Chapter 100: Lone Wanderer From White Tiger Kingdom
The frozen glaciers had shattered.
Cracks spread like spiderwebs across the white expanse, echoing sharp cracks that resounded into the abyss. The once-silent land of ice was now a graveyard of broken blades and blood-stained snow.
Amid the broken land, the surviving members of the Howling Abyss Sect had gathered upon a wide slab of frozen ground. Their faces were pale, their robes torn, and the scent of blood hung heavy in the air. Many were injured, their bodies trembling from both exhaustion and fear.
Zia Bailey stood at the front, his jaw slack, his sword barely held upright as he stared at the young man who had just appeared from the heavens — the one who had saved them from certain death. His body trembled, his breath shallow. Beside him, Xia Coco and Elder Xia stepped forward, their expressions wary yet hopeful.
Bailey clenched his fist tightly and, with a trembling voice, asked,
"Wh… Who are you? Why did you help us?"
The boy — with violet hair fluttering against the freezing gust and eyes glowing like amethyst fire — stretched his neck slightly, his expression calm yet sharp as a blade.
"Just answer my question," he said, his tone cold and steady. "Are you familiar with the Sanatan Flame Sect?"
Zia Bailey's gaze flickered with confusion and caution. "If I said yes, then what?"
The boy tilted his head. A small, knowing smile tugged at his lips.
"Nothing… I want someone to introduce me to the Sanatan Flame Sect. It's great that I finally found someone."
He paused, his eyes darkening with faint annoyance.
"Before you, I encountered some people from the Jade Phoenix Sect. I asked them the same thing, but they attacked me. Fools. Got killed by me for no reason. Tsch."
His words echoed across the frozen plain like thunder. The disciples behind Zia Bailey swallowed hard, fear visible in their eyes.
"I'm glad you know the Sanatan Flame Sect," the boy continued with an easy smirk, "Otherwise, I'd have to kill you all."
Zia Bailey's throat went dry. He swallowed, the sound audible even through the cold wind. Xia Coco stepped forward, exchanging a brief look with him. He gave a small nod in return, understanding her silent courage.
Zia Bailey inhaled deeply, his breath fogging in the icy air. "My sect is a friend of the Sanatan Flame Sect… You can say, very close. My late grandfather — the previous sect master…" His voice lowered, the grief in his tone heavy. "...was a great friend of their Sect Master, Shaurya."
The boy's expression changed. His eyes widened faintly, and then he suddenly moved.
The frozen floor beneath his feet cracked violently as he dashed forward. In a blink, he appeared before Zia Bailey. The air rippled with pressure. He raised his hand and clapped Bailey's shoulder, laughing heartily.
"Hahahaha! It's really great. I'm lucky to find you!" he said, his voice carrying a youthful excitement. "I've heard so much about their sect. They've always attracted my attention. So I've been searching for someone related to them — so I can join their sect."
Zia Bailey blinked, stunned. "Uhhh… So you just want to join their sect?"
"Yeah," the boy replied with an easy grin. "Who doesn't want to join a powerful and interesting sect like them? Before coming here, I had already heard plenty about them."
Xia Coco, still cautious, tilted her head. "Well, where are you from?"
The boy stepped back, coughed once, and said, "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Yan Chen, from the White Tiger Kingdom."
Elder Xia's eyes widened. "What? You want to join a sect that's so far away from your own kingdom?"
Yan Chen smiled faintly, hiding half of his face behind his sleeve.
"I have my own reasons. If you've asked enough, would you please introduce me to the Sanatan Flame Sect?"
Zia Bailey nodded, bowing slightly. "Of course… But I don't know where they are in this Secret Realm."
Yan Chen's eyes glimmered faintly with mischief. "Don't worry. We still have plenty of time. I'll go with you all. After all, your sect is a friend of the Sanatan Flame Sect."
Zia Bailey bowed again. "Thank you for your help."
Yan Chen turned his head slightly, glancing over his shoulder. A confident smile curved his lips as he winked playfully.
They began walking forward, their footsteps echoing softly over the fractured ice. The frozen wind howled in the distance as the scene slowly faded away…
Far Away,
A gentle breeze whispered through a vast forest—lush, quiet, and serene. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the canopy, illuminating the resting members of the Sanatan Flame Sect.
One month had passed.
When Shaurya finally stirred, the forest shimmered under a golden dawn. Slowly, he opened his eyes, blinking the sleep away. His hair was messy, his expression dazed.
He rubbed his eyes lazily — like a child waking from a long nap.
Lin Shu, who was talking with Elder Liya, turned and froze. Watching him rub his eyes and yawn, her heart skipped a beat. Her cheeks flushed red as she whispered to herself,
"Oh my god… so cute. He's too cute for someone that powerful…"
Shaurya stood up, stretching his arms and shoulders. Elder Wan approached with a smile.
