The wind bellowed, the leaves on the trees rustled, and the light from the stars shone. ShuYan stood under the moonlight, looking deeply at it before retracting his eyes.

A girl walked up to him, cupping her hands and slightly bowing towards him as a sign of lower status or respect.

"Elder Li Shao has asked for your appearance at the Sects Palace." As she said this, her eyes didn't look towards him, merely looking towards the ground as she got up.

"En," ShuYan replied before walking off towards the Sects Palace.

Taking slow steps, he finally reached the Sects Palace. The Sects Palace was just a palace where all the Lords of the 8 peaks that make up the sect, would gather for any meetings. ShuYan had this gut feeling that he already knew the reason for this meeting.

ShuYan stood in front of the two doors before entering in, the doors closing with a loud sound.

ShuYan bowed, not directing his bow to anyone, and not saying any words. He knew that everyone would understand his intention.

Throughout the years that he had been at this sect, his interaction with others were kept to a minimum. He didn't talk to anyone, but because of his status and cultivation level, nobody dared to fault him.

As he finished bowing, he walked to Elder Li Shao's side, standing there as he examined all the other people who came here.

"It seems that everyone has arrive. Since everyone is now here, it is time to start the meeting. The reason why I have called you all here is for a reason that you all might already know. Although I had not wanted to take it into our power, it seems that we have to put a stop to it all. The Dark Lord has shown himself again, this time he has killed another disciple from Tian Sect." A man dressed in white robes spoke, his face remained as if he were still 30 years old when he was over 150 years old.

"Sect Leader, although we want to put a stop to the Dark Lord's reign, some things are easier said than done. Over the years, he has grown strong. Even when he first came out to the world, nobody was able to rival him. Even if all the sects were to conjoin their powers to eliminate him, the chances of defeating him are still low." Elder Qingfang, master of the 4th peak, replied. His face was more pale, and he spoke with an air of distraught.

"Elder Qingfang is correct. The Dark Lord is strong. He, himself, is far stronger than any of us. But added on that he also has soldiers too, those of whom he has trained for battles and infiltrating sects, he seems all too powerful. That is why I have decided to send ShuYan to the Dark Lord's hidden valley. If he could use this opportunity to find out some important clue about the Dark Lord and his followers, we may have a chance of defeating him." The Sect Leader said, his face suddenly seemed to have aged as he spoke these words.

ShuYan's eyes immediately shone. If he was able to get this mission, maybe he would be able to explain everything to RuJin. Even though he also knew that this might never happened, he wanted to take even the smallest chance as long as it'll help him.

"Sect Leader, ShuYan is one of the Sect's most promising disciples. If we were to send him and he never returns, the Sect would lose one of its most powerful disciple. Although what you have said is right, losing such a powerful disciple will bring our strength down." Elder Li Shao suddenly spoke up from the side. He bent slightly as he cupped his hands towards the Sect Leader.

"I understand, Elder Li Shao. ShuYan is one of the Sect's most powerful disciple, and I too, do not want to do this. But if we don't take this chance, the Dark Lord will only get stronger. I understand that by doing this, I will be putting pressure onto your disciple. But even so, I hope that you, as an Elder of this Sect, will understand." The Sect Leader replied, sighing as he massaged his temples.

"Yes, Sect Leader."

Silence lingered in the room before the Sect Leader spoke up.

"ShuYan, do you accept this mission?" The Sect Leader asked, as he looked towards ShuYan.

"Yes I do, Sect Leader." ShuYan replied while cupping his hands towards him.

"You will set off on your mission as soon as possible. I will transport you to the Dark Lord's hidden valley, but that will be all. The rest is up to you." The Sect Leader said.

"Yes, Sect Leader." ShuYan replied.

Almost immediately, bright light shone around him before he disappeared.

ShuYan looked around himself. He was in a dark forest, filled with trees and animals. Listening to find any signs of where he could get out, he heard the faint voice of talking. He looked around first before setting off, following the voices.

RuJin looked around himself, his eyes darkening and his mood seemed to have dropped. He somehow felt like something wrong was going to happen.

"Lord, all the sects from the 5 nations have decided to group up and attack us. It seems like they are going to launch a surprise attack in 6 months." Xue Yi informed RuJin, his body surrounded by a dense aura of bloodlust. It was only normal as he was one of RuJin's generals, also someone who waged war against the "righteous" sects.

RuJin looked around for a second, his fingers gently tapping the throne that he sat in. He blinked once, his eyes seemed to light up as a sneer appeared on his face.

"It seems like they have to attack together in order to defeat us. It's a shame. I would've though that they would be stronger than this. I was expecting too much from people like them." RuJin said, his voice full of mockery.

"Lord, should we make a movement yet?" Xue Yi asked RuJin.

"No, for now we stay still. The most satisfying moment is watching your enemy be defeated by their own mistake, especially when you don't have to lift a finger. I wager that pretty soon, they will all start accusing each other of being a spy. Then their union will start breaking apart." RuJin stated, he knew that they will do this. After all, trusting can only be done for so long.

"Yes, my Lord." Xue Yi replied.

"If that is all, you may be dismissed." RuJin said, waving his hand as a sign for Xue Yi to leave.

After Xue Yi had finally left, RuJin suddenly looked towards the dark corner in the room.

"Are you going to come out yet?" RuJin asked the person hiding in the darkness.

The sound of footsteps were heard before a figure stepped out from the darkness.

"RuJin."