Chapter 26 - The Right Path

Many crystals were empowering the Soaring Hill formation, the four disciples were basking in the thickened chi, quickly replenishing their energy reserves.

In the meantime the Royal Lord was instructing them “Surrounding a weaker or same level opponent is the best way to trap him. Beware, if your enemy is stronger than you it’s necessary to not stretch much your formation, ending up to be too distant from one another, because if he’s quick enough he’ll reverse the fight in many 1vs1. Don’t use your weapons as offensive tools, feel them, communicate with them, let them be part of your own body. I don’t thrust my spear, I thrust. I thrust with my spear whenever possible, with my limbs otherwise. The opponent’s weapon isn’t the only thing to be aware of. Again, don’t disperse your strengths to block the retreat paths of an opponent stronger than you, if he charges at you directly you won’t have enough power to deal with him” the Royal Lord concluded his speech with a victorious smirk.

This stern expert proved to be very talkative, he had a passion for teaching and transmitting his fighting experience. The Commander had long searched an inheritor for his techniques but none of the experts in the Unbroken Country were talented enough. Thus, he chose to teach what he could to these juniors, even if they were cultivating different laws.

The spars in the formation arena of Soaring Hill were also safe from outsiders, no perceptual sense could peek inside. This was another reason for which the 5 could fight without worries, it was impossible for others to see what was happening.

This routine continued for a bit, until Falven was one day called by elder Erudite Slayer. The elder let him look at the Slaying Dao Core Cultivation Art, waiting for the insights of the junior. Fate Destroyer was famous in the sect for being recognised by Crimson Bloodlust, while rumours about him cheating continued to spread among the disciples, the core elders perfectly knew this was not the case. This feat proved his high understanding of the slaying laws.

Falven studied that amazing art together with Erudite Slayer and provided many insights, further completing the work of the elder and improving the simplified version he was preparing. This collaboration allowed Falven to perform even better his already excellent Dao Slaying Manual techniques.

After another sparring session the youth gave to Soaring Lion and Gentle Waters two jade orbs he had made for them “Here you are junior brothers, these orbs contain insights on the Slaying arts you cultivate. I hope you’ll find them helpful for your cultivation”.

The two youngsters sincerely thanked him before hastily departing to study the orbs. Falven’s personal insights on the Slaying arts were very deep and complete at this point. Their senior brother not only gave them clearer descriptions and profound knowledge, but even suggested possible paths for future growth and development, stimulating their inquisitive attitude.

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“Junior brother of mine, you can’t let this go. Become a hero, slay the pestilence which is poisoning the sect. His bewitching tentacles are spreading on the princess, you need to make your move before it’s too late”.

“Senior brother, I am the first who wants to ravage his body and scatter his bones, I won’t forgive what he’s done to my cousin! But he’s a core disciple now, I fear the consequences… furthermore he slew in one move an inner disciple in the Bestowment Palace courtyard”.

“Don’t fear martial brother, you’re soon going to enter the top 100 rankings, your combat prowess is not comparable to that trash who underestimated his opponent. Moreover I have your back covered and I’m not the only one. Someone whose status is higher than mine is backing us, I trust no further words need to be spoken”.

“Someone… even that person wants him dead! I’ll move as soon as possible, I’m confident that with you two at my back I won’t suffer any loss”.

“Junior brother, how could I make you suffer any loss, you’ll be rewarded for your success instead, I promise you!”.

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After a day of spars, Falven and Sayri were admiring the sunset again, from Soaring Hill this time.

“Don’t you mind the voices about you?” “My princess, we both know what truly means to be troubled by something serious, this kind of rumour isn’t worthy of my time. Isn’t a problem for you, though? Disciples are saying I’m a leech who’s bewitching you, this may make things complicated for your position as the Unbroken Princess”.

“Never mind that, my position won’t suffer any significant loss. People are saying that to make a public enemy out of you”.

“That’s perfect than, no issue at all. But, an issue actually exists. You training with me is making people angry at me, I guess I shall require some compensation for that, what about me really bewitching you?”.

The youths both laughed, Sayri could see Fate Destroyer was just joking around, lightening the mood.

“This morning the elders have given me an incredible core cultivation art, containing the primordial teaching of the ancient slaying laws. It seemed to me that some of those insights were the same you previosuly taught me, are you connected to this?”.

An enigmatic smile was the answer, followed by a question “Tell me, Princess, it appears to me that you and your lineage don’t revere the Heavens. As the rulers of the Unbroken Kingdom, why have you allowed this Heavens cult to become the national religion?”.

“The answer will be much of your liking, Fate Destroyer. After the Heavens Punishment, although the Devil Slayer Sect had been spared, all their experts were killed. Only early Captain experts and below were left alive, this resulted in utter weak forces. If nothing had changed the sect would have been conquered by outside forces. Thus, we leveraged being spared by the Heavens Punishment to gain immunity. The national cult was issued with the excuse that the Heavens had forgiven us, we were their beloved children, spared by the calamity that capsized the top sects of the planet. Outside forces didn’t dare to attack us fearing Heavens’ vengeance, instead the cult spread all over the world”.

Silence, the sun was now below the horizon, clear sky retreating to the incoming darkness.

“Yes, it’s better to carry the burden for yourself, until you are powerful enough to face the consequences”. Falven looked at the emerald green eyes of the princess “And we’ll be!”.

That night, Falven remained standing on the hill with his nostalgic thoughts, while the princess left for her mansion escorted by the Royal Lord. Her thoughts were much more tense than what appeared “Is he really the calamity which’ll bring this world to its doom? Does this mean that rebelling to the Heavens is fated to be a suicidal move? I don’t know what to do, whether to have him killed or take care of him, how am I supposed to make such a choice?”.

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The large training field of the sect was fully brightened even if it was already dark outside. No torches nor candles caused this, but several stars were emitting fierce lights, making the Dao laws tremble.

“Slay!” Ominous starlight from each star converged on a raised sword which slashed the target full of killing intent.

ZZZZUUSH!

The silhouette protected by runic patterns was completely destroyed, the stars dimmed until disappearing, killing intent still lingered in the room.

“Such power… I shall commence a killing spree till the day the Heavens bow before me. Being a cultivator commands no turning back, there will be no ripping benefits without risk, now I know what the right path is”.