Well, continuing from the previous discussion, it's a pleasure to know that many people have enjoyed my stories, so I've decided not to abandon them. Greetings from your friend, KaleidoMirror. I'm attempting to update and enhance my stories. I'll bring you improved and revised versions for now.
Greetings to all.
Gloria City, a refuge nestled in the heart of a majestic valley, surrounded by the towering mountain ranges of the Ancestral Cordillera. Since its foundation, this city has borne witness to constant sieges by demonic beasts, whose attacks have grown fiercer with each passing year. The mountains that encircle it have become its last line of defense, a natural barrier that has protected its inhabitants for generations.
Over time, Gloria City has transformed into a secure haven for the last remnants of humanity, perhaps one of the few, if not the only one, still standing. Throughout millennia, its residents have lived in isolation from the outside world, completely unaware of the situation beyond the mountains that shield them.
This isolation has not only kept the residents in the dark about what goes on beyond the mountains but has also served its purpose of safeguarding the city from the attacks that followed the Era of Darkness. The ancient city walls, constructed with lost ancestral techniques recorded in the annals of time, have withstood countless onslaughts from hordes of demonic beasts without showing signs of weakness.
The city was founded over a thousand years ago by five legendary demonic spiritists. These heroes led over a hundred thousand survivors through the treacherous mountains, bravely facing the vicious demonic beasts that inhabited them. Thus, Gloria City was born in a territory they believed to be uncharted but actually held the ruins of a legendary city, predating the Era of Darkness.
As they settled and rebuilt, they discovered countless relics and resources that laid the foundation for the noble houses of today. Throughout its history, the city has faced countless challenges, whether in the form of internal conflicts among families and clans or the relentless attacks of demonic beasts. However, it has always been rebuilt and expanded, improving its defenses and countermeasures.
Prosperity came to the city, along with a constantly growing population. Currently, Gloria City is home to ten million inhabitants and boasts hundreds of thousands of demonic spiritist experts who protect its walls.
To survive, the residents of Gloria City hunt demonic beasts that roam near the city. Through collective effort, they obtain food, spiritual crystals, demonic spirits, and other resources that they use for sustenance and internal trade. External trade is non-existent due to their isolation, and the city's currency is the mysterious demonic spirit coin. This unique currency symbolizes the strength and resilience of Gloria City, a city that has survived centuries of challenges and stands firm as a beacon of hope in a world ravaged by shadows.
The majesty of Gloria City unfolds across a vast territory covering a considerable expanse. It's not confined to a simple city but is comprised of two main cities, each with its own character and peculiarities, and six picturesque villages that line up like jewels on a necklace. Although the city's name evokes grandeur, it's more appropriate to consider it a small realm unto itself.
In the first of the two main cities, life teems with a frenetic pace, and cobblestone streets are lined with merchants offering exquisite goods, unique crafts, and a diverse selection of foods that delight the senses. Skillfully crafted buildings compete silently to reach the heights and touch the sky. Amid vibrant and lively squares, street performers entertain passersby with their acts, while the hustle and bustle creates an ever-evolving urban symphony.
On the other hand, the second city modestly rises at the opposite end of Gloria City. The contrast is palpable. The areas are simpler and more regulated, narrow streets are surrounded by ancient and dark buildings, with marks of history etched into every stone. Here, mystery and intrigue intertwine at every corner, and its inhabitants are known for their discretion and caution.
Meanwhile, the six villages that dot the region add a touch of diversity and authenticity to Gloria City. From the picturesque village of "Tranquil Waters," where the sound of water in the lake provides a constant background melody, to the mountainous enclave of "Heavy Rocks," where villagers carve masterpieces in limestone, each village has its own unique history and culture.
Within this small realm, the personalities of its inhabitants are as diverse as the landscapes that surround them. Some are brave defenders of Gloria City, ready to confront the demonic beasts that dare to approach, while others seek wisdom in books and scrolls that will allow them to unravel the mysteries of the Era of Darkness. The inner thoughts of the citizens reflect the history of their home and their determination to protect it and make it thrive in a world where darkness lurks beyond the mountains.
Thus, Gloria City stands as a small realm of wonders and contrasts, where life thrives in its cities and villages, and where every corner hides secrets, desires, and aspirations that breathe life into a unique universe amid the eternal struggle between humanity and demonic beasts.
In the current Gloria City, nestled within an extensive territory that encompassed much more than a mere city, stood the imposing mansion of the Great Snow Wind Family. In the office of its current clan head, Ye Zong, the City Lord, whose reputation for being a person of a difficult and hard-to-handle personality was known throughout the region. On that day, however, we find him in a rare state of reflection, facing a series of dilemmas that had left him perplexed.
