Consuming Earths, Devouring Skies

Nearly ten thousand li away from the Eight Calamity Range was the Basilisk Forest. The forest had lush greens and exquisite trees that shone with a faint glow of emerald light. Home to reptilian and serpent-type disaster beasts, which included the Legendary King Basilisk - the ruler of the region. The King Basilisk was a rank eight beasts of extraordinary power that rivaled Origin Core cultivators.

The air was permeated with wood-attributed essence, making it a blessed cultivation grounds for any cultivator who practiced wood-based arts or cultivation methods.

In an area within the forest, a flash of resplendent silver light spontaneously exploded. The local residents reacted violently by fleeing with their slithering bodies or short stubby legs. In the silver light were three figures, two males and one female, each seemed to be occupied with their own thoughts.

They were the disciples of Han Genji.

Yan Zaizen, who never experienced spatial shifting before, felt like his stomach was coming up as he bent his body to vomit out a small pool of bodily fluids. Even though he possesses a herculean physique and was far physically stronger than before, the feeling of spatial shifting was like being on a high-speed roller coaster. Completely different than when he was carried at high speed by Han Genji.

He assumed they would be teleported, but instead they were simply hauled at high speeds with a cover of a protection formation in space. They moved so fast that others wouldn’t be able to see their trail without having a high cultivation, and even if they did see, they couldn’t interact with them unless they comprehend the appropriate laws. It was essentially the safest method of travel, but it’s not Yan Zaizen’s first time hearing about something like this.

For example, most large clans — like the Yan Clan — would have something similar, but for objects rather than people. To personally experience it, he felt discombobulated. His sense of direction was all over the place, unable to tell left from right, and his mind felt beyond dizzy.

While he was experiencing this, Lin Feilin and Shin Xuanji were in much better shape. They almost immediately shook off the effects using their Qi and proceeded to check the area for their location.

"It seems we’re close to the center." Shin Xuanji remarked as he pointed towards a tree in the distance. This tree was exceptionally tall and eclipsed the rest in size. It even twisted about and had two tree crowns yet one trunk. It gave one a frightening and mysterious feeling. "That’s the Basilisk Tree. From its location, we should be south-east. More than two hundred li away from the border and the territory of the Earthly Titan Sect." He continued to point out their current location, looking towards Lin Feilin who nodded in agreement. Her expression was still cold, but if one looked closely, one could see slight tears having been in existence.

After finishing almost emptying out his stomach, he turned to Shin Xuanji in surprise. He heard of the Basilisk Tree before. Its location was the infamous beastial grounds for serpents and lizards - the Basilisk Forest! He recalled what Han Genji once said. It seems he really sent them to this forest.

"What now?" He couldn’t help but ask. In truth, he still had many questions about everything including the possible status of Han Genji. However, his question had got him a single glance from Shin Xuanji before he simply turned towards Lin Feilin and ignored him.

Seems like this Shin Xuanji truly has some form of hatred towards me, but why?

"Master sent us here; our fates are our own." Lin Feilin answered coldly, her eyes looking about in vigilance. "He left a backup plan at the Earthly Titan Sect. If you wish to join the Sect and seek safety, simply go there and find Elder Wei. He’ll allow you to enter as a Disciple of the Sect." She said, but obviously, this wasn’t going to be her intention.

Surprised by the foresight of Han Genji, he couldn’t help but contemplate his options. Should he go to the Earthly Titan Sect or go home?

He understood why his master would choose the Earthly Titan Sect, considering its one of the five great sects alongside the Soaring Cloud Sect, and were eternal enemies with them. They were essentially at war, engaging in conflict both on the surface and in the shadows. Since the Soaring Cloud Sect was pursuing Han Genji, it seems staying there would ensure one’s safety. However, when he thought about it, he decided against it.

For one, he didn’t really consider himself Han Genji’s disciple.

Second, no one outside of these two people here knew he was Han Genji’s disciple and thus no proof.

