The Divine Star Continent is huge, with countless powerhouses residing in it. These powerhouses include clans, tribes, churches, manors, empires such as the Su Dynasty and Western Wen.. And finally, the most domineering of all, sects.
One of the sects of Divine Star Continent is the Immortal Devil Sect, a demonic path sect that specializes in grooming children and youths into cold-blooded devils, devils who shall wreak havoc in the continent and unleash destruction upon the world's denizens. In fact, their Daoist Teachings and Core Doctrines all revolve around massacre and slaughter.
Usually, such sects are frowned upon and not allowed to exist in the cultivation world, however, the Immortal Devil Sect is an exception, because they have mind-boggling strength and immense reserves. Even kingdoms and empires such as Western Wen has to be careful around them, because the Immortal Devil Sect is said to have entities equivalent to Rank 4 Qi Experts in strength.
In the cultivation world, Rank 1s and Rank 2s are common while Rank 3s are rare but Rank 4 Qi Experts and above are paramount paragons who are equivalent to deities, they are terrifying figures whose abilities are beyond comprehension. Having such figures in one's sect is a huge deterrent, and usually people would not dare to trifle with them.
Currently, Ximen Wei had no idea what's going on. He lapsed into unconsciousness the moment he found a safe place to hide in, outside, a search was going on. Multiple experts of the Song Family were dispatched in order to find the intruder, they searched far and wide but to no avail. Eventually, they gave up.
Fortunately for Ximen Wei, before Old Mao could say anything, he died of blood loss. His injuries were far too severe, and because he overexerted himself earlier by using the vocal attack, his injuries worsened and his life force was snuffed out. And unlike Old Mao, the remaining guard could not see through Ximen Wei's Qi Cloaking Technique and therefore could not pinpoint the identity of the intruder.
No one suspected Ximen Wei at the moment, his gamble pretty much paid off, even the posters that were distributed depicted someone else, even tho both had the same height, no one would suspect that a 10 year old child is this vicious murderer to sneaked into the grand mansion of the Song family and slaughtered more than 10 elites.
The meeting between the Overlords and Long Gen soon ended, and everyone dispersed, going back to their posts and preparing for the inevitable clash that's going to happen. Song Peizhi finally finished his duties in the Criminal District and went back home, but when he heard what happened to his precious toys, he flipped in anger and nearly throwed all the guards who were responsible for guarding the dungeon in jail, if it were not for the Song Family's Patriarch, Song Peizhi's father, the Song Family would have almost no guards.
Deep in the Green Lotus City Center, a grand and luxurious mansion lay there, inside of it, resides the one and only Rank 2 Qi Expert of the Green Lotus City, the Green Lotus City Lord! Currently, he was in his office, accompanied by his two generals, whom both emanated the fearsome auras of Rank 1 Qi. They sat there contemplating and coming up with plans, plans to defend the city from the incoming attack of multiple Qi Cultivators.
The Green Lotus City was a strategic city in the first place, it was equipped with weapons and formations to defend against possible attacks from the Su Dynasty, after all, it resided in the border between Western Wen and the Su Dynasty. Even the soldiers and Qi Cultivators placed in it were the elites of the elite, the best of the best. Western Wen's stance could already be seen by placing a Rank 2 Qi Expert in a city filled with mortals, therefore, the Green Lotus City Lord and his generals didn't spend too much time to come up with a potent plan to defend themselves and even counterattack the enemy!
After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the Green Lotus City Lord and his generals went off their separate ways, issuing orders and prepping up themselves.
At the moment, the entire city went quiet. The clash between the city's authorities and the criminal district died down, the streets became empty, the bustling market that used to be a major trading hub for Western Wen is nowhere to be seen, everyone closed down their stalls. All the windows and doors were shut tight, and no one dared to make a noise.
A heavy, suffocating atmosphere slowly made its' way to the city, and everyone in the city felt the ominous feeling of an impending catastrophe welling up inside their hearts.. Apparently, this was the calm before the storm! Something big is going to happen, and it may change the Green Lotus City forever.
Reinforcements came from Western Wen, stationing themselves all over the city's garrisons. Qi Formations lit up as a dome of light engulfed the entire city. No one was permitted to enter or exit the city no matter the circumstances, soldiers could be seen everywhere on the streets as surveillance got harsher and harsher. But that was not only it, powerful Divine Senses swept over the city from time to time, ensuring nothing out of the ordinary is happening.
Two days passed, and finally, Ximen Wei woke up from his supposed coma. His vision swam and he was assaulted by a headache, but that was bearable. After regaining his senses, he looked around and his heart dropped.