Just a few days ago, Ye Zong had yielded to the machinations of Nie Li, a young man of only thirteen years, a member of the influential Heavenly Marks Family. Nie Li had uncovered information in one of the ancient books that his father, Ye Mo, the only Legend-ranked demon spiritualist still alive, had found during one of his journeys in the outside world. This book revealed the secrets of a powerful defensive array, the Array of the Ten Thousand Demon Beasts. Reluctantly, Ye Zong had accepted Nie Li's request to move to the courtyard of his only daughter, Ye Ziyun, to oversee the construction of this array.
Despite his initial resistance and frequent clashes with Nie Li, Ye Zong had to restrain his anger after confronting the sealed demon spirit of one of the ancestral founders of Gloria City, Ye Yan. Initially, he had misunderstood the situation and had been firmly reprimanded by his ancestor. Eventually, he had yielded to the suggestions of Ye Xiu, his right-hand man and adviser.
Despite his inner conflict, Ye Zong couldn't help but admire the way Nie Li had helped his daughter rapidly increase her strength and had provided her with a powerful cultivation technique, as well as an astonishing unique demon spirit, the Winter Queen. That understanding and support had left Ye Zong reflecting on his own relationship with his daughter.
However, his brief period of calm was interrupted by news of an attack by Shen Ming, one of the elders of the Sacred Family, on one of the captured members of the family. The torture was aimed at revealing information about an alleged alliance between the Sacred Family and the Dark Guild. Ye Zong had delegated the responsibility of investigating this matter to Ye Xiu, his loyal adviser.
In addition to these matters, Ye Zong had suffered a bitter defeat at the hands of Nie Li, who had claimed he could destroy one of the eight matrices that made up the Array of the Ten Thousand Demon Beasts. Although he had ultimately vented his anger by subjecting Nie Li to a humiliating beating, the feeling of having lost still haunted him.
However, everything changed with the sudden arrival of Xie Yu, who informed him that his father, Ye Mo, had found a severely injured young man. What could have been a minor matter became significant when it was learned that this young man had been rescued in one of the farthest ruins. Ye Zong was forced to meet with the young man, who had been personally attended to by Gu Yan, the president of the alchemist association. The patient, a red-haired boy no older than thirteen, had wounds all over his body and strange black tribal marks on his limbs.
Ye Zong studied the young man cautiously and noticed that his wounds seemed to be healing on their own, while a mysterious energy seeped through them.
"So, you've noticed it too, City Lord," replied an elderly man in white robes exuding the aura of a scholar.
"There's no need to beat around the bush, Gu Yan," looking at the man who had approached the young boy he had been observing until moments ago, "I can sense that his Spiritual Realm is in a chaotic state, I can't access it even in such a weakened state, but I can perceive a strange life force exuding from his wounds."
"I'm equally perplexed as you, City Lord," as he stopped checking the boy's pulse, "In all my years of life, I dedicated myself solely to the art of Alchemy and Medicine, but I am so surprised," "His life force is peculiar, but it's naturally balanced with the surroundings, so his wounds have shown a surprisingly rapid state of recovery, but... since I treated him a few hours ago, those mortal wounds seem to be nothing but a dream now."
Gu Yan, the president of the alchemist association, confirmed his observations and was equally astonished by the young man's strange vitality.
The City Lord couldn't help but feel a deep mistrust toward the young man, whose presence seemed to emanate a unique aura and a scent of steel and fire that intrigued and worried him at the same time.
After receiving Gu Yan's explanations, Ye Zong reinforced security around the young man and prepared to investigate other matters he had postponed, aware that the mystery surrounding this injured young man could change Gloria City's fate in a way he couldn't even foresee.
The calm of the night was shattered in an instant, torn apart by the horrific sounds of desperate screams and agonizing wails. The walls of the Great Snow Wind Family mansion quivered under the impact of explosions, confirming the alarming reports that had reached the ears of the servants. What was once a peaceful training ground in the southern part of the municipality had turned into a sinister battlefield, overrun by elite members of the feared Dark Guild. The loss of communication with many of the guards in that area only served to underline the gravity of the enemy invasion.
But the worst was yet to come. The invaders had summoned an Abyss Demon, a formidable creature of immense power. Using a teleportation array, they had transformed the battleground into a hellish landscape, reminiscent of an erupting volcano. Guards and servants found themselves trapped in this hostile environment, unable to alter the course of the battle unfolding before their eyes.
The thoughts of Ye Xiu, the Lord of Gloria City, were plagued with worry. He knew that if the situation continued like this, the losses for the city would be devastating. He was caught in a heart-wrenching dilemma. Although he had the strength to confront the Abyss Demon using the Thunder Matrix, doing so would leave him incapacitated and weaken the defenses elsewhere in the municipality. Despite the presence of numerous Black Gold-ranked demon spiritualists on his team, he knew they could only help him contain the Abyss Demon, but not defeat it completely.
