(Book 1 Complete) To Devour the Crawling Gods [Eldritch Xianxia Progression]

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"No! Let me go! Stop, damn you! I didn't join the Sect for this… I didn't break free from my mortal bonds, cultivate my flesh and blood, and suffer all those trials just for this! I was not born to be your food!

"I don't accept this… I cannot accept this! My flesh is my own, nothing about me belongs to you! Unhand me, you—! N-no, STOP! DON'T—!"

— Overheard words from a Core Disciple as he was 'inducted' to serve a term in the Sect Butchery

Similar to the Sparring Halls, the Hei estate was secluded far from the rest of the compound. Unlike the Sparring Halls, however, this seclusion was not done for practical reasons such as the prevention of fire incidents.

Rather, it was a clear statement of power.

The Hei Clan's private estate was larger than any of the other lesser Clans of the Beheaded Phoenix Sect. It was also the most lavishly built. Unlike the other estates that used wood or stone walls to fence off their compounds, the Hei estate used massive slats of black volcanic marble mined straight from the tunnels beneath the Phoenix Mountain — a privilege afforded only to the nobles and respected cultivators of the Sect, and often only in limited quantities.

There was no such frugality here, of course. Such restrictions do not apply to the Patriarch of the Sect. Rather, it was a necessity of the strong to be ostentatious.

Regardless of practicality.

The wall was a ludicrous display of wealth; almost stunning in its absurdity. Inlayed with onyx, gold, and ivory, the natural aureate patterns of the obsidians swirled and flowed like rivers of jewelled veins. Rich tones of cream were interwoven with shades of black and gold. The surface was polished to a mirror sheen, waxed daily by the cultivated servants of the estate.

It was beautiful, but more than that, its appearance was unnaturally exquisite. The walls were too perfect, as if they were a giant slab pulled straight from the depths of the mountain mine, rather than constructed piece by piece by the artisans of the Sect.

There was nary a dent or crevasse to be seen. No mere group of mortals could have built this. Even the most talented of cultivators would have struggled to construct such a masterpiece without a lifetime of practice.

That impossible perfection was the intent, however. No Disciple or Elder would have been able to erect such a thing, for the walls were fashioned by the very Patriarch himself. Only he, with his cultivation within the Spirit Realm, could have crafted such delicate artistry. Each time anyone passed by the estate, they were reminded of that statement.

Look upon those walls, and know that only your Patriarch could do this.

The development and design of the entire Hei compound was his work and his work alone. A serene retreat, built with the sophistry and prowess of a cultivator in the Fifth Realm.

Gardens bloomed with flowers of all colours. Ponds flowed with clear spring water and teemed with Koi Beasts. Statues of great ancestors and cultivators carved from quality marble. The entire compound evoked awe, as was the purposed effect of its architect.

Those who stepped past the gate were entering into the very domain of the Sect Patriarch, and the man made sure all were aware of it.

A cobblestone path leads to the main building, where the family of the Hei Clan was housed. Standing five stories tall, with a width greater than any other structure in the Sect and supported by large golden columns, its shadow loomed over the compound.

So imposing was its majesty that one was forced to appreciate the massive construction of the building as they approached, rather than being allowed to.

Still, familiarity had a way of making even the most majestic sight turn mundane eventually. As such, it was ease that accompanied Hei Feng's stride as he passed through the ornate gates of the compound.

On his flanks were the two Young Misses of the Chen Clan. Lianshi walked beside him with a mellow gait, taking the sights in with a curious smile. It was not her first occasion visiting the compound. Even discounting all the times she sneaked in to visit Feng, the Patriarch had invited the Young Miss over several times over the years for official visits.

For the other sister, however, the compound was unsettlingly foreign. Lingyu was poised in her steps. Arms folded within her sleeves, back straight, and expression stoic, she was the perfect image of a Young Miss.

She was also incredibly nervous. A regular passer-by would likely not be able to tell, but Feng knew her long enough to see the signs — the slight, habitual finger-tugging of her robes between her sleeves, or the occasional lapse of panic that flashed through her eyes.

He would have told her to relax, but doing so would likely achieve little. And in truth, it would be rude of him to dismiss her worries as trivial.

There was nothing trivial in being called to meet a Patriarch, especially one of a foreign Sect.

Rows of servants greeted the trio as they entered the estate. Dozens of them lined the sides of the cobblestone path. Most were Outer Disciples who volunteered for the task of maintaining the compound, aiming to line their pockets with favours and Spirit Stones in exchange for service rendered. The demands of the estate were far too burdensome for mere mortal servants to handle on their own, and so Disciples must be called to handle the chores.

