It was noon at the Demon Sect, the sun's piercing rays striking the earth with intense heat. A young woman named Yamika arrived at a grand pavilion, seeking someone for an urgent matter. She walked straight to the pavilion's entrance and asked the maid on duty, "Where is Elder Vyom?"
"Yes, Miss, he is currently..." the maid began.
Just then, an older man appearing to be in his early forties looked down from the upper floor of the pavilion hall. It was Elder Vyom.
Elder Vyom wore a long, deep midnight-blue and black *Achkan*, intricately embroidered with ancient demonic runes in silver thread. Beneath it, he wore a black silk dhoti tied with a broad silver-and-black sash around his waist. He wore no heavy armor; instead, an aura of terrifying tranquility surrounded him, accentuated by a rosary of 108 black *Rudraksha* beads floating weightlessly in the air around his right hand.
Gently stroking the floating beads, Elder Vyom spoke, "It has been a long time, Yamika... To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"
Yamika respectfully bowed to him and replied, "Elder Vyom, I was simply passing by your pavilion and thought I should come and pay my respects."
Elder Vyom let out a hearty chuckle. "Oh, is that so?" He gestured gracefully, "Come, let us sit in the relaxation chamber and talk in peace."
The two of them entered the *Vishram Kaksha* (Relaxation Chamber). The atmosphere here was incredibly serene. The room was spacious and airy, with light grey walls completely devoid of any weapons or paintings. The moment one stepped inside, a profound silence washed over them, as if all the noise of the outside world had simply ceased to exist.
In the center of the room sat a low table crafted from dark wood. On either side of it lay comfortable floor cushions, colored in a deep midnight blue that resembled the night sky. In one corner, a small incense burner released a faint, fragrant wisp of smoke that instantly calmed the mind. On one wall, a large open window let in a cool, refreshing breeze, causing the sheer black curtains to gently flutter.
Vyom offered Yamika a seat, and both of them settled comfortably onto the soft cushions.
Yamika looked at him and asked, "Elder Vyom, will you truly never give up this simple lifestyle?"
Vyom smiled faintly, "Why should I? I prefer living exactly like this."
Yamika playfully teased, "Other elders wouldn't even dream of sitting anywhere but a high chair at half your age, yet here you are, sitting on a floor cushion in your old age? Quite impressive."
Vyom chuckled softly. "Look, child... everyone has their own way of living, and this is the way I choose to live. I may be getting older, but I will remain exactly as I am."
Turning toward the maid standing at the door, Vyom instructed, "Listen, Kuntala. Bring some Brahma-Kamal tea for our guest, along with some lotus-seed cakes."
Hearing the elder's order, Kuntala immediately bowed and left the chamber. Once she was gone, Vyom turned his attention back to Yamika. "Now tell me, child... how was your journey this past week?"
Yamika smiled brightly, "Oh, my trip? It was absolutely wonderful!"
Vyom narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at her. "Was it truly that smooth? I find it hard to believe that you could leave the sect and *not* stir up some sort of trouble."
Yamika cleared her throat awkwardly, "No, no, Elder Vyom, I didn't get into any trouble at all!"
Vyom leaned in slightly, "So if you didn't get into trouble, I assume you must have brought back some bizarre, absurd object from your travels that caught your eye? Am I right?"
Yamika waved her hands defensively, "No, no! I haven't brought back anything weird. Do you really think I'm only interested in bizarre things?"
Vyom sighed. "It's not that I doubt you, child, but it is very hard to digest the fact that you returned from a journey without picking up something dangerous." He took a deep breath, recalling past horrors. "Last time, you brought back that gossiping skull... then that tickling death-vine... and finally, when you returned to the sect, you brought that weird rooster that turned out to be a demonic beast! The sheer terror that chicken unleashed upon us..."
Yamika looked down guiltily, "I apologize, Elder Vyom. I swear I really didn't bring anything like that this time."
Vyom nodded. "Alright, alright. I forgive you. Just don't bring anything disastrous this time. God knows what calamity you might invite into the sect next."
Just then, a soft knock echoed from the door. Kuntala and another maid entered, carrying the tea and snacks Elder Vyom had requested. He permitted them in, and the maids quietly placed the refreshments on the low table before leaving.
Elder Vyom gestured to the spread. "Let's leave all that behind. Here, have some of my pavilion's special Brahma-Kamal tea and enjoy the lotus-seed cakes."
They both took a sip, savoring the rich, calming taste of the tea. Mid-sip, Yamika casually remarked, "Elder Vyom, I brought a boy back with me."