The current strategy they were employing was not sustainable in the long run. They were wearing themselves down in a battle of attrition that would eventually lead to their defeat. Furthermore, the lesser lava demons and minions that the Abyss Demon continued to summon in massive numbers were starting to overwhelm the guards. Many of them lay wounded or dead, unable to change the course of the battle.
Even though they had a chance to somehow defeat the Abyss Demon, the forces of the Snow Wind Family and the city's guardians would suffer catastrophic losses that would be difficult to recover from in the future. Ye Xiu was in a moral and strategic dilemma, torn between the need to protect the city and the reality of the terrible consequences that would entail.
In the vicinity of the fierce battle, Patriarch Chen Xheng Long of the Illustrious Divine Family, one of the three Major Families that held Gloria City as their protective pillar, fought with unwavering determination. His legacy was the city's "Shield," and he was determined to fulfill that responsibility with courage and sacrifice.
"We are the unbreakable shield," roared Chen Xheng Long, his voice resonating with authority and resolve. "We will not yield to the dirty tricks of the Dark Guild. Let us bear the pride that the Divine Family has upheld for generations. Charge, against them!"
His words were a call to bravery, an echo that reverberated in the hearts of the spiritualists from the other families present in the battle. Together, they formed a united force determined to defend Gloria City. Their movements were a deadly dance, their attacks an impenetrable shield against the hordes of minions and lesser demons threatening the city's safety.
The elders of the Divine Family, veterans of countless battles, joined the Patriarch with equally unyielding determination. Their faces, wrinkled and hardened by time, reflected the intensity of the battle unfolding around them. Every spell, every attack, was an act of devotion to the cause of protecting their home.
Gloria City, with its streets paved with stories of valor and sacrifice, stood firm against the Dark Guild's invasion thanks to the indomitable spirit of its defenders. At that moment, Gloria City was not just a place on the map; it was a refuge of hope and determination, a beacon of resistance amidst the darkness threatening to engulf the world.
In the sumptuous main hall of the Sacred Family, the Patriarch calmly observed the scenes of chaos and destruction in the city, thanks to his sharp divine perception. Behind him, the forces of his family stood ready to act under his orders.
The Patriarch, an imposing and mysterious figure, kept his gaze fixed on the tumultuous situation unfolding in the city. His features were an enigma, hidden behind a mask of calm that barely concealed the power emanating from his being.
An elder of the family, one of the Patriarch's closest advisers, knelt with respect and concern. "My Patriarch," he began with reverent voice, "the spiritualists from the Dark Guild are attacking the city. What action should we take in this critical hour?"
The Patriarch took a moment to contemplate the situation. His gaze never left the images unfolding before him, but his thoughts were deep and strategic. "Long Shag has decided to act on his own," he said with an ironic tone, referring to another leader of one of the major families. "This means we are not being summoned to join the battle this time."
With a wave of his hand, the Patriarch emphasized his point. "It's better that we don't draw attention at this moment. The other families have already sent reinforcements to the city. Take two spiritualists of Black Gold rank with you," he ordered the elder, his voice a piercing whisper. "Remember, their role is to act as a distraction; we don't need them to contribute significantly to the fight."
The elder nodded solemnly and rose to carry out the Patriarch's orders. As he departed, a subtle smile formed on the face of the leader of the Sacred Family. He knew that in the midst of this conflict, there were opportunities to advance his own objectives and consolidate his family's position in Gloria City. His plans were unfolding with precision, and he was eager to receive good news about the progress of this incident.
In the desolate remnants of what were once the majestic main gardens of the city, now lay only rubble and ashes where fountains and sculptures had once stood. The beautiful and delicate flowers that had once adorned these fragrant and lovely gardens had been ruthlessly scorched by the hellish flames produced by the lesser demons and their flying minions.
From a distance, one could glimpse the coordinated attacks of the experts from the Winged Dragon Family, who had arrived at the moment of need in a spectacular entrance. Using one of their family's unique moves, an attack infused with high-level wind element, they swept away a couple of lesser demons that were preparing to assault the servants of the Snow Wind Family.
"People of Gloria City, you are not alone," exclaimed a spiritualist as he watched the reinforcements arrive. "The Divine Family reinforcements have arrived!"
"Members of the Celestial Mark Family make their appearance!" resonated another voice full of determination.
"The Alchemist Association will not stand idly by!" added a prominent alchemist.
