Treasure hunt(2)

Nick made his way to the area of the nearby forest that the treasure was said to be in completely unaware that there was in fact no such treasure. the trip was uneventful since nick was stealthy in his approach so no one noticed him. the area in question was part of the huge forest that seemed to be ever present in cultivation worlds. this forest was a bit different in a very big way as somehow all of the plants seemed to be exuding a sort of sword aura. even the trees had sharp sword shaped leaves that cut flesh like air. nick was unbothered by the hostile plantlife as his body was more durable than most weapons and was only getting more so as he pushed his body refinement further. once he was inside the forest nick released the disguise technique and changed back into his human form with which he was used to. examining the local flora nick frowned as he could only see things that would benefit a weapon cultivator but not a single thing looked like it would work for anyone else. at this observation nick moved deeper into the forest was a certain group was making their move.

Cities across the kingdom were going about their usual business when suddenly massive glowing red formations sprang into existence under over twenty of them. at first it seemed as though these formations didn't do anything but soon the people in the cities began to drop dead starting with the mortals. after that the death toll started to sky rocket as the lives lost started to power the formation further and further until nearly everyone inside them had died. in the center of the formations sat a large sphere the size of house that glowed with a swirling red color that gave off an ominous feeling. the members of the organization each had a talisman that protected them from the effects of the formation as them met up near the sphere in the center. once the members had all gathered they channeled qi into the air around the sphere until it was surrounded before the formations were shut off. immediately the spheres destabilized at which point the qi field around them started to compress them down until they changed into small red crystals that would have horrified anyone who knew what they were , philosophers stones.

Nick was not aware of what had happened in his absence as the sword aura of the forest blocked any of the aftershocks of the event from reaching him.