Purgatory

The guard who saw Aerion was running around and alerting the other, more powerful Heavenly Sword Villa cultivators. That one little mistake was becoming a problem as Earth Profound and Sky Profound cultivators started to look for the thief.

~

After Aerion took a few steps away from the guard, he suddenly woke up. His eyes opened and he saw the cloaked thief who knocked him out, he instinctively shouted for help. Catching this thief was more important than anything, even his life.

"THE THIEF IS HERE!!! HELP!!!"

Aerion turned around and saw the guard.

"Shut your damn mouth!"

*Throw*

Then a sword intercepted Sky Piercer, both weapons fell to the ground.

"Go, you've done well. This is our fight now."

Eight Earth Profound and three Sky Profound cultivators appeared to save the day. All ready to kill Aerion for ten Earth Profound swords. This was the moment Aerion knew he was going to die, or at least get close to dying. He could just surrender but that would probably result in death too. Escaping? Those Sky Profound cultivators can fly... all he can do now is fight and die nobly!

"Jasmine... how about you help me a bit?"

"You've gotten yourself into a huge mess because you didn't kill that weakling of a guard. Being a "good" and merciful person usually leads to loss. Let this be your lesson, Jun Long!"

*SLASH!!!*

All three Sky Profound cultivators fall like wheat that's been cut by the scythe. Then four of the eight Earth Profound cultivators fall the same way, leaving only 4 weak Earth Profound cultivators alive.

"Hmph, you can deal with the rest."

The Earth Profound cultivators were shaking in fear. Who is that girl? Why is she so strong? Will they live another day?

"I'll give you all one cha- nevermind, you're all dying."

Aerion's eyes transformed into a crimson colour as he activated his Sharingan. Then his left eye turned silver and dragon scales began to grow on his arms. Draconic Heart!

Their morale was pretty low and so, Aerion had an easier time than he should've. He exploded and grabbed Sky Piercer before they could react. Then one of them tried to attack, he froze for a moment. This was all Aerion needed as he forced Sky Piercer to go right through him. Before Aerion could withdraw his halberd from his victim's chest, one of the earth profound cultivators attacked. Aerion let go of his halberd, crouched and calmly released his Hidden Blade. Counter Kill!

Shtt.

The Hidden Blade pierced the cultivator's heart, effectively ending his life.

Aerion deactivated his Hidden Blade and kicked the dead cultivator away. Then he retrieved Sky Piercer just in time to block a slash. After being blocked, the cultivator who attacked him moves back.

"It's clear that you're far weaker than the girl... we can defeat you."

Is that so?

Star God's Broken Shadow, Falling Moon Sinking Star!

BOOM!

The cultivator disappeared from existence before he could perform his profound skill. The last remaining cultivator decided it would be best to run...

"Where do you think you're going?"

Aerion turned around, his red Sharingan eye blazing with killing intent. The Heavenly Sword Villa cultivator's life was over... and he knew it.

FIRE BREATH.

After that, Aerion walked away before reinforcements arrived.

~

The Heavenly Sword Villa was shattered over their loss. Three Sky Profound elders and eight Earth Profound cultivators... all dead, in just one night. Who was this thief? This thief risked everything just to steal ten Earth Profound swords... it didn't make sense (he could've stolen far more). Especially when the thief was estimated to be really deep into the Sky Profound Realm. Another confusing thing was; the thief didn't fly... not once, according to the guard who escaped.

~3 days later~

Aerion was getting closer to the Noble Rogue Sect, but then a sudden obstacle arose.

One Rotias cult member... how did he find me? And he's at the Ninth Stage of the Earth Profound Realm! Beyond his mask, all that I see was his lifeless black eyes. I can't rely on Jasmine, she hasn't spoken since she wiped out the Sky Profound cultivators. I don't want to make her condition worse... besides, Rotias is my problem.

Draconic Heart.

"Our Lord has searched far and wide for you, Jun Long."

"What is your Lord's end goal?" Aerion asked

"World domination."

"So, that means I shouldn't be a problem. I don't plan on conquering this world..."

"It doesn't matter what you think, destiny has made it so. One way or another, you'll get in the way of our Lord's mission... THEREFORE YOU MUST DIE!"

The cult member charged Aerion after drawing his sword, Aerion stepped back. Then, in an instant, the cult member teleported behind Aerion.

What!? He's so fast... I can't keep up!

STAB!

The cultist stabbed Aerion right through his chest. Then he kicked him to the floor. Aerion fell to the ground, unable to move due to the pain.

"You're still so young and weak... GAH!"

The cultist began to move around like he's resisting something... could it be Rotias trying to possess him? Then he finally stopped and his eyes glowed dark green.

"Ah yes, where were we? Oh yes... you... YOU. Your death... that was the subject before. Do you know how long I've waited to get my vengeance? Those white flames... they remind me of my last battle against Aerios... when I was truly strong. Now all I can do is..."

"You talk... too... much!"

GHOST FLAMES, BURN HIM.

"White flames... unfortunately, you're not in the state to use them properly."

Rotias stepped back far enough to be safe from the flames. Rotias was right, Aerion was far too injured to use the flames effectively. Aerion coughed up some blood and the flames disappeared... his body was refusing to comply with his commands.

"Poor little Jun Long... or should I say Aerion Targaryen. Honestly, which one do you prefer? Jun Long the genius cultivator or Aerion the tragic prince?"

"How... do you know?"

"I'm a God. Despite my weakened state, I still know a lot of things... especially when it comes to mortals I'm personally interested in. I might pay a visit to your uncle and aunt after I'm done with you... ah yes. It's too soon for you to die, you haven't suffered enough... yet!"

Rotias returned to Aerion and stepped on his midriff (stomach).

"How do you feel... do you feel the pain?" Rotias asked as he stepped harder.

"Go to... HELL."

CRIMSON DEMON WAVE!

*BOOM*

The wave sends Rotias a few dozen meters away. Finally, Aerion stands up. The deep sword wound was semi-healed, allowing Aerion to finally move.

"You can still move, impressive. Now..."

Aerion looked at Rotias.

There's a very low chance I can win... but I have to try. Draconic Heart.

"Dark Void, Death-seeking Spears."

Ghost Flames, Earth Golem Creation!

The flames countered the spears and ten golems went around to flank Rotias. Aerion used Star God's Broken Shadow.

"Not bad, not bad... you're going behind me, aren't you?"

No, not this time!

Aerion's afterimage was behind Rotias... the real Aerion was heading straight towards him! The golems restrained Rotias. He broke free and destroyed them in mere moments... but he had a bigger problem he wasn't even aware of. He realised that the Aerion behind him was a fake, something to distract him.

"No... you trapped me, you damn BASTARD."

Aerion clenched his right fist and crimson scales appeared on his whole hand. Large amounts of Profound Energy gathered in his right hand. Ghost flames gathered too, amplifying the strength of his hand.

"I'll make sure you die..."

THIRD STAGE OF CALAMITY DRAGON ARTS: PURGATORY!!!

SUPREME SILVER GHOST FIST!

"DARK VOID, DEATH-SEEKING SPEARS!"

BANG!!!

Rotias gets hit HARD in the stomach. Aerion punched right through him, resulting in a large hole. Rotias falls to the ground. But he was still (somehow) able to move. Aerion breathes heavily... GHOST FIRE BREATH.

"...DAMN YOU AND YOUR SO-CALLED PURE FLAMES... I WILL RETURN, DON'T YOU WORRY. MY CULT CONTINUES TO GROW, SOON THE WHOLE WORLD WILL SUBMIT TO ME! WHAT WILL YOU DO THEN? FIGHT THE WHOLE WORD ON YOUR OWN? HAHAHAHAH..."

Those were his last words before he was burnt away. In the end, there was nothing left. Aerion stood still, his whole front body penetrated with spears. He slowly took off the spears, one by one.

"I don't think I'll be back to 100% in a... while."

Aerion dropped to the floor.

~

"My Lord... is it really you?"

Aerion opened his eyes...