Chapter 4 Missing Children

Today was most like any other Raya had woken up and went to train in the courtyard. However, she did not find Qin Ming training as well. She thought nothing of it and continued to train the basics. Lei Laoshi walked out to the center plaza and held his arms out to welcome his new student. "Students as you may know the allclan tournament is coming up. With that being said our school qualifies to participate. I want the best chances to win so I'm bringing on a student!" Lei Laoshi waves his hand and a woman clad in green robes and brown hair in pigtails follows behind him

"Her name is Naomi, she is quite strong but as is tradition she must prove herself! Do we have anyone that wishes to fight her" Lei Laoshi cracked an ugly smile. This wasn't just a test for Naomi but any student that wished to battle.

Ryu was moments from stepping up to the plate but Augus slammed his way through "AHAH yes a new opponent face me! Make my blood pump. I hope you aren't some weakling!"

Augus jumped at the chance hoping he would find something of interest in this battle, a new rival! His blood starts to boil and the air starts to feel hotter. Augus lifts his hand up "come at me Naomi I'll let you get the first hit!" he taps his chin taunting her ever so. Naomi's face turns ugly a vein pops from the side of her head. She lifts her hand up and metal energy starts to coalesce in her finger tips. Even Augus, who had no concept of the Dao of Metal, could sense that she had mastered One with Metal. Augus cracked an ugly smile and released his Dao of Fire as well he too had reached One with The Infernos.

A silvery sword that radiated sword-ki appeared in her hands Augus smiled at the sheer murderous intent behind her sword. They both took a few steps forward then turned into blobs of smoke. In quick successive flashes flames fly off in every direction with each clash from Augus and Naomi. She swings her sword at Augus' flank. The blade just slowly fits into the palm of his hand like a missing puzzle piece finding its match. "So you do have actual skill with a sword after all! Then fight me with all your might!" Augus raises his palm up and slams it into her body as a cone of flames spiral out from the other side of her body. She coughs up blood and grits her teeth. "It's not just for show!" Augus coughs up blood as well her blade sticking out the other side of his chest!

Augus smiled like a ravenous beast "yes yes this is what I waited for my whole life! A real fight gives me more Namoi! Give me everything you got!" he cackled and howled like a beast! He lifted up his arm and snapped the blade in half in one fell swoop. Fire energy began to gather in the palm of his hand, the color was hot white. All the heat from the area that had previously festered was stored in the entirety of his palm. He sent his palm into her chest. She was blown into the ground at record speeds. The ground cracked and shattered and the rocks started to melt and turn into lava. A concussive bang followed soon after. Wind broke off in every direction. Augus softly floated back down to the courtyard. "HAHA it seemed you really were all bark and no bite I thought you could live that one!" Augus wipes the blood off his mouth and walks off.

Naomi picks herself up from the crater and stands up, her left eye large and swollen. She had three broken ribs and a fractured femur but was still standing. "Where do you think you are going? I didn't take you for a coward!" Augus stops in his tracks, turns around and faces her. He poses himself for battle taking his combat stance. "Heh pesky flies always make the best fights no matter how many times you slap 'em around they still want to fight!" Augus smirked and tauntingly waved for her to come at him.

Ryu puts his arms in the sleeve of his robes and walks away "how foolish she really thinks her a worthy opponent for Augus" Ryu spits on the ground and walks off. Raya glances at Ryu storm off. She walks over to Lei Laoshi "master, are we really going to let this play out? Augus is going to kill her!" Lei Laoshi laughs to himself "heh heh watch very close student I'm sure you will learn why I picked her!"

Naomi forms metal plating around her skin akin to dragon scales. She adorns a helmet bearing the face of a celestial dragon and another pair of swords. She charges at Augus, his arm snakes around her blade and with his palm pushes the sword out of her hand from the pommel. The other sword gashes the side of his leg making a cut deep into his bone. Augus hisses slightly. He puts his palm onto her chest and sends a blast of flames out the flames blast off every piece of armor she had. Naomi smiled, it really seemed as though she was getting into this battle herself "you are the strongest person I've ever fought, I made the right choice accepting Lei Laoshi as my master!" she clenched her fist and every scrap of metal she had made started to float and react she pointed her finger and each and every bit charged at Augus!

