-Ren's study-
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The next morning found everyone slightly off. Mei was the happiest with Lan Childe having recovered. Even more so, now that he was with them. Elder Kung took the role of teaching him happily.
As for Tali, Melinda, Mo Lan, and Yaya, they spent time togethor talking with her. Yaya needed the break from training from Bedalika. They went over the departure for the Empire's Capital for Melinda soon.
Setsu and Five would go to accompany her as appointed personal bodyguards set by Ren. As her betrothed, he was allowed to do so. Mo Lan was going as additional protection and as a "Noble Lady" appointed by Ren. Lan Childe to act as her guard. She represented Ren's affairs and would also purchase some things on his behalf.
Unknown to all of them, Zero would also follow along. Tucked away hidden inside Lan Childe for observation. Lan Su wanted to go as well, but Ren had assigned another task for her to execute.
Ren gave him a set of orde
. -Tournament Area- . The fighting was getting to the final bits of competition. The last segment, a Battle Royal. Outer Sect Disciples finished. Inner Sect Disciples finished an hour ago. Core Disciples were left. Inheriting Disciples were able to sit out. To demonstrate how important it was, One of the Reserve elders that slept, was out in the open. A way of showing the Sect still was a contender and had power, they choose the elder who had the most strength and breath left. After this round of fights, the prizes would be given to those who performed well. High resources and different Manuals are up for grabbing. For those who were foolish enough to try. "Battle of the Core disciples, Battle Royal." 3rd Elder said. Projecting his voice all over the arena was switched over to the changing terrain & environment for the last half. Something to shake things up, on the Sect Master whim apparently. "St
Ren received not a single challenge after that. He relaxed in the stands with Jackson talking things over about the others. Elder Kung went to complete the task Ren gave him. The man was hard at work to save their lives. His Loyalty to the Sect would be used for Ren's benefit.Ren dived deep into his psyche with the help of the brand. Elder Kung had an actual relative that was a Sleeping Elder. Not on the Lan side of his bloodline. But on his mother's side."Hmmm." Ancestor Maleficent did not leave. She looked towards Ren with greater interest. "Even injured, he remains carefree. Fears, not even those above him still." Her words were heard by others in the area. Specifically Ren's false mother Morticia. Morticia was closer to her from her ties with the Royals. Old friends of the current Empress. "Your son is really something else."*Bwoom!* A ripple went out. Morticia used a sound barrier to keep prying ears out. A few Elders from the visiting Sects were offende
"I am quite annoyed as you can guess. Do not piss me off right now. I will kill you and think nothing of the consequences." Ren had a slight edge in his voice. Reap was passing information about the others playing around while traveling to the Capital. That was not a problem really. As long as Felicity did not push herself currently. 'No good Sect Master.""The Mo family operatives are in the town nearby." The Moon Vally Elder said. "For the Manual yes?""If they are all there then, yes." Ren turned to the Elder and walked over. His hand reached out and cupped the man's face. "You have beautiful eyes. May I have them? I will give you something for them, I promise it will be worth your while.""Do it Elder." A young woman in the back said. The others moved out the way with ease for her to stand next to the Elder. "If it helps build a relationship with you, so be it." She was a fairly striking woman. Dark green hair, with a pretty face. A deep cleava
-Sect Gate- . After dropping off the others and taking some of the resources to help calm down, Ren went to get some other resources. Namely from the townspeople. Elder Kung was in charge of getting the members of the Mo clan from the town after he got back. Bedalika had mentioned a small problem happening. But refused to go into details. Jackson refused to wait and was taking the others to go and pick them up for the escort. Ren just stepped out of the Sect Gate and felt a little antsy. His shoulders ached as his body was changing with the recent breakthrough. The Divine Frost Tiger Manual was itching to kill. More volatile than the Vampiric Devil Manual and to comfortable with his mindset. Ren did not fight enough. Had not fought enough to cause bloodshed and it was starting to show. The Divine Frost Tiger was slighted by the Sect Master treatment. Because Ren was slighted. '3 Primary Manual's, might have been to much currently. But
-Village Area- . "Hmm.. how did it increase in density past calculations?" Ren looked at the inhabitants in intrigue. He really didnt care to much about most of them. They gave fair enough intel at least. But a lot of them were pretty freaking useless. Especially a few from the NorthEast of the Empire. More twisted than a psycho house on ecstasy. They would not be saved. "So much in one place." "It is him!" A civilian yelled towards Ren. "The one who treated us!" Ren gave the man a look. "You are Ko Lin, stop yelling." Ren said demurely. "Why are you causing trouble for me?" Behind his fan, the man did not see Ren's smile. 'Such a large concentration of the poison. I can replenish myself a large amount with this. That is just a quick guess. The amount here can supplement me a great deal.' Reap System: Enough to bring you back to what you need yes. Since you are going to kill some of the corrupt ones, might as well finish a few quests whi
*Woooom! Wooom!* A ghastly wind passed over everyone. The clouds immediately turned darker. Mixed with the ambient miasma, this site looked like an abandoned town instantly. Several wooden boats appeared. Wrapped in milky green Ion energy that floated ever so slowly. Those who looked at the image were frozen in place."Hehehe!" A sinister chuckle went out. Several robed cultivators moved out in the area. In their hands, hammer in one, and large nails in the other."Ahhhhhh!" Several cultivators started to scream in pain. They clutched at their skulls and started pulling. "Remove the nails! They hurt!" They started to scream in pain. In their mind, large milky green nails were lodged inside their skulls."Your grace it will not be long now." A southern cultivator spoke softly. He was speaking to a young man that was dressed in Inner Disciple robes. Seeing the pained look on his charge's face, he started to panic a little. "Are you ok!? Can you hear me!?" He did n
-Sometime Later, Royal Court-."Greetings Royal Father and others," Melinda said plainly. She looked to the Empress and bowed her head next. "I greet the Empress Soruda VII, my your days be blessed..""Speak freely, you have earned it and then some." Empress Soruda VII said. "Your father is cured, you are getting better and Valli is better. The Empire is doing quite well. Just need to strengthen ourselves for the return of the others from the Mainland."Setsu and Five looked at each other. Five had a little more etiquette so he remained quiet and alert. Setsu on the other hand, the boy looked around and marveled at the architecture. They both were dressed in the robes Ren provided them.The traveling had been dangerous but worthwhile for them. The others went to have fun around the city. Which meant trouble most likely for Zia and whoever ticked her off. During the traveling, she righted a lot of wrongs in the area. Building a reputa
-Later that night-."This Manual is ghastly." Melinda said to Ren. Seeing him leaning back on the bed gave her pause. "You sure you will not regret me learning it?""I have been attacked by the manual once before. I learned my lesson and have made sure to cultivate against it. As for the others.. I recommend not trying it on them. It will just lead to your death.""Right..." Melinda moved over and surprised Ren a little. She removed her camisole and stared at him. "I can see the look of desire in your eyes, yet you make no move on me.""Because the good things come to those who wait." Ren answered. He did grab her by the waist and pulled her close, however."Eep!" Letting out a little cry made Ren smile broader. "You brute!" Melinda smacked his chest but made no move to get free. "You like to take liberties at the weirdest of times.""Yes. Say stop, and I will let you go." Ren looked at her. She blushed an