Even though Akata hadn’t slept in some days he was full of energy as he made his way to the seventh cabin. He kept his killing intent hidden within him so as not to startle any disciples. He kept a steady pace as he passed by residences and other buildings towards the seventh cabin.

His face was blank and his crimson red eyes were burning with the desire to fight. His mind was racing with thoughts as he made his way over to the cabin,

‘Now that I think about it, only those three truly have problems with me. Could they have sent that Jimin Fui after me to kill me. No… It’s only them who could have sent him after me.’

Akata stopped and stood in place for a moment. He took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. He calmed his mind and thought things through. ‘If I am to find out what happened and where to find him I need to be more thoughtful. I need to obtain as much information as possible and those three will be my starting point.’

Third Cabin

Xiun Wu, Xi Fe, Ming Xu, and Pulong Chu were seated in a circle. The atmosphere was rather dreary and stifling. The most upset of them all however was actually Pulong Chu. She wasn’t upset that her people had gotten killed but rather, she was upset that her people had killed somebody.

‘That Jimin Fui wasn’t supposed to kill anybody. He was supposed to test out Akata’s strength and see if he was worth for recruiting. If word gets out that I was the one who sent them there would be no way that Akata would join me. This matter is starting to become troublesome.

Not only have I not gained an ally, I ended up gaining a new opponent. And a strong one at that too. Able to completely wreck the 4th Grade while he himself is only in the 3rd? That is strength that is worth recruiting… but alas Jimin Fui had to mess everything up.’

She was in a really sour mood which actually made her fit in with the group's mood in this moment.

Xiun Wu was the first to speak up. “The assassination has failed. It looks as if we’re going to have to handle Akata the other way… in the cabin duels. But that isn’t the worst part of the matter. It seems as if Akata has strength that far surpasses the 4th Grade even though he himself is only in the 3rd.” Xiun Wu then turned to face Ming Xu.

“Ming Xu, you’re going to have to be extra careful. Akata may be thinking that we sent those assassins after him therefore he will be showing some killing intent. If his killing intent becomes too great, abandon the match. However if he hesitates for even a moment then kill him if possible.” Xiun Wu spoke clearly.

“No worries, I will use any opportunity I have to take him out. Leave it to me.” Ming Xu spoke decisively.

“Mn.” Xiun Wu nodded. “Once Akata suspects us of the assassination he will most certainly immediately challenge the seventh cabin. We will watch his match and make plans accordingly based on what we see. That will be all for now.”

Pulong Chu immediately got up and walked out of the cabin not bothering to excuse herself. Xiun Wu and the others didn’t impede her either. When she left out Xiun Wu put on a cold smile.

“Do you have something up your sleeve to deal with her?” Xi Fe laughed. He too putting on a cold smile as he saw Xiun Wu’s.

“I do indeed. This should solve our problems with Akata and Pulong Chu in one fell swoop.” Xiun Wu laughed coldly. “If all goes according to plan then you both will be seeing an increase in your cabin ranks.”

Both Xi Fe and Ming Xu were astounded.

“This is what I have planned…”

In the middle of the conversation Ming Xu’s sect badge glowed brightly. Every sect member had a badge that was given to them by the Elders. It gave them information and tracked them. At the moment Ming Xu looked at her badge and surprise filled her face.

“It’s… it’s Akata. He’s challenging me to a duel already? It’s only been a day since he was attacked, how could he have made it out of Misty Forest and recovered enough to be ready to challenge me?” Ming Xu was really astonished by this.

Xiun Wu and Xi Fe were also taken back a bit by this piece of news. “It seems that our plan must be put into action earlier than expected. No matter you all have gotten the gist of the plan. Now it’s time to commence. Let’s head out.”

With that Xiun Wu and the rest stood up and made their way to the seventh cabin. Their robes fluttering in the wind they strode out of the third cabin and into the training field. It was still a bit dark from the sun not being all the way up, but even then disciples could be seen about getting in some early training.

