulted in Franka destruction.
But The Demon King felt weird, Akiri heartbeat is irregular. As if she wished to tell him more but is afraid someone, or something, might eavesdrop their conversation.
The Demon King then pull out a talisman and rip it, a deafening silence then permeates the room, a spell called 'Silence' has been invoked.
"My appreciation your majesty"
Akiri said as her heartbeat went normal. The Demon King nods and tells her to say what she holds.
"Yes, the intruder has a connection to Those from Nowhere"
"Those from Nowhere?"
A foreign words, The Demon King play around with that sentence in his mouth for a few times.
"Yes, a term used to refer to those who didn't belong in this World"
"Like an Outer-One?"
Akiri nods lightly
"Yes, but also no. Outer-One is something that comes from the Outside of our World, Those from Nowhere is something that shouldn't even exist in the first place"
The Demon King nods at her explanation, making notes inside his head to store all her information.
"I will not divulge their name, because simply knowing it risk noticing them of your majesty presence. But they are within the same level as Asura"
"…"
The words Asura is something no normal people should know, same with the concept of Sins. Because being aware of their existence makes you more susceptible to being corrupted by one.
Being on the same level as those ridiculous beings must've meant that this 'Those from Nowhere' is a great threat.
The Demon King heart falters for a second, he almost lost himself to the Asura once, and now, something of their level is prowling the Sect.
"I think this case is an outlier, for your majesty has collect four Shura and their mere presence should deter Those from Nowhere. I presume that the reason why Camelot decided to enter our ranks is to scout those Shura"
Akiri said, she is already aware of the Demon King plans when not even the Elder is aware of it. But the Demon King isn't surprised, for Akiri Yanchen has been alive since the day of the Blood Red Annihilator Wu Huanghou and is the only Lord of Bloom in the history of the Sect.
It's natural for her to possess immense wisdom and knowledge, after all, she has been his mentor for a few years.
The Demon King then clap his hand to cancel the effect of 'Silence'.
"Thank you for your information, Lord of Bloom, I hope your recovery will continue at a steady pace"
Akiri nods and then she leaves, complete with her earlier clumsiness. When the door was closed, the Demon King continued reading the book that was sealed a moment ago, while simultaneously pondering on how he should deal with this, Camelot.
Outside, Akiri ponders a bit. Collecting four Shura, for what reason? And one of this Shura isn't even Shura at all… He was something more.
"□□□□□□□□"
She utters the name of greatness that has been eradicated, an ancient being older than she is were roaming the Sect, she can't help but feel queasy when she realizes he was nearby.
A natural hunter of her kind, while she loathed her origin, her blood still responds to its gaze. Begging her body to run away.
Such is the terror she felt facing him, such might, such power and ponderous idleness threaten her real self to come forth to defend herself even when he did nothing yet.
Feeling that same queasiness return, she decided to hurry along and leave this place back to her palace.
As she leaves the vicinity of the mist covered place, she meets Kamun who waited patiently in the front gate. She can feel his Aura radiating from him, as if wanting to make sure she knows he was there.
…
Kamun met his lady presence, feeling relieved that nothing had happened to her, who knows what crime the bastard Wu might've done to her? And at such thought his Blood Wyrm was thrashing around his heart.
Yet he didn't react, sheltering the pain meant hiding Lady Akiri of his torture, he does not want to worry her more than necessary.
As Akiri gets closer, Kamun heart flutters. Her soft and cheeky face has considerably recovered, he felt like he was about to die when he saw her corpse-like appearance back when she was still sick, so seeing her like this makes him happy.
"Kamun, let us return"
She smiled, her voice so sweet, like a gentle melody caressed by warm wind wafting into his ears in a pleasant tingle he shall treasure forever.
"Yes, my lady…"
He held out his hand, as he was about to grip her in an abrupt feeling of possessiveness before he took control of his accursed desire.