The entrance of hundreds of high-ranking spiritualists was a ray of hope amidst the chaos. They received orders from their superiors and dispersed into groups to confront the demonic hordes besieging the city.
"It's incredible! The elites from every family have joined the fight!"
"It's time to counterattack!"
"Let's go!"
The voices, now filled with determination and courage, inspired the servants of the Snow Wind Family, and together they plunged into battle alongside the newcomers, facing the lava minions while leaving the greater demons to the veterans of the other families.
On the battlefield, a pair of Black Gold-ranked experts worked diligently to create an earth-element containment wall that would provide safe areas for the others. Meanwhile, the present generals had agreed that it was essential to seal the demonic rift to prevent more lava demons from emerging. Despite the high level of the fight, they still had to fight tirelessly to create an opportunity to overcome this crisis that threatened Gloria City. Every spell, every strategy, was a step toward victory in the midst of adversity.
In a secluded corner of the city hall, Ye Xiu stood near the imposing Divine Thunder Assassination Array, his keen senses fully deployed. He had witnessed the strength and tenacity with which the elites of the great families fought against the Abyss Demon hordes and knew they were in a dilemma. The magnitude of their power was overwhelming, and the cost in human lives was steadily rising. However, surrender was not an option. If they wanted to end this conflict, they had to find a way to defeat the demon before it reached its final stage, a scenario that would be catastrophic and virtually impossible to stop.
Ye Xiu knew that the Divine Thunder Assassination Array, backed by Black Gold-ranked spiritualists, could only hold the demon at bay to a certain extent. They were in a race against time, and every passing minute was crucial.
Lost in his thoughts, Ye Xiu didn't realize that Nie Li had approached his side. The urgency of the situation compelled Nie Li to act immediately.
"¡Nie Li, you're here!" exclaimed Ye Xiu.
"There's no time for explanations, Elder Ye. I implore you to allow me to take your place and temporarily control the Divine Thunder Assassination Array," said Nie Li as he began to form hand seals to channel the power of the array.
Ye Xiu nodded resolutely. "Very well, Nie Li, but you should know that the Divine Thunder Assassination Array has already absorbed all the demons that can generate electricity, and its lightning has only managed to mildly harm the demon."
Nie Li smiled confidently. "Don't worry, Elder Ye, I still have an ace up my sleeve."
Drawing his sword, he allowed the ancient thunder and lightning power residing within it to merge with the core of the array, thereby strengthening the electric demonic beast spirits. He concentrated his energy at a single point and directed the attack of the electric demonic beast spirits toward the Abyss Demon. Despite his limited cultivation level, the resulting power caused considerable damage to the demon, creating superficial cracks in its form.
"I still can't use the full potential of the Meteorite Sword due to my low cultivation level," explained Nie Li as he assessed the situation. "If only I had full access to the Ten Thousand Spirit Demon Array, I could effortlessly deal with ten Abyss Demons. But we don't have time for that. Here it comes again!"
Charging more electric power, Nie Li focused on defending against the demon's next attack. However, to everyone's surprise, a barrier of light formed in front of them, creating a new defensive boundary.
This sphere of light gradually expanded as if it were blossoming, growing larger and exuding a power they had never felt before. Its delicate light slowly took shape, splitting into four iridescent petals, creating four thick translucent shields in front of them.
The Abyss Demon, in its frenzy, let out a terrifying roar and unleashed a wave of fierce attacks against the barrier, thrusting forward, concentrating all its demonic fire on its giant sword, and assaulting the shield in front of it consecutively.
For all the spiritualists present, surprise was written on their faces. They had no words to explain what they were witnessing. Faced with the sudden turn of events, they watched without understanding the desperate and furious attitude of the Abyss Demon, which did not stop launching ferocious attacks, exuding a palpable and thick bloodlust. Its sword strikes were forceful, bathed in flames, and became increasingly wild and merciless, but that light shield never lost its brilliance, despite losing the first two layers and showing slight traces of cracks in the third.
Nie Li, exhausted and aware that his spiritual power was dwindling, tried to focus his last bit of energy on the Meteorite Sword. Despite suffering internal burns due to the excessive energy absorption, he remained steadfast despite his current state as a five-star Silver Demon-ranked cultivator. Nie Li was sure he couldn't withstand the current absorption level of the sword; cursing his limited current strength, one of the pages in his soul's book offered an explosion of power that allowed him to deliver a concentrated and electrically charged blow, which was thrown with such magnitude at the Abyss Demon at the precise moment when the last layer of that mysterious shield succumbed to the powerful demonic strikes.
