Chapter 256.5-1: The Murderous Sword Disciple's Dilemma
(Author's Note: The events of this chapter take place sometime after Chapter 207. This is the man Master Bluesonics and Rukia were referring to.)
A few months earlier.
Within a region under the jurisdiction of the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, there existed a small rural town where warriors and cultivators constantly moved as if preparing for battle at any moment. A faint sense of lawlessness lingered beneath an outward layer of order. Although the town technically fell under the sect's authority, it had long since been mostly abandoned due to a variety of circumstances over the years.
The settlement rested on the edge of the far-spreading Red Desert Forest Mountain lands. Near the town stood a small, dark mountain that emanated a cold and razor-sharp aura. Most people avoided that place entirely due to its seemingly corrupted nature. In fact, it was the only location near the town that the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect still paid any real attention to.
A small contingent of disciples from a branch sect was stationed in scattered buildings around the mountain. An eerie aura perpetually clung to the area, leaving the disciples constantly on edge. One such disciple had recently received an official document bearing the main sect's crest along with symbols of high authority.
Sweat formed on his brow the moment he read it. Dread quickly followed when he realized that he and several others had been assigned a specific task. They were ordered to traverse deep into the mountain to deliver a set of sealed documents accompanying the instructions. Gritting his teeth, he gathered six other disciples, each wearing the same uneasy expression, and they began preparing.
"Why can't the main sect ever send someone else to this forsaken place?" the middle-aged disciple muttered bitterly. His face looked exhausted. "This branch has declined for years due to constant battles and scarce resources. On top of that, there have been major wars and betrayals recently. Ugh. I suppose our only saving grace is having that mighty expert here."
His cultivation rested at Gold Tier Level One. Only eight other Gold Tier experts remained in the area, with the Gold Tier Level Three sect master being the strongest among them.
With a heavy sigh, the man led the six disciples up the mountain. A chilling darkness raised the hairs on their bodies as faint roars echoed through the terrain. From time to time, creatures of various sizes leapt from crevices and caves, launching vicious attacks. Each clash brushed dangerously close to death. Fortunately, aside from the leader, who was Gold Tier Level One, the others ranged between Silver Tier Levels Three through Five.
After enduring numerous attacks, they finally reached their destination. Before them stood a cave burrowing deep into the mountain. Faint magical arrays and talismans lined both the exterior and interior stone walls.
The leader silently issued hand signals, and the others nodded, quickly forming a formation. They began weaving hand signs as glowing power flowed from their bodies into seven talismans placed on the ground. Layered symbols manifested rapidly, stacking atop one another before the cave entrance. Space distorted as an invisible barrier revealed itself, glowing sharply while murderous sword ki poured from within.
The seven disciples exchanged uneasy glances before stepping forward. The talismans lifted from the ground and attached themselves to each disciple's chest, emitting sword ki that shielded them from the oppressive energy.
They advanced deeper into the cave, each step spiraling upward toward the mountain's interior. Eventually, they reached another chamber sealed by a massive black stone door etched with countless symbols. Imagery tied to the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect and two other sects adorned its surface. One of those sects appeared ruined. If Elton and the others were present, they would have recognized the partially collapsed markings as belonging to the Blue Star Sect.
Standing in that suffocating space, the seven disciples broke out in cold sweat. The Gold Tier Level One leader exhaled deeply, steadying himself before stepping forward.
"Ahem. We greet thee, honored Mortal Lord of the main sect," he said respectfully, bowing low. The others followed suit.
Silence answered them.
The pressure within the cave intensified. The leader began to sweat as he spoke again.
"Ahem. Sir Mortal Lord, I have been entrusted with special documents from the main sect to deliver to you. My apologies for the intrusion."
Once again, silence filled the chamber. The seven remained frozen under the mounting pressure. The Gold Tier expert's expression grew desperate as he spoke again.
"Sir Mortal Lord, please hear us out," he pleaded, strain evident in his voice as he glanced at the others, who were faring far worse. "This message was sent on behalf of the Star Blue Sword Society."
The moment those words were spoken, the pressure surged violently. The disciples were forced to their knees as the crushing force pressed against their bodies.
A man's voice suddenly echoed directly within their minds, authoritative and cold. "Star Blue Sword Society. Tch. Who was the sender?"
Struggling to breathe, the Gold Tier expert clenched his teeth and recalled the unsealed document he had read earlier. There was no full name listed, only something close.
"Ugh… Sir, it… was… cough… Master Blue…" he forced out.
The pressure vanished instantly.
The black stone door rumbled as it was forced open from within. A figure stepped forward, surrounded by an intensely sharp and murderous aura. He wore the robes of a Bright Brilliant Blade Sect elder, adorned with a special crest. His stride was smooth and confident. A great sword, colored white, blue, and red, rested across his back.
The seven disciples sighed in relief as they regained their breath. With a simple wave of his hand, the documents flew from the leader's side into the elder's grasp. He skimmed the open document before turning it to ash, then broke the seals and read the rest with clear intrigue. Moments later, those too were reduced to ash.
He then flicked his hand again, sending seven pouches flying toward the disciples, each catching one instinctively.
"These are your rewards for delivering the documents," he said calmly. "You may leave."
Joy spread across their faces as they bowed deeply and fled the cave without hesitation.
Left alone, the man remained still, lost in thought.
"So that frightening old man has taken in six new disciples?" he muttered. "If I remember correctly, that is the most he has accepted at once since that era."
He paused, then spoke again. "He wants me to watch over those children. Especially this one, Elton Solman, also known by the Daoist title Blue Heavens Sword. I will think on it."
With that, the man turned and walked back into the spacious chamber within the mountain. The door sealed shut behind him, and silence returned once more.
…
Days later.
A tall man wrapped in green and brown robes moved silently through the battlefield, slipping past clashing armies of experts. It was as if no one truly noticed him. When anyone came too close, they would subconsciously veer away in fear, or simply collapse unconscious. The man observed the various factions with sharp interest as his thoughts raced.
"Hmm. The White Star Radiance group? How interesting. Ah, that boy riding the winged serpent must be Elton Solman, just as described in the documents. Oh? And over there is Zoro Tatsumaki, the Black Devil Blades, along with Erica Soloman, recently titled the White Corrosive Flame Empress. And there… is that Ramiro León, the Dragon Spear Hero of León? And Christy Hucklebare, also known as Heavens Star Eyes? I can only assume that strangely powerful aura mixed into the barrier guarding this territory belongs to Shayleaf Crimsonroot, the Crimson Star Fang."
As his thoughts spun, a sudden shiver ran through him. His gaze shot toward the clouds in a distant direction before he quickly averted his eyes, discomfort flashing across his face.
"…Why the hell are they here? Seriously, what was the point of awakening me, Master, if you were just going to have them show up too? Tch. I hope they did not notice me."
Some time later, the battlefield gradually came to a standstill as reinforcements arrived from all sides. Even more neutral forces began to appear, stirring the already troubled waters. It was then that the man's attention returned to Elton, whose face was concealed behind a white mask adorned with star patterns.
A loud voice rang out, filled with passion, charisma, and unwavering determination, as Elton spoke.
"Greetings, friends, enemies, and onlookers alike.
Many of you know me by a certain name, while others do not. Allow me to formally introduce myself.
I am Daoist Blue Heavens Sword, the name I have carried for five years. From this day forth, I shall also be known as the White Star Lightning Sage Solman, Sect Master of the newly established White Star Radiance Sect. This sect stands under the jurisdiction of my parent sect, the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, and is backed by the might of the Grand Fae Spirit Alliance."
The man stared in surprise, not only at the declaration but also at the rest of the speech that followed, which boldly pulled in the Aka Boshi No Tengan Clan and the Soloman Clan for various reasons. A faint headache surfaced as he shook his head and waved it off.
"Interesting… Well, Master did say that I should keep an eye on them. I suppose I will follow his instructions for now."