Ch.24: Dark Spirit masters

Ch.24: Dark Spirit masters

In the vicinity of Balak kingdom, Star Dou Forest.

One can see large trees growing up to dozens of meters in height as one passes through the forest.

Even through the path to heaven Dou city is shrouded in such a dense forest which may seem scary at glance, there are not many spirit beast one my encounter due to constant surveillance being present.

But the recent news tells something else.

Lately, people going around the forest for firewood or gathering herbs are often not found.

Not only civilians but even spirit masters have gone missing.

It all started a month ago, when occasionally people started to vanish as they go around in side the forest.

Slowly things started to get big…

Just a few days ago, a small village consistent of a little over a dozen families just… vanished.

There was no sign of relocation, attack by any beast or bandits, nor any sign of a disease spreading or any dead bodies to be found at the place.

Everyone just simple vanished as if they dissolved into air living everything of their possession as is.

It was not just the story of this one village, such incidents have occurred previously before.

There were instances where people talked about people disappearing from their homes as if being kidnapped.

Some have even reporting seeing dark smokes at the site of crime and maniacal laughter whispering at the same time.

To find out the truth of the situation the spirit hall has send a group of spirit master's to solve the issue.

"Cui Jie" Called out the girl wearing a hood but one can see strings of red hair falling over her shoulder which doesn't make it hard to guess who she may be.

As she spoke that a figure shrouded in black appear from shadows, standing behind her waiting for her to speak.

Seeing her appearance, the red headed girl looked at her while trying to see through her as she asked.

"And how is the investigation going? Where do we move?" She said while tilting her head a bit.

"As instructed, we have investigated the area around and it is confirmed that it's 'their' work. I have confirmed their base and await your orders to take further actions."

'So, it's really true that 'they' are more active, it wasn't like this in the cannon.' She thought to herself as she undid her hood.

"If 'they' are making so much noise it is obvious that we will have to make 'them' quiet. Isn't that right?" Said Fu Yue looking at Cui Jie's eyes.

After continuing their staring contest for a bit, she closed her eyes and nodded, "Yes, Lady Fu. I have already asked Hao Ran to reorganize the group so we can start in a few minutes."

"Umu! That's the only reason I like you the most among the group. You always know what I will ask! It was really sad that you were gone for the last few months, you don't know how much trouble your subordinates have given me. I was tasked to take care of such misfit group, I didn't even have time to spend with my little brother." She said, starting out with a happy experience while slowly accumulating some fake tears.

*Sob*

"Can you guess how sad he must be! Being all alone in a foreign place, that to when his sister doesn't have time to spend him!"

With her eyes twitching at the sudden display of such emotions, "Sorry for the trouble. I will make sure to teach them well." She released a quiet sigh at her antics.

Cui Jie is a young woman in her late teens she can be said to be the oldest among the shadow squad member, which is consistent of almost all teenager, if you leave the person called Hao Ran who is in his late twenties.

Though she may not seem like it, but she is the strongest of the whole shadow squad being the one of the three Soul King rank members of shadow squad.

Due being sent on a mission a few months ago, she has yet to meet Fu Xuan, but she has heard a lot about him in the meantime.

Being the Supreme Pontiffs disciple, Fu Yue's brother and the one she actually cared about… defeating the reserve shadow members of the spirit city.

H-How!?!

She did not understand how this can happen.

Even though they did not use their martial spirits and were part of the reserve team, but that doesn't mean that they were weak.

Did he have a really strong martial spirit? Did he cheat somehow? Are we that weak? Or was he really just strong?

What ever the reason is this is like mud spilled on their pride, and she has the conviction that she will defeat him and earn back their pride!

Some may think that this is unfair for a grown-up woman to challenge to someone much younger than her even someone far lower in soul power rank.

But this thing is bugging her since she heads it, if she doesn't solve it, she will not be able to stay still!

'But now what is important isn't that but the fight up ahead.'

With that thought she brandished her sword.

…

"So, did you figure it out?" said Fu Yue, in a no-nonsense tone, completely different from her usual self.

"Yes, there is a cave under the mountain, about 4 km from the main road. All tracks led here." Answered Cui Jie as she looked down the valley.

"Start the operation. I will take the lead you and everyone above spirit ancestor rank will follow, others will look out for hostages or victims of the incident who can still be saved." She said as she summoned her martial spirit.

