Beyond Virtue

The group pressed on through the ominous expanse of the Crimson Wraith Forest, their steps cautious but steady. The oppressive mist seemed to ease slightly as they moved deeper into the outer edge, as though the forest itself acknowledged the fall of its most fearsome predator in the area.

Despite the earlier tension, they encountered no further casualties. The disciples fought with renewed focus, their formation tighter and their reactions sharper. Weaker spirit beasts occasionally emerged from the shadows, creatures like Shadowback Hares, Steelthorn Lizards, and Emberfang Vipers. None of these creatures were a match for the group's combined efforts in the end.

Unlike the terrifying Obsidian Winged Crow, these beasts lacked the sheer strength and cunning that came with the Feral Spirit Realm. Their attacks were straightforward, driven more by instinct than strategy. A single coordinated strike from even the lower-ranked disciples was enough to dispatch them.

The forest, however, was relentless in its attempts to unsettle them. The eerie crimson mist swirled with deceptive movements, and the faint calls of distant beasts echoed through the trees, keeping their nerves taut. The group's pace slowed only slightly as they worked to maintain vigilance, though the sense of danger that had permeated the air earlier had lessened considerably.

Xu Yan remained at the front, his eyes scanning every flicker of movement in the underbrush. His earlier actions had not gone unnoticed; whispers of his swift dodge and decisive strike against the crow lingered in the group's subdued conversations. Yet Xu Yan himself remained silent, his focus on the path ahead, his thoughts seemingly distant.

Wei Feng, for his part, maintained order with a stern but steady presence. His instructions were sharp and concise, ensuring the group didn't falter despite the lingering unease. Though his sharp gaze occasionally flicked toward Xu Yan, he refrained from addressing his earlier curiosity. 

Hours passed, and the forest's terrain began to change. The gnarled trees grew taller and more spaced out, their blackened branches twisting skyward like skeletal hands. The ground beneath them shifted from cracked, lifeless soil to patches of soft moss and jagged stones. The forest seemed alive, its silent vigilance ever-present. 

As the group moved cautiously through the dense forest, a disciple at the front suddenly halted, raising his hand to signal the others. "Wait," he said, his voice tinged with excitement. "Do you smell that?"

The group paused, sniffing the air cautiously. A faint, sweet fragrance wafted through the oppressive mist, distinct and alluring.

The disciple who had spoken nodded, his eyes gleaming. "That's the scent of a Scarlet Moon Lotus. It's a rare herb with immense medicinal value. It must be nearby."

The mention of the herb immediately heightened the group's alertness. Wei Feng's gaze hardened as he motioned for the group to follow the scent trail. "Stay sharp. If it's really a Scarlet Moon Lotus, there's no telling what else might be drawn to it."

Moving forward, the group's pace quickened, their eyes scanning every shadow and flicker of movement. The mist began to thin slightly, revealing an open clearing ahead. At the center of the clearing stood the Scarlet Moon Lotus, its vivid crimson petals glowing faintly in the dim light. Its delicate stalk rose from a patch of dark, mossy soil, as though it were untouched by the harshness of the forest.

Before anyone could step forward, a rustling sound echoed from the opposite side of the clearing. Emerging from the mist was a group of disciples clad in white and light blue robes, their pristine appearance a stark contrast to the Blood Fang Sect's dark, crimson-lined attire. Xu Yan's gaze flicked toward them for a brief moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in their appearance.

Wei Feng's expression darkened. "Azure Sky Sect," he muttered, his voice low and sharp.

The other group stopped just at the edge of the clearing, their leader, a tall young man with sharp features, surveying the scene with cold detachment. His eyes lingered briefly on the Scarlet Moon Lotus before shifting to the Blood Fang Sect disciples.

Next to him stood a young woman with striking beauty, her features delicate yet sharp, and her presence commanding. Her icy demeanor matched the colors of her sect's robes, her piercing gaze scanning the clearing with an air of quiet confidence.

Before anyone could speak, another rustle sounded from a third direction. Out of the mist came yet another group, their robes a mix of green and red, adorned with a faint light red cloud emblem on their sleeves. The distinctive mark identified them immediately as disciples of the Rose Cloud Palace.

The Rose Cloud Palace disciples stopped just short of the clearing, their leader, a woman with an air of grace but a sharp, calculating gaze—folding her arms. "And here I thought we'd have this opportunity to ourselves. The Blood Fang Sect and Azure Sky Sect in the same place? How amusing."

The leader of the Azure Sky Sect group smirked faintly, his gaze flicking between the two opposing groups. "It seems the rumors were true. A Scarlet Moon Lotus, here of all places." His voice was calm but carried an unmistakable edge.

Wei Feng stepped forward, his saber drawn but held loosely at his side. His voice rang out, firm and unyielding. "You, Azure Sky Sect's Jian Yi, and Mei Rong of Rose Cloud Palace, hear me clearly. The Scarlet Moon Lotus belongs to the Blood Fang Sect. Turn around and leave, or you'll regret staying."

The leader of the Azure Sky Sect, Jian Yi, chuckled faintly, his sharp gaze unwavering. "Bold words, Wei Feng," he said, his tone calm but cutting. "Do you think we'll just walk away because you said so?"