"Master, you are awake."
Shaurya rubbed the back of his head. "Huh? How long was I asleep?"
Elder Wan chuckled lightly. "One month, I guess?"
Shaurya's eyes widened. "Whoa… I slept for that long?"
He looked at his disciples, then grinned. "So, are you all recovered?"
Elder Wan smiled awkwardly. "We all recovered within hours. We were just waiting for you to wake up."
Shaurya laughed, stepping forward. "Fine then!"
He raised his voice, full of energy. "My dear sect members, I hope you all are doing well!"
The disciples instantly gathered in lines, their posture disciplined.
"We are all alright, Master!" they replied in unison.
Shaurya nodded, satisfied. "Okay then, let's go — to our next destination."
Elder Lin Shu, Liya, Feng Yu, and Wan gathered beside him. Their robes fluttered lightly in the wind. Shaurya slid his hands into his pockets and smiled faintly.
"I haven't moved my body for a long time… Finally, I'll get a chance to stretch."
They began their journey, disappearing into the depths of the forest.
The world shifted again and again.
Deserts, beaches, ruined gardens—each frame flashed like fragments of fate.
Through burning deserts where Prince Tian Bufen of the Black Dragon Kingdom led his remaining cultivators;
Then, by a glittering shoreline, members of the Moonlight Pavilion rested amid heaps of slain beasts, the scent of blood mixing with the sea breeze.
Elsewhere, the White Tiger Kingdom's royal palace inspected a devastated herb garden. A loyal elder stepped before a luxurious royal palanquin and bowed deeply.
"Prince, something was here... but it's already been taken."
From within the palanquin came a calm, composed voice.
"Oh... Is that so? Then let's move to the next location."
The elder bowed again, and their procession moved on.
High in the hills, the Howling Abyss Sect journeyed with Yan Chen among them.
Zia Han followed silently behind him, his eyes sharp and guarded. A bead of sweat slid down his temple as he thought, If Yan Chen hadn't joined us... we would have been long dead.
The world continued to turn. Sects, kingdoms, cultivators—all moving across the ever-shifting realm, each chasing destiny.
The sky turned pale gold. The land below cracked and dry, devoid of life. The Sanatan Flame Sect stood there, gazing at the barren wasteland.
Shaurya's hands were in his pockets as he surveyed the area. The wind carried dust and heat.
He tilted his head slightly. "Huh… Now what? A drought area? Tsch… I chose the wrong location."
He sighed, brushing off his robe. "Nevermind."
Turning toward his disciples, his tone firmed.
"Let's just explore this area. But don't let your guard down."
"Yes, Master!" they shouted in unison.
They dispersed, spreading out to investigate the terrain. Shaurya's eyes glimmered faintly as he activated his Immortal Eyes, scanning the surroundings.
The world around him shifted in color and detail. Energy currents, invisible to the ordinary eye, became visible streams of brilliance.
Then—his pupils widened. A brilliant smile curved across his face.
Something extraordinary had caught his sight.
The wind whispered across the barren wasteland.
Dust spiraled around Shaurya's boots as he stood at the center of the drought-stricken plain, his hands still resting in his pockets. His immortal eyes glimmered faintly with golden light—like twin stars burning within a mortal shell.
The rest of the Sanatan Flame Sect fanned out in different directions, searching the cracked earth and desolate ridges for anything of value. The land was silent. Too silent. Even the faint hum of spiritual energy was absent.
Shaurya frowned.
"This land... it's dead," he murmured.
He crouched down, brushing his fingers along the parched soil. A faint tremor ran beneath his hand—a heartbeat. The ground pulsed for a single moment and went still again.
"Hmm?" His brows furrowed. "Something's is here."
Elder Wan and Lin Shu approached from behind.
"Master, did you find something?"
Shaurya didn't answer. His gaze was fixed on a particular crack in the distance. The golden hue in his eyes deepened.
A faint glow leaked from beneath the earth—thin lines of crimson light like veins awakening after centuries of slumber.
Elder Wan's expression darkened. "That... doesn't look natural."
Shaurya straightened, brushing the dust off his hands. "No, it doesn't." He looked toward his sect members and raised his voice.
"Everyone, fall back a hundred meters. Now."
The members immediately obeyed, moving back in disciplined formation. Lin Shu hesitated, glancing at the growing light. "Master, what is it?"
Shaurya's lips curled slightly. "Something ancient."
The air shifted.
A sudden gust of hot wind swept across the plain, scattering sand into the air. The red veins pulsed violently, the ground shaking beneath their feet.
"Formation!" Shaurya commanded.
Flames ignited across the sect's battle formation. Spiritual energy rippled outward, forming a blazing crimson circle around him. The temperature rose sharply.
And then—
A deafening roar tore through the silence.
The ground exploded.
To be continued...