"Spirit Possession: Digital Ice Pheonix!"

Following which, large silvery blue wings materialized behind her back. With black-sliver colored armor, which seemed to be capable of changing shapes and size as if it is formed by a nanotechnology of kind.

The martial spirit possession followed by the surrounding temperature dropping by in an instant as the very ground she walked on had a thin layer of eyes building on it.

She jumped directly from the mountainside she was standing on, using her newly materialized wings to speed through the valley reaching the entrance of the cave.

There were multiple entrances to the cave, which she realized can be used to run away.

"Let's deal with this first then!" She said as she raised her hand pointing towards the entrance ways.

"First Spirit Skill: Ice Pheonix's Meteor Dive!"

Following which an ice bird shaped projectile shoot past her, what followed was an icy explosion which covered all 8 entrances adjacent to the main one.

Creating an ice wall a few meters thick, closing the way for 'them' to run away.

"Let the slaughter begin", she said as everyone else also gathered behind her ready to execute the mission.

…

At the same time, inside the cave.

*Boom**Rumble*

Followed by the sound of explosion the people inside were freaking out, knowing whatever happening is not good for them.

-"What the fuck!"

-"Run! Spirit Hall is here!"

-"What did you say?"

-"It's the Spirit Hall!! They have found our location. Quickly we must inform the eld-Kuk!!"

*Slash* *Splatter*

Just as the group of Dark spirit masters started running towards the adjacent entrances to the cave, which were unfortunately closed by Fu Yue.

They bodies were sliced in half by the members of shadow squad who ambushed them from behind.

Followed by black blood flowing through their bodies, painting the ground black.

"Yuck! Even their blood is black!" said one of them before running to catch other dark spirit masters trying to run away.

The precise use of stealth and one hit kill attacks, they are able to achieve the perfect assassination technique in mist of a group battle.

Even when they were finished with clearing the entrance, not much sound was made to indicate the possibility ambush happening outside.

Further into the cave, one can see the dead bodies of lost civilians mutilated in seemingly impossible angle, thrown around like trash, seemingly gone through extreme torture and the expression of fear and agony still on their faces.

The everyone's expressions hardened at that; they all have experienced what it feels like to lose their loved ones.

All of them mentally noted to kill 'them' extra painfully.

Moving forward, Fu Yue can be seen freezing every spirit master partially, leaving them in a semi-dead state.

"Streaming ice bullets!"

With the use of herself made spirit skills she was even able to silently kill a spirit ancestor, before they even notice.

While dealing with any spirit master she encounters on the way she reached the innermost part of the cave.

After getting to the inner most part of the cave, she can see it being split in three rooms ahead, first one is like a prison, obviously the kidnapped civilians and spirit master's still alive are kept there.

Another on seemed like a place to perform rituals and curses, covered in blood of humans and spirit beast.

Decorated by bones and skulls of various sizes in some twisted sense of art, giving it an ominous look.

And third one…

"It just seems like a Boss room." Said Fu Yue, seeing an unexpectedly big door with delicate designs and shine.

It even had two stone statues kept beside the gate, an unfortunate attempt to make it look grand.

"This must be stolen as well, right?" Asked Fu Yue to the woman who just appeared on her side by a green smoke.

"Were you waiting for us?" asked Cui Jie feeling there should be no reason to waste time here.

"Yes, follow the first tunnel from here you will reach where the hostages are kept, there are 5 dark spirit ancestors, and 15 spirit elders are there.

"Following which the third row has most dark spirit master's with them forty dark spirit elders, 12 spirit ancestors and 2 spirit kings, no hostages, plan and regroup before attacking them.

"Remember, we are outnumbered therefore plan and regroup before attacking." Said Fu Yue seriously, as she waited for the response.

"I understand!" She said in acknowledgement following closely after. "…What about you?"

"Me?" She chuckled, "I will raid the boss room!", she said as she moved towards the middle lane.

____________________________________

To Be Continued:

[Word count: 1725]

A/N: Sorry guys for the late update. You know what I want to update fast but the heavens won't let that be! Just like 4 days ago, there was the marriage of one of my distantly-close relative and then yesterday, my cousins grandma died.

You might ask what that got to do with me, but we are Indians bro we gotta go!

I could have uploaded sooner but I didn't want to give such a small chapter to my dear readers. Anyway, this is it.

See you later!