Second Cabin

This cabin happened to be the biggest cabin in the training field. Not only was its size grand but also its appearance. It was adorned with red lanterns and banners displaying the sect’s symbol. The cabin stood two stories tall and was a few hundred meters wide. Trees, flowers, bushes, fountains, and ponds covered the field around the cabin making it a serene place to be. Even the stone path leading up to the front door seemed to be too lavish to even step on.

On the inside of the cabin on the second floor a bare skin woman could be seen in the bath. The water was warm to the point steam could be seen rising and bubbles covered the surface. The bath itself was golden, along with the trimming on the white walls.

In the bath the woman was simply humming to herself and relaxing. Occasionally she would take a hand out the water and hold a finger in the air where upon a snowflake would form. The snowflake would dance atop her finger, spinning, jumping, and radiating a white glow. The appearance of the snowflake would make the temperature drop to the point where the steam would freeze solid.

“Ughh…” A long disgruntled sigh could be heard coming from the woman in the bath. She waved her finger and the snowflake on top dispersed. The temperature in the room immediately decreased causing a steam to rise up. The woman then stood up in the bath and walked out. She grabbed a blue towel and dried off her hair and then wrapped it around her body.

“When is Akata coming back? He’s supposed to be my student yet I have barely taught him anything. Humph. This is not how I planned for things to go.” Her voice was soft yet a hint of pouting could be heard within. Of course this was none other than Ming Lu, the older sister of Ming Xu, and also the Second Ranked cultivator of the Red Cloud Sect.

“He’s progressing way faster than what I have expected. Already becoming the Eighth Ranked cultivator this soon? He’s almost at my level of speed. But no matter, the faster the better. I just really wish he would sit down with me so we can talk. But nooo… he had to go into Misty Forest again with that Peizhi Xiuying. Humph.” Ming Lu’s face puffed up.

She then quickly shook her head and smacked her cheeks with her palms. “Not that I care or anything!”

It was at this moment that her sect badge started to glow. “Eh?! He’s challenging Little Xu Xu right now? When did he even get back?” She thought many things as she read the message from the sect badge. The badge passed out information to the sect members. Of course the first to be notified about the challenge was the person being challenged and then others would be notified shortly afterwards.

Even as she was thinking and things were running through her head she dressed herself in shocking speed. At first she was only wrapped with a towel but in the next instant she wore a cyan robe that glittered in the light. Her hair was tied up into a ponytail that reached down to her lower back.

“I should go see this match personally. Akata aside, my Little Xu Xu is fighting. It’s been awhile since I have last seen her fight. I hope Akata can bring out her full strength, yet I also hope that he doesn’t bring out his full strength. This should be a good matchup and will be interesting to see. Although she is my little sister, I know that she is no match for Akata…”

Ming Lu paused for a moment and raised her hand. A jade slip appeared in it where she quickly wrote something down. She folded up the piece of jade slip and sent it away with a toss. The slip flew across the cabin and then outside. It made its way to the center tower in the middle of the training field. In an open window of the tower a man could be seen staring out across the field.

He held his hand up in the air and then grabbed the jade slip that was flying his way. He quickly read the jade slip and crumpled it up. A ball of flame could be seen in his hand the next instant as he burned the jade slip into ashes. Next his face revealed an interested look.

“So… he’s about to fight your younger sister? I guess I should keep my eye on Akata as well.” Even though he didn’t speak loudly, his voice reverberated throughout the tower. He was still by the open window yet the sound didn’t travel outside of the tower at all. It was as if his voice held a special power to it that he could control.

As Ming Lu was writing on the jade slip her final words coalesced within her mind. ‘Although she is my little sister, I know that she is no match for Akata… and very soon none of us will be. He has something special about him that I just can’t seem to figure out no matter how hard I try. On the surface he looks normal, but deep within him something is lurking. And that something outclasses us all.’ She waved her hand sending the jade slip away.

She took in a deep breath as her eyes radiated an expectant glow. She strode forward and was soon on the first floor of the cabin. She then strode out the front door and onto the beautiful yard in the cabin’s area. Looking in the direction of the Seventh Cabin she gave a gentle laugh and smile then began to walk forward.