Third, if he joins under as Han Genji’s disciple identity, the enmity between the Soaring Cloud Sect and himself would be set. It’s likely they would hunt him till he’s dead, using both in the light and dark methods to carry out their goal. After all, a disciple chosen by an Origin Core Cultivator cannot be considered a non-threat. Remove the roots to end all problematic growths.

He had little intentions of making an enemy or himself a target and losing his poor little life as a result. Despite a few liquid essences, what did he really receive under his tutelage? It was as fleeting as the wind; It was as brief as a ray of light.

"Sixth Sister, I’ll be going to the Earthly Titan Sect." Shin Xuanji stated his stance. Lin Feilin didn’t seem too surprised as she looked towards him with a slight nod. She turned towards Yan Zaizen.

"I-I...I won’t join the Earthly Titan Sect." He hesitantly replied. In truth, it did seem great to join one of the great sects, but he also didn’t want trouble to follow him. If he could join of his own merits, then great, but even then, the Earthly Titan Sect wasn’t his first choice. He had a family, and if he decided to join a sect, there were things he needed to do before taking that step. He’s not selfish, and he still loved his grandfather.

The reason he says this is because Yan Jinzen was likely to join the Soaring Cloud Sect while Ya Qinqan joins the Water Veil Sect. While the Water Veil Sect is neutral in regards to the Soaring Cloud Sect and Earthly Titan Sect, the Soaring Cloud Sect was still far closer to the Yan Clan than the Earthly Titan Sect. The Basilisk Forest was over ten thousand li away from the Yan Clan, and the Yan Clan had deep ties with the Soaring Cloud Sect.

He could never join the Earthly Titan Sect for fear of harming his family if he was ever forced to choose or end up disgracing his parents’ memories by being branded a traitor. With those considerations, he naturally wouldn’t join.

Because of Han Genji, he felt conflicted about joining the Soaring Cloud Sect as well. It just made everything a headache.

"I see. Then, we’ll depart here." Lin Feilin said. It seems she had her own considerations and plans, unwilling to have Yan Zaizen, who would need protection, and thus were willing to separate. She didn’t even give them time to respond. Executing an exquisite movement-type Qi Art, she vanished.

Unprepared, Yan Zaizen stammered as he held out his hand in an attempt to stop her, but she was already gone. Although he could sense her direction with his powerful spiritual sense, he didn’t chase after her. He knew that doing so wouldn’t accomplish anything.

He could only sigh.

"Originally, I intended to kill you." A frosty voice resounded in Yan Zaizen’s ear causing him to turn his head. It originated from Shin Xuanji. His expression was calm, but one could see deep-seated killing intent within his black pupils. "However, Master would be ashamed of me if I did. So I won’t." He traced Yan Zaizen with his gaze and turned away about to take his leave.

"Wait!" Yan Zaizen shouted, then added, "Why?!"

"I will kill every last one of you." Shin Xuanji didn’t turn around, but his voice turned absolute zero and exceedingly cruel.

Despite not seeing his face, Yan Zaizen could tell he was doing everything in his power not to turn around and strike him dead. Even his body slightly trembled.

"One of me?" Yan Zaizen felt puzzled.

"Every. Last. Yan!" Every word was spoken with untold hatred and deep pain.

"..."

Shin Xuanji executed his own movement-art, vanishing as well.

Yan Zaizen felt enlightened. When he first met Shin Xuanji, he kept feeling a sensation of danger and a hint of killing intent. Even the look in Han Genji’s eyes when he was informed of his name, and how Shin Xuanji was willing to join the Earthly Titan Sect so decisively. A death grudge seemed to be formed between Shin Xuanji and the Yan Clan. Something that would require the entire clan’s annihilation to correct and Han Genji knew about it.

He took a deep breath, looking at where Shin Xuanji left. It seems this Eighth Brother of his, the next time they meet, would likely end in one of their deaths.

"As long as I’m alive, I’ll never let that happen." He quietly stated, swearing an oath to himself.