Wicked Mist

Fang Xuan gazed at the now revitalized Transient Blades sect, rows of new inner disciples practiced their morning sword routine, swinging their sword in unison at the sect's training garden.

Although their old disciples could not pull away from the allure of a higher spirit stone payment that their rival sect imposed, news of their victory at the sect tournament was able to spread the news far and wide about this arms mastery sect with hidden masters in their roster, leading to the new recruits they have right now. Their disciple number is now 500 strong.

A smile crept up on Fang Xuan's face. Screw those that left them, out with the old, and in with the new blood.

A hand suddenly patted Fang Xuan's shoulder, he turned around to see the patriarch finally sporting a smile, one that Fang Xuan thought was already lost since their sect's downfall. Now that it their sect was on the process of getting rebuilt, the zeal and dignity to act as the patriarch was something his father once again regained.

"You wanted to discuss something, my son?" The patriarch asked.

"Yes, father. I am about to visit this Heavenly Acolytes sect and see firsthand if their would benefit us."

"If I didn't know any better, you simply want to see their young mistress, what was her name again, was it Nuan?" Yanmei's coy voice teased as he approached them. Yanmei was sure that if Xiao was here she would nonetheless have done the same.

"Why yes, sister Yanmei..." Upon answering out of instinct, a blush formed on Fang Xuan's face as he quickly retracted his statement. "...No, wait! It's not simply because of that! An alliance with such a renowned sect would bolster our reputation, believe me!"

The old man chuckled, "I sometimes forget that you are at that age. Don't be shy now, son, as the sole heir of the Gu family, our family's future rests in your hands! If you are truly smitten with this Nuan then we must secure her to be your betrothed! I'll go with you and visit if you need help!"

Betrothed! Nuan was indeed pretty and powerful but isn't his father making a hasty decision!?

"Listen to your father, Fang Xuan, young mistresses like her do not stay unattached for long. I'm sure their sect's patriarch are already scouring worthy candidates to be her fiance! Strike while the iron is hot, as they say."

"Father, sister Yanmei, would you please stop it. This is simply to ensure the alliance, nothing more."

Yanmei laughed, "Pfft, alliance you say, hah! If your sister Xiao was here you wouldn't hear the end of it from her."

"Oh, could it be that you are teasing me because you simply miss Elder Xiao, huh, sister Yanmei?" Fang Xuan fired back.

"I do, dearly so. Your sister Zhuqing too. We all have our respective businesses to take care of right now, but my heart eagerly awaits our reunion." Yanmei said. She was holding on, but if the pain of separation becomes too unbearable, she can always locate Xiao with her spirit beast senses.

How nonchalantly Yanmei admitted it had Fang Xuan floored, it wasn't the reversal that he thought it would be. Instead of getting teased even more, Fang Xuan simply decided to be on his way.

"I see. Father, Sister Yanmei, It's time for me to depart."

"Then I shall bid my leave as well, Sect Master." Yanmei cupped her hands towards the patriarch.

Since Yanmei was only supposed to be a temporary member, her sticking around was huge boon for the sect even though she split her time between managing her business and being a disciple of the Transient Blades, with Zhuqing and Xiao gone, Yanmei's presence was pretty much needed in showing that they are still a formidable sect. In gratitude, they let her dip in and out whenever she wanted.

"Do you want me to give you a lift, sister Yanmei?" Fang Xuan asked.

"Have you forgotten that I can fly? Besides, doing so would only delay with your meet up with Nuan."

"Yes, run along now, my son, do not keep your date waiting!" The patriarch chimed in.

"Aaaah, it's not a date, you both! That's it, I'm leaving!"

~~~~

The Northern Vanguard sect core disciples, 30 in total, eagerly awaited one of their Elder's announcement.

The majestic golden door opened before them, revealing Aigou, wearing a benevolent smile.

"Shunyan, for your impressive performance of being this month's best disciple, the Sect Master has given you to the right to follow him and join him in cultivation inside his hidden palace."

Proud, the grey haired man stood, cupping before their elder...

"Elder Aigou, thank you for giving me the opportunity to join the other chosen disciples, I will not disappoint the Sect Master."

...while the other core disciples held palpable disappointment. Why couldn't it have been them chosen to cultivate inside the Sect Master's hidden palace? A promised land where the qi is rich and the spirit stones are plenty.

Aigou gestured for the man to step inside. The door closes on its own as the rest of the core disciples scattered.

Once inside, the luxurious decorations and portraits disappeared as a thick fog slowly emerged to swallow the surroundings.

"Elder Aigou, what is with this mist, where is the sect master?" The confused Shunyan asked.

The young man turned around to see Shunyan no longer there. What the hell, had their elder been swallowed by the fog as well?

What's even more unnerving than fog surrounding you, was that it seemingly formed a pathway, an empty space leading into what appeared to be a qi portal. A green vortex that pierces space, allowing you to jump from one place to another. The greater the distance, the more qi needed to open a said portal. If a cultivator had low cultivation, it would be common for them to run out of qi amidst setting up a portal.

For their sect master to produce a portal this stable and running amidst no one using it, their sect master be powerful indeed!

But where is this sect master of their? Did he expect them to simply step into the portal? Maybe peek inside?

Curios about the promised land on the other side, Shunyan approached the portal, peeking his head inside the portal...

...sealing his fate.

There is nothing but a decrepit room, skeletons abound wearing the uniform if their sect! The promise of higher cultivation plane, was nothing more than a promise of death.

The terrified Shunyan quickly removed his head from the portal, falling on his behind from the panic. The goal of becoming a the number one sect in this province was nothing but a sham, a lie that this cultivators in the sticks could rally behind.

Crawling backwards, Shunyan suddenly hit something with his back, or rather... someone.

"Be not afraid, your soul shall live on inside of me. Your existence will serve an even greater purpose than simply cultivating on your own."

The ominous statement delivered by a monotone voice sent shivers down Shunyan's spine.

"Are you...are you the sect master?" Even as his heart preparing to leap out from his chest from the terror, Shunyan managed to string sentences together.

A benevolent smile that masked all his wickedness underneath gave the impression of kindness. His flowing black hair like a dark waterfall paired with his piercing gaze only made the uneasiness inside of Shunyan grow.

Daiyu, one who recently stepped foot in the realm of true immortals, was a practitioner of demonic cultivation. And as a demonic cultivation does, he no longer saw the need to answer and simply went fit the main course. That is...

Shunyan's soul.

Faster than a striking cobra, Diayu's hand choked Shunyan's neck. His life now on the line, Shunyan trashed with all his might, even kicking Daiyu on the head and side. His kicks appeared to have landed on an immovable pillar, brought about by the extreme difference in their cultivation.

As Shunyan's movements started to become sluggish, mist emerged from his every orifice. Mist that was absorbed into Daiyu's majestic black combat robe.

As another one was plucked from his wicked garden of souls, for this was the main purpose of the Northern Vanguard for him, Daiyu threw the husk into the portal to dispose of the evidence.

Hell country was brutal place where might dictated everything. Daiyu needed every edge he can so he can one day rise to the top, even if it meant preying on an entire sect of clueless bumpkins.

"Aigou."

As if the elder was spitted back out by the mist, Aigou reappeared from sight.

"Yes, sect master?" Both out of respect and fear, Aigou cupped his hands.

"So this Transient Blades defeated us in the sect tournament, clearly it was the wrong move to allow them to exist. No matter, we shall finish the task this time around. Gather all the elders, we shall pay them a visit."

For his wicked garden to thrive, Daiyu will not allow any pests to covet his future harvests.