Chapter 24: Gathering
Two days passed since chaos tore violently through the central paths of the Stoned Forest. The skies darkened with heavy clouds, and the air grew increasingly oppressive. Even the trees seemed to stiffen, bracing themselves for something far worse waiting on the horizon.
Group 1 – Nahjer and the Female Disciple
Blood trickled slowly down Nahjer's cheek as the last Rock-Backed Ape collapsed with a thunderous crash. He wiped the wound with casual indifference while the female disciple at his side spun her sword smoothly before sheathing it with precision.
"You are getting slow, Nahjer," she teased, her smirk sharp and playful.
"I am conserving strength," he replied coldly, his eyes scanning the quiet forest for threats.
Before either could relax, movement stirred in the distance. Their hands touched weapons instinctively, only to ease when Ramius stepped through the foliage. Two of his allies trailed close behind him.
"Ramius," Nahjer said with a nod.
"It is good to see you alive," Ramius replied evenly. "There is news. All able disciples are being gathered. Something has been discovered—a ruin or inheritance ground. You still stand strong, so I came myself."
The female disciple raised a brow toward Nahjer. "Seems our break has ended."
Nahjer gave a short nod. "Then lead the way."
Group 2 – Prince Hunter
In a crystalline clearing that shimmered faintly with natural energy, Prince Hunter delivered the final strike against a monstrous demonic beetle. Its crystal shell cracked apart with a hiss of steaming essence, shards scattering like glass across the ground.
His two companions remained unharmed, watching with steady composure.
"That makes three skirmishes in two days," one remarked. "It feels like the forest is deliberately pushing us forward."
Hunter cleaned his blade with measured precision. "It is pushing. And we are not the only ones being guided."
The other disciple's eyes shifted uneasily. "Do we continue as planned?"
Hunter's expression remained calm, his reply firm. "The mission requires the best. We arrive early, and we prepare."
Without further words, they vanished into the trees, moving swiftly toward the place of convergence.
Group 3 – Iron Fang Sect Merged Groups
Fog rolled heavily across a rocky ridge where two battered Iron Fang groups caught their breath. Fresh blood stained the ground, the remains of spirit wolves lying broken around them. Every disciple breathed raggedly, but their eyes burned with iron resolve.
"What have you heard about our destination?" one disciple asked cautiously.
"They are calling it a lost formation site," another answered grimly. "Something tied to an ancient lineage trial."
"That sounds like a trap waiting to spring," a third muttered bitterly.
The leader of the merged group stood tall, his eyes fixed on faint lights flickering in the far distance. "Perhaps it is a trap. But even traps hold treasures. We will keep moving."
Group 4 – Fighting Brawlman Sect
On a broken plateau overlooking the valley, ten disciples of the Fighting Brawlman Sect rested uneasily. Bruises and cuts marked every body, but their harsh laughter rang loudly as they recounted violent clashes.
Off to the side, however, three stood apart.
"He killed a Silver-Tier Five like it was nothing," one whispered darkly. "And then he claimed the demon's core."
"If he continues rising unchecked, all of us will eventually live beneath his heel," another growled with resentment.
The third figure, cloaked beneath a hood, muttered coldly, "Then perhaps we let him fall when the opportunity presents itself."
Regardless of their whispers, the group gathered their gear. Their destination was the same as everyone else's. The mission was far too great to ignore.
Group 5 – Night's Light Devouring Church
The forest shadows thickened unnaturally as five cloaked disciples of the Night's Light Devouring Church assembled. Their presence was suffocating, their every motion controlled and deliberate, as though rehearsed a thousand times.
One finally broke the silence. "The others have already gone ahead. We will follow shortly."
Another spoke with a chilling certainty. "And we will ensure that certain disciples never leave this forest alive."
Together, they moved silently, becoming whispers swallowed by the trees.
Group 6 – Bright Brilliant Blade Sect Elites
Six disciples of the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect advanced through the forest with disciplined strides. Each was only fifteen or sixteen years of age, yet all stood at Silver-Tier Five. Pride and ambition glimmered in their eyes.
The three leading them were those hand-selected by the nameless elder when he first came to the Bright Blade Subsect. Their confidence was absolute.
"We will crush every rival sect," one declared, his voice filled with certainty. "Our formation and cultivation surpass them all."
"If we secure the treasure," another added eagerly, "our names will be remembered in the sect annals for centuries."
They surged forward, every motion laced with arrogance and determination.
Group 7 – Iron Fang Sect Silver-Tier Elites
Far away, four elite disciples of the Iron Fang Sect gathered in silence. Each was Silver-Tier Five, hardened by relentless survival and training. They studied their maps, their eyes cold with calculation.
"We will let the other sects and rogues wear themselves down," their leader said firmly. "Then we will strike with precision and brutality. Everything they bleed for will become ours."
Group 8 – Fighting Brawlman Sect Elites
The elite force of the Fighting Brawlman Sect marched in brutal formation, their presence radiating raw strength. Among them walked a veiled woman with long black hair that shimmered faintly in the mist. Her beauty was chilling, her aura sharper than any weapon.
As her comrades discussed formations, her left eye flickered with a faint glow. Red light swirled with complex runes inside her iris, hidden carefully from the others.
"Interesting…" she whispered to herself. "The chaos will be overwhelming, but I will do exactly as the young mistress instructed."
Group 9 – Night's Light Devouring Church Silver Elites
Three disciples of the Church, all at Silver-Tier Five, advanced like walking shadows. Their eyes radiated murderous hunger, and their silence felt heavier than roars.
Finally, one spoke a single word. "Kill."
The other two gave no disagreement. Their intent was already clear.
Group 10 – Rogue Coalition
Deep within a hidden camp, rogue cultivators and traitors stirred restlessly. Once outcasts, they had gathered under a single principle: take whatever treasures the sects believed belonged to them.
"When the strongest finally reveal themselves, we strike hard," their leader growled. "We take treasure, we take blood, and we take survival for ourselves."
But even in their confidence, unease lingered. They had seen demons stalking the deeper woods. The forest itself seemed hostile, as if it wanted to devour them all.
Group 11 – Elton's Group and Talia
At the forest's wild heart, Elton's group advanced steadily. Zoro walked in silence, his twin katanas resting across his back, his aura sharp with restrained menace. Christy's red starry eyes swept constantly across their surroundings, her expression thoughtful. Cedric followed close, his dagger humming faintly with Ki fire.
Talia and another female disciple had already joined them, slipping back into formation with little fuss.
"There is a treasure hidden deeper in this forest," Talia explained, brushing dust from her sleeves. "All strong disciples have been ordered to converge there."
Christy arched a brow, her tone skeptical. "It sounds like a slaughterhouse waiting to happen."
Zoro's voice was cold and certain. "It does not matter. We will carve through anything that stands before us."
Elton said nothing, his face composed. Deep within his mind, however, the inner voice purred with arrogance.
"Why should you care about such meaningless missions or trinkets? That weapon… perhaps it lies closer to that ruin. Head there, boy. Each step forward sharpens your fate, whether you accept it or not."
Elton's silence masked the storm brewing inside him. The convergence had already begun.