Chapter 44: Forty-Four: The Endless Abyss pt.3
The group did not waste time. Everyone spread out in different directions to search for the herb and only Xie Yuan and Xiao Xue were left on their original spot. It's unclear whether they would be successful. But if they could find the Blister Knot Leaf within the plains and they could leave without exploring the crevice then that would be ideal. Something vile was within that crack in the ground. They did not need to go and investigate in order to feel it.
Xiao Xue did not speak of what she felt and the realization she came to know. As she held Xie Yuan's hand, that subtle feeling of death still lingered in her heart. Xiao Xue is not afraid of death. She died before, why would she be afraid of it now? But she was afraid for Xie Yuan. Now that their bond is fully formed, she can no longer separate herself from him and the same could be said for him. What would happen to Xie Yuan when she is gone?
But Xiao Xue did not linger on those thoughts. She ruthlessly pushed back those ominous feelings and defiance shone in her eyes. It was a subtle change. No one saw it, not even Xie Yuan, who was standing beside her and holding her hand, felt it. But the change was there nonetheless.
When Xiao Xue looked at Xie Yuan, her emotions were once again hidden. She lightly pulled on his hand as she stepped forward. "I want to go closer," she said.
Xie Yuan did not ask. He allowed her to pull him to where she wanted to go. This sort of doting, this kind of trust, was rare for someone with a personality like his. To Xie Yuan, no matter what Xiao Xue wanted to do, as long as it did not involve risking or sacrificing her life, he would support her wholeheartedly.
The two walked slowly, their feet landing firmly on the undisturbed snow. The trails they left behind were in perfect sync, the only difference was the size of the marks left by their covered feet. The wind grew colder as they neared the crevice but neither of them seemed to feel the chill. They were still holding hands, slowly walking and keeping silent. Both were immersed in the existence of the other. It was as if they were simply strolling.
Before they reached the huge crack on the earth, the others came. No one said anything but from the dark looks on their faces it was apparent that no one found the herb on the surrounding land. Xiao Xue already knew this. She did not stop them from exploring because she wanted that time alone with Xie Yuan.
The group stood by the crack on the ground and cautiously looked down. The ravine was deep and steep. Both sides of the wall were lined with jagged and sharp edged rocks covered with ice crystal spikes. Scaling the rock face to go down and explore the bottom would be an arduous task. But with the proper method, it was not impossible. From where they stood, none of them could not see the bottom. Aside from the moaning sounds echoing from below bringing forth the frigid wind, there seems to be nothing there, only darkness.
"I will go down alone." Xiao Xue stated. In her heart she knew there was no other way. This was her fate and only she could pursue it. If the Blister Knot Leaf is within the depths of the ravine then only she can find it. The feeling of death looming before her was still nagging at her senses but for some reason, although she could not see what was down there, Xiao Xue knew death would not come to her through that unfathomable darkness.
This thought confused her. She could feel that fate was in this place and so was death. As High Priestess of Spirit Temple she was more attuned and sensitive to these things than most, especially if it involved her own situation. But now that she was closer to the crack on the ground, now that something tangible was revealed to her, her intuition became somewhat hazy.
She thought that if she moved closer to where the moans lay, she would be able to gauge what would cause her death and perhaps she could overturn it. But that doesn't seem to be the case. The moans within the deep crevice were still beckoning for her but there was no sign of death there, only the vague strings of fate.
As Xiao Xue was mulling over her thoughts, the others started arguing about who will go down and explore. This time, the group would have to separate between those who will go down the ravine and those who will have to stay on the snow covered plains.
Due to the uncertainty within the deep ravine, some people would have to stay behind to ensure that those who will go down will have a way to come back up. But the danger to those who will go would be greater than those who will stay. This is what caused the argument.
No one wants to stay and wait within the safety of the plains. Everyone feels that the danger is too great to be borne by others and it should fall upon themselves. This is especially true for Zhang Lao, He Heng and He Ling. Two were Xie Yuan's subordinates while the other was his caretaker. If these three do not go down and allow their young lord to venture down, himself, they would rather die than accept it.
Xiao Xue would have to go down. This was an inevitability that none of them could prevent. Xie Yuan would not allow her to go without him and neither would Shui Ren and Yi Xin, while Xie Shan had the same thoughts as Zhang Lao, He Heng and He Ling.
While the group continued to argue amongst themselves they failed to notice the other group that had been shadowing them from the moment they left the borders of Divine Martial Sect. Meng Quan, Lin Ru, Hei She and Hei Yu finally caught up to their targets. And as they crossed the distortion that separated the foul environment of the Endless Abyss and the snow covered plains, they immediately set forth and went into action.
"None of you will be leaving this place," Meng Quan stated flatly. His unfeeling gaze fell on Xie Yuan's form. "This will be your burial place!"
Xie Yuan moved to shield Xiao Xue while Zhang Lao, He Heng and He Ling moved forward.
"Dragon's Gate assassins!" Zhang Lao stated as he viciously glared at Meng Quan.