Elder Vyom, who was thoroughly enjoying his drink, violently choked and spat his tea out in sudden shock. Coughing, he stared at her in utter disbelief. "Wh-What...?! You brought a *boy*? You stopped collecting weird objects and animals, and now you've brought a living boy with you?!"
Yamika quickly raised her hands to calm him down. "Look, Elder Vyom, please calm down! It's not what you're thinking."
Vyom wiped his mouth, still flabbergasted, "How else am I supposed to react?!"
Yamika explained earnestly, "Look, I didn't just bring him here for no reason. He is incredibly special. That is why I brought him."
Vyom sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "Why are the youth always in such a rush? What is wrong with today's generation? Always jumping to conclusions..."
Yamika interrupted, slightly embarrassed, "Oh, you are completely misunderstanding me, Elder Vyom! What I mean is that the boy I brought has an incredibly unique *physique*. That's why he is here."
Vyom paused, his expression turning serious. "Oh, is that so? What makes his physique so special? Can you tell me?"
Yamika leaned forward, her eyes gleaming. "His body holds a massive amount of Origin Energy, but for years, not a single drop has leaked out. Because of this, his Dantian is under a tremendous, suffocating load. Yet, somehow, even after all these years, he is walking around completely normal."
Hearing this, a flicker of genuine surprise crossed Vyom's calm face. "But... it's common knowledge that a non-cultivator cannot even feel the changes in their own body. Furthermore, non-cultivators can never see Origin Energy, let alone control it. How is this possible?"
Yamika nodded, "Yes, you are right. But this case is different. When an ordinary non-cultivator gets trapped in a situation like this, it is absolutely impossible for them to even enter the First Realm. Yet, this boy has managed to reach the lower stages of the Body Refinement Realm."
Vyom's eyes widened in realization. "Is he... a Dark Vessel?"
"Yes," Yamika confirmed with a serious nod. "He is a Dark Vessel."
Vyom took a slow breath. "Incredible... So, you want to extract his Compressed Dark Energy?"
"Yes, but there is a problem," Yamika replied.
Vyom looked at her knowingly. "Do you need the Sect Leader for this?"
Yamika gasped in surprise, "How did you know I needed the Sect Leader?"
Vyom chuckled softly, "Child, I've known you since you were little. I can read your thoughts like an open book."
Yamika sighed, "Yes, I need the Sect Leader because I cannot extract this Compressed Dark Energy on my own." She paused for two seconds, looking at him hopefully. "Could you... perhaps help me extract this Compressed Dark Origin Energy?"
A bead of sweat formed on Vyom's forehead. "Are you really handing such a monumental task to this old man? Truthfully, even if I wanted to, I cannot help you."
Yamika looked at him, surprised and a bit disappointed.
"Look, child," Elder Vyom explained gently. "My cultivation level is three whole realms lower than the Sect Leader's. I wouldn't be able to safely extract that Dark Energy, and trying to do so would only increase the chances of an explosion. I simply cannot interfere with this."
Yamika's face fell, laced with a hint of sorrow. "Is there really no other Elder who can help me?"
Elder Vyom shook his head. "Look, child, there are only a handful of people in this sect who could even attempt to handle this Compressed Energy, but none of them could sustain it for long. They lack the proper techniques to control it. You have no choice but to meet the Sect Leader. Only she knows how to perfectly handle such volatile energy."
Yamika's mood lifted instantly. "It seems I won't have to stay here much longer then! I will go to the Sect Leader right away. I'll see you later, Elder Vyom!"
"Hold on, child," Vyom stopped her. "The Sect Leader is currently not in the sect. You will have to wait here for a few weeks."
Yamika pouted in disappointment. "Where could she have gone?"
Elder Vyom explained, "The Sect Leader has taken two Elders with her on an expedition to find an incredibly precious item. She will return in about two weeks."
A sudden wave of unease washed over Yamika. "Honestly, I've been feeling this strange restlessness regarding the Sect Leader for the past few days... Do you think she'll be alright?"
Vyom offered her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. Even though you are her sole disciple, you shouldn't fret so much."
Yamika frowned slightly, "I have absolute faith in the Sect Leader that she will remain safe, but my heart just feels uneasy."
"Listen to me, Yamika," Vyom said, his voice brimming with absolute confidence. "Nothing will happen to our Sect Leader. You know better than anyone how she loves to toy with her enemies' minds. She has never tasted defeat. So, just rest for a few weeks until she returns."
"Alright," Yamika finally agreed.
Vyom's eyes gleamed with deep reverence as he concluded, "Our Sect Leader is known for her illusions—illusions so flawless that absolutely no one can escape them. That is why she is known by another name in this world... 'Maya, The Empress of Illusions'."