Augus actually seemed as though he was sacred sweat started to bead from his brow he could feel his blood boil he had truly enjoyed himself. He lifts his leg up and kicks Naomi out of the way. He twists his arm around in a circle and a cone of flames shoots up as a pillar into the sky. Some metal fragments were too fast and still ended up slicing and cutting up Augus but a significant amount was still destroyed by his flames. Augus stood up and charged at Naomi, his fists were simply too fast for her to see thousands of blows in mere seconds. Augus could feel himself getting tired as well. Naomi fell to the onslaught she couldn't defend against this type of attack and was done in by Augus. He held up his hands high into the air "HAHA yes a worthy opponent after all this time!" he fell face forward and collapsed as well.

Lei Laoshi, pleased with the results, left and waved for the medical team to treat their wounds. Raya followed close behind. "Is that what I was supposed to see?" Lei Laoshi shakes his head "did you not see Naomi was outmatched in every regard but she used her abilities defensively and offensively as best she could! She even made Augus, who was stronger than her in every regard, collapse." Raya seemed to understand she had to know her own limits and what she can do with her toolkit to beat those stronger than her! If she was smarter she could outlast the dumber stronger opponent.

Raya still had yet to see Qin Ming at all today. This was weird. She decided to stop by his dorm. Once she got to his door he read a note that simply said "went to train in the mountains, don't look for me!" Raya scanned over the note then her blood began to boil she crumpled the note leaving just as quickly.

Raya has become visibly angry and violent. That anyone foolish enough to cross her that morning, well let's just say it wouldn't be pretty… for either party. Raya enters the main hall in an attempt to calm herself, maybe a hot bowl of soup would help.

She heard a voice that was quite recognizable. Naomi's voice asking Ryu something about Qin Ming, in all fairness Qin Ming was noted as the strongest here by many. It was weird she hadn't seen him at all since she's been here. Ryu simply replied "no I haven't the slightest clue. I wouldn't worry a weakling like him will come crawling back any moment. Hopefully in a pile of his own blood".

Raya has grown accustomed to his foul tongue, so his petty attempts at a tease wouldn't pay her any mind. However she couldn't just allow anyone to talk about her junior-apprentice brother in such a manner. "I would remind you the only weak one here is you. Qin Ming is much stronger than you. If you were out in the wilderness the several dire monsters wouldn't even want to defecate on someone so pathetic as you".

Ryu had grown tired of her words. "Oh you think so," Ryu brazenly said to her.

Raya laughed at him "my,my someone like you can't even keep their anger in check. You should just kowtow on the dirt you stand on. Thank it for being so gracious as to let one of its worms on the surface".

Ryu was helpless before her teasing. All he could do was grind his teeth in resentment.

Jiangsu puts his hand on Raya's shoulder even though she is in a terrible mood and could never scare him. "Raya I want you to go find him with so many monstrous beasts out there. Well I fear he might not come back in one piece."

Raya sighed and she knew he spoke the truth. Some of the beasts out there were truly terrifying. "Alright Jiangsu for you I shall find him".

Jiangsu smiled at her promise "thank you be quick, the humans of the outside world are quite violent as well".

Raya knew all too well of the cruelty of the humans. She wouldn't stay out any longer than she must. She stepped outside and instantly a pair of wings grew out of her back. She lifted herself off the ground and started to fly out with great swiftness.

Luckily the surrounding area was quite small. The amount of mountains around them could only be counted on one hand. Let alone the amount that was safe enough to train on.

She stopped at the first one she found. Raya had spent but a moment's time on each mountain. She didn't want to dally and be caught in the wrath of one of the dire monsters.

Surveying the surrounding area she could find no clue leading to him so she just decided to fly off. However before she could she noticed a few regular people being attacked in a blanket of rage. Although the woman had done nothing wrong she was still being beat for it.

Raya couldn't just stand back and do nothing. She immediately rushed to meet them. Quickly she shot up a wall of lava to cut the man off from abusing the woman any further.

Although she'd been warned something had taken over her body. She wasn't thinking of her own safety. All she had cared about in this moment, was protecting the 'ordinary' mortals in front of her. What was in front of her was a massive sea serpent that was about a hundred meters in length. Almost instantaneously the sea serpent was visibly overcome with rage. Raya has no time to fight this massive beast.

