Book 1: Chapter 3: Mission Begins

Sifir dipped his broken body into a bubbling hot herbal bath to start the healing process. Sifir knew the pain would be unimaginable. Gritting his teeth, he was fighting to hold back the pain as the herbal bath started to work on his body. However, Sifir could not hold back from letting out a howl that could be heard from the patriarch's room. Sifir was persistent in keeping his mind focused on the healing process and not blacking out due to the pain. 

1 minute passes.

5 minutes pass.

15 minutes pass.

30 minutes pass.

Sifir's vision starts to fade to black. Memories of events that happened three and a half years ago started playing in the Sifir's mind.

----

Reading a report that lays on the desk. A man with a well-built body. Eyes sharp like blades, hair pulled back into a ponytail, loose-fitting clothing, and a simple design on the right chest. This was Patriarch Murda of the Midnight clan. With a creased brow on his face.

"This elder is quite audacious with his request. Does the elder really think no one knows his greedy thoughts? However, this open ploy is quite insidious. Setting up a new unit and gathering new talents to do his bidding. While infiltrating other powers's territories. Unfortunately, our clans have difficulties, and we cannot make our move yet." 

"Call Sifir."

An attendant yells out "Yes, Patriarch."

A few moments later, Sifir entered a room where the patriarch was sitting. 

A young kid walks in with a toned body; his skin looks like rusty brown metal; his hair is wild like the open plains; his eyes are deep and black like the abyss; he is wearing a loose shirt and loose slack pants. This kid is 6 years old. 

One must know that magical beasts age differently than monkeys and humans's races. One year for the liger is five years for a human. If this kid was a human, He would be a thirty-year-old male. However, the heavens are fair in all things. Magical beast cultivation is much slower compared to humans and monkeys. Humans are closer spiritually to the heavenly Dao. The monkeys have the best of both worlds: humans and magical beasts. It was just that intelligence was lacking. 

"Sifir, do you know why I called you here?" 

"Absolutely not, Patriarch." With a puzzled look on Sifir's face.

"Have a seat, Sifir. We will be going over a few things."

Sifir is taking a seat. Sifir looked directly into the Murda's eyes and saw a hint of seriousness in them. Sifir knew nothing good was coming from this conversation.

"Sifir, as you know, the Elder has been gathering many talents. And we got a request from the Elder for you to join his new unit for an upcoming mission."

"Patriarch Murda, why is this elder requesting that I join his new unit?"

Patriarch Murda gave Sifir a well-knowing look. If it were up to Murda, the Elder would have nothing from his clan. Unfortunately, the Midnight clan of today is not of the past. Knowing when to push and when to pull back is key to leading a clan in trouble.

"This is an opportunity. However, this opportunity is a double-edged sword. One that carried a great risk. Your cultivation is decent. Since you broke into the Human Realm early stage and your battle prowess in refinement, the initial stage is very impressive for your young age. This could be one reason beside another."

In the back of Murda's mind was the very reason. To have more firm control over the former overlord of the Ligers. The Elder is quite smart and greedy to use this ploy to capture many of the talents of other Liger clans.

"How much time do I have to prepare for this mission, Patriarch Murda?"

"Most likely, you have less than forty-eight hours to arrive there. Before you go, here is a small spatial bag for your mission. Be carefuland don't let your guard down."

"Patriarch, I will take my leave first and get ready for this mission." 

"Before you go, Sifir, Let's talk about the power structures of our current nation and other countries or continents you might be traveling to. It is common knowledge that our clan used to have many houses, tribes, and clans, like the Heavenly Lions Pride or Thunder Panther tribe. However, these are only a few examples of people who are currently no longer listening to us or even severing their ties to us."

Sifir nodded in agreement, saying that this was common knowledge that most ligers and surrounding clans knew about. However, even though it is common knowledge, there was some hint in those easy and casual comments of Patriarch Murda.

"Sifir, you might be traveling to the Everlasting Continent. If so, then the overlord is the Dragons clan, and the Dragons clan that is ruling right now is the Black Dragons. They are currently one of the most powerful fighters in the world. Kagayaku Kurai is the Nine Dragon Empress, and she is in the True Emperor Realm.You must stay away from all conflicts with their legions and clans that fall under their influence. Here is a report on those clans and legions."

