Lin Yuan moved swiftly through the dense forest, his robes fluttering against the wind. The scent of damp earth filled the air, and the whisper of leaves brushed against each other as a gentle breeze swept through the towering trees. His eyes remained sharp, scanning his surroundings as he recalled the events that had brought him here.
The cave was gone—destroyed in a storm of thunderfire. But the secrets it held continued to linger in Lin Yuan's mind. A hidden transmission array directly connecting to the Broken Sky Sect was no trivial matter. Someone within the sect was collaborating with the demonic cultivators. A traitor.
But who?
His thoughts were interrupted as he sensed a faint surge of energy. Lin Yuan's figure flickered, vanishing and reappearing atop a tall tree. Below, two figures cloaked in black robes crept through the underbrush. Their auras were laced with a faint, sinister energy—demonic cultivators.
"Are you sure the passage is destroyed?" one of them whispered, his voice filled with unease.
"I saw it with my own eyes," the other replied. "But the elder is furious. He suspects someone in the sect might have found out."
Elder? Lin Yuan's heart skipped a beat. So there was someone higher up, a mastermind who commanded these demonic cultivators.
He leaned forward slightly, his ears focused on their conversation.
"But why are we here, then?" the first cultivator asked.
"The elder sent us to confirm. If someone truly knows, they must be eliminated."
A cold light flashed in Lin Yuan's eyes. So the demonic cultivators were still trying to cover their tracks. But they were too late.
Lin Yuan's hand slowly raised, and faint sparks of silver danced between his fingers. Thunderfire Essence—a power he had gained through his unique cultivation, tempered by heavenly lightning. But he was cautious. A direct confrontation might reveal his strength. He needed to draw out more information.
Silently, Lin Yuan dropped from the tree, his footfall soundless. Concealing his aura, he stepped into the shadows, carefully tailing the two demonic cultivators. They moved with purpose, following a winding path deeper into the forest. Eventually, they arrived at a narrow ravine.
One of them raised his hand, and a faint ripple spread through the air—an array. Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed. Another hidden formation. This was not just a random meeting spot.
The array activated, and a faint portal shimmered in the air. Without hesitation, the two cultivators stepped through.
Lin Yuan waited, then slipped forward. His hand traced a few symbols in the air, and the faint aura of thunderfire melded into his palm. He touched the array, and the shimmering portal reappeared.
Stepping through, Lin Yuan felt a brief sensation of weightlessness before solid ground appeared beneath his feet. A vast, underground hall stretched out before him, torches lining the walls. The air was thick with a dark, oppressive aura.
At the far end of the hall, a robed figure stood before a towering stone door, its surface covered in ancient, demonic runes.
"The elder's orders are absolute. No one must discover this place."
The robed figure's voice was low and commanding, filled with a dark, menacing power.
The two demonic cultivators bowed. "Understood."
Lin Yuan's heart raced. So this was the heart of the demonic operation—a hidden base, directly connected to the Broken Sky Sect. And the elder they spoke of was no ordinary figure. His power was palpable even from this distance.
Silently, Lin Yuan pulled back, retreating into the shadows. He had seen enough. But now came the difficult part. How to deal with this hidden threat without revealing his strength? Returning to the sect immediately was an option, but without proof, his words would be nothing but a baseless accusation.
As he navigated the winding corridors, Lin Yuan's thoughts spun. He needed to expose this place, but also ensure that his identity remained concealed. His low-key nature was his greatest shield.
A sudden idea sparked in his mind. Formation arts—he still had the Thunderfire Dragon Scripture and the Star Shattering Palm. With the precision of his thunderfire control, he could collapse this base without revealing his involvement.
Carefully, Lin Yuan touched the walls, leaving tiny sparks of thunderfire that merged with the stone, almost invisible. He moved swiftly, his understanding of formations guiding his actions. Each touch left behind a trace of his energy, connecting into a web of hidden power.
Once outside the hall, Lin Yuan formed a series of complex hand seals. His thunderfire sparked and flared, and the ground trembled slightly. He leaped backward, his form blurring as he retreated into the forest.
A muffled boom echoed from the distance. The ground shuddered, and a plume of dark smoke rose from the ravine. Lin Yuan's lips curled into a slight smile. He had bought some time.
