Envoys

Crack! Crack!

As the python felt a sharp pain in its tail, it felt as though its tail was being crushed by a small mountain. Its entire tail was enveloped by a black Magical Energy that seemed to resemble a never-ending smoke.

The youth that was crushing its tail increased his strength, as the scales broke down and blood splashed out from its wounds. The python ignored the youth in white, as its fangs were bare and pounced towards the other youth.

In battle, losing focus and becoming distracted was a fatal flaw. A sharp sword image pierced through the sky, landing above the python's head. As its head approached its tail, the sword image dropped down with its blade aiming at the python.

Whoosh! Sloosh!

With perfect timing and accuracy, the sword used the momentum to cut through the head of the python in a single moment. The sword image appeared on the other side in an instant, as it rotated in the air slowly, before soaring high into the air and floated above the youth in white.

The python's huge body plummeted onto the ground, hustling about while the head no longer showed any signs of life. As the python died, it held deep regrets within its heart during its final moments.

As a powerful Middle Tier Grade Two Demonic Beast, it had not only been injured but also killed by two youths in the Awakening Realm. Of course, this kill wasn't purely out of strength.

The only reason it died was that it had made a careless mistake by suddenly changing its target. By taking advantage of this, the youth in white could catch it off guard by aiming for the exact moment that it would temporarily loosen its defenses and focus entirely on attacking.

With a perfectly timed attack, the python's skull was pierced through starting from its blinded eye, down through its entire mouth. The youth in black removed his terrifying Magical Energy and let go of his tight grasp on the python's tail.

Deep palm marks could be clearly seen from the wounds on its tail. It was a testament of pure Divine strength that allowed the youth to break through its defenses using his bare hands.

The youth dusted his dirty clothing that gained some dust while he had been flung around and crashed into the ground, as well as surrounding trees. Fortunately, his clothes didn't tear and was only a little dirty.

The python was cleaned up nicely, being stored inside the Storage Ring. After killing the python, the two youths found a place to rest and cultivate. Some time had gone by since they entered the core of the Blackcloud Forest.

With a Middle Tier Grade Two Demonic Beast suddenly gone, it was sure to cause a sensation within the forest. By then, some movements could be made, while it was also getting dark.

That night, the youths had python meat for dinner. The meat of the python was tender and appetizing, while also bringing slight benefits to their body. Demonic Beasts were creatures that cultivated. By eating their meat that was filled with Qi and vitality, a tiny portion of the absorbed Qi would flow into the consumer if eaten within a certain period of time, before the Qi would dissipate.

After their meal, Yan Lenglei and Mo Jidong sat near each other to cultivate. Around Yan Lenglei, an enchanting storm of ice and thunder surrounded his entire body. Anyone who approached him while he was cultivating, would be shrouded in a world of thunder and ice in an instant.

As for Mo Jidong, a terrible demonic black smog surrounded his body as he rolled around in pain. Anyone coming into contact would feel a breath of heavy pressure, as though a mountain fell on them. They would feel like kneeling as though they had met a demon lord.

******

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two figures dashed through a large forest that was made up of large trees that were black in color. The treetops shook, as two figures moved between the trees, slowly returning to their original position momentarily.

The youths dressed in black and white were seen leaving the Blackcloud Forest. After being inside for a while, it was time for them to return home. Many Demonic Beasts had been slain by them during their trip to the forest this time, if they continued, there would hardly be any left to hunt in the future.

Returning home, Yan Lenglei and Mo Jidong went their separate ways. As he arrived home, Yan Lenglei immediately met his parents.

"Lei, Mengyi has been formally invited into the Divine Dao Mountain. After awakening her Divine Rune, it was revealed that she possessed a Low Tier Spirit Grade Divine Rune."

"The Divine Dao Mountain heard the news and immediately sent for envoys to invite her, allowing her to skip the tests and formally become a disciple at any time."

"Did she accept?" Yan Lenglei asked.

"En, but she wanted to wait until the Four Great family gathering at the end of the year, before entering the sect. As her fiance, once you are a disciple of the Divine Dao Mountain, you two will be a match made in heaven." his mother explained.

Yan Lenglei nodded without replying. He kept his cold face, as well as his thoughts to himself as he listened to his parents talk. He also learned that his grandfather would soon return to watch the Four Great family gathering at the end of the year.

It would be the first time he would see his grandfather for a few years. Usually, his grandfather would travel outside for a few years then come back and stay for a month or two before leaving again.