He found himself in an unfamiliar room, the room had no adornment or decoration whatsoever, not even furniture, only a sleeping mattress that he was sleeping on. He smiled bitterly as his eyes shone with a bit of nostalgia, this reminded him back of his own room in the small village where he used to reside, he thought back to his supposed parents, Qin Liqiu and Ximen Fei, who took care of him when he was child.
Although he was emotionless for the most part back then, a part of him missed them, although they were not his real parents, at least they took good care of him, and showed genuine love for him. He thought back to Uncle Fang, and how he would tell all the wonderful stories about Qi Experts holding up the sky and splitting mountains open with the wave of a finger.
His eyes shone brightly as he thought back to his real family back in planet Earth... As he thought back to her... and the promise between both of them.
Then suddenly, his vision became red as he thought back to the very first day when he arrived in this world. He was a baby, being held in Ximen Fei's hands... Ximen Fei looked at him with fatherly love and yet, Ximen Wei looked back at him with fearful eyes, with eyes that shone with untold heights of fear.
Then he went back two years in the past, to the day where his village was invaded by Western Wen soldiers, he witnessed slaughter, death and killings... He witnessed horrible things happening to his village members, he witnessed his blood mother getting violated by a bunch of soldiers.. He witnessed the head of his blood father, Ximen Fei, flying off his shoulders.
Eventually, Ximen Wei shook his head as he got up from his bed. He looked around the room only to find nothing of interest, he made his way towards the wooden door and opened it, inside, he found his gang leader, the Illustrious Viper, Long Gen, sitting on a chair and reading a thick book. When Long Gen saw Ximen Wei standing there, he put down his book as he got up from his chair and walked towards him, then he lifted Ximen Wei's hand up and put his finger tips on his wrist, he closed his eyes for a moment then nodded his head and said in a satisfied tone.
"Good, your injuries are almost healed. Kid, what's your name again?"
Ximen Wei looked up at Long Gen, he did not know what to make of this situation, after becoming a Level 1 Qi Trainee, he can sense the Qi undulations coming off Qi Cultivators and therefore, could estimate their cultivation bases, that was how he figured out that the red-haired young man back in the Song Family's dungeon is a Level 2 Qi Trainee, however, when he looked at Long Gen, he could not sense anything at all! It was almost as if the man in front of him was a mortal. When he thought about the implications of that, his heart almost dropped as a thought popped up in his mind.
'A Rank 1 Qi Expert at the very least!'
However, since Long Gen asked him a question, Ximen Wei had to put his thoughts in the back of his minds.
"It's Ximen Wei, Sir."
Long Gen nodded in approval as he asked yet another question:
"Wei'er right? Can you please tell me how many Extraordinary Meridians you opened so far?"
"S-six sir."
Although Long Gen was prepared for this answer, his heart still leaped with joy! Such innate talent was a valuable treasure to any sect! He knew he striked it big this time. Six Extraordinary Meridians just in the first level of Qi Trainees is something only Dao Children of super sects and powerhouses could do! And despite all of that, Ximen Wei is still just a 10 year old child, that only made him even more valuable!
A wide smile plastered itself on Long Gen's face, despite only exchanging couple words with Ximen Wei, he was already very very pleased with him. This time, Long Gen waved his sleeve and a Qi Condensation Manual made its' way into Ximen Wei's hands.
This time, it was an Earth Grade Manual, it was in the form of a notebook instead of a scroll, it had way more Qi Techniques and covered the steps necessary to reach the 3nd level of Qi Trainees. However, unlike the scroll from before, this manual has no strand of Qi that can instantly make one gain enlightenment and become a Qi Cultivator. Ximen Wei has to rely on his hard word and dedication in order to achieve enlightenment and gain more skills and Qi Techniques to advance.
Ximen Wei's heart thumped as he looked at the Earth Grade Qi Condensation Manual, he could sense that it was extraordinary, and definitely richer in content than the scroll he got. However, suspicion rose in his heart, he looked towards Long Gen as he uttered a sentence forcibly, the mental pressure coming off from Long Gen alone made it super hard for Ximen Wei to breathe.
"Sir... You know that I'm poor as pauper, what price do I have to pay for this Qi Condensation Manual?"
Long Gen's eyes flickered imperceptibly, he studied Ximen Wei carefully before he chuckled lightly. From now on, he viewed Ximen Wei in a new light.
"Haha! Wei'er, you're so smart! Don't worry though, I'm not going to ask for money or resources, in fact, I'm not going to charge you any price for the Qi Condensation Manual! All I ask for Little Wei'er is to join my humble sect and become a disciple!"
Ximen Wei couldn't help but be surprised, he has heard of Sects when he read the World Encyclopedia Uncle Fang got for him, his heart beat faster he realized this is once in a lifetime opportunity for him!
