Shadows Beneath the Violet Sea

Violet Sea World, a sprawling and mysterious world nestled within the larger Sea and Mountain Realm.

This vast expanse was home to countless cultivators, ranging from novices to those who had reached the pinnacle of their arts.

The Violet Sea World itself was renowned for its unique blend of oceanic and mountainous terrains, where powerful spiritual energies surged through both land and water. It was said that beneath the violet-tinted waves lay ancient ruins filled with treasures and secrets long forgotten by time.

Within this realm, eight Nascent Soul Factions dominated the landscape, each wielding considerable influence over the lesser sects and clans.

Among these factions, five were considered righteous, led by the formidable Azure Dragon Sect. These righteous sects formed an alliance known as the Righteous Sects Alliance, working together to maintain order and suppress evil forces.

Their presence ensured stability across much of the Violet Sea World, though they often clashed with the three remaining factions, collectively referred to as the Evil Sects.

The Evil Sects operated in secrecy, thriving in hidden valleys and shadowy caverns far removed from prying eyes.

At their helm stood the Bone Forging Sect, a ruthless organization feared even among other evil factions. Its mastery of necromancy and soul manipulation made it a force to be reckoned with, rivaling the might of the Azure Dragon Sect.

Beneath the Bone Forging Sect were two smaller yet equally dangerous organizations: the Shadowclaw Sect and the Crimson Lotus Cult. Each played a critical role in maintaining the balance of power between good and evil within the Violet Sea World.

Violet Sea World was but a droplet in the vast cup of the Sea and Mountain Realm.

In truth, the term "realm" in this context no longer referred to a single world or continent. Rather, it denoted a boundless star domain—an ocean of drifting worlds, heaven-reaching meteor belts, sun-forged fire worlds, and frostbitten moons. The cultivators of this realm often likened it to a slumbering beast, its mountainous ridges the orbits of spiritual planets, its vast seas the void between.

The Sea and Mountain Realm was not named for poetic whim. It was named for truth. Its core region was split between two immense celestial phenomena: the Eternal Sky Sea and the Star Ridge Range.

The Eternal Sky Sea was a glittering void ocean, its surface composed of spiritual light so dense that it formed a navigable current for flying ships and void beasts alike. Ancient records claimed it was once a battlefield of fallen Immortals, and their divine blood had stained the stars, coalescing over millennia into an endless spiritual sea.

To sail it required not wind, but Qi-infused sails, and not a compass, but soul-guiding talismans forged from meteor iron and Phoenix bone. Beneath its waves drifted entire pocket realms, sect ruins, and forbidden palaces of bygone eras. Cultivators sometimes glimpsed ancient corpses floating upright—eyes wide open, neither decayed nor alive—guarding treasures left behind by vanished clans.

On the other side of the realm lay the Star Ridge Range, a chain of star-mountains that spanned hundreds of worlds in length. These "mountains" were not metaphorical, but real—each a planet-sized peak, with spiritual roots that plunged into the void and absorbed the marrow of the stars.

From these mountains poured unending rivers of spiritual fire, molten metals, and Primordial Qi. The peaks were scattered with ancient sects, mining worlds, and Heavenly Beast territories.

Nestled deep within the peaks of the Ironspine Mountains, the Shadowclaw Sect carved out its domain amidst treacherous cliffs and poisonous mist. The sect's headquarters was a fortress built into the side of a towering cliff face, accessible only via narrow pathways guarded by deadly traps and illusion formations.

As Mei Lin stepped into the sect's outer courtyard, her presence demanded attention. Disciples paused their training to bow respectfully, though some exchanged uneasy glances at her furrowed brow and tense posture.

"Sect Leader!" A core formation elder descended from the sky, surprise evident in his eyes. "It's an honor to see you here."

Another, a younger woman, appeared behind him. "Master, is everything okay? You don't look so...well."

Mei Lin nodded briefly. "Don't worry about it. Just keep doing your thing."

Without looking back, she headed towards the sect's core area where Nascent Soul Realm experts resided.

Her sudden arrival seemed to trigger an alert, as two figures instantly appeared before her.

The two exchanged strange looks before bowing to Mei Lin.

"Welcome back, sect leader."

"Junior Brother Wu," Mei Lin greeted the first elder, a wiry man with sharp features and piercing gray eyes. His hands were clasped behind his back, though his gaze swept over her with quiet scrutiny.

"And Junior Brother Zhou," she continued, nodding at the second elder, a burly figure with a scar running down his cheek. His arms were crossed, and he regarded her with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

"What brings the sect leader here?" Wu Li asked with respect.

Elder Zhou grunted, less tactful. "You seem troubled. Is there some trouble brewing within the sect?"

Mei Lin paused, choosing her words carefully. "I've come on urgent business that needs to be kept quiet. I need to speak with Elder Jin right away. It's about something really important for the sect's future."

The two elders exchanged glances, their expressions darkening. Without another word, they stepped aside.

The journey to Elder Jin's palace was short but tense. When Mei Lin finally reached the ornate door, she knocked sharply and entered without waiting for a response.

Elder Jin sat upon a raised dais, surrounded by maps and scrolls scattered across his desk. He looked up as she entered, his face betraying neither surprise nor warmth. Instead, his cold, calculating eyes locked onto hers.

"Mei Lin, What's so pressing that you dare disturb me during my planning?"

She wasted no time with pleasantries. "Elder Jin, I have terrible news. Our branch at Violet Mountain City has been destroyed."

His expression froze for a moment, then shifted into disbelief. "Destroyed? That branch is under my son's command! Who could possibly—"

"It happened quickly and decisively," Mei Lin interrupted. "Everyone stationed there is presumed dead or missing. There were no survivors to report back."

Elder Jin shot to his feet, fury and shock mingling in his features. "My son... My only heir!" He clenched his fists tightly. "This cannot stand! Someone will pay dearly for this insult!"

Although the current situation of their sect wasn't ideal, they were still the Shadowclaw Sect—one of the three behemoths of the evil path. Who would dare offend them so recklessly?

And to make matters worse, the attack had taken place in a city where the son of a powerful Nascent Soul realm expert resided!

Elder Jin had only one son, born late in life under fortuitous yet unexpected circumstances. Treasuring him above all else, the elder had deliberately shielded the boy from the sect's darker undercurrents, placing him in a relatively quiet administrative role within a distant branch. It was a gesture not of dismissal, but of deep paternal affection—an attempt to spare him from the blood-soaked path of true cultivation.

And yet, of all places… how could something like this happen there?

Without another thought, he spun towards the door, barking orders to summon reinforcements. "I'll go there myself and assess the damage. No force shall remain unscathed if they dare cross us!"