Chapter 27: Destruction of the Grey Mountain Sect (1)

The clouds above the Grey Mountain Sect turned completely gloomy, hues of red-wine clouds covering the sect as demonic qi filled the air. Such an ominous aura shocked everyone within the sect, causing panic to erupt. Seeing the massive explosion on the first peak, Skyler immediately grabbed her sword, leaping and running at full speed toward the source of the explosion. Her heart was anxious but also determined, knowing the demons had come to her sect. Her hatred toward those demons flared, a colorless aura radiating from her body, sharp and overbearing.

As she approached the first peak, the sight that greeted her was one of chaos and devastation. Wounded elders and core disciples lay scattered, some trying to stand, others still unconscious. The gate of the sect was shattered, and the main courtyard was a battlefield, littered with debris and the bodies of the fallen. Skyler's eyes widened in shock and fury as she saw Victor, the sect master, locked in a fierce battle with a powerful demon!

The demons attacked the sect when Victor was explaining what had happened in the previous battlefield to the elders who had just returned, and the effect of such news to the sect that resulted in an exodus of the disciples leaving the sect without a loyalty.

Victor also informed her that two elders, Elder Rose and Elder Luna, had left the sect. This news caused panic and an uproar among the remaining elders, who believed the future of the sect was utterly bleak.

Without the pill master of the sect, they've will not be able to grow. But with the demon threat in the vicinity, there's not much hope for the survival of the sect.

The remaining young elders, who had not yet reached a hundred years old, such as Grace, Ryan and Aaron stood up and wanted to resign their positions and leave the sect. They no longer saw a viable future in the sect and didn't want to waste their time and effort. But before they could even discuss, a demonic aura dropped on them like a massive hammer pressing them down, and soon a demonic technique attacked the grand hall, destroying it with a bang.

Victor's face was set in a grim expression, his body radiating powerful qi as he clashed with Zariel, the demon princess. Her petite figure belied her immense power, and she moved with a lethal grace, each strike precise and deadly. The ground trembled with each exchange of blows, sending shockwaves through the air.

Victor's sword met Zariel's with a resounding clash, sparks flying as the blades collided. His movements were deliberate and calculated, using his years of experience to anticipate and counter her attacks. But Zariel was relentless, her strikes coming faster and more forceful with each passing moment.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Each sword clashes were heavy, despite the petite figure of Zariel, the strength she exerts were something Victor couldn't handle, even with his rank 8 strength!

"You're strong, human," Zariel sneered, her eyes glowing with malevolent delight. "But not strong enough." Lifting her leg, revealing a charming thighs, she kicked Victor by the stomach making him shoot out like a bouncing ball, crashing on the ground.

"Hehe, I didn't expect that this sect hides a rank 8 expert. Truly amusing." A cold smile crept on her face as she stared down at Victor while floating in the air above the destroyed hall. She then looked around the sect, seeing the beautiful mountain ranges and the scenery within these lands, an idea appeared on her mind.

"I have decided! Today, this will be the demon peak sect! A sect for demons built to destroy and expand into human territories!" Zariel laughed as she declared.

Victor gritted his teeth, refusing to be intimidated. His eyes fiercely glared at the petite demoness on the sky "I won't let you destroy my sect," he growled, summoning his qi for a powerful palm strike!

"Die!"

With a roar, he unleashed a wave of energy that surged towards Zariel. She raised her sword to deflect the attack, but the force of it pushed her back, her figure flew back and almost tumbled. Victor pressed for his advantage, launching himself at her with blinding speed!

Bang!

Their swords clashed again, the sound echoing through the battlefield. Victor's strikes were heavy and powerful, each one intended to break through Zariel's defenses. But she was quick and agile, her movements fluid as she dodged and parried.

Bang!

Each strikes causes a massive shockwave that shook the earth! Such strength of a rank 8 expert!

"Impressive," Zariel remarked as she stagged back from the clash, a wicked smile playing on her lips. "But let me show you true power."

She channeled her demonic energy, her body glowing with a dark aura. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a wave of dark energy at Victor.

"!!!"

He barely had time to react, raising his arms to block the attack. The force of it sent him stumbling back, his feet digging into the ground to keep his balance.

Before he could recover, Zariel was upon him instantly, his eyes were wide opened because of his shock, her sword slashing through the air with deadly precision. Victor was able to recover as he managed to deflect most of the blows, but a few struck true, cutting through his robes, deep within his flesh…drawing blood. He winced in pain but refused to back down, his determination unwavering.

"You fight well for a human," Zariel taunted, her voice dripping with condescension. "But you are no match for me."

Victor ignored her taunts, focusing on his breathing and his technique. He couldn't afford to let her get into his head. With a deep breath, he gathered his qi, channeling it into his fists. His fists glowed with a brilliant light, and he swung it with all his might.

The force of the attack sent a shockwave through the air, and Zariel was forced to leap back to avoid it. Victor didn't let up, following up with a series of rapid strikes. His movements were a blur, his fists a whirlwind of strength and agility.