But his heart was not at ease. The elder they spoke of—someone within the sect was the true mastermind. A spy, hidden in plain sight.
His figure flickered as he vanished into the forest. It was time to return to the Broken Sky Sect, but this time, he would keep a closer eye on everyone. No one could be trusted completely.
Yet one thing was certain—Lin Yuan's journey was becoming far more dangerous than he had ever imagined.
....
Lin Yuan's journey back to the Broken Sky Sect was swift, but his mind was anything but calm. The existence of a hidden demonic base directly linked to the sect, an elder who commanded these dark cultivators, and a traitor among the sect's ranks—it was a deadly web of secrets.
As he approached the sect, the familiar mountain peaks loomed in the distance, their misty tops shrouded in soft clouds. But for Lin Yuan, the sight was no longer just a symbol of safety—it was a place where shadows lurked.
Stepping past the towering sect gates, Lin Yuan maintained his calm, composed expression. His low-key presence, cultivated over years, ensured that no one gave him a second glance. But his senses were heightened, every casual conversation, every friendly greeting was now tinged with suspicion in his mind.
"Junior Brother Lin, you're back! Did your mission go well?" A cheerful voice called out. It was Han Li, one of the outer sect disciples Lin Yuan occasionally spoke with.
Lin Yuan nodded, forcing a faint smile. "It went well. Nothing too eventful."
"That's good to hear! The elders have been a bit tense lately. Some disciples went missing, and there are rumors…" Han Li lowered his voice, leaning closer. "Some say demonic cultivators were spotted nearby."
Lin Yuan's heart tightened, but his expression remained calm. "Really? That's troubling."
"Yes. Elder Mu is furious. He believes it's just rogue bandits, but others say it could be something more sinister." Han Li's voice dropped further. "But that's just rumors, right? Our sect is strong."
"Of course," Lin Yuan replied, a reassuring smile on his face. But his thoughts were racing. Elder Mu thought it was bandits? Either the elder was truly unaware, or he was part of the scheme.
As Han Li walked away, Lin Yuan's gaze shifted toward the grand hall where the sect's main elders convened. He needed to be cautious. His knowledge of the hidden demonic base was too dangerous to share without proof. The wrong move could turn the sect against him.
Still, he couldn't simply watch as the sect remained oblivious to the hidden threat.
Back in his small, humble courtyard, Lin Yuan sat cross-legged, his mind still on the demonic cultivators and the hidden base he had destroyed. He knew he had only uncovered the surface of something much deeper. The sect's darkness was not just outside—it had already wormed its way within.
But Lin Yuan was not one to panic. Instead, he turned his focus inward. Taking out the ancient Thunderfire Dragon Scripture, he gently brushed the cover, feeling a faint pulse of thunder and fire energy resonating with his own cultivation.
"This scripture… it's far too profound for me to fully grasp now. But I must at least begin to understand it."
With a deep breath, Lin Yuan began to channel his spiritual energy, following the first incantation of the scripture. The air around him crackled faintly, and a soft heat radiated from his body. Thunder and fire—two opposing yet complementary forces—swirled within him, merging and harmonizing under his careful control.
But just as he was beginning to feel a sense of balance, a sharp pain surged through his meridians. Sparks of purple lightning and faint flickers of golden fire erupted around him, scorching the air.
"Gah!" Lin Yuan gritted his teeth, sweat beading on his forehead. His veins seemed to burn and freeze at the same time. The power of thunder and fire was too intense, too chaotic for his current cultivation.
"I'm… still too weak to fully cultivate this…" he muttered, his breathing ragged. But even as the pain coursed through him, he didn't stop. Gritting his teeth, he steadied his mind, using his profound spiritual sense to suppress the rampant energies.
Gradually, the chaotic force within him settled. The thunder became a faint hum, the fire a gentle warmth. Though he had barely scratched the surface of the Thunderfire Dragon Scripture, a tiny ember of that power now resided within him, enhancing his thunder and fire affinity.
Exhaling deeply, Lin Yuan wiped the sweat from his brow. "It's not enough. My cultivation is too low to fully utilize this technique… but I can still harness a fraction of its power."
Suddenly, a faint ripple at his courtyard gate drew his attention. A paper crane fluttered in, carrying a message. Unfolding it, Lin Yuan's expression grew serious.