"If you are traveling to the Burning Continent, The overlord is the Phoenix clan. They also have a peak warrior in the True Emperor Realm, just like the Dragon clan. They have fewer clans and legions than the dragons. However, they are more cunning and have more information about the current events in the world. Here is another report for you. These are the things you must watch out for. Since the burning continent is farther than the everlasting continent from us, Details in this report are not like the other one I gave you, and we are not in major conflict with them like we are with the dragons."

"You can leave now, Sifir."

Sifir got up and gave a slight nod to Murda. Sifir took his leave from the patriarchal room. Sifir left quickly and did not give the Midnight clan patriarch another look. Pondering the information the patriarch Murda gave him. Sifir knew there was a reason why the patriarch spoke so much about those two continents and their overlord. This might have something to do with the mission he was assigned to or where he might be going in the future. 

---

Somewhere in Ligers territory. The elder faced a map, and there were many locations of importance. "Elder, the request you sent a few weeks ago has been answered, and Sifir should be arriving some time today." The elder looks back at the messenger with a slight grin.

"Good. Things are going according to plan. You may leave now."The messenger left without a word.

The elder had an amused smile after hearing the report. The old capitol of the Liger Empire still holds many dangers and experts. The most important thing right now is how to crack both the Midnight and Night clans, the elder thought to himself. 

"Come unit 04."

"Yes, Elder."

"You will have a new member coming today or tomorrow. Most likely tomorrow."

"Yes, Elder."

"Do you know your mission?"

"Yes, Elder"

"Now rest and prepare to leave as soon as the new member comes. Remember, everything must go according to plan."

"Yes, Elder."

The three members of Unit 04 left the room. The elder seems pleased. However, the elder has always been a cunning and sly cultivator. To the elder, all means were acceptable.The elder looks in another place, and coldness flashes in the elder's eyes.

"Unit 05, come."

"Yes, my lord. We hear your summons."

"Unit 05, You know your mission. Follow Unit 04. Don't be seen."

"Yes, my lord. We hear your order, and your command will be done." The Unit 05 team left the room as quickly as possible. 

The elder closes his eyes, like he is entering a mediated state of cultivation.A dim glow came out of the elder body and spread throughout the room. One would think the elder is pondering over many complicated matters. Rather, it was sending out the request to ask for Sifir to join his 4th unit or giving commands to the 5th unit. These matters are of great importance for several actions to take place. 

---

In one of the main cities of Sunchaser. A crowd of leaders of different tribes is greeting the new matriarch of Sunchaser. Many ligers were stunned to find out that Sunchaser made a change so quickly without any fanfare. Just because they were stunned by this course of action. They were not stupid enough to see where things might go in the future. So, many clans, tribes, and houses, big or small, know that a good connection can be a blessing in troubled times or a curse. For them, marriage is always on the table, until it is not. Most cultivators wanted to strengthen their own position in their respected clans. It is a must to survive any deadly game that is being played in the background.

In what could be a medium mansion in today's era of building, This place can only be called small by the ligers that are gathered here today.While many elites and higher-ups of significance were trying to build connections with each other, A small group of ligers in the younger generation were trying to entertain a young lady with a mixture of silver and white hair. The hairstyle is two big braids, and she only wore casual clothing. Giving a sense of peace and serenity when other lights were around. If one dares to look into her eyes, one could see that her eyes glow with an intense burning desire for battle and are somewhat war-lust-ready. This young beauty was Judah Sunchaser. The new matriarch of the House of Sunchaser. 

"Matriarch Judah, congratulations on being the new leader!"

"Thank you, Gentle Winter. Tell your grandmaster that our sunchaser looks for more cooperation in the near future. And your support for our clan will be needed in the future as well."

"I will let my grand master of our Winter Bliss Sect know the young matriarch Judah will."

With hurry, footsteps. A couple of ligers came up to Judah with a look of urgency.

"Matriarch!!!! The Elder has sent out a request to the Midnight clan."

With a sly grin on Judah's face. "No doubt the elder made such a request."

"What should we do?"

"Nothing at all. We will make preparations for when Sifir comes back from that mission. If he does, the elder and the people in the shadow can't stop our plans. Make preparation in haste and do everything according to the wishes of the former matriarch as well. Since she also knows the details of the plan,

"Yes, Matriarch!"

"Oh, elder, you think you are a sly one with all your plans and schemes. However, you are not the only one playing on this chess board. It is funny that

A pawn thinks it is an unknown chess player that, regardless of how hard one tries, it will never escape the board and will always stay a chess piece. I have enough confidence in Sifir for him to come back alive."