Zariel blocked and parried using the hilt of her sword, her movements just as fast. But Victor could see the strain in her eyes, the hint of frustration as she struggled to keep up. He pressed harder! his attacks becoming more aggressive and relentless!

"You think you can win?" Zariel spat, her voice laced with fury. "I will crush you to DEATH!"

With a furious scream, she unleashed a torrent of dark energy exploded from her body! Her sword glowing with demonic power. The ground beneath them cracked and splintered as the energy surged towards Victor. He braced himself, raising his arms again to meet the attack!

The clash was destructive, the force of their energies colliding creating a massive explosion. Victor was thrown back, his body slamming into the ground. He struggled to his feet, his vision blurry and his body aching, he rolled onto the ground his arms were very wounded, as deep wounds revealed a bloody white bones, the demonic qi were like a poison as it spreads out from his wounds, he tried to stand up despite the pain, but Zariel kicked his chest with her foot, pressing him down as she looked down on him, she stood before him, her expression one of triumph with a mock on her face.

"It's over," she declared, raising her sword for the final blow.

"Aghhhhh!!!" But Victor wasn't done yet. With a roar, he summoned the last of his strength, channeling all his remaining qi into his palm. The palm glowed with a blinding light, and he launched himself at Zariel with one final, desperate strike.

Their swords met in a clash of light and darkness, the force of it shaking the very earth beneath them. For a moment, time seemed to stand still, the two warriors locked in a battle of wills. Then, with a burst of energy, Victor's sword broke through Zariel's defenses, the blade piercing her side.

Zariel gasped, her eyes wide with shock. But she wasn't defeated yet. With a snarl, she lashed out, her sword cutting through the air towards Victor. He tried to block, but he was too slow. The blade struck true, slicing through his side and drawing a spray of blood.

At this moment, his memories began to flood… More importantly the moments he spent his time with Rose, his step-daughter who he treated as his own.

Victor fell to his knees, his vision darkening, his breath was wheezing. He could feel his strength fading, his body growing weaker with each passing moment. But he refused to give up, he picked up his sword from the ground and the grip on his sword was very tight.

"I've already won, so stop struggling," Zariel's voice dripped with disdain, laced with mockery. "Just accept your fate and die."

With a furious scream, she unleashed a blast of dark energy, sending Victor crashing to the ground. He lay there, his body broken and his vision fading, but his spirit unyielding. He had fought with everything he had, and he would not let his sect fall without a fight.

As his vision kept dimming due to his exhaustion, he saw a figure approaching, a look of horror and determination on her face. It was Skyler, her sword drawn and her eyes blazing with fury.

…

Skyler saw the battle up close, and her heart tightened as she saw that the sect master was losing, as she kept approaching to find an opportunity to sneak attack Zariel, her eyes locked on to her sword, when she saw that, she was stunned locked in place.

Skyler's heart skipped a beat as she recognized the weapon. It was the Moonlit Blade, a that bathed in moonlight energy, it's a sword she's closely familiar with, as it was once her own sword. Its presence in Zariel's hands was a shock, and a chill ran down Skyler's spine, because that sword, is the sword that she had given to Jessica!

"How... how did she get that sword?" Skyler muttered to herself, her grip tightening on her own weapon, her aura kept increasing.

Victor after catching a breath lunged forward, aiming to disarm Zariel at a close range, but she was ready. The Moonlit Blade hummed with power as Zariel swung it, meeting Victor's attack head-on. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, the force of their blows sending shockwaves through the air.

Bang!

Skyler could see the strain on Victor's face. Despite his strength, he was struggling against Zariel. The demon princess was relentless, her attacks unceasing and precise.

Zariel laughed, a cruel, chilling sound. "Is this the best Sect has to offer? Pathetic."

Victor gritted his teeth, his face contorted with effort as he tried to push back against Zariel's onslaught. But she was too strong. With a powerful swing, Zariel knocked Victor's weapon from his hands, sending it skittering across the ground, Zariel then lifted her sword at the kneeling Victor.

"No!" Seeing this scene, Skyler shouted, her voice filled with desperation. She charged forward, her sword ready, but Thorn, the giant demon, intercepted her with a loud bang!

"Where do you think you're going, little human?" Thorn rumbled, his massive frame blocking her path.

"Out of my way!"

Skyler didn't hesitate. She launched herself at Thorn, her sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Thorn swung his massive arm, attempting to swat her away, but Skyler was too quick. She ducked under his attack, her blade cutting into his side!

"Gaah!"

Thorn roared in pain as dark blood spluttered on the ground, but this only fueled his anger. He lashed out again, his strikes powerful but clumsy compared to Skyler's agility. She danced around him, her movements swift and graceful, striking his weak points!

Back in the courtyard, Zariel stood over the fallen Victor, her expression full of disdain, raising the Moonlit Blade for the final blow. "But this is the end."

Before she could strike, a blast of colorless sharp qi shot toward her, forcing her to jump back, even for a demon with her caliber, the sword qi was extremely sharp that it would likely injure her if she was struck by it. Skyler landed between Victor and Zariel, her eyes blazing with determination.

"You won't touch him," Skyler said, her voice cold and steady.