All she could do was quickly rush over to the people in-front of her. She wrapped her arms around the two and started to take off. The sea serpent however was berserk with rage. It lifted itself and arched itself. It slammed itself against Raya. She could just barely dodge its massive body. The sea serpent had only one goal: kill this impudent human. How dare these insignificant humans get in the way of his meal.

Raya was desperately moving out of its way trying to make sure not to get caught. The sea serpent was no fool; it knew she was trying to get out of his reach and he wouldn't allow her to gain a single inch. Raya couldn't help but grit her teeth in frustration. "Dammit I guess I have no choice".

She flew to the ground and let the people in her hands go. The sea serpent let out a massive grin "oh so you chose death how delightful".

Raya could only grit her teeth "bastard how terrible is my luck".

Raya charged directly at the massive sea serpent in front of her. With a casual swipe of the beast's tail it sent her back a bit, cracking nearly four ribs. Raya immediately let out a groan from the excruciating pain. Two bright red streams started to fall from her lips. Struggling to get up as the pain in her chest was like an inexorable force that kept her glued to the floor.

Raya lay close to death. She could see her life drift away from her. Shaking off what fear she had. Forcing herself up, she stands on her own two feet like an unmovable object. It was as if she was bolted to the ground. She lifts her hands up causing a pillar of lava to spurt from behind her. She moves her arms like a delicate river, her arms akin to a calming wave. She wastes absolutely zero movements. Then a giant pillar slams against the beast. The serpent dives deeper into the lava as if it was at home. This 'sea serpent' was in fact a primeval serpent that made its dwellings in the deepest parts of the earth. A wave no matter how vast and the ocean no matter how deep could never drown. This was the same concept of course the body of this serpent couldn't tear apart it's body. How could it? "Ahh thank you mortal I was missing home a little"

Raya's face has become ugly to behold. All of her strongest attacks had just become instantly useless. Her luck has absolutely taken a turn for the worse, who could have predicted something like this would happen. Raya has absolutely no one to blame but herself. All she could do was close her eyes and accept fate.

In an instant a booming sound like thunder shakes the ground. A shadowy figure can be seen on top of the primeval serpent with its arms crossed. "Hahaha didn't I tell you to be careful out here, there are several things out there much stronger than you".

Raya smiles slightly as she realizes the figure was Jiangsu. A small tear falls from her eye. "I'm such a fool aren't I".

He shakes his head "just be a bit more careful you don't wanna die out here".

Raya nods as she tries to stand back up but her vision starts to fade to a pitch black, her legs turn to jelly as she falls back. Of course she was still injured. Jiangsu just shakes his head "how foolish I told her not to step into mortal affairs".

About an entire day later

"Oh look she's finally waking up".

"Be quiet you idiot, give her some space".

"At least she didn't die like the weakling she is.''

"Shut up, I told you to be quiet".

One of the people around the room starts to laugh a little bit. "Isn't this just a delightful gathering".

Everyone present all bow their heads in respect "good morning Lei Laoshi".

Everyone quickly gave their respects to their master. "How is my student stable?".

"She just woke up, I think she'll make a full recovery".

Lei Laoshi nods his head "good good one last thing to worry about. What of Qin Ming any news on him?".

"Sadly no we still haven't found him".

Of course students would go off on their own to try to make some form of break though. You couldn't very well temper yourself if you can't die. Life and death situations were like a hammer to hot steel. However, they always had to tell their master first and foremost. Qin Ming just ran off in the middle of the night and no one had any clue of his whereabouts.

Jiangsu has a grim look on his face. "Master you don't think".

Lei Laoshi sighs, "I don't know if it's still too early. And what would they want with such a 'weak' and 'ordinary' mortal like him".

Jiangsu grits his teeth. He starts to bite his fingernails. This situation had gone from confusing to dire overnight.

This must be understood that he had run off without telling anyone. There is absolutely no trace of him. The conclusion on everyone's mind was that he was kidnapped by some dark power. Lei Laoshi turns into a blob of smoke as does Jiangsu.

They obviously knew something everyone present did not. The events leading up to his disappearance were just too strange. What would anyone gain from taking a single mortal? Absolutely nothing, that's why the two left. They went to gather information.

