Chapter 18: Eyes on All Sides
Wuyao felt her vison fading.
Her thoughts slowed as her eyelids struggled to remain open any longer.
The demon within the mist slowly reached out its ominous dark hand, reaching towards her head.
She tried to scream, tear drops running down her cheeks. She didn't even know what had happened or how she was going to die.
What had she'd done to deserve this?
All she had joined the grounds for had been for her mother.
While the City of the New Moon was luxurious and a treat to the eyes, prices for staying were anything but low. So, she strived to be finally accepted into the Aster Grounds with her talent in martial arts being the main point.
But even after a year, she hadn't progressed much in her cultivation. As the Aster Grounds didn't want to nurture useless trash, after a year of joining the Aster Grounds, if you hadn't made sufficient progress, you would have to earn contribution points. As such, you would take a decrease in your monthly alliance and would have less time to train, but you would be able to remain a grounds member.
But even the contribution system only lasted so long.
After two years, you would be kicked out. Wuyao was approaching her second year mark. She was trying her best to stock up as many contribution points as she could to be able to purchase special cultivation techniques and pills to make a last ditch effort to further her progress.
Though all of that hard work was about to be for naught.
But as her vision faded, a bright light cleansed the prior darkened world.
She saw with her squinted eyes the demonic figure turning to look at the intruder.
But that was all she could see before her eyes nearly fully faded. Though at the last moment, as clear as day, two giant white wings covered the skies of the world, shining down light upon it.
And her world went black.
***
Jilun saw the suddenly collapsing Wuyao. He quickly reacted, reaching out to catch her.
Holding her in his arms, he held her hand as he searched for a pulse. As he felt the blood pumping through her veins, he felt relieved.
Jilun had assumed she had exhausted herself, as he was told by Old Gi that it is very strict to maintain yourself within the Aster Grounds.
After only a few seconds, Wuyao slowly opened her eyes as if she had just woken up from a dream.
"Are you alright?"
Jilun noticed that Wuyao seemed dazed.
As she 'woke' up, Wuyao noticed her body was still slightly trembling in fear, but she couldn't recall what had caused this. She thought and thought, but wasn't able to come up with anything.
"If your too tired, It's alright, I could ask someone else to guide me."
Hearing Jilun speak to her, she suddenly realized the situation she was in.
Blushing, she stood herself up hurriedly.
"No! No it's okay! Sorry, I was a little dazed."
She awkwardly smiled as she rubbed her head. Jilun returned her smile as he spoke.
"It's fine, I will have to trouble you then."
Seeing as it was a topic she seemed familiar with, Jilun took it as a situation that was rather normal here.
After all, he had never been to the Aster Grounds in his life. Maybe collapsing out of exhaustion was a norm here, as he could fully well understand the intense training regime that one would have to go through to remain a member of the grounds.
Wuyao nodded as she assured him of her well being before she started to close up the registering desk, closing the doors and shutters.
***
In a dark room, red liquid decorated the walls and floors.
"hehehehe"
A strange eerie giggle could be heard within the room.
*Schio!*
A figure covered in red was seen kneeled in the middle of the dark room.
In her hands, a body with so many open wounds it made the human unrecognizable. The blood that remained covered the body like a blanket, making it impossible to ascertain the person.
But the body was without a head, and only a few feet away, it clearly identified the human.
The Gate Elder.
***
Jia's eyes shone red, looking in Jiluns direction. She continued to giggle manically, while simultaneously stabbing the long dead body of the elder. His body did not spill much