Chapter 29 - The calm before the storm

The Divine Star Continent sprawls endlessly, with a seemingly endless array of powerful entities vying for dominance. These entities, from the great clans and tribes to the mighty empires such as the Su Dynasty and Western Wen, each hold sway over a portion of the land. But none are as feared and revered as the sects that call the Divine Star Continent home.

Of these sects, one stands out as a beacon of terror and malevolence: the Immortal Devil Sect. This demonic path sect specializes in molding children and youths into the most savage of fiends, devils who revel in the destruction and massacre of the innocent. Their Daoist teachings and core doctrines are built around the very idea of mass slaughter, an abhorrent concept that would normally be unacceptable in the world of cultivation.

Yet despite the disapproval of the wider cultivation community, the Immortal Devil Sect is permitted to exist. This is due to their unparalleled strength and immense reserves, making them a force to be reckoned with even by the mightiest of empires like Western Wen. The sect is said to harbor entities with strength equivalent to Rank 4 Qi Experts, a level of power that commands awe and fear from all who behold it. The Divine Star Continent is a land of many dangers, but the Immortal Devil Sect stands at the forefront, a dark and ominous presence that looms over all.

Rank 1 and Rank 2 cultivators are commonplace, their abilities and strength respectable, but unremarkable. However, Rank 3 cultivators are a rare breed, their power much sought after and respected.

But above all others stand the Rank 4 Qi Experts and beyond, these are the paramount paragons of the cultivation world, beings whose abilities are beyond comprehension. They are figures of awe and terror, revered as near-deities, their strength unmatched and unparalleled.

To have such powerful cultivators within one's sect is a formidable deterrent, and it is not uncommon for other entities to hesitate before challenging them. These beings are the very embodiment of power, their existence alone enough to command respect and fear from all who dare to cross their path.

...

Ximen Wei was at a loss, completely unaware of the events unfolding around him. He had sought refuge in a safe location, but fate had other plans for him. As he slipped into unconsciousness, a massive search was underway, with multiple experts from the Song Family scouring the area for the intruder. Despite their extensive efforts, the search proved fruitless, and eventually, the experts were forced to abandon their pursuit.

Fortunately for Ximen Wei, Old Mao, the guard who had discovered him, was unable to divulge his identity before succumbing to his injuries. Old Mao's wounds were grave, the result of his earlier exertion using the vocal attack, and his life force was quickly waning. Unlike Old Mao, the remaining guard was unable to see through Ximen Wei's Qi Cloaking Technique.

At present, Ximen Wei remained undetected, his risky gambit having paid off. Despite the widespread search, no one suspected the young child to be the vicious murderer who had snuck into the grand mansion of the Song Family and claimed the lives of over ten elites. The posters distributed in the search depicted another suspect, and even though both individuals had the same height, no one would have suspected that a ten-year-old could be capable of such a heinous crime.

The meeting between the Overlords and Long Gen soon came to a close, with each participant going their separate ways, preparing for the inevitable clash that was on the horizon. Song Peizhi, having finished his duties in the Criminal District, returned home, but when he heard of the destruction wrought upon his cherished possessions, he was consumed with anger. He nearly threw all the guards responsible for guarding the dungeon into jail, if not for the intervention of the Song Family's Patriarch, his father. The Song Family would have been left nearly defenseless without the guards, and it was only through the Patriarch's influence that they were spared.

Nestled in the heart of Green Lotus City stood a grand and luxurious mansion, the abode of the city's sole Rank 2 Qi Expert and City Lord. At present, the City Lord was in his office, joined by his two trusted generals, both exuding the formidable aura of Rank 1 Qi. The three sat together, deep in thought, devising strategies to defend their city against the impending attack of multiple Qi Cultivators.

The Green Lotus City held a strategic position, located on the border between Western Wen and the Su Dynasty. It was fortified with weapons and formations, ready to defend against any possible attacks from the Su Dynasty. The soldiers and Qi Cultivators stationed there were the best of the best of Western Wen's forces, handpicked for their exceptional abilities. By placing a Rank 2 Qi Expert in a city filled with mortals, Western Wen demonstrated the significance they placed on the city, and it was with this in mind that the City Lord and his generals quickly set about creating a robust plan to defend and even launch a counterattack against the enemy.

As the sun set and the moon rose, the Green Lotus City was enveloped in an eerie silence. The previously bustling streets now lay empty, with all windows and doors securely shut. The market, which had once been a bustling hub for trade in Western Wen, was now devoid of life. Stallkeepers had closed their businesses and retreated to the safety of their homes. Even the sounds of the criminal district had died down, leaving only a quiet stillness that hung heavily in the air.

The Green Lotus City Lord and his two generals had dispersed, each carrying out their duties as they prepared for the impending conflict. Their orders echoed throughout the city, fueling the already palpable tension as citizens braced themselves for the worst. Despite their preparedness, the atmosphere was still tense, with everyone on edge and no one daring to make a noise.