The Scouts

"Repeat that to me one more time," Ailee Bai hissed, trembling.

The servant bowed. "E- Elias and Eryn a- appeared at the trials this week with Master Xia and other leaders," she stammered. "I- it was even known that Elias defeated Wayne on the last day. He is powerful."

Ailee Bai's nails dug into her palms, her temples were bulging. "What of the girl?"

"We- we don't know about Eryn."

The Madam took in a shaky breath, trying to keep her cool.

She pointed out the door. "Get out," she ordered.

The servant flinched and bowed once more before scurrying away gratefully.

Madam Bai shut her eyes and took in another deep breath, anger burning with her blood inside her veins.

Elias? Powerful?

No, it can't be true.

But she must take him down, just in case what the maid said was true. There was the possibility that he would come back for revenge and take over the family and strip her of everything she had.

She must find a way to force him to surrender...

She sneered. "Eryn..."

The servant said Elias had gotten powers, but not Eryn. If she captured her, then Elias would have no choice but to do everything she says.

She rubbed her hands together as a plan brewed inside her head, a smug look forming in her face.

_______________

"You're joking."

Edison scowled at his fifteen-year-old cousin, Terry Bai, who came over to his halls to visit him after coming back home from a month-long journey north.

"I'm not! There are even witnesses! I swear, everything I tell you is the truth!" Edison insisted.

Terry held up his hands, shaking his head. "I don't know, bro. You're just telling me that the two losers came back while I was away and they suddenly have powers? It's quite hard to believe."

Edison crossed his arms and laid back on his bed.

"Believe it or not, it's the truth..."

Terry leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees. "You don't seem bothered by it...?"

Edison turned his head. "Why should I be bothered?"

Terry scratched his head. "Well, now that they suddenly become as powerful as you said, don't you feel intimidated?"

Edison sniffed. "They are still my elder brother and sister...and they are still your elder cousins as well," he said. "No matter what, we're still related by blood."

"If they wanted to take back what is theirs in the family, I would've cooperated, but they didn't. Instead, they didn't want anything to do with us."

Terry sighed. "I see."

Edison sat back up on the bed. "Anyways, what did you do on your trip?" he asked, changing the subject.

Terry grinned. "Well, actually, it wasn't just any trip. My mom wants me to join a martial sect, and there are some good ones up north...but none of them wanted me, so I'm back!" he said rather cheerfully.

Edison cringed. "They- they all rejected you?"

Terry shrugged. "Well, what did you expect? Those sects are top-grade. Why would they just accept some random kid with an ape spirit just because they wanted to join? You can't just join out of the blue."

"Besides, I feel like they've been having some internal problem for the last decades. On our way back, I heard many people up north saying many disciples from different sects have been killed. They say people from the neighboring country have been trying to intimidate them for years to get our sects to submit to their power."

Edison released a breath, scratching the back of his neck. "Well I guess it's good you didn't join, too..."

"Huh, why?"

The corner of Edison's mouth twitched and he elbowed his cousin. "Then who would keep me company, you idiot! You can't just leave me alone here!"

Terry barked out laughing, rubbing his arm where Edison elbowed him. "You're right, you're right."

_______________

"Sect Leader, I have stopped by the yearly trials held down south in Pheonix City."

The Grandmaster placed down his book. "Oh?" he asked. "And how was it? I know you've been on to the kid...what's his name?"

Elder Sima answered his question. "His name is Wayne Xia. Indeed, I thought he was an outstanding one that we should recruit."

Grandmaster Wei raised an eyebrow, brushing hand down his long, white beard. "Thought? But you were so attached, what made you change your mind?"

Sima Gong turned and started to pace on the wooden tile floor, his mind reeling. "On the last day, a mysterious young man came to challenge Wayne Xia, one who is considered a star to those within his age group for making so much progress with his griffin spirit," he started.

"Yet when the two fought, the one who had the upper hand was not Wayne, but the new opponent. The sight was mindblowing."

He stopped and turned to the Grandmaster, the awe visible in his eyes.

Grandmaster Wei leaned forward behind his desk, suddenly interested.

"He easily took him down, as if an opponent as strong as Wayne was no big deal. His speed was astonishing and his strength unmatchable, and throughout the whole fight, he never once had to call on his spirit!"

The grandmaster narrowed his eyes. "And you've seen this with your own eyes? Correct?"

"Correct!" he answered. "We must have this man! He could be the one who turns around this crisis with the opposing country!"

The grandmaster stood up from his seat and stepped down the platform, his hands folded behind his back. "Yes, we do need to find stronger disciples in a troubled time like this, but don't forget the previous Leader, Grandmaster Feng," he reminded.

"Before he died, he traveled throughout the nation to find the right heroes who will help defeat our enemy...and he succeeded. We must still focus on finding out who they are. I believe he had left with them a special gift made with his own hands, that way we will immediately recognize them."

Elder Sima sighed. "It has been nearly two decades, we still haven't found them. I agree, but it is better to have something than nothing. Let me bring back this young master to our sect. That way, we can at least boost up our disciples' moral and our strength to fight."

Grandmaster Wei nodded. "Tell me, how much do you know about this young man?"

Elder Sima dipped his head. "He had announced his name was Elias towards the end, and he seems to have some sort of connection with the five Heads of Pheonix City."

The master let out a sound of approval. "Quickly find him then. You are right. It is better to have something to fight back with than nothing. We have already lost many disciples, and we never know when the enemy will strike again."

"Yes..."

"Also, don't forget to have men send over more supplies to the other sects; I'm pretty sure they are in worse condition than we are.

"Meanwhile, the search for Grandmaster Feng's hero must press on harder!"

Elder Sima bowed to the master. "Of course, I will carry on right away."

The Grandmaster stared out the door as his most trusted subordinate left to proceed with his tasks.

He sighed.

The sects from the Black Mountains region, the neighboring country, were very ruthless.

The attacks started many decades back, and they are still going at it, giving them no chance to recover or retaliate.

He pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers, remembering the huge loss they suffered, and the number of disciples and elders that have died trying to defend the country's sect from their unpredictable attacks.

He swept the long sleeves of his purple robes back and plopped back down on his chair, inclining his head back to look at the ceiling.

Grandmaster Feng, his own master, had left him the entirety of the top rank Mystic Sky Sect in such horrible times.

To be honest, he was trying his best, and the other sects looked up to them, but he felt he couldn't take this much more longer.

"Master's chosen one...I hope he or she is really capable enough..."