But to everyone's surprise, the demon raised its sword and used its flaming wings to explode them into a rain of fire that managed to repel much of the electrical attack but resulted in severe damage to its body. Nie Li realized at that point that the strength of that demon was possibly at the "peak" of the Black Gold rank. To Nie Li's shock, he was losing consciousness due to the spiritual power deficiency and the negative reaction of the attack. Refusing to believe that his attack hadn't been able to defeat the Abyss Demon, he tried with great effort to stay on his feet, on the brink of consciousness, thinking of an alternative plan. However, fatigue and the draining of his strength weakened him every moment, leaving him frustrated and helpless as he watched a furious and thunderous sound explode in the distance.
The Abyss Demon, in a miserable state, stood up again, positioning itself defensively. It used one of its innate abilities by placing the bleeding stumps of what were once its wings in front of it, igniting them into a different kind of flames as a mode of defense against whatever was approaching it.
Everything happened so surprisingly: an explosion and a shower of flames scattered around. The agonizing cry of the Abyss Demon echoed throughout the area as the spiritualists protected themselves from the resulting fire with slight difficulties. Amidst the clouds of dust and fire, everyone's vision froze, for the Abyss Demon was still alive, but a sword, or what seemed to be a modified version of one, was impaled in its chest. What left everyone unable to react was the strong bloodlust emanating from the weapon, pitch black as the night with protruding edges that curled along its thin blade, gradually turning crimson red. The dying demon tried to lift and remove the sword from its chest but failed, its broken and mangled wings trapped in the blade's edges, causing more bleeding, and its shattered claws prevented it from having control over the blade.
For all the spiritist spectators, even though they were injured and some incapacitated, they wasted no time and decided to collectively attack the incapacitated demon in a last attempt. At this point, Nie Li could do nothing; his limited spiritual power was reaching its limit. Yen Xiu carried him while the elder contemplated the powerful attack that had broken the Abyss Demon's strongest defense. However, they remained on guard; perhaps it was Nie Li's "Merciful Master" or some third party strategy? If so, the power of that weapon was not something to be underestimated, let alone that light shield. Before he could express his opinion, a powerful and furious rain of flames forced him to take distance, while the spiritualists who had been attacking the Abyss Demon suffered burns and injuries of varying degrees due to the unexpected attack of the demon.
His surprise was immense when he noticed that the Abyss Demon's power exploded, reaching a transitional state to the Legend rank, but it was in a very unstable state, as if it were burning its life, on the verge of destruction.
Ye Xiu realized the imminent threat. The demon had decided to use its own body as a magma and ash bomb in a desperate final act. If it exploded, the entire city would be consumed by flames. Making a bold decision and aware of the consequences, Ye Xiu had taken Nie Li into his hands, offering him a final sincere smile. He placed him safely by leaving him behind, ignoring the look of pain and helplessness on the teenager's face, then struck him on the head, causing him to lose consciousness and apologized for his actions.
He wasted no time channeling all his spiritual and vital strength. He knew he only had one chance. Ye Xiu was determined to unleash a powerful secret technique of the Snow Wind Family as a last resort, the Cursed Blood Blizzard. This lethal technique required the user to sacrifice their life to create an extremely powerful icy blizzard. Ye Xiu was willing to make that sacrifice if it meant saving Gloria City and its inhabitants from the imminent explosion of the demon.
The fate of Gloria City hung by a thread as Ye Xiu prepared to unleash his final attack.
Before Ye Xiu could take a single step, a young man stood in his way, preventing him from advancing. The young man wore a dual-toned battle suit, red and black, and still had fresh bloodstained bandages around his body. The lingering scent of medicine filled the air. His face reflected unwavering determination, and his reddish hair fluttered in the wind. Ye Xiu was stunned to recognize him immediately; there could be no mistake, he was the same young man they had rescued a few days ago. They had found him in critical condition and unconscious in long-forgotten ancient ruins, and now he stood before him, ready to confront the Abyss Demon.
Before Ye Xiu could order him to stay behind, an unknown young man rushed forward, skillfully dodging the fiery attacks and fireballs launched by the demon. As he did so, he spoke enigmatic words that left Ye Xiu baffled:
"I am the bone of my sword."
The young man, in an unexpected twist, unsheathed two falchions, easily cutting the fiery attacks in the air. The precision and skill with which he handled the swords were astonishing.
Ye Xiu's attention shifted to the weapons the young man wielded. He was impressed by the exquisite craftsmanship of the blades, which were identical in shape but had opposing colors. One was black as night, with a turtle shell pattern, while the other was white, like the mist of a cloud. But what surprised him the most was the strange power emanating from the weapons when the young man wielded them. Their auras were perfectly balanced, and it seemed that the swords were a natural extension of him.
"Our spirits and techniques are flawless and steadfast."
