While Seven was busy helping Lu Xiao regain her missing blood, the rest ended up outside to discuss what they had just heard. Of course, the younger disciples couldn't believe such a story to be true. However, Elder Yin made them believe in the impossible.
"If it's true, wouldn't one keep such a thing hidden?" Lu Bao asked with his arms folded over his chest, looking into the house to watch Seven.
"If you had to live in such circumstances, would you?" Muten sighed as he shook his head.
The group fell into thought about the situation. Though the house was only a few steps away, Elder Yin used and artifact to trap all sound within the small area the group stood in. Luckily, they had enough space to wander around thanks to the rocky yard Seven had created around the house, making it feel like a Heavenly Palace.
Finally, Lao Ying spoke up with her ears drooping to ask the question on everyone's mind. "Do we...do we really have to kill our Savior?"
No one could answer this question. What Seven had done was something no normal person would do. Perhaps she had helped out of guilt, but that didn't excuse how they all felt towards this kind stranger.
"If I may, Grandfather?" Lu Bao suddenly asked with a bow.
How rare it was for his grandson to speak so informally to him. In fact, he couldn't remember a time when he heard that endearing title since Lu Bao entered the Sect. "Go ahead, grandson."
"Those stars on her cloak, instead of counting up, shouldn't they be counting down?"
"That's true, actually." Muten furled his brow and held his chin in his hand. "If they were counting down, that would mean she was closer to death and expecting it. If that were the case, she wouldn't have brought it up."
"Would she even know if she was close to death?" Lao Ying asked as she folded her arms.
"That's the thing about curses like these. Death curses that last this long usually plant a kind of instinct on the soul. If death is close, even if one doesn't know it, they would desperately be seeking life." The Ku'Tel spoke as he held his hand in gesture.
"Yet it counts up." Elder Yin nodded as he stroked his beard.
"Exactly, so what if that cape fills up completely?" Lu Bao asked with a smirk as he pointed to Seven through the window.
"Maybe the armor will release her!" Lao Ying spoke up excitedly, catching her fellow disciples meaning.
"However, this energy is different in some ways. If we are wrong, once that fills up, she could die." Muten sighed as he shook his head.
"That is why I have a favor to ask of you, Grandfather." Lu Bao smirked with his hands on his hips, standing tall before Elder Yin.
The Elder suddenly erupted in laughter, holding his stomach with one hand while the other rested behind his back. "Oh, grandson. Perhaps bringing you along was a good idea after all. Alright, I'll ask her. Whether that count is good or bad, we will let her experience 10 years of good life."
"What position should we give her?" Lu Bao asked as he folded his arms over his chest.
"Honerary Guest. We will not force her to do what she doesn't want. Whether it's helping us, exploring our world or simply residing in a peaceful place, we will let her do as she pleases. I'll make sure of it." Elder Yin chuckled as he rested his arms behind his back.
"It's a shame that she cannot eat." Lao Ying sighed as her ears drooped again.
"Junior Sister shouldn't worry. If it makes you happier, we can simply not eat while being around her." Muten chuckled as his hands fell to his stomach.
"Ooo, that's a good idea. Maybe we can show her our villages as well! We have so many beautiful sights." The Shinta giggled with her tail wagging happily, making the rest feel more at ease.
That was, until Elder Yin suddenly drew up his Divine Qi to shield them from a sudden barrage of Fire and Earth Qi. The impact made the asteroid shake, causing Seven to rush outside to see what had happened.
"Everyone alright?" Seven shouted as she pulled her rifle from her Void Corridor.
Dust and smoke filled the air, but it was quickly dispersed by Elder Yin with a sweep of his arm. She noticed how quickly everyone had gotten their weapons in hand, looking up above the asteroid in deep anger.
Following their eyes, she spotted around 20 black and red robed figures hovering a distance away from them. Their bloodlust was thick, something she had not felt in quite some time from another person.