Raya struggles to get out of bed. After all she had just regained consciousness she wasn't totally healed. Ryu slightly smiles "well look at you. I hope you don't plan on getting up".

Raya looks at him and becomes infuriated. He looks back at her with a face just as ugly. "If you try to get up again I'll break your legs so you won't walk again".

She looks upset although she wanted to get up she knew what he just said was the farthest from an empty threat. Ryu smiles "good stay put. If you get hurt badly, Qin Ming will have my head for it. Even if the loser ended up getting himself killed".

It was a shocking thing to hear of course everyone was thinking it was a big possibility, but no one would be as brash as to actually say something like that. It was just simply unthinkable. Naturally not just Raya but everyone present could feel a dark cloud above them, and their blood curled inside their stomachs. They could all feel a cold looming presence.

Everything about his disappearance had been strange and mysterious. Like the note he left, if it wasn't written by him then Raya would've instantly noticed something was amiss. Every living creature in this world and the universe for that matter would release spiritual pressure just by living. This would of course leave residual spirit energy. Every creature had its own unique energy. Just by that and the fact that the two knew each other for so long she would instantly be able to tell just by a simple glance if he wrote it or not.

This was what was so strange: the note did in fact have his energy on it and nothing else was present. So then why did every sign point to the fact he had been taken by some evil force unbenounced to everyone else. This is just too weird and perplexing. What could it all mean? Why couldn't anyone find anything about him? What if it was some type of golem? Golems are not alive in any sense. With that said they also do not have spirit energy of their own. If someone did use a golem using his energy would be child's play.

If this is the truth. Raya could feel her bones shutter with a foreboding sense of fear. If someone did use a golem that means they've had eyes on him for years. It must be understood that Qin Ming was only eight years old, something like this would require at least five years to accomplish. Raya gripped herself tightly to her; it felt as though a slimy, cold, and oddly hot tentacle had gripped her entire body. She felt completely uncomfortable, someone, something has been watching not only Qin Ming but all of them for five years now.

"Ryu, I think I have an idea of this entire ordeal. Go grab Lei Laoshi since I must stay put."

Ryu laughed "oh you must think i'm an idiot don't you as soon as I leave to go get him you will just leave you'll have to be a bit smarter to fool me".

Raya became deathly serious "you can tie me down if you want, I'll swear a blood oath with you anything just go grab him".

Blood oaths were absolutely the most tight forms of promises, if one were to break one soul would instantly be shattered before they could even take their next breath. This was an absolutely iron clad oath, not even gods, that reign supreme and unopposed could put so much as a dent into one.

One could tell just how serious she had been. Ryu sucked his teeth, "fine I trust you, but you better not move a single centimeter, if you do a blood oath will be the least of your problems.''

Raya just smiled delighted "of course I promise I won't so much as think of moving. Go go we don't have much time".

Ryu stood up and in an instant he was gone. In less than the time it takes to boil a pot of tea, Lei Laoshi and Jiangsu appeared in the middle of the door. "Well spit it out what information do you have".

Raya was close to tears "the only thing Qin Ming had left behind was a note. It was covered in his residue so I know he or something with his energy wrote it".

"What are you getting at?".

"Well if it's some organization that took him it means a golem was used imprinted with his energy. But that means they've been watching us for years now. They've been under our noses this entire time".

"You don't mean a traitor".

Raya nods her head "no I don't want to jump to any conclusions".

After all, why would she. Those were her friends; she didn't want to think any of them would hurt him. The people present in the room all started to go practically insane. The more they thought about the matter the more it didn't make sense. Who would do such a thing? Why did they want Qin Ming over anyone else? However, what was very clear is that Qin Ming was missing. Lei Laoshi speaks in a very coarse manner "Raya the information you gave us is absolutely priceless".

He took a more stern look "however we just can't make any use of it. All we know is that either he wrote it or a golem".

Raya's face turned almost ghastly and pale. As true as it was, the information didn't do 'that' much. After all, in the Three Realms perhaps the most useful resource was indeed information. However if you couldn't make any use of it then it would be completely useless. "Lei Laoshi, is there anything I can do to help you".

Raya spoke quickly as it was very clear she was uneasy and uncomfortable. After all she had just lost her junior apprentice brother which she and everyone else held very favorably. Lei Laoshi shook his head "hmmm? Maybe but it's a long shot".