The young man continued his assault, leaping and dodging the Abyss Demon's attacks. His swords seemed to have a life of their own, returning to him after each throw as if guided by an advanced wind technique. The demon, despite its aggression, couldn't evade the young man's precise strikes. The mysterious words he uttered while attacking resonated in Ye Xiu's mind:
"Our strength rends mountains."
The young man closed the distance between him and the demon, which still suffered from the wounds inflicted by the swords. The demon roared and lunged at him, but the young man, in a brave act, decided to engage in hand-to-hand combat. At one point, it seemed as though he had re-armed himself with another pair of swords, throwing one of them at the demon.
"Our swords divide the water."
To Ye Xiu's shock, the black sword that had been thrown returned from an unexpected angle, attacking the demon with astonishing accuracy. Meanwhile, the young man delivered a quick strike with his white sword to the demon's right side. In an instant, he threw his swords at the demon's legs again.
"Our names reach the imperial villa."
The demon, already weakened and confused by the surprise attacks, couldn't defend itself properly. The young man, with a swift turn, took the opportunity and attacked the demon's torso. The swords, now longer and sharper, with feathers resembling crane wings, sliced through the demon's defenses as if they were paper.
"The two of us can't hold up the heavens together."
"Triply Linked Crane Wings!"
With one final move, the young man unleashed a mysterious energy in his hands, creating another pair of swords identical to the previous ones. These new swords were even more impressive, with supernatural length and sharpness. The young man used them to cut through the demon's defense from top to bottom, splitting its body in two and ending its life.
Yen Xiu, observing the amazing technique of the young man, was impressed by his skill. Although he didn't fully understand the technique, he could appreciate that it was an exceptional ability, a combination of the most powerful high-ranked sword techniques. He recognized that the technique was designed to leave the opponent defenseless and had been executed masterfully.
Once the Abyss Demon lay defeated, the young man fell to the ground exhausted. His previous wounds had reopened, and new lacerations had been added to his body. Yen Xiu approached carefully, inspecting the young man with his spiritual senses. He realized that the young man's condition was critical, and he needed urgent medical attention. Without wasting time, he lifted the young man and also Nie Li, who was unconscious, and headed for urgent medical help.
In the remnants of the battlefield, the spiritualist elites wondered who these two young prodigies were who had faced the Abyss Demon and defended the city. Some recognized the young man as the recent genius of the Celestial Marks Family, but the identity of the other young man remained a mystery. Although questions abounded, it was not the time to seek answers. There were still lesser demons on the battlefield, and the teleportation matrix was still intact. With their spirits high and morale intact, the spiritualists headed towards the southern area to reinforce it and destroy the teleportation matrix.
Amidst the desolate rubble of the northern zone, where smoke and dust spiraled in chaotic plumes, the leader of the Dark Guild's demonic raid hid in the shadows. He watched intently from a distance as Yen Xiu carried the two youths who had thwarted his master's twisted plans. His gaze burned with hatred, unable to achieve his primary objective. However, the presence of Ye Zong nearby made him reconsider any impulsive actions. Nevertheless, he couldn't deny that they had inflicted significant damage to the vital areas of the city hall. Hundreds of experts lay on the ground, some lifeless and others incapacitated. Although he hadn't achieved everything he desired, he considered the results within acceptable parameters.
His mind schemed as he observed Yen Xiu's retreat. He needed to report immediately to his Master about this new variable, the enigmatic youth who had appeared out of nowhere. No one had seen him before, making him an enigma that required a solution. He had no doubt that his Master would know how to handle this situation in the future. For now, he would adhere to orders and ensure that nothing disrupted the Dark Guild's plans in the future. His determination was unquestionable, and he was willing to do whatever it took to achieve his Master's objectives.
Ye Zong sighed with resignation as he reflected on the fleeting presence he had sensed. It had vanished as quickly as it had appeared, suggesting that the Dark Guild was well-prepared and willing to hide in the shadows. The mere idea that someone with such a presence had decided to attack him deeply unsettled him. He doubted he would have emerged victorious in a direct confrontation.
Suddenly, a jailer from the underground prison hurriedly approached him and called out urgently. Ye Zong looked at him attentively, concerned about what he might say.
"Mayor, Mayor Ye Zong!" exclaimed the jailer. "We have a serious problem!"
Ye Zong furrowed his brow and asked, "What's going on?"
The jailer, visibly nervous, replied, "The three Black Gold rank spiritists we had as prisoners... they're all dead."
Ye Zong was surprised by the news, and his anger began to rise. "They're all dead? What happened?"
The jailer explained cautiously, "There were no signs of an external attack in the underground prison, but the three prisoners died in a strange manner. They had no visible wounds or signs of a struggle."
Ye Zong furrowed his brow even more, trying to make sense of the situation. "You mean they died without any apparent cause?"