"Well well, Lu Yin. What a pleasant surprise!" Their leader spoke up with a chuckle, folding his arms over his chest.
Like Muten, he seemed to be of the Ku'Tel race, though those deep red scales unnerved Seven a little. Not just him, almost all of the others were Ku'Tel with a variety of colors to their scales. The only others were two grey and light blue robed Shinta who were bound by some strange bindings. What's worse, they were heavily wounded.
"Ketral! Unhand my Disciples or so help me, I won't rest until I've slaughtered all of Red Claw Sect!" Elder Yin shouted at the man as he pointed his blade at the man.
"An old man like you should just step peacefully into the ground. If you hand over the other females, we will allow you a quick death." Just as Ketral finished speaking, the others laughed insidiously.
As he spoke, two of the Blood Claw Disciples who held the hostages began to toy with the females while drawing a little blood from their necks, making them grunt and cry in pain.
"You dare!" Elder Yin shouted as a burst of energy erupted from him.
"Gather your Qi or I'll have my men strip your Disciples before you!" Ketral chuckled and licked his lips as he spoke down to the Elder.
"Seriously, does everyone make threats like this on your Star?" Seven asked with an exasperated sigh as she shook her head.
Her words made everyone freeze. Not only did no one feel her presence there, the group on the asteroid had totally forgotten about her in the heat of the moment. What was worse, the chill of death was rampantly crawling up everyone's spine just from her sigh.
"S-Seven, we apologize for disturbing you!" Those of the White Lily Sect quickly turned around and bowed as they felt the imminent danger from Seven. They had not thought about how powerful such an ancient being could be, but they didn't want to be the ones to find out.
"It's fine, who are these assholes?" Seven asked in an annoyed sigh as she examined the invaders.
"You! Are you the one who owns this house?" Ketral asked, interrupting Elder Yin before he could speak.
"What about it?" She replied as she tilted her head a bit.
"Then you must be a wandering Grand Master. Please excuse this Junior for showing such discurtesy. We will gladly share any artifacts and Spectral Gems we have after we deal with them." Ketral smiled as he saluted and bowed his head.
"Elder Yin, a question." Seven asked as she pulled the magazine from her rifle to check the ammo.
"Please, ask away, Savior." Bowed a little further in deep fear.
"My previous request, do you have an answer?" Seven asked as she slipped the magazine back in and looked up once more.
"Ah, yes. We've decided to bring you in as an honored guest. We do not wish death on you, but instead wish to show you life." The Elder spoke fast and gripped his fist.
Seven huffed a chuckle at the answer while shaking her head. The gesture took the pressure off of the White Lily Sect's back, making them look up to watch Seven raise her strange weapon towards the group.
"I'll cover you. Don't worry about the hostages, just focus on the fight." Seven chuckled as she leaned her head on the stock of her rifle, homing her vision on one of men holding the hostages.
"You'll fight for us?" Elder Yin asked in deep relief, gripping his sword once more while the others readied their weapons.
"Not for, with. This is a good time to see how you fight. Based on your performance, I might be willing to share some techniques with you."
The idea of gaining some ancient techniques had already thrown the Elders heart into a rapid flurry of happy beats. Signaling the others, they got into formation and prepared themselves for the battle.
"On my mark." Seven breathed out slowly and adjusted her aim.
Just as the other group prepared for battle, a sudden burst of explosions rang out from behind Elder Yin, making everyone jump. What was more horrifying was watching those that held the hostages suddenly lose their life. The inflicted wounds were clean, holes barely a finger wide went straight through their heads. Everyone turned to the source of the explosions, watching as a thin trail of smoke left the barrel of Seven's gun that was still aiming at the Blood Claw Sect.
"Huh, seems the MB's work on you guys as well." Seven nodded a little in surprise, only half expecting that to work. Noticing no one was moving, she looked to her guests and gestured with her left hand. "Uh, mark?"