This is not the first time the two met each other. Meng Quan is an assassin who once made an attempt on the Master's life, Xie Yuan's father. Back then, by using a secret technique, Meng Quan managed to injure the Master. But even if the Master was injured, Meng Quan was still unable to kill him. Zhang Lao was caught in a trap back then and was unable to help nor protect his Master. And the incident became the bane of his existence.
Zhang Lao could never forgive himself for allowing his Master to suffer injuries in his presence. And now, Meng Quan is standing before him once again. But this time, he is not here for the Master but for his son. How could Zhang Lao allow history to repeat itself?
"Young lord, please stand back." Zhang Lao urged as he prepared for battle.
Meng Quan also recognized Zhang Lao. Although this man was nothing but a dog in his eyes, he could still remember that Zhang Lao played a huge role in ruining his plans. Meng Quan's failure to kill Xie Yuan's father is the main reason why his position within the organization was questioned. Now that another opportunity lies before him, how could he not be ecstatic?
Meng Quan laughed in ecstasy but the sound was disconcerting to those who heard it. There were no words exchanged between the two. Both took a step forward and sprung into action. The first battle within the snow covered plains commenced.
Hei She and Hei Yu followed their Master's lead but were intercepted by He Heng and He Ling. The second and third battle began. Lin Ru held back and did not join the fray. He carefully looked on, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. His eyes were centered on Xie Yuan and Xiao Xue.
Loud explosions echoed in the air and disturbed the thick blanket of snow. Only a few breaths have passed but the scenery within the snow covered plains was no longer the same.
Xie Yuan frowned as he watched the battle between Zhang Lao and Meng Quan. He had a vague feeling in his gut but no matter how he tried to reason with it, he couldn't understand how it could be possible. He turned his gaze towards the other battles and the longer he watched that vague feeling became glaringly clear.
Shui Ren and Xie Shan, who were observing the battles as well, had their expressions turn ugly as time wore on. With their skills, Zhang Lao, He Heng and He Ling should be able to contend with the assassins from Dragon's Gate. But due to the restriction of the realms, they could not utilize their full strengths. It is unknown but for some reason Meng Quan, Hei She and Hei Yu did not have restrictions within their bodies. This fact only became apparent when they gradually pushed back their opponents and dominated their battles.
When he saw Zhang Lao receive a heavy blow to his chest and coughed out a mouthful of black blood, Xie Yuan squeezed Xiao Xue's hand and planted a light kiss on her forehead. "Wait here for me." He whispered as he flew off to join that battle between Zhang Lao and Meng Quan.
Seeing him fly off, Xie Shan gritted her teeth and joined He Heng's battle with Hei She while Yi Xin wordlessly flew to where He Ling was.
Shui Ren did not move forward but stepped back, closer to where Xiao Xue was standing. He cannot leave his sister alone. Xiao Xue is currently injured and cannot endure the strains of a battle. He needs to stay and protect her, especially since Lin Ru still hasn't moved from his spot.
The battles raged with renewed force once the others joined the fray. Although it was mostly two against one, the assassins of Dragon's Gate still have the advantage. Their opponents were suppressed with the realm's restriction. Unless they forcefully break the restrictions they would not get the upper hand. But because the battles were perilous, they cannot risk suffering the backlash.
In the end, all the battles within the snow covered plains came to an impasse. No one could get the upper hand and no one could kill their opponents.
"Kill her for me and I will grant you a favor!" Meng Quan suddenly said. And as his voice fell, Lin Ru immediately moved and dashed towards Shui Ren and Xiao Xue.
This is the moment he was waiting for. Lin Ru knew that Meng Quan harbored deep resentment and disgust towards him. He was never part of their team and once he lived out his usefulness, he would die. But now, with Meng Quan's statement, not only would Lin Ru preserve his life, Meng Quan would grant him a favor.
It was clear that Meng Quan was here for Xie Yuan. Although the assassins were sent for Xiao Xue, for Meng Quan, she was only a secondary target. Xie Yuan will die. Once that thought firmly planted itself on Lin Ru's mind, his scheming thoughts turned elsewhere. With Meng Quan's favor he could ask the assassins of Dragon's Gate to kill Wei Qian or better yet, get rid of his Master.
Lin Ru have always known that their Master favored Wei Qian. It may look like the Sect Master is allowing them to compete fairly but in truth their Master was extremely biased.
This realization was very uncomfortable for Lin Ru. He cannot bear that Wei Qian is more favored than him. They were both the Master's disciple but Wei Qian was always ahead of him. In Lin Ru's view, if he uses Meng Quan's favor wisely, he could seal his position as the Sect Master of Divine Martial Sect. And as he dashed swiftly across the snow covered ground, a vicious glint was evident in his eyes.
Lin Ru doesn't know the man protecting Xiao Xue. He never had dealings within the Middle Realm so he never heard of the Shui Family. But since this man is blocking Lin Ru's way towards his desired goal, then he would have to die.
Shui Ren closely watched Lin Ru's approach, a brutal aura surged and wrapped around his body. Without a word, he pushed forward and met Lin Ru's incoming assault.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone