Zhou Tan, after his terse exchange with Jun Hao, paused for a moment, a storm of conflicting emotions churning within him. He felt a deep sense of unease, a premonition of something terrible looming on the horizon. The village was still playing in his mind, as a tape that never stops playing, it was like a sickness to his blood, and he knows this feeling. It wasn't like something he was told, it was something that he knows very deep. This had been told in a family, and it has made it to his heart. But,
As if the story will never ends as well.
With a final, lingering look at the humble dwellings, he turned his gaze towards the sky, a silent determination hardening his features. He had a duty to fulfill, a responsibility to protect the millions who depended on the Righteous Sect. The weight of their lives rested on his shoulders, and he could no longer afford to be consumed by doubt or fear.
With a surge of monarch energy, he launched himself into the air, his body becoming a blur of motion as he ascended towards the sky. He flew with a fierce, unrelenting speed, his mind focused on the task ahead, pushing aside the shadows that threatened to engulf him.
He stood in the air and did not know, what the future held and what it will be like to never.
What were his plans?
As he soared above the city, his gaze swept across the sprawling metropolis, a kaleidoscope of bustling streets, towering buildings, and vibrant marketplaces. The city was alive with activity, its inhabitants going about their daily lives, oblivious to the dark forces that threatened to consume them. Zhou Tan's heart ached with a mixture of hope and despair. He was sworn to protect these innocent people, to shield them from the horrors that lurked beyond their perception. It was a heavy burden, one that he bore with both pride and trepidation. What has it gone wrong?
He quickly made his way towards the Sect's Central Building, an awe-inspiring structure that pierced the sky like a gleaming spire. Its white and gold facade shimmered in the sunlight, a testament to the power and influence of the Righteous Sect. As he approached the building, a sense of gravity settled over him. He was about to enter a realm of politics and intrigue, where every word and every action carried immense weight. These were the place where every emotion dies
He strode purposefully through the entrance hall, his footsteps echoing through the cavernous space. As he approached the council chamber, the air grew thick with anticipation. He could sense the presence of the twelve elders, their power radiating outwards like a palpable force. These were what made the difference, these are what he had.
He stepped into the chamber, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the assembled elders. They were a formidable group, each a master of their respective arts, their eyes reflecting centuries of wisdom and experience. They had seen so much, so how are they this easy to get manipulated?
As he entered the room, every elder rose to their feet in unison. "We greet the Sect Leader," they intoned, their voices resonating with respect and deference.
Zhou Tan returned their greeting with a nod, his expression grave. He moved towards his seat, the central chair at the head of the table, and sat down, his movements deliberate and measured. The atmosphere in the chamber was thick with tension, the elders awaiting his words with bated breath.
"Please, be seated," Zhou Tan said, his voice firm and commanding. As the elders settled back into their chairs, he took a deep breath, steeling himself for the task ahead.
"As you all know," he began, his gaze sweeping across their faces, "the Nyx incursions have been growing in frequency and intensity. Their attacks have become more daring, more destructive. Yet, despite all our efforts, we still know very little about them."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. The elders shifted uneasily, their eyes reflecting their shared frustration. How many times have we fought a battle that has never ending? Is what the elderssaid. What are we doing wrong?
"But what has been the most troubling from the events," Zhou Tan continued, his voice laced with a hint of foreboding, "is what Detrigon, the Nyx of Sorrows, said to me before his departure. He claimed that the Nyx were created by the Death God."
A collective gasp swept through the chamber. The elders exchanged uneasy glances, their faces etched with disbelief and alarm. The Death God… the very name conjured up images of ancient myths and forbidden knowledge. The elders didn't understand as they were not his family or has the knowledge, that the Death God has been a myth and story passed down by cultivation. So how true this could be?
"You all know the history of cultivation," Zhou Tan said, his voice low and somber. "The tales that were told to us by our founders, the legends that speak of the ancient gods and the origins of our power. These are not just stories, my friends. They are history of a reality that we have long forgotten." This wasn't just a story, but the truth of how he, and his family has managed to keep it
The elders looked at each other, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and skepticism. The Death God was just a legend, a boogeyman used to scare children. To think that such a being could actually exist, and that it was responsible for the Nyx incursions… it was almost too much to bear.
The air in the chamber grew heavy with apprehension. Zhou Tan's words had shattered the illusion of control, exposing the raw, unvarnished truth of their situation. They were facing a threat far greater than they had ever imagined, a threat that challenged the very foundations of their world.
Finally, one of the twelve council elders, Fifth Elder Yang Hao, spoke, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation. "Sect Leader," he said, his hands trembling slightly, "what do you suggest we do? How can we possibly fight against a death god, we don't have any cultivator who has attended the third and fourth stage after centuries, how are supposed to fight the god of death, the one who the prophecy of your family talks about for centuries?"
A heated debate erupted among the elders, each offering their own opinions and suggestions. Some called for a more aggressive approach, advocating for a full-scale assault on the Nyx dimensions. Others urged caution, arguing that they needed to gather more information before committing to such a dangerous course of action.
As the debate raged on, Zhou Tan remained silent, his gaze fixed on the center of the table. He was listening intently, weighing each argument, searching for a solution that could protect his people from the impending doom.
After what seemed like an eternity, he raised his hand, silencing the clamoring voices. The elders turned to him expectantly, their faces etched with anticipation.
"I have been listening to your suggestions," Zhou Tan said, his voice firm and resolute. "And I have come to a decision. We must send a team of skilled cultivators into the Nyx dimensions to gather intelligence and assess the threat. It is a dangerous mission, but it is one that we cannot afford to ignore."
The elders nodded in agreement, their faces reflecting a mixture of fear and determination. They knew that the task ahead was fraught with peril, but they were willing to do whatever it took to protect their world.
The first elder said, there needs to be
But what was the choice to be made, who was gonna go for the mission?
The council chamber erupted into a low murmur, the elders debating amongst themselves, their voices a low, buzzing drone that filled the air. Zhou Tan allowed them to air their concerns, knowing that stifling dissent would only breed resentment and discord.
Finally, after several minutes of heated discussion, he raised a hand, silencing the room with a single, imperious gesture. All eyes turned to him, waiting for his final judgement.
"I agree with your decision, First Elder," he said, his voice firm and decisive. "But I must insist that an elder accompany any squad that chooses to explore these Nyx dimensions. We cannot afford to send our disciples blindly into the unknown."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the council. "Please, let us close this matter here. We have been arguing for hours, and there are more pressing matters at hand."
He leaned forward, his expression hardening. "Remember, you are all tasked with choosing new disciples today. Make sure to thoroughly examine their spiritual roots, and warn them of the dangers that lie ahead. The path of cultivation is not for the faint of heart, though you can acquire immortality and power to rule the god's, warn them of the hardship the will face in this world.
With a final, sweeping glance, he dismissed them. "This meeting is adjourned."