Chapter 38: Xin Yuan

Ulquiorra separated from Nian Zhen, and when he did, he stealthily moved towards the soul he sensed before. He skillfully used sonido and pesquisa in order to move about. He also made sure conceal both his qi and spirit energy or pressure as much as he could. Truthfully, this was only due to the possibility of the person sensing him, and then being wary, but he figured that doing this stealthily might save him the hassle of unnecessary dialogue.

He reached the meeting hall once more, and he sensed that all the elders have left. As for the sect leader or patriarch, he was further in along with the soul he sensed. Ulquiorra entered the meeting hall quietly. His steps were so silent that dropping a pin would've caused more noise. He then moved towards a small chamber where he heard voices.

"Estemeed elder, would this plan really work?" A voice sounded. This voice seemed to belong to the sect leader, Long Zhan.

"Do you doubt the plans of our sect? Have you forgotten who supported you within the shadows all these years?" Another voice replied. This elderly voice radiated arrogance. This was a voice that belonged to the soul that Ulquiorra sensed.

"Heavens no! I merely thought that maybe this plan could use a bit of refinement." Long Zhan with a tone that showcased his hesitation and nervousness. He didn't wish to offend the elder, but it took him all it could so that he wouldn't curse at the plan.

"What Rubbish! It's a fullproof plan, and be quiet! One more word, and this sect shall be torn apart by this seat!" The voice said.

"I....I understand, esteemed elder." Long Zhan said reluctantly.

The voice harrumphed.

"Do not worry, Long Zhan. I, Xin Yuan, am not a fool! I am the esteemed right hand guardian of the Gilded Dragon sect! I am the only Sea Transformation Realm cultivator elder in the sect aside from that pesky Zhao Feng. Nothing will go wrong! If this plan succeeds, then not only will your rivals be gone, but you'll also become a vassal sect of one of the northern regions most prestigious sect!" Xin Yuan said with pride. His voice oozed with confidence and arrogance that what he was spouting was some sort of absolute truth.

"I see. I thank you for this opportunity, esteemed elder." Long Zhan said.

Listening to this, Ulquiorra was able to know that Long Zhan wasn't the one who came up with such a ridiculous and foolish plan. It was someone else. Also, hearing the Gilded Dragon sect's name made him remember Zhao Feng.

Hearing Xin Yuan speak about Zhao Feng like this makes it obvious that there is friction between the two. What's even more interesting is that Xin Yuan may or may not be aware the Zhao Feng was actually nearby at some point considering he met him during his rebirth. Ulquiorra decided that he needed to hear more, but it seems that they won't be speaking anymore. There was only one direct way of getting more information that seemed to be most plausible in this scenario.

It was forceful interrogation.

Ulquiorra swiftly opened the door leading into the small chamber, and as the two inside flinched, and were about to look at the source of the noise, Ulquiorra used sonido, and grabbed Xin Yuan's mouth with his small hand. Don't be fooled though as Xin Yuan felt that his face was suddenly held by an immense vice grip.

Ulquiorra opened the door, grabbed Xin Yuan, and took him away, and all of this within a time period of less than a second. What was left in the chamber was a confused Long Zhan. It took Long Zhan a few seconds before he regained his wits.

"The elder!" Long Zhan exclaimed. He quickly went out of the sect, and used both his spirit and qi sense to scan as much as he could for traces. Unfortunately, he could not pick up any sort of clue.

(AN: Long Zhan is also spiritual cultivator for those that forgot.)

Long Zhan clicked his tongue.

"Patriarch, what's wrong?"

"Patriarch, did something happen?"

"We felt your qi sense, Patriarch."

One by one, elders appeared in front of Long Zhan as they sensed Long Zhan's qi sense. Long Zhan furrowed his brows. He could not let anybody else learn about the elder. He still didn't trust all the elders as he knew some of them had different opinions about him. Also the kidnapper was able to get the elder in such a quick and silent way. If the elder could not resist, then how could he. He waved his hands as he dismissed the elders.

"It was a false alarm. Don't worry." Long Zhan said before he turned his back leaving the elders confused, but they had no choice but to leave.

Long Zhan was now hoping that the elder could get away or deal with the kidnapper. Sadly, he didn't have high hopes for this. Considering this, the next best thing that he could do was to leave the sect. If the kidnapper were to target him, then he'd be a goner too.

'I must escape as soon as possible.' Long Zhan thought.

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Using sonido, Ulquiorra quickly brought Xin Yuan to an extremely far away place. Xin Yuan tried to resist, but he was supressed by some sort of pressure that weighed down on his soul whenever he tried to. Ulquiorra then threw Xin Yuan to the ground.

"You dare?! Who do you think you are to attack me an- ARGHHH!!!" Xin Yuan said before a green beam of light went through his shoulders.

"Silence." Ulquiorra said emotionlessly as he released his spiritual pressure.

Long Zhan's body slumped down to the ground. This pressure that he was feeling was extremely terrifying to the point that it made it seem that a massive leviathan was eyeing him down. It was suffocating, but he couldn't get rid of the suffocation.

Ulquiorra then continued.

"Now, tell me more about your sect's plan."