A Dark Promise

After Xian Yu exited the cave, he couldn't help but go see what had happened. He made his way to the Whispering Sect, only to find it in ruins, with bodies scattered everywhere. Suddenly, he heard a noise and quickly hid behind a pillar.

Two men in red robes were chatting with each other.

"Senior Brother, let's take whatever treasure we can find. Who knows? We might strike gold in these ruins," one of them exclaimed excitedly.

Xian Yu could tell that he was only a Peak Beginner Martial Artist.

"I only came to this useless place to make sure no one from the Whispering Sect is still alive. I don't know why, but my master specifically ordered it," the other man, who seemed to be in his twenties, said with confidence. His aura leaked out as if he ruled this land.

Seeing these Azure Sect disciples, Xian Yu clenched his fists in anger. How dare they? he murmured to himself. Without hesitation, he drew his sword.

Suddenly, the senior disciple felt a chill run down his spine. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he sensed an overwhelming presence—an unfamiliar yet terrifying power. He quickly scanned his surroundings, but before he could react, a young man appeared before him.

"Who are you, bastard? How dare you disrespect us, the disciples of the Azure Sect? Kneel and leave, and we will let you—"

Before he could finish his sentence, his head had already hit the ground.

The other disciple trembled in fear.

"H-How are you still alive, Xian Yu?"

"You know me?" Xian Yu asked coldly.

How could he not? Xian Yu was one of the Azure Sect's top targets, a name that had to be erased at all costs.

Gritting his teeth, the remaining disciple launched an attack, his sword blazing with flames from all four directions. This was the Azure Sect's ultimate technique—Breath of the Dragon.

He was a late stage Martial Warrior, and he believed that this one strike would be enough to kill Xian Yu.

But Xian Yu stood unfazed.

Instead, he observed the attack and noticed countless openings in his opponent's technique. Is this the power of the Vermillion Method? He could sense the unstable breath of his enemy, as if he had become one with his surroundings.

With a single movement, Xian Yu unsheathed his sword completely and swung—severing both of his enemy's arms in an instant.

Zhao Bai was in complete disbelief.

What… just happened?

His sword fell to the ground, followed by both of his severed arms

Late stage of Peak Martial Warrior?! When did he…?

Fear overwhelmed him.

"Xian Yu, let me go! You don't know who my master is—she is an Elder of the Azure Sect, the Butterfly Sword! She will definitely hunt you down if she finds out. Leave now, and I will forget this ever happened!"

Zhao Bai was losing too much blood. If left untreated, his injuries would become permanent. The pain was unbearable.

But Xian Yu only laughed.

"Hahaha… Do you really believe that?"

Spare an Azure Sect disciple? Spare someone from the sect that took everything from me?

No.

He had vowed to annihilate the Azure Sect completely.

Before Zhao Bai could utter another word, Xian Yu swung his sword—cutting him in half.

"Your master… and the rest of your sect will soon follow you to hell," Xian Yu said, his voice filled with vengeance.

Suddenly, a black mist emerged from his sword, enveloping the corpses of the two disciples. In mere moments, their bodies vanished.

Xian Yu's eyes widened.

What is this? This sword… can eat the dead?

He felt a wave of unease but quickly calmed himself. What a dangerous weapon… a sword truly fit for an emperor.

He still didn't know its true name, so he decided to name it himself.

"A Perfect-Grade Sword… and it devours the dead… I'll call you Ebon Sword."

After that, Xian Yu dug a massive grave, placing the bodies of his fallen brothers, sisters, and everyone from the Whispering Sect inside. He prayed in silence before leaving the ruins behind.

The once lively sect, filled with laughter and chatter, had become nothing more than a graveyard of silence.

After taking a final glance, Xian Yu turned and headed into the jungle.

Though he had broken through to the Peak Martial Realm, he was still far weaker than the Martial Masters of the Azure Sect. He needed time. He needed power.

Determined, he set his sights on mastering the two remaining techniques and the Vermillion Method—to hone his skills and prepare for the battles ahead.

One day, he would return.

And when he did, the Azure Sect would fall.