Attack (1)

Hu Bao's abode was a battlefield. The subordinate, now revealed as an assassin, moved with deadly precision, his strikes aimed at Hu Bao's vital points. Hu Bao, however, was no ordinary elder. His Foundation Building Stage 7 cultivation gave him an edge, but the assassin's skill and speed were unnerving.

The room trembled as their Qi clashed, sending shockwaves through the walls. Hu Bao's sword gleamed as he parried a vicious strike, his movements fluid and precise. He countered with a powerful slash, forcing the assassin to retreat.

"Who are you working for?" Hu Bao demanded, his voice cold and sharp. "The Crimson Shadow Sect? Or someone within our own ranks?"

The assassin smirked, his eyes glinting with malice. "Does it matter? The sect will fall, and there's nothing you can do to stop it."

Hu Bao's expression darkened. "We'll see about that."

The fight intensified, the sound of clashing blades echoing through the night. Hu Bao's experience and strength began to turn the tide, but the assassin was relentless. Just as Hu Bao was about to deliver a decisive blow, the assassin threw a smoke bomb, filling the room with a thick, choking fog.

When the smoke cleared, the assassin was gone, leaving behind only a faint trace of dark Qi. Hu Bao clenched his fists, his mind racing. If they're bold enough to attack me directly, the sect is in grave danger. I need to warn the others—if it's not already too late.

Back in Azure Wind City

Seo-Jun and his group stood amidst the aftermath of their battle, their bodies bruised but their spirits unbroken. The attackers lay defeated, their dark cloaks and crimson badges a grim reminder of the threat they faced.

Seo-Jun knelt beside one of the bodies, his system analyzing the badge.

[System Alert: Item Info]

Name: Crimson Shadow Badge

Description: A symbol of allegiance to the Crimson Shadow Sect. Often carried by their operatives and assassins.

"This is bad," Seo-Jun said, his voice grim. "If they're this close to the sect, it means someone inside is feeding them information. Hu Bao could be in danger."

Feng Yan nodded, his expression serious. "We need to get back to the sect immediately. But we can't just rush in blindly. If there's a traitor, we need to be careful."

Mei Ling stepped forward, her face pale but determined. "What do we do?"

Seo-Jun thought for a moment, then turned to Elder Guo, who had been watching the scene unfold. "Elder Guo, can you send a message to the sect? Warn them about the Crimson Shadow Sect's infiltration?"

Elder Guo nodded, his expression grave. "I'll send a messenger bird immediately. But it will take time for the message to reach them."

Seo-Jun clenched his fists. "We don't have time. We need to move now."

The group set off at once, their pace quickening as they made their way back to the Blazing Sword Sect. The journey was tense, every shadow and sound putting them on edge. Seo-Jun couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, but there was no time to investigate.

As they approached the sect, the first signs of trouble became apparent. The gates were closed, and the usual guards were nowhere to be seen. The air was thick with tension, and the faint sound of clashing blades echoed in the distance.

"Something's wrong," Feng Yan said, his voice low. "Stay alert."

They slipped through a hidden entrance, making their way toward Hu Bao's abode. The sect grounds were eerily quiet, the usual hustle and bustle replaced by an unsettling stillness.

When they reached Hu Bao's quarters, they found the door ajar and the room in disarray. Hu Bao stood in the center, his expression grim as he examined a piece of parchment.

"Elder Hu!" Seo-Jun called out, relief flooding his voice. "Are you alright?"

Hu Bao looked up, his eyes narrowing as he took in the group. "Seo-Jun. Feng Yan. What are you doing here?"

Seo-Jun quickly explained their mission and the encounter with the Crimson Shadow Sect operatives. Hu Bao's expression grew darker with each word.

"It's worse than I thought," Hu Bao said, his voice heavy. "The sect has been infiltrated. I was attacked by one of my own subordinates. If they're bold enough to target me, no one is safe."

Feng Yan stepped forward, his tone urgent. "We need to act quickly. If the Crimson Shadow Sect is planning an attack, we need to warn the elders and secure the sect."

Hu Bao nodded. "Agreed. But we can't trust anyone. For all we know, the traitor could be among the elders themselves."

Seo-Jun's mind raced. "What about the disciples? Can we trust them?"

Hu Bao sighed. "We'll have to take the risk. Gather your friends—those you trust implicitly. We'll need all the help we can get."

As Seo-Jun and his group made their way toward the inner sect, the tension in the air was palpable. The sect grounds were eerily quiet, the usual hum of activity replaced by an unsettling stillness. Every shadow seemed to hold a threat, and every sound made them tense.

Suddenly, a figure materialized in front of them, blocking their path. The man was tall and imposing, his dark robes adorned with crimson patterns that seemed to shimmer in the dim light. His presence was overwhelming, a suffocating aura of power radiating from him.