To Ximen Wei, sects are like schools and universities, an environment where people learn about the Dao and cultivate Qi in order to become powerful experts, overall, sects are places where they pass down their Daoist Teachings and Core Doctrines to youth. If Ximen Wei joined such a place, then his journey would be unimpeded, and he would save a lot of time and return back to his home faster.
Ximen Wei couldn't help but feel a bit of excitement, however, his expression stayed the same as before, indifferent and expressionless, he asked in an indifferent tone, yet deep down he was as anxious as ever.
"May I ask Sir what kind of sect am I joining? And what is the illustrious' sect's name?"
Ximen Wei was looking forward to the reply! There are legendary sects he wished to join written in the World Encyclopedia, and he hoped the sect that's going to come out Long Gen's mouth is one of those legendary sects!
Long Gen smiled as he sat back on his chair and grabbed his book, he put one leg on top of the other and spoke in a righteous, sagely tone.
"What kind of sect are you joining? Well, let me say this. Our Sect is one of the Top 10 in the Divine Star Continent, we are known for our benevolence and magnanimity, because we uphold justice and peace, enforce fairness and equality. Other forces view us highly, they fear and respect us, they view as an impartial and otherworldly entity who reside over the secular world, an entity who bestows all living beings with protection and..."
While Long Gen was boasting about how awesome and amazing his sect is, Ximen Wei became more and more excited. Just the fact that the sect he's going to join is already in the top 10 of Divine Star Continent sects already narrows it down to a select few, and the way Long Gen described it made him think of a few legendary sects mentioned in the World Encyclopedia...
'The Harmonious Gate Sect, The Sword Heaven-Severing Sect, or perhaps... The mythical and legendary Nine Mountains Immortal Sect?"
Ximen Wei's eyes shone brightly as he thought about all these amazing sects that he heard and read many legends about... However, his expression very quickly turned ugly, he didn't even bother to hide it at this point because he knew that, at this point, Long Gen was just bullshitting!
Why would such an illustrious and glamorous sect recruit in the Criminal District of Green Lotus City that's known for its' brutality and unlawfulness? Why would Long Gen, a gang leader who is very known in the Criminal District, be a member of one of the most righteous sects in the entirety of Divine Star Continent?
Ximen Wei's eyes narrowed as he continued listening to Long Gen blabbering about his legendary sect and it's accomplishments that supposedly "changed the entire structure of the Divine Star Continent"..
"So remember little Wei'er, as a sect member of one of the top ten sects in the entirety of Divine Star Continent, as a disciple one of the most illustrious and righteous sects in the ENTIRETY of Divine Star Continent, you must not engage in killings in whatsoever, always resolve conflicts in a peaceful and unharmful manner! For example, if you see a thief, catch him, return back what he stolen, and give him some silver taels because thiefs are desperate people who resorted to theft in order to live! Remember to always act like Buddha..."
After what it seemed like forever, Ximen Wei finally had enough and finally asked for the Sect's name.
"Sir... You still haven't told me about the sect's name..."
When Long Gen heard that, he stopped talking, which in turn made Ximen Wei's heart drop, then Long Gen slapped his thigh as he said enthusiastically:
"Oh! Right! I still haven't mentioned our sect's illustrious and awesome, and totally amazing name. The name is the Immortal.."
Ximen Wei's ears perked up, a lot of sects were mentioned in the World Encyclopedia, and he nearly memorized all of them, including their traits and the breif description about them.
"The Immortal Devil..."
Once Ximen Wei heard the "Devil" part, his face fell as he realized what he unwillingly signed up himself for..
"The Immortal Devil Sect! Remember kid! The sect's name is the Immortal Devil Sect! And don't forget our principles and bottomlines!"
Ximen Wei shuddered, although most of what Long Gen said was bullshit, some of it was true.. The part about the Immortal Devil Sect being in the top 10 sects in the Divine Star Continent was true and... the part about the Divine Star Sect changing the structure of the Divine Star Continent was also true...
The World Encyclopedia had a certain tale, almost a legend... A powerful one-horned Devil appeared out of nowhere in the Divine Star Continent, this Devil used to be a human, but because of his special cultivation method, he became a demi-human, a Devil!
This Devil was a Paragon among Paragons, he was so powerful that even the combined efforts of countless heroes was not enough to stop him from wreaking havoc and mayhem in the Divine Star Continent...
The Devil slaughtered countless innocent people and laid ruins to innumerable cities, he uprooted sects and massacred nations. Eventually, immortals descended from the heavens and sealed the Devil in a mountain, ending his reign and returning peace back to the world.
Countless years have passed and eventually, the seal weakened, making the Devil able to move again, however, his powers were still sealed. Without any choice left to undo the seal, the Devil settled on that mountain and formed his own Sect, the Immortal Devil Sect.
Years passed and the Immortal Devil Sect became what it is today, a Sect that instilled fear into others...
And now, Ximen Wei is joining such a sect.