The jailer nodded. "Yes, Mayor. It's as if they were victims of some mysterious technique or dark and malevolent methods."
Ye Zong pondered the situation. The possibility that the Dark Guild had placed soul shackles on its followers as an emergency measure to eliminate any future threats began to make sense. They had always been experts at keeping their location a secret, and this security measure explained why they had never managed to locate their base of operations.
He sighed wearily and resignedly. "The Dark Guild has proven to be cunning. This is an intelligent strategy on their part. Now we understand the reason behind their mystery and why it's so difficult to trace their location. We'll have to be even more cautious in the future."
Meanwhile, in his mind, he remained concerned about the fleeting presence he had felt earlier. He knew that the Dark Guild was a formidable threat, and that unknown presence only heightened his concern for the future of Glory City.
"It's a shame! We came with five Black Gold rank spiritists. One of them was killed by the Abyss Demon, two were defeated by Ye Zong, and the last two fell before two young individuals."
In the shadows, on the outskirts of Glory City, survivors of the Dark Guild's raid were prostrated, attentively listening to the supervisor sent by the Guild Master.
"And I don't even mention that we failed in the mission for the Celestial Markings Family to kidnap the boy's parents!" The supervisor let out his murderous intent, making the followers tremble as they remained in a submissive position. "All of you are incompetent!"
"Sir, we never imagined those two strange matrices held so much power," one of the subordinates tried to justify, raising his head slightly. "We also had no knowledge of the existence of the other young man mentioned in the reports."
"I'm not interested in excuses!" the supervisor snapped as he pulled three soul shackle talismans from his clothing and shattered them in front of them. "If you don't succeed next time, you'll end up like the others who were captured."
"Understood, my lord. We have understood it clearly," the subordinates responded in a fearful chorus.
"I hope it's the case," the supervisor said before turning around and vanishing into the shadows. "Returning to report to the Master."
From a distance, the scene was being watched by the soul puppet, Ancestor Ye Yan. He didn't lose sight of the departing shadows and, with a flap, began to follow their trail. He knew this information would be valuable for the future plans of Glory City and the fight against the Dark Guild.
Inside the Mayor's residence, Nie Li lay on a bed, surrounded by worried faces watching over him. Ye Xiu, Ye Zong, Ye Ziyun, and Nie Yu kept their gazes fixed on the young man.
"Brother Nie Li, please wake up," sobbed little Nie Yu, tears streaming down her face, lamenting her cousin's condition.
"Yen Xiu, how is Nie Li at the moment?" inquired Yen Zhong as he attempted to comfort his daughter.
"His condition is stable for now," Yen Xiu sighed and continued, "but he has completely depleted his spiritual energy. The main concern is that he has completely drained his spiritual sea, which could be a problem in the future."
An uncomfortable silence settled among the adults as each of them fell into their own thoughts.
"Ye Xiu, how is the other young man?" Ye Zhong asked, breaking the silence.
"I won't hide the truth, sir. His situation is dire," the elderly white-haired man replied with sorrow. "Despite Gu Yan's efforts, his injuries are severe, and the strange energy emanating from his body is dissipating at an alarming rate. I fear he won't have much time left if we don't act soon."
The Mayor understood the significance of these young individuals, especially since one of them was, much to his chagrin, related to his daughter Ziyun. He looked at Nie Li with conflicting feelings before turning his gaze to his distraught daughter.
"As the Mayor, I am determined to do everything in my power to save these young men," he declared with resolve. "Ye Xiu, bring the Misty Leaves to aid in Nie Li's recovery. Furthermore, allow Gu Yan unrestricted access to the Medicinal Vault of the Snow Wind Family."
"Sir, those herbs were obtained by the esteemed Lord Ye Mo, who risked his life facing a legendary beast guarding them," warned Elder Ye Xiu. "The medicinal resources they contain are invaluable treasures that have been in the family since the city's foundation. Losing those resources could be a great risk to our future. Moreover, using the Misty Leaves at this moment could endanger Nie Li's life. If he attempts to advance to the Legend rank, his body could end up in critical condition."
Faced with Elder Ye Xiu's warnings, Mayor Ye Zhong sighed wearily as he looked at his daughter, who was still grieving.
"I guess I must finally accept that daughters grow up and become independent," he murmured resignedly as he contemplated the situation.
Three long days had passed, and finally, the first signs that Nie Li would awaken soon were becoming apparent. Meanwhile, the buildings and structures within the mayor's grounds were in full process of repair and renovation. Ye Zhong had issued orders to strengthen and accelerate the construction of the other six arrays to complete the Grand Array of the Ten Thousand Spirit Demon Matrix.
