Grandmaster Yuer is dead!

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. ...

Without doubt, chills as freezing as ice would embrace the skin of whomever witnessed this sight. Goosebumps decorating skin surfaces like ornaments on furnitures.

The Xiuying sect members had never seen a demon as creepy and as powerful as the one they were currently encountering.

Yes, the presence of demons weren't a new thing to them, since the battle of humans and demons had lasted for soo long. As long as time, which they could remember from the very beginning, being told as tales. Tales that could never be forgotten as fragments of them still existed. Lurching over mountains, plains, forests, savannahs, towns, villages, provinces and anywhere their killing instinct could lead them to.

Horrendous beasts they were.

The Xiuying sect also known as the sect of vital flame, was one of the most powerful sect made by humans as a salvation to hunt down those fragments of terror, and maim them.

But currently, the battle between them and this powerful soul consuming demon was almost to a lose on their side.

Xiao Yuer, the grand cultivator of this sect, swung his sword gracefully within his fingers, releasing thin sharp rays of bright slashes towards their opponent. The demon on the other hand was nimble on his foot as it evaded all his slashes in brisk movement.

" Sifu Yuer, behind you!"

A disciple who laid in a motionless position of never ending pain, suddenly shouted upon spotting the demon which strangely appeared at their master's back. Knowing how brutal the demon's attack would be on their master.

Immediately, Upon hearing the call, Xiao Yuer spun around as he held Guang firmly in his grip. He saw the corner of this beast's lips curl as it's claw grew longer, and almost ready to shed him into pieces.

_How cunny. A sneak attack_ Xiao Yuer thought with a surprised face, as he glared at this demon. This soul consuming Xiangmo was also a teleporter. It was unbelievable and strange.

"1st form of the light technique; Heavens rays." Xiao yuer shouted and immediately, his sword, Guang, glittered in brilliant rays. Bright enough to blind one's coloured pupils.

The environment which was submersed in darkness and peeking lights from little openings within this cave, had now embraced a brighter ray. The eyes of all, including fallen, and injured disciples fell on such technique, amazed at how powerful their grandmaster was.

Of course, that was to be expected!

Despite Xiao yuer's brilliant light show, the Demon was unfazed nor daunted. A quick flash had it missing again, But Xiao Yuer's technique had him able to spot the demon's next move.

Clang!

Sharp claws and a shining sword clashed at each other, releasing a wave of powerful breeze. Xiao Yuer was quick but this demon was quicker as they exchanged blows. With a _puff_ this demon had suddenly appeared back to its original position. It's red glowing eyes scanned around before fixing on the last individual standing.

Coughing sounds left the lips of Xiao yuer's disciples as a few of them began to spit crimson liquid... Blood! However, a few of them quavery got themselves to assist in battling this beast with black skin, horns and sharp claws.

Despite how alert he was, Xiao Yuer still scanned around to scrutinize how dire their situation was, and blamed himself for the cause of such situation.

Laying down on the floor, were a few of his disciples, gasping, with their hands placed on their scarred skins to prevent the excessive loss of blood. While they watched their master battle with this heinous beast. As worse as it was, a few of his disciples were dead as they had their souls sucked out by the demon.

Xiao Yuer blamed himself...

He was the cause of this havoc...

Only if he hadn't ordered the Accolades to keep the request to themselves, this wouldn't have happened. At least other top sects would've been there to join and help.

However, as Xiao yuer's scrutiny occurred, a realization etched his face, that had his pupils widen.

Wu Zhong!

Where was he?

It was quick for Xiao Yuer to conjoin the pieces together! Wu Zhong had abandoned them and fled!

Screw tha_

"Sifu Yuer be careful!" A disciple quickly shouted, drawing his attention back.

It seemed like the demon had noticed his distracted attention and decided to use such opportunity to strike his opponent down. The same attitude he'd executed earlier. Unfortunately, his opponent was warned and his plan had been thwarted, but he was just going to attack no matter what.

Flying through the air both approached each other. But as they did so, another sabre swooshed through the air, aiming straight for Xiao yuer's behind.