"What is it Lei Laoshi, please tell me"!

"Yes please tell us"!

Everyone present was very excited; they had little to no hope at all. In fact if there was even a slight chance that they could get the slightest lead they would take it. With slight worry in his voice he says "Raya is it correct that you have found only one clue of him or is there more. I'll feel much easier if it's not the only piece".

Raya shakes her head "no master that is the only thing that I have".

Senesi looks solemnly at everyone "it is indeed true that I have a scrying technique. But if we want his location now I'll need the note he left behind. Kidnapped or otherwise it'll lead me right to him. However it is extremely risky we might end up losing the bride and the knight. The choice is yours Raya".

Every eye in the room fell on her awaiting her answer. Raya opens her mouth to speak and at the same time Ryu spoke out "Talk does not cook rice. Enough chit chat. Lei Laoshi if you have a way to find him do it. Raya is too indecisive, if we let her sit and think we'll never find him".

Ryu, although his words cut deep and they were no less true. Action had to be taken now. Lei Laoshi sighed deeply, it was true that he wanted the decision to fall on Raya. After all she was the one who had deeply and truly cared about what happened to Qin Ming. If something happened to him because of her quite a hefty blow would have hit her. Not only that it would be a massive tribulation for her heart. After all, if Qin Ming was dead he was dead. Lei Laoshi had to think of his living students, even though he had doted upon him heavily. "Well if we are all in agreement then I will''.

Everyone present gives the ok and puts his hand out "Raya if you don't mind giving me the note".

She hesitates for a moment then hands it over "you better not mess this up, please get him back".

Lei Laoshi sighs "of course I will do my best and get him home".

Before he was a bit wary but for the sake of Raya he had lied. This was a huge gamble; there was probably a one in ten chance of success. Lei Laoshi took the note and immediately retired to his quarters.

Lei Laoshi holds the note in his hands trying desperately to calm his nerves. "If I mess up in the slightest we might never meet him again".

Why wouldn't his nerves be shot? This was literally the life of his student in his hands. It must be understood that too Lei Laoshi all of his students were like his children. It was a parent worried for his child. Lei Laoshi had no more time to worry every second that passed represented the harder it would be to find him. Lei Laoshi slapped himself to get rid of whatever anxieties he had before performing the scrying technique. Out of nowhere Lei Laoshi pulls a small cauldron in front of him. He tosses in several ingredients like purple mist grass and treeborn pith. Purple mist grass was actually quite common ingredients in the three realms for most basic alchemy purple mist grass would be used as the base. This was simply because when burnt it would generate enough natural and earthy energy this was enough for most ordinary alchemical needs. However treeborn pith would generally be used to find people and in some cases was unorthodox in healing minor wounds. He lit a tre fire under the cauldron allowing the ingredients to melt together into one. Once fully melted the fire turns into a deep crimson color almost like a bloody flame.

"Only one shot"

He quickly reminded himself before throwing in the note.

BOOOM!! CRACKLE!!

Once the note touched the liquid it was turned into a ball of flames that made a noise akin to Pangu smashing apart the nebula. Lei Laoshi noticing the mixture set he quickly downed the liquid not daring the spare the slightest drop. His eyes burned with a crimson and sapphire light. His eyesight was 'normal' aside from the fact everything had a purple tinge and a slightly blue trail was guiding him to Qin Ming or a golem. Lei Laoshi had no idea who was at the end of this trail but he and he alone would follow it. The trial was actually skinny and would slowly fade. This had meant that wherever this person was it was moving.

Lei Laoshi explodes with major speed quickly following the trail so as not to lose it. As he got closer the trail would get much fatter. His eyes would also not change back until he found him. To Lei Laoshi this was a curse. If he found him it would be ecstatic with the outcome. If he failed it would naturally become a constant reminder he failed not only as his master but also as a father. It was very clear how determined he was to find him. In fact very quickly he saw a massive structure that the trail seemed to lead to. His heart froze; this wasn't just some ordinary building. It was the main headquarters of the trinity sect. This was the biggest and most powerful in this prefecture.