The atmosphere inside the mayor's residence was bustling with activity. Workers were diligently carrying out their tasks, repairing the damages caused by the Dark Guild's raid and preparing to further fortify the city's defenses. The sounds of hammers striking and constant activity filled the air.
In the room where Nie Li rested, a tense and expectant atmosphere prevailed. Little Nie Yu, her eyes swollen from crying, clung to her cousin's hand, anxiously awaiting his awakening. Ye Xiu closely observed Nie Li, concerned about his condition. The other members of the Ye family also stood nearby, eagerly waiting for any signs of improvement.
Meanwhile, Ye Zhong was occupied with preparations for the completion of the Grand Array of the Ten Thousand Spirit Demon Matrix. He knew that strengthening the city's defenses was crucial to protect his loved ones and all the residents of Glory City. The Dark Guild's raid had made it clear that the threats were real, and they had to be prepared for any eventuality.
The mayor closely supervised the progress of the construction, encouraging the workers and ensuring that everything was running efficiently. The city's security depended heavily on the completion of the matrix, and he would spare no effort to achieve it.
As the days passed and the city slowly recovered from the havoc wrought by the Dark Guild's raid, the hope of a new dawn began to shine for both Glory City and young Nie Li, who was on the verge of awakening to face an uncertain future.
Inside his room, Nie Li was deeply immersed in meditation. The Dark Guild's raid on Glory City had been much more violent and ruthless than he remembered from his past life. Not even the mayor's grounds had been spared. This new variable in his destiny intrigued him deeply, as since his return to the past, he couldn't recall encountering any young individual capable of confronting the Abyss Demon with such destructive power. He needed to address the priorities with care and caution.
As he meditated, the door to his room opened, revealing the concerned expressions of Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er. Nie Li reassured them, explaining that while his injuries were healed, he was experiencing slight spiritual exhaustion, which would recover in a few days with some cultivation and the use of medicinal pills. The current situation was complicated, especially with the return of Ye Han, Ye Ziyun's older brother, who had been absent for two years to cultivate abroad. Nie Li remembered him as a mysterious figure in his past life, as he had never seen him during the last battle in Glory City.
However, their tranquility was interrupted when the door to the room swung open abruptly, revealing the presence of the city's mayor, Ye Zhong, his right-hand man, Ye Xiu, and the head of the association, Gu Yan, all with expressions of concern.
"The young man who fought the Abyss Demon has awakened!" announced Gu Yan, his voice filled with surprise and urgency.
Nie Li nodded with determination and turned his gaze to Ye Ziyun and Xiao Ning'er, who nodded resolutely. The time had come to speak with their guest and obtain valuable information about him. They couldn't afford to miss this opportunity to learn more about the mysterious young man who had challenged the Abyss Demon.
The group made their way to one of the auxiliary buildings of the mayor's residence, where a large number of vigilant guards stood alert. They had no trouble gaining access to one of the main rooms, where the air was infused with a strong medicinal fragrance that permeated the atmosphere.
Before reaching this place, Nie Li had held a brief conversation with Ye Zong and Ye Xiu. They agreed that the existence of this mysterious young man should be kept secret, at least for the time being. Their primary goal was to gather information about him, so they needed to begin with a careful interrogation that wouldn't make the young man uncomfortable. Only after that could they consider a future agreement or alliance. They would start by thoroughly getting to know this new variable in their world. Nie Li had learned in his past life that misjudging a person could have catastrophic consequences, so he couldn't afford to let his guard down in front of this enigmatic young man and his mysterious strength.
Upon opening the door to the room, they found a large number of medicinal items on the shelves and healing materials scattered all over the table. Near the bed, there were remnants of the clothing the young man had been wearing, fragments of red and black attire that contrasted with his current outfit, which consisted of simple white garments.
As they approached the bed, the young man with crimson hair's golden eyes locked onto Nie Li. It was at that moment that Nie Li felt he was being thoroughly examined, as if he were a sword in its sheath, waiting for the right moment to be unsheathed.
"I think, before delving into conversation, it would be appropriate for us to introduce ourselves, don't you think?" Nie Li continued without expecting an immediate response from the redhead. "My name is Nie Li, and yours, my friend?" Despite his friendly tone, Nie Li remained on high alert, aware that there were many mysteries surrounding this mysterious young man.
With a soft yet firm voice, he replied, "My name is Emiya Shirou."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Emiya Shirou," Nie Li replied, his doubts still lingering in his mind. However, he wasn't going to waste any more time and continued, "My friends and I have several questions we would kindly ask you to answer." The conversation had just begun, and both men were determined to unravel the secrets surrounding them.
See you, my Friends, KaleidoMirror bids farewell.