"All outer disciples are to gather in the Grand Hall immediately."
His mind raced. Was this connected to the demonic cultivators? Or had something else happened? Keeping his composure, Lin Yuan adjusted his robes and made his way toward the Grand Hall.
The wide, open space was already crowded with outer disciples, all murmuring and whispering nervously. At the front stood Elder Mu, his thick beard and stern expression making him a commanding figure.
"Silence!" Elder Mu's voice boomed, and the hall quieted immediately. "We have received reports of suspicious activity near the sect's borders. Several disciples have gone missing."
Murmurs swept through the crowd. Lin Yuan's gaze remained calm, but his senses were sharp, listening for any useful information.
"We are increasing patrols, and those who wish to volunteer for investigation missions will be rewarded with contribution points. But be warned—these enemies are dangerous."
A young disciple raised his hand. "Elder, could this be the work of demonic cultivators?"
"Rogue cultivators are more likely," Elder Mu replied, but Lin Yuan noted the slight hesitation in his voice.
Another elder, Elder Chen, a slender man with a gentle voice, stepped forward. "Those who participate must remain vigilant. Anyone who uncovers useful information will be directly rewarded by the sect."
Lin Yuan's thoughts raced. Were these elders genuinely unaware of the hidden base? Or was this just a cover to maintain appearances?
As the elders continued speaking, a familiar figure caught his eye—Xia Zhi. Her silver hair flowed like a cascade of moonlight, her calm, cold expression making her stand out among the other disciples. Her gaze swept the room, sharp and attentive. Lin Yuan couldn't help but feel a sense of relief seeing her safe.
Their eyes met briefly, but Xia Zhi simply gave a slight nod, acknowledging him before turning away.
After the meeting ended, the disciples began to disperse, but Lin Yuan hesitated. The elders were still speaking in low voices among themselves, their expressions grave. His senses picked up a faint surge of spiritual energy—one of the elders was casting a soundproof barrier around their conversation.
Silently, he slipped into the shadows of the hall, his breath and aura completely concealed. Using the Thunderfire Essence's ability to mask his presence with the faint static of thunder energy, he listened carefully.
"...I don't trust it, Elder Mu," Elder Chen's voice was tinged with concern. "If demonic cultivators have infiltrated, it means someone from within could be working with them."
"That is an unfounded accusation," Elder Mu retorted. "Unless you have proof, we cannot accuse our own."
"Then how do you explain the missing disciples? Or the strange energy fluctuations near the eastern mountains?" Elder Chen pressed.
"The mountains are always unstable," Elder Mu dismissed. "Focus on maintaining order. The sect cannot afford chaos."
Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed. Elder Chen seemed genuinely worried, but Elder Mu's dismissive attitude was suspicious. Was he covering for someone, or simply blind to the truth?
Lin Yuan slipped away, his mind racing. If the elders were this divided, then the situation was far more complicated than he imagined. He needed to investigate further, but without drawing attention to himself.
Returning to his courtyard, Lin Yuan's gaze fell on the Thunderfire Dragon Scripture. He knew he needed strength—enough to defend himself and to uncover the darkness within the sect. But for now, he had to remain cautious. His low-key presence was his best disguise.
Sitting cross-legged, he resumed his cultivation. The faint sparks of thunder and wisps of fire swirled around him, subtly nourishing his meridians. Though he couldn't fully cultivate the Thunderfire Dragon Scripture, even the slightest touch of its power enhanced his spiritual energy, making it purer, more volatile.
Slowly, he switched to his Thunderfire Essence Technique, a much gentler cultivation method. The dual energy of thunder and fire flowed through him, purifying his spiritual power and reinforcing his foundation. His Golden Core, now solid and radiant, pulsed steadily within him, each beat sending ripples of energy throughout his body.
Lin Yuan's senses sharpened, his mind clearer. In his quiet courtyard, hidden among the countless outer disciples, he seemed no different from anyone else. But within, he was quietly growing stronger, biding his time.
Yet his thoughts never strayed far from the hidden demonic base he had destroyed, nor the traitor who lurked within the sect.
"This sect… it's not as peaceful as it appears," he whispered to himself. "But I will uncover the truth. No matter how long it takes."