At one glance, one could tell whose blade was that.

The Ming...

Wu Zhong's blade...

The disciples watched and a figure who stood at a hidden distance watched the blade approach Xiao Yuer in immense speed. To shocked to speak. Wu Zhong's blue pupils flickered in anticipation as he watched his blade inch closer to the individual he'd hated with his life. The individual who took the post he aimed for.

The post of the grandmaster.

Unaware, almost at the same time, Xiao Yuer swung his sword to deliver a fatal blow.

"4th form of the light technique, cosmic slash!" He shouted as he prepared to exhibit his skill. However, suddenly, he felt something else, strangely approaching him from behind, but familiar.

Weirdly, as if breaking from a daze, Jiang Lang, Xiao yuer's favorite disciple, alarmed, "Sifu, there's a blade approaching you!"

Confirming the eerie feeling he felt, Xiao Yuer turned and smacked the sharp blade that aimed for him. Leading it to a different direction. Although one peril had been gone, Xiao Yuer decided to face the second before he would talk about scolding whomever the individual that wanted him dead.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

Before he could even think of turning, his back had been deeply pierced in by ten sharp claws. Protruding his body and exiting from the front.

"Cagh!" Xiao Yuer spat a mouthful of blood. But not only that... He spotted Wu Zhong!

The latter had a smirk on his lips, with his sword on his grip. He was aware that Wu Zhong didn't fancy him that well, but he never believed that He would plan on killing him. That blade he swatted off would probably have been from him.

The Ming...

No wonder it felt familiar.

Xiao Yuer coughed again as the felt those claws delve deeper into him, while a red misty smoke began to surrounded both him and the demon. And blocking the rest from his views. Nevertheless, he could hear wails and clashing of weapons coming from the outside.

It wanted to suck his soul.

In immense pain as Xiao Yuer felt his life and soul slipping away, he began to mutter incoherent words because there was only one way left. He was going to perform the alchemy of souls with a fragment of his escaping his body, while the rest would help destroy this demon.

The alchemy of souls was a secret technique of the most powerful sect that conversed with celestial beings. The Tianshang De Sect of Celestial Harmony. years back, Xiao Yuer had travelled to lots of places, including the Tianshang De sect, located on the Kunlun mountain.

Due to how cunny he was, he was able to master this skill. Him, and only him.

Suddenly, as Xiao yuer muttered those words, an array appeared before him. The more he muttered those incoherent words, the more brittle the array was until it had enveloped them both.

The alchemy had began...

Xiao Yuer channeled a lot of his spiritual beings into  the demon until it had more than enough soul force to consume.

It screeched and wailed loudly in pain, as the purity of the alchemy locked and affected it, to prevent it from withdrawing and escaping!

Meanwhile, Xiao Yuer felt his life finally slip off as his eyes closed.

Boom!

The demon was blown out existence while Xiao Yuer dropped... Dead!

One wouldn't need to be told about the youngest grandmaster of the Xiuying sect who's story had gone to a large amount of places. From mountains, towns,villages, plains.  However, he was no longer a living being.

The first year passed after his death

Then the second...

And third...

Until the fifth year, when evil forces had doubled their attack...

★ ★ ★. † ★

Meaning of words.

Xiangmo; This word means Demon. A demonic presence also.

Guang; This can also entail as "Light!" but in this concept it's Xiao yuer's blade's name.

Ming: Well. It's the same as "Bright or light!" Wu Zhong's blade.

Shifu: Teacher. ⁽⁠⁽⁠ଘ⁠(⁠ ⁠ˊ⁠ᵕ⁠ˋ⁠ ⁠)⁠ଓ⁠⁾⁠

⁾⁽⁠⁽⁠ଘ⁠(⁠ ⁠ˊ⁠ᵕ⁠ˋ⁠ ⁠)⁠ଓ⁠⁾⁠⁾⁽⁠⁽⁠ଘ⁠(⁠ ⁠ˊ⁠ᵕ⁠ˋ⁠ ⁠)⁠ଓ⁠⁾⁠⁾