"Those bastards!"


    An angered shout boomed loudly within a gathering hall as a fist mmed down on a table. There were over a dozen people within this room, who were looking towards the one who had just mmed his fist.


    n Leader Cade still had an angered look on his face, as he slowly unclenched his fist. Behind him, an opaque drape revealed a seated figure, sitting there in silence.


    As if to mock them further, the Crimson Valley Sect had sent several of the guard''s heads back to the Fenix n, not concerned at all about the consequences.


    "n Leader Cade, let us go to war with the Crimson Valley Sect. Their actions have crossed the line this time," a passionate yell echoed within the gathering hall.


    "That''s right. We can''t sit idly anymore," another yell boomed out.


    Several more yells of agreement echoed out, but were silenced as a figure from behind the drapes spoke out.


    "Such decisions cannot be made lightly."


    "Patriarch!" The first person spoke out as he heard the Patriarch''s voice. "The Crimson Valley Sect killed our fellow n members. They must be avenged! We must take back the Ancestral grounds!"


    Several others in the room nodded their heads in agreement, and waited on bated breath for the Patriarch''s response. Silence filled the room for a moment before he spoke up once more.


    "I have received some troubling news recently," the Patriarch''smanding voice filled the room. "It appears as thought the Crimson Valley Sect has sold themselves to the Bloodfiend Sect."


    "What!"


    "Are you sure?"


    "Who told you such things?"


    Many surprised shouts echoed within the hall, filling it with a boisterous uproar. n Leader Cade raised his hand, gesturing for silence. The Elder''s within the room realized they had acted out of line, and quieted down to let the Patriarch speak.


    "My source is not important, only that it is a valid source. The Crimson Valley Sect has sold themselves to the Bloodfiend Sect, and have used the pocket realm as payment. The Bloodfiend Sect has set their eyes on the pocket realm entrance, and will im it as their own," the Patriarch exined.


    A deafening silence filled the room upon hearing this. The Bloodfiend Sect was far beyond what the Fenix n was capable of going against. Just a random Elder would be able to raze the Fenix n to the ground.


    The only reason this had not happened yet is that the Fenix n was in a remote, barren area for cultivation, and was not worth the hassle to destroy. However, with the pocket realming to light, things had changed. Such a thing was more than enticement enough for the Bloodfiend Sect to set its eyes on this barrennd.


    "As such, we will have to relinquish the rights to the pocket realm entrance. We do not have the power to fight the Bloodfiend Sect, and so this is the only course," the Patriarch continued.


    The heads of the Elder''s in the room drooped down, some in anger, and others in depression. The pocket realm was an ancestral rite that had been in the n for generations, and was now no longer a part of the n.


    "Hopefully, this will be enough to sate the Bloodfiend Sect''s appetite, and that they do not turn their eyes on our n as well. Keep this information secret. Do not divulge it within the n. I do not want to cause further panic," the Patriarch instructed. "You are dismissed."


    The Elder''s within the hall silently left, leaving only Cade and the Patriarch behind. Cade waited for thest Elder''s to leave before turning around to face the Patriarch.


    "Father, what are our next ns of action?" Cade asked.


    "For now, we wait and see what happens. We do not have the power to fight the Bloodfiend Sect ourselves. However, my information source has instructed me that as long as we do not provoke the Crimson Valley Sect or Bloodfiend Sect, we should be safe," the Patriarch replied.


    "Is this rted to that mysterious person that showed up that one night? The one who let us know John still lives?" Cade asked.


    "Indeed. She has reached out further, and rified the situation to me. Not only is John in the Holy Lands, but he has joined the Heavenly Lightning Sect."


    "What! He joined the Heavenly Lightning Sect?" Cade eximed in shock. He knew that John was in the Holy Lands, but did not know any further details.


    The Patriarch nodded his head in confirmation. "Not only that, but he seems to hold a fairly high importance to the Heavenly Lightning Sect. That mysterious woman is acting as a protector of our n, should the Bloodfiend Sect attack. However, she will only defend, and not seek out the Crimson Valley Sect or the Bloodfiend Sect. As such, all we can do is bury our anger for now," the Patriarch exined further.


    Cade descended into silence for some time, ruminating over everything he had heard. He raised his head after some time and looked at his father.


    "Then at this point, we can only ce our hopes in John."


    The Patriarch nodded his head in agreement. "At this point, he is our only hope to get out of this situation."


    …


    John opened his eyes as sunlight crashed through the windows of his small cabin. He had been hard at work the past week, raising his cultivation, his proficiency with Bloodfiend Battle Arts as much as possible, and also exploring the sect for more clues as to what was going on.


    However, he had not discovered any more information as to what was going on, disappointing him greatly.


    This constant grind exhausted him to the core, and he had fallen into a deep sleep. His tired and aching body feltpletely refreshed, and he bounded off the bed with renewed vigor. He donned a new, fresh robe, before walking outside.


    The bright sunlight crashed onto his face, illuminating his features. A small lingered on his face as his determined eyes looked forward.


    "It''s finally the day of the bi-annual disciple battles, and my opportunity to be a direct disciple."