The Married Life Of Immortals

As the energy from the spirit dispersed, the clearing around the Nexus Tree grew quiet. Wei Nam Lee stepped forward, having completed the second array. The symbols on the ground glowed with a deep purple light, indicating that the barrier was fully activated.

"Well done, Bane," Wei Nam Lee said, his voice filled with admiration. "You've successfully neutralized the Tree Spirits. The first phase is complete."

Bane nodded, catching his breath as he surveyed the area. Lysia and Mizuage joined them, having dealt with the spiritual beasts drawn to the location. Mizuage looked utterly exhausted, as if he had fought all the beast by himself.

"You see! I killed far more beasts than you!" Mizuage declared, and Lysia raised her eyebrows at him.

"You killed them all. I didn't help, but I also didn't come out here to train, you did," Lysia said, but then turned to Bane. "You did well, and rationed your mana."

Bane nodded, making a fist. "I feel like I could do it again!"

Mizuage growled at seeing Bane still full of energy. "Then next time you can fight all the beasts!"

Bane frowned at this. "I couldn't do what you did, so you are better than me. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

The White Dragon narrowed his eyes at his master, but then walked away, dusting himself off as he went. There was no point in fighting with either the elf or his master. No matter how old and wise he was, they both held a severe upper hand over him.

As the tension in the clearing began to ease, Wei Nam Lee approached Bane, giving him a nod of approval. "With the Tree Spirits neutralized, we can now proceed with the final phase of our plan. The Nexus Tree must be permanently sealed."

Lysia, still gathering mana, glanced at Wei Nam Lee. "How long will it take to set up the permanent seal?"

Wei Nam Lee wiped his brow again, his expression thoughtful. "It will take some time, and the process is delicate. I'll need everyone to be on high alert in case of any more disturbances."

Bane, still catching his breath, looked up at the glowing Nexus Tree. "What exactly does the permanent seal entail?"

Wei Nam Lee began to lay out his tools and materials for the final array. "The permanent seal involves creating another array. It is a multi-layered barrier that will not only suppress the Nexus Tree's energy indefinitely, but also the spiritual beasts it is suppressing. It requires precision and a significant amount of spiritual energy. The blood of the Black Horned Boar King was just the beginning. We'll need additional elements to ensure its stability."

Mizuage, now calmer, stepped forward, still dusting himself off. "What else do you need? I'm ready to go find it."

Wei Nam Lee nodded appreciatively. "We need the essence of a Lunar Lotus, a rare flower that only blooms under a full moon. It will grow in a Moonlit Glade that will be somewhere deep within the heart of the forest. You will only find it at night, and the glowing Lunar Moon Beast that will look like a white wolf with a glowing curved horn will mark the location. Fetching it will be dangerous, but necessary."

Lysia looked at Bane, her expression serious. "Bane, you should accompany Mizuage. The two of you will have a better chance together. The Lunar Moon Beast won't be easy to defeat, and you'll need to work as a team."

Bane, though exhausted, nodded in agreement. "Alright, let's go. The sooner we get the Lunar Lotus, the sooner we can complete the seal."

Mizuage, though reluctant to admit it, seemed relieved to have Bane's help. "Fine. Let's move quickly. The Moonlit Glade isn't going to be easy to find, and the sun is setting."

The two set off into the forest, the eerie stillness around them only broken by the occasional rustle of leaves or distant calls of night creatures. As they moved deeper into the forest, the canopy above thickened, and the light grew dimmer, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere.

Bane glanced at Mizuage as they walked. "What did you do before you created the Immortal White Dragon Sect? What made you want to even climb up to the 9th heaven? You are a Dragon, right? Why involve yourself with humans? Or is the leader of the Fiery Heaven's Lotus Sect also a dragon like you?"

Mizuage's eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and contemplation as he walked beside Bane, the dense forest canopy casting long shadows over their path. After a moment of silence, he spoke, his voice quieter and more reflective than usual.

"Before I created the Immortal White Dragon Sect, I was indeed a dragon of the celestial realms. Dragons, you see, have a natural inclination towards power and knowledge. My journey to the Ninth Heaven was driven by a desire to surpass my own limits, to attain a form of immortality that goes beyond mere existence. However, the higher I climbed, the more I realized that true power isn't just about what you can achieve alone; it's about what you can build and protect."

Bane listened intently, intrigued by this rare glimpse into Mizuage's past. "So, you chose to create a sect and involve yourself with humans because you believed in building something lasting?"

"Yes," Mizuage replied, his gaze distant as if recalling long-buried memories. "Humans, despite their short lifespans, possess a resilience and potential that fascinated me. I saw in them a mirror of my own aspirations. The Fiery Heaven's Lotus Sect, led by another dragon, shares a similar philosophy. However, their methods and goals differ from ours. Our paths crossed many times, sometimes as allies, other times as adversaries."

Bane nodded thoughtfully. "I see, but then what started the fight between your two sect's? What could make them want to completely wipe out your sect?"

Mizuage sighed, his expression darkening as he recalled the past. "The conflict between the Immortal White Dragon Sect and the Fiery Heaven's Lotus Sect began with a misunderstanding that spiraled out of control. At the heart of it was a powerful artifact known as the Celestial Flame Lotus. This artifact was said to possess immense spiritual energy capable of enhancing cultivation and granting insights into the celestial realms. Both our sects sought it, believing it could solidify our respective legacies."

Bane nodded, his curiosity piqued. "And this artifact, did it actually exist?"

Mizuage's eyes narrowed. "Oh, it existed. The problem was, it was in the possession of a neutral party—a hermit sage who had no intention of giving it to anyone. He valued balance and feared that the artifact would disrupt the equilibrium of power in the world."

"Let me guess," Bane said, his tone wry. "Both your sects tried to take it by force."

Mizuage nodded grimly. "Precisely. What began as a diplomatic mission quickly devolved into a bitter confrontation. The sage, in his wisdom, sealed the Celestial Flame Lotus away and vanished. Both sects blamed each other for the loss, and what started as a skirmish over an artifact escalated into a full-scale war."

Bane looked thoughtful. "So now it's a matter of pride and revenge, more than the actual artifact."

"Yes," Mizuage confirmed. "The Fiery Heaven's Lotus Sect believes that destroying us will restore their honor and prove their superiority. They see us as a constant reminder of their failure, a thorn in their side that must be removed."

"So, In the end, this flame wasn't even found? The cultivation world is pretty cutthroat, but I guess when you said power means everything, you weren't kidding," Bane sighed, and Mizuage nodded, but held up a hand for them to stop moving.