Letting her go ahead of him first, and then he walks a few paces behind her, not wanting that damnable urge to hold him once more.
Yet, Lady Akiri makes his effort worthless as she slowed her pace down to walk beside him. Smiling as she did so, yet not a word leaves her mouth.
'My lady is poisonous'
For him, Lady Akiri is the most beautiful of roses in this world, and she is the most poisonous to touch. Every time he was with her, his heart claws out, begging to unleash its unrelenting love for her yet he resists.
Knowing that such feeling is nothing but desire, and he wished to love her not own her. For Lady Akiri is not a flower to be plucked.
Yet her mere presence deteriorates his self-control and composure, every time she was near, Kamun lost his sanity. Yet he cannot stand to be away from her, he needs her, he wants her.
It's like a drug, a very tantalizing drug… and he hates that feeling of want.
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In Wu Lixian courtyard, Nanming is currently training under her supervision. After he obtained first place in the competition, he obtained three leave passes from the Academy. But he didn't really have any destination to go so he decided to give it to both Rin and Ji Mei, leaving him with one.
Now in this courtyard, there is only him who is practicing Inhibition, something he never done. And Wu Lixian who observes him from a distance.
She watches with keen eyes as Nanming inhibition formed its first Aura. And Nanming aura is deep blue streaked with white, like a liquid flame almost.
It surprised her that Nanming didn't even Cultivate, that immense energy is his natural reserve so in a way, it's like she is teaching a Great Tiger how to use a weapon.
He is really terrifying both in skill, talent and knowledge. A prodigy, Wu Lixian even thinks that he is even more talented than Wu Yincang.
A part of her heart still holds envy, but her sense of responsibility as his big sister overwhelmed that feeling of inadequacy.
"Huff…"
Nanming is sweating profusely, the ground is practically drenched in his sweat. His Aura then flares up wildly, like a wildfire blown by the wind.
"Here we go now…"
Wu Lixian prepared her own inhibition of deep red, in preparedness of what's to come.
"Agh-!"
A blood churning scream emanates from Nanming, his nose spurted out blood, the same can be said for his eyes, ear and mouth.
But his blood is deep black and is foul in smell, Wu Lixian instinctively held her own nose to prevent the stench from overwhelming her.
But blood isn't the only thing he expels out. Urine, vomits, and skins were liquified and replaced by new ones.
A painful process that must be done when one is about to breakthrough, their body assumes the most efficient shape, muscle and mass fit for that individual regardless of their previous shape.
It's called Body remodeling, and the process was incredibly painful that it's normal for someone to die during the process.
"Damn…"
But Nanming is capable to stay put, his body engulfed in smoke as that insane regenerative ability healed him of any damage instantly.
Sometimes, she can't help but feel that she might've been responsible for giving a way for this boy to become increasingly frightening. But Nanming a smart boy, she is sure he's going to figure it out sooner or later even without her help.
And after 15 minutes, his Aura subsides. Nanming heaved through labored breath, feeling the pain of having his entire body engulfed in pain even when he is on sedative.
"Congratulations, you are now officially a cultivator"
Wu Lixian said as if she handed him a towel while she herself is pinching on her own nose.
"…Thank you"
Nanming takes the towel and cleans himself from any sweats and 'blood' that sticks to him.
Now that she is closer, Wu Lixian can see his body becoming more masculine with his abs becoming more prominent and his chest wider, though the hole in his chest still didn't want to close but at the same time, it didn't expel any blood.
But that's not what she focused on, this bastard, for some reason his face is becoming more beautiful. While it's leaning increasingly towards his masculine side, it is still gorgeous beyond words.
Now this is worth envying for. He's a boy, why is he beautiful?
Wu Lixian pouts as she pulled Nanming cheeks, he just takes it without words.
"Now, I will teach you how to control your energy"
Wu Lixian said as she pats Nanming soft white hair, he nods.
And so begin, a period Nanming will later regret.