Seo-Jun's system immediately analyzed the newcomer.

[System Alert: Cultivator Info]

Name: Elder Mo Xuan (Crimson Shadow Sect)

Cultivation Realm: Core Formation Stage 7

Skills: Unknown

Seo-Jun's heart sank. Core Formation Stage 7? This is bad. We're no match for him.

Elder Mo Xuan smirked, his eyes glinting with malice. "Well, well. What do we have here? A group of little ants scurrying about, thinking they can stop the inevitable."

Feng Yan stepped forward, his sword drawn and his expression calm but wary. "What do you want?"

Elder Mo Xuan chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "What do I want? I want to crush the Blazing Sword Sect, starting with its most promising disciples. And you, my dear children, are in my way."

Seo-Jun tightened his grip on his sword, his mind racing. We can't win this fight. But we can't run either. What do we do?

Before anyone could react, Elder Mo Xuan raised his hand, a surge of dark Qi gathering in his palm. "Let's make this quick."

Just as he was about to unleash his attack, a powerful voice rang out. "Enough!"

A figure descended from the sky, landing between Seo-Jun's group and Elder Mo Xuan. It was Elder Long Wei, his presence calm but commanding. His robes fluttered in the wind, and his eyes burned with a quiet intensity.

Seo-Jun's system immediately analyzed Elder Long Wei.

[System Alert: Cultivator Info]

Name: Elder Long Wei (Blazing Sword Sect)

Cultivation Realm: Core Formation Stage 9 (Peak)

Skills: Unknown

Elder Mo Xuan's smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Long Wei. I should have known you'd show up."

Elder Long Wei's voice was calm but carried an undeniable weight. "Mo Xuan, you've sunk to a new low, attacking juniors. Have you got no shame?"

Elder Mo Xuan sneered. "Shame? What use is shame when victory is within reach? The Blazing Sword Sect will fall, and there's nothing you can do to stop it."

Elder Long Wei's expression hardened. "We'll see about that."

The two elders clashed, their movements a blur of power and precision. The air around them crackled with energy, the ground trembling under the force of their attacks. Elder Long Wei's sword gleamed as he parried a strike from Elder Mo Xuan, his movements fluid and precise. He countered with a powerful slash, forcing Elder Mo Xuan to retreat.

Elder Mo Xuan retaliated with a burst of dark Qi, the energy swirling around him like a storm. He lunged at Elder Long Wei, his strikes fast and aggressive. But Elder Long Wei was unfazed, his sword moving with a grace that belied his age.

The fight was intense, each strike sending shockwaves through the air. Elder Long Wei's mastery of the sword was evident, his movements precise and calculated. He dodged a sweeping slash from Elder Mo Xuan and countered with a quick thrust, the blade grazing his opponent's side.

Elder Mo Xuan hissed in pain, his expression darkening. "You've gotten stronger, Long Wei. But it won't be enough."

Elder Long Wei's eyes narrowed. "We'll see."

He raised his sword, the blade glowing with a brilliant light. The air around him seemed to hum with energy as he unleashed a powerful technique. The ground beneath Elder Mo Xuan cracked, and a wave of Qi slammed into him, sending him flying.

Elder Mo Xuan crashed into a nearby wall, the force of the impact leaving a crater in the stone. He struggled to his feet, his expression twisted with rage. "This isn't over, Long Wei."

Elder Long Wei's voice was calm but firm. "Leave now, or I won't be so merciful next time."

Elder Mo Xuan glared at him for a moment, then vanished in a swirl of dark Qi.

Elder Long Wei turned to Seo-Jun and his group, his expression serious. "You've done well to make it this far. But the danger is far from over. The Crimson Shadow Sect is planning something big, and the sect is in grave danger."

Seo-Jun nodded, his voice steady. "What should we do?"

Elder Long Wei's gaze softened slightly. "For now, you need to stay hidden. The inner courtyard is the safest place for you. Once you're inside, find a place to hide and wait for further instructions. Do not engage the enemy unless absolutely necessary."

Feng Yan stepped forward, his tone urgent. "What about the other disciples? The elders? Are they safe?"

Elder Long Wei's expression darkened. "I don't know. The traitor could be anyone. Trust no one but yourselves."

Seo-Jun clenched his fists, his determination hardening. "We'll do whatever it takes to protect the sect."

Elder Long Wei nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Good. Now go. Time is of the essence."

Elder Long Wei's sharp eyes suddenly narrowed as he scanned the surroundings. His spiritual sense picked up on something unusual—a faint, almost imperceptible ripple in the air. He raised his hand, signaling Seo-Jun and the group to stop.

"Wait," Elder Long Wei said, his voice low but urgent. "Something's not right."