Lei Laoshi's heartache at this sight to get him out his chances would be slim or nonexistent. A dark illusory cloud was pouring out of the building. In a thick fog that shone a cold flash to everyone unlucky enough to gaze upon it. He was not shaken in the slightest in fact this aura was no different than his own! Why would he be scared? In fact at his level of power he no doubt stood at the top and was an undisputed figure throughout the Oldjade major world.

Lei Laoshi takes a deep breath in, filling his lungs with all the air he could. With a booming roar he souths out "MY STUDENT YOU HAVE HIM!!! STEP OUTSIDE YOU COWARDS SO I MAY KILL YOU!!!"

With a seemingly simple shout it caused the structure in front of him to stumble slightly.

A dark and shadowy figure sat in complete silence tapping his stone armrest. With a loud boom he was quickly awoken from his meditative state. "Oh who would be so bold as to disturb me in my own domain".

The dark figure moved his hand and two figures with an aura no less than Lei Laoshi's were instantly summoned.

"Yes my lord".

"Your disciple greets you, great exalted master".

The two figures each gave their respects to the patriarch. The dark figure flashed his eyes at the two pouring his killing intent into them. The two pass a quick glance at each other "have I done something to offend you great exalted master"?

The dark figure laughed "no you have not, however someone has disturbed me go see what it is".

The two quickly turned into blobs of smoke not daring to be the slightest bit slow. Soon they met Lei Laoshi who was in a fit of rage. "Who are you ants, give me your leader? I'm not the slightest bit interested in you two".

He didn't give them even a chance to speak. With a simple movement of his arm an arrow of violet energy came flying from the tips of his fingers. With little time to even think the two messengers were instantly blasted apart. "ENOUGH PLAYING COME OUT AND ANSWER FOR YOUR CRIMES YOU ANT"!!!

The dark figure stood up "fine I guess I'll have to personally answer this annoying thorn in my side".

"You said I have your student. Tell me what would I, a late stage Violet Exultant gain from one Basic Mortal. Just leave me alone so I can make a breakthrough and become a Celestial".

Lei Laoshi started to grind his teeth in anger. "Listen here you bastard you have my student I've tracked his energy here. Celestial or not you are an ant to me. Give me my student before I annihilate you and your puny headquarters with a simple palm blow".

The immortal in front of him started to laugh wildly "you are funny why should I give you your student".

In a breaths amount of time Lei Laoshi ripped off his arm and threw it back at the immortal "I wish I could beat you to death with your arm instead but you have my student and you also have answers that I want".

Quickly the immortal grew back his arm and scoffed slightly "fine then follow me".

The two quickly moved to meet a prison cell. Lei Laoshi couldn't help but gasp at the massive prison. What could this immortal possibly plan to do with this many mortals? He could sense a massive amount of baleful energy pouring from the cells. Clearly every single one of the mortals trapped inside had a sharp pain in their hearts. It was so powerful you could almost hear them curse his name. "Tell me what are your plans with all these poor souls''.

The immortal sucked his teeth in anger "do you want your student or do you want to chit-chat?. I could care less".

Clearly this immortal held him in no regard because if they would truly do battle the results would be unclear. The two had just barely dipped their toes into the realm of celestials. They were very close to each other in power. Although Lei Laoshi definitely had him beat in speed the immortal could easily suppress that. Naturally he had techniques that could bind his foe, if he didn't he would naturally be killed. After all, when two figures of equal power met in battle the decision would be met in an instant. Of course Senssei would be willing to die however the immortal was not and so they did not move to kill each other just yet.

"Go quickly grab your student and leave me alone".

The immortal couldn't help but curse his name. Why did he have to have such terrible luck and have to bow his head. Lei Laoshi passed him a disgusted glance then moved to pick up his child. To Lei Laoshi Qin Ming was more than a student to him; he was his son. He has raised him since birth so naturally he would have doted upon him so much. "All those years ago you were left in my care. Naturally I will not let you go".

He shot forward with immense speed and precision. Until he reached the youth's cell. Instantly tears flowed down Lei Laoshi's face as well as Qin Ming's.

"Ma-master"!!

"MY SON"!!

He instantly broke his cell apart and wrapped his arms around his son. "Quickly now let us move".

"Right ".

The youth nodded his head then the two quickly departed. They turned into blobs of smoke then quickly made it back to the school. In fact it took them about half a day to make it back over.