Since he was young, he was used to it. He had no idea what realm of cultivation his grandfather was, but knew that his father was at the Viscount Realm, while his mother was also at the Viscount Realm.

Since his grandfather was quite old, his cultivation would obviously at least be in the Viscount realm. In fact, he heard that his grandfather was actually more talented than his father, with his own father only inheriting some of his talents.

Inside his room, Yan Lenglei cultivated peacefully without any disturbance.

******

In the blink of an eye, several months had passed. It was now time for the Four Great family gathering hosted by the Four Great families to be held. Yan Lenglei's grandfather, Yan Tianfu had returned a week earlier.

The entire family celebrated his return with a small feast held between the family. Yan Lenglei's uncle and aunt joined in since they were all living in one home.

"Lei, you're participating in the gathering. Once you pass the selection into the Divine Dao Mountain, it will be smooth sailing for you." his grandfather said, stroking his beard.

"Of course, after all, he is your grandson, father." his uncle replied, as he nodded in agreement. Even though he was cold, Yan Lenglei's family all loved him. There was no conflict between the older generation, with his father, uncle and aunts getting along well.

Putting down his chopsticks, Yan Lenglei got up and waited by the door. Soon, his family would all gather at the promised location by carriage. There, Mo Jidong, Jing Mengyi, and the rest of the children and their families would be.

Sitting inside the carriage, Yan Lenglei was about to cultivate again, as he was momentarily stopped. "Lei, how's your cultivation?" his grandfather asked.

"Not bad." he replied. Closing his eyes, he began to cultivate while keeping his own aura in check, so that nobody could tell his real cultivation base. After a while, the carriage stopped, indicating that they had arrived.

Stepping foot outside, a large platform surrounded by a large crowd made up entirely of citizens of Blackcloud City were seen bustling about and making noise. The citizens had arrived much earlier, so that they could get good seats to watch all the action take place.

Not only that, they would be able to see the envoys of the Divine Dao Mountain up close if they landed themselves a good seat. Walking along with his family, Yan Lenglei stayed at the back, as his family joined the other three.

There, he saw Mo Jidong standing with his arms crossed, and looking angry as usual, as well as Jing Mengyi, his ex-fiancee, and her family.

"Brother Yan! It's been a few years since we last met, come, come, we brothers have some things to discuss." Grandpa Jing opened his arms wide, waiting for Yan Tianfu so that they could hug.

"Indeed, we have some things to catch up on. Let the children do the talking, we're here as spectators today." Yan Tianfu replied, sitting down after hugging his sworn brother.

His parents also greeted Jing Mengyi's parents. While his parents were friendly, Jing Mengyi's father was only acting in politeness. After all, he was the mastermind behind the scheme to steal Yan Lenglei's original Divine Rune.

Finding himself a seat, Yan Lenglei sat with his eyes closed, as the remaining families and younger generation arrived. It took another hour for everyone to gather, before the event finally began.

Of course, it wouldn't truly begin, until the Divine Dao Mountain envoys arrived. Speaking of them, two powerful auras could be felt in the skies above. As the two auras came closer, one would be able to see two men who seemed relatively young, in their late twenties at most.

They were flying through the air without any Spiritual Tools to support them, which meant they were at least in the Viscount Realm. A Spiritual Tool is the name of tools such as weapons and armor.

They each had their own grade and tier, which were the same as the ranks of Divine Runes. As for being able to fly, upon reaching the Viscount Realm, one would have enough Spiritual Qi to support their own bodies and take flight.

Before that, one would need the help of a Spiritual Tool that acts as a medium to allow a cultivator to take flight. Each way of flight had their own advantage. Using a Spiritual Tool not only looked cooler, but it also consumed less Spiritual Qi to take flight.

As for flying without using a Spiritual Tool, one would expend much more Spiritual Qi, but was much faster and showed a cultivator's status as an expert of the Viscount Realm.

The two envoys arrived, in their classy red robes and white linen cloth underneath. They both came down, as everyone got up to welcome them.

"Welcome, envoys of the Divine Dao Mountain."

"Seniors, there is no need to greet us, you are after all our seniors, and possess greater strength than us, there is no need for you to be polite." one of the two envoys replied, filled with respect and an upright way of speech.

The envoys landed, joining the four families up high on the stage. Yan Tianxian and the other three patriots of the Four Great families got up together to make a short speech.

Once the speech was over, the crowd burst out in cheers and applause. The annual Four Great family gathering would soon begin!