Signs Of Turmoil

"I wish to speak with you"

Sheng Tian nodded, "I actually wanted to ask you a few things as well"

The Lotus Fairy Master nodded and sat down on the ground before indicating for the rest of them to sit as well.

Once everyone was comfortable, she started, "Fellow Daoist Tian..."

Xiao Hua dramatically puts a hand over her mouth in awe, and even Bing Xue was stunned. They just heard their master address Sheng Tian, someone who is a little younger than them, as an equal. That means that traditionally, they would have to address Sheng Tian as a martial uncle or something like that.

She continued regardless of her disciples reactions, "You mentioned that instead of a poison, it was a curse that had plagued me for so many years"

He nodded while Xiao Hua and Bing Xue were shocked by the information they had just heard.

She continued, "May I ask what is the name of this curse and who might be behind this?"

Sheng Tian nodded again, "The name of this curse is the Origin Yin Essence Curse, meant to specifically target women. In your case, the curse was much weaker due to your wood qi, but made progress and focus almost impossible. I actually wanted to ask you if you know exactly how you obtained this curse"

The Lotus Fairy Master went through her memory and tried to remember if she had ever heard of this curse, only to come up with nothing.

She sighed and breathed the fresh air, "I remember that while I was outside the sect once, a woman had come up to me"

Her beautiful face hardened at the thought, "She had pale, almost purple skin, and odd horns protruding from various places"

"Was she a demon worshiper?" Sheng Tian asked.

She frowned, "No, I know what those fiends look like, and she fit none of the descriptions. It was like she was another kind of evil instead"

This time, it was Sheng Tian's turn to frown. It seems that the situation is much more complicated and not limited to mere demons.

"-Anyways, she said something about joining the Cult of Devils and liberating the shackled lands-"

"Cult of Devils?"

The green haired woman looked at him, "It seems you know of their existence"

Xiao Hua then leaned forward to cut into the conversation, "What are devils?"

Sheng Tian shook his head, "I don't know exactly myself, however, they have tried to cause trouble by instigating a faction of Xuan Beasts to attack humans in the separate realm"

Bothe Xiao Hua and Bing Xue frowned as they had been in the realm and witnessed the monstrous fight between Sheng Tian and Du Ze. Had Du Ze won, they would have all been sacrificed to summon this so-called devil.

"What happened next?"

The Lotus Fairy Master sighed, "It's quite embarrassing, we fought shortly after to a standstill, and then she sent that curse into my body as she ran away. Ever since, I was unable to engage in direct combat nor was I able to cultivated in peace"

Sheng Tian took out a piece of paper and a brush.

"If you don't mind, can you draw the appearance of the person that attacked you?"

She took the paper without hesitation, "Of course, but it might take a while"

Sheng Tian nodded, "No problem"

Sheng Tian and the 2 women moved a bit farther away so as to not disturb the Lotus Fairy Master. He was just about to say goodbye when Xiao Hua interrupted him.

"Since our Master has addressed you as an equal, does that mean I have to call you Martial Uncle?"

Bing Xue nudged her slightly as Sheng Tian laughed at her question.

"Of course not! That would make me feel old. Just call me Sheng Tian, alright?"

Xiao Hua nudged Bing Xue back without looking, "Alright then, Sheng Tian! I challenge you to a duel!"

Both Sheng Tian and Bing Xue looked at her with blank expressions on their faces. Sheng Tian clearly felt that her strength hadn't grown by much since the last time he saw her and they all knew that it was unlikely that she would last more than a few exchanges.

"I-"

She stomped her foot in anger after seeing that even her elder sister was looking at her like she was crazy.

"I just want to test out a new technique of mine!"

Sheng Tian smiled, "Alright, I won't dodge"

"Humph!"

Bing Xue gracefully leaped to create some distance as did Sheng Tian. Xiao Hua stayed where she was and proceeded to make several hand seals.

"I hope you don't regret it!"

Sheng Tian clasped his hands behind his back and stood with his chest puffed out. It was as if he was saying 'Come on, hit me. I won't even move an inch' to poor Xiao Hua.

With a shout, she raised both hands into the air.

"Soaring Phoenix, Nirvanic Flames!"

Fwoom!

"Caw!"

Golden flames rose into the air to form a lifelike phoenix. Sheng Tian tensed ever so slightly when he felt the boundless force contained in the flames while Bing Xue moved even farther away to avoid the heat.

Xiao Hua pointed at Sheng Tian, "Go!"

The golden phoenix flew up into the air and dove beak-first towards Sheng Tian.

Boom!

The flames wrapped around Sheng Tian's entire body, adamant on reducing him to ashes. The 2 ladies couldn't see, but the flames had actually burned Sheng Tian's white robe entirely. What was left were golden scales that protected him from any damage.

"Disperse!"

With a shout, the gold flames were knocked away and he hurriedly put on a new white robe. Thankfully, the flames covered him and so the 2 could not see much of anything.

"What?!"

Xiao Hua ran over and inspected Sheng Tian.

"How did that not do anything?"

Sheng Tian then lifted a hand, "I used my dragon scales which were more than enough to protect me. Even without it though, those golden flames would not have done much"

"How is that fair!"

"You don't have to be too depressed. Under normal circumstances, those flames would melt anything they come into contact with. I happen to have a sturdier defense"

It was at this moment that Bing Xue decided to come over.

Shua!

Sheng Tian turned to see that Bing Xue had taken out her zither.

"I think it's my turn to receive some pointers"

Sheng Tian sensed that Bing Xue had a much stronger aura than before. Her mental fluctuations were strong and her ice qi was much more chilling.

"Alright"