In a way, it was another statement of the Patriarch's power and influence over the other Clans and Elders. Only he had the finances to support such expensive property.

"I feel underdressed."

Feng looked at Lingyu, who finally gave voice to her unease. It was not an outright admission, but for him and Lianshi, it was enough.

"You look adorable, little sister," Lianshi assured her. Her words had the opposite intended effect, judging by Lingyu's scowl. "Besides, this is just a friendly family dinner. No need to be so formal."

"We are meeting the Patriarch of a foreign Sect," Lingyu hissed. "If something goes wrong, it wouldn't just shame us both, but the entire Chen Clan as well. Please take this seriously."

There was a pause, before she added hurriedly: "Also, don't call me adorable. I'm not a puppy."

"Well, we could ignore his summons, if it would make you less nervous," Lianshi suggested. "We would miss out on the food though…"

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"How would ignoring the summons make me less nervous?" The Younger Miss hissed. "It would be an insult to the Patriarch!"

"You are too tense." His Fiancée lightly patted her sister's shoulder. "Patriarch Shang does not strike me as a man to be easily insulted. Besides, we had already taken the time to clean ourselves up earlier. This amount of preparation should suffice for a meeting like this."

Lingyu was wearing the formal attire of the Split-headed Carnivores — a conservative robe of black and white, trimmed with a pale blue hue and complete with a black sash around her waist. It was a far more prudent choice over their usual form-fitting Sect apparel, though one unsuited for transformation techniques should the need arise. Feng rarely saw any of their disciples wear it.

Case in point, Lianshi was still adorned in the signature black bodysuit and fanged overcoat of her Sect. Despite having the beast coat wrapped around her frame, it was still an undoubtedly immodest sight in polite company.

Lingyu evidently thought so as well. "You could have at least changed out of your combat attire…"

"It would have taken too long to dig out the formal outfit out of our wagons. Besides, I'm hungry!"

Feng decided to intervene as Lingyu started to appear increasingly distressed. For all her advancement and cultivation achievements, the girl was still young and inexperienced. Given the harshness of her Sect and the importance of her position, she no doubt felt that there was pressure to perform.

"Lingyu, your elegance and poise befit cultivators twice your standing. Even the Elders that meet with the Patriarch are rarely that composed," Feng said. "Rest assured, your appearance and bearing more than suffice for a meal with Father. He no doubt invited us to just enjoy a simple dinner together. This is not a test."

The Young Miss's tension appeared to ease a little. There was a small smile on her face, and she was about to say something when Lianshi interjected.

"Hey, what about me?" she pouted playfully. Feng rolled his eyes at his friend.

"You are beautiful, as always. That goes without saying, regardless of what you wear. There is no need to fish for compliments."

Lianshi beamed, before leaning over to kiss him on the cheek. Lingyu briefly looked away. When she turned back to stare at the path ahead, her expression was carefully cold.

Lianshi noticed. "Ah… ahem, sorry about that…" she sheepishly apologised.

"Don't mind me. I wouldn't want to intrude." Lingyu's tone was decidedly neutral. "Perhaps I should take your earlier suggestion, and leave you two to dine with the Patriarch yourselves. It would doubtlessly be more suitable for his— ahh!"

Lingyu didn't manage to finish before Lianshi swept her up in a hug. A few servants looked over curiously at the display. The younger sister blushed before struggling futilely against Lianshi's embrace.

"What are you—! Put me down, you barbarian! People are looking!"

Lianshi ignored her protest, nuzzling affectionately against the crown of her little Sister's head.

"You don't have to exclude yourself from us, you know," the older sister softly said. "I much rather have you spend time with us, rather than leave you out. You shouldn't look down on the value of your company."

"I agree with your sister," Feng added. "There's no need to excuse yourself to give us our privacy. While I can't entirely speak of Father's intention in organising this dinner, I have no doubt he means to have you join us. The invitation was not simply courtesy, Lingyu."

Lingyu stopped struggling. After a moment, she buried her face in Lianshi's shoulder and sighed.

"I don't belong here," she mumbled into her sister's coat. "You are the Patriarch's son, and Lianshi's cultivation is so advanced she's practically a step away from rivalling your father in terms of power. I just broke into the Shaping Realm not even a month ago, and now I'm supposed to dine at the table of a Spirit Realm cultivator?"

Feng considered her words. "Is it really that frightening?"

Lingyu glared at him. "Imagine, for a moment, if it were our Mother who had asked you to dine with her instead."

The Young Master did. And then he shivered. "Alright. Point taken."

"Both of you are being dramatic," Lianshi chided. "You don't see me being scared."

"Like Lingyu pointed out earlier, your cultivation level is far closer to the esteemed Patriarchs than either me or your sister," Feng stated. "It's different when the disparity in strength is so thin."

"I suppose…" A thoughtful look appeared on her face. "Say, if it came down to a fight between your father and me, do you think I could win?"

"Don't say that!" Lingyu hissed softly. "Why would you even say that?! We are right upon the Patriarch's doorstep!"

"It was just an idle thought," Lianshi whispered back, before bumping her shoulder against Feng. "Well?"

The Young Master grimaced. "If such a fight occurred, I would be far more worried about the condition of my Sect in the aftermath rather than anything else. There is a good reason why our great leaders rarely exert their full powers any more."

"Of course. Such a battle would likely level a building or two. The collateral damage in lives would be significant as well." Lianshi nodded sagely, before grinning. "But…?"

Feng sighed. "Ten-to-one odds, in my Father's favour."

"What?!" Lianshi exclaimed. "Oh, come on, it should be five-to-one, at least!"

"The esteemed Patriarch has centuries of experience more than you, and a higher cultivation level besides," Lingyu grumbled, evidently giving up on reigning in her sister's blatant disrespect. "If anything, ten-to-one odds are ridiculously generous. I would say twenty-to-one is more accurate."

Lianshi was about to protest again, but another voice intervened.

"I'm flattered you think so highly of me, Miss Lingyu, but I must respectfully disagree with your assessment. Miss Lianshi has already shown a remarkable aptitude for combat, one that saw her triumph against Elders with vastly more experience, even when her cultivation was less advanced than theirs years ago. Combined with your Sect's transformation technique, which is uniquely suited for evening the field against stronger opponents, I believe my victory would not be so certain."

Lingyu's face paled at the sound of the new voice. Lianshi chuckled sheepishly, while Feng instinctively assumed a respectful bow.

None of them had noticed the man until he spoke.

Patriarch Shang stood at the doorway to his house, mere metres away from them. The man did not look offended by their earlier discussion of his supposed superior prowess. Rather, the amusement was clear on his face.

"I greet the Young Ladies of the Chen Clan, as well as my honoured son." Patriarch Shang did not bow, but his voice was rich and warm. He stepped aside from the doorway and gestured inside. "There's no need to stand on ceremony. Come, let us dine and converse. There is much to discuss, and I have been looking forward to meeting the friends my son speaks so fondly of."

The Beheaded Phoenix Sect, Part 2

The current head Clan within the Beheaded Phoenix Sect is the Hei Clan, a group whose history goes all the way back to the founding of the Sect centuries ago. It is currently led by the Patriarch Hei Shang, who is also the acting leader of the Sect. His Brother, Elder Hei Nan, is the Sect's Elder of Inner Province Relations, and the one next in line to become Patriarch once he returns from his service as ambassador to the overseeing Duke within the Inner Provinces.

The Clan shares a curious tradition in which the two Hei siblings would take turns rotating between their roles as Patriarch of the Sect and Ambassador to the Duke. This was done such that both would have the opportunity to reside within the qi-rich Inner Provinces for a time and focus more on their cultivation, while the other managed the affairs of the Sect.

As was tradition, Patriarch Shang had originally sired two children: an older daughter whom he named the Clan's Heiress, and a younger son who would serve as a crucial support for the Sect and the future Clan Head.

Yet things did not unfold as planned. His daughter — the talented and beautiful Hei Xingyu — went missing without a trace during her first trip to the Inner Provinces, which was arranged for her after she had come of a suitable age.

His sole remaining child, Hei Feng, is now the current Clan Heir. With Patriarch Shang's only wife — Lady Dailei — having passed after the birth of their second child, the Beheaded Phoenix Sect is now left with only a single heir.

Despite political pressures from the other Clans and Elders of the Beheaded Phoenix Sect, Patriarch Shang has not taken steps to secure another wife or concubine to bear a second child — an odd decision, given the man's reputation for being a rational leader possessing of sound judgement that has led the Sect well into prosperity for decades.

– Excerpt from A Citizen's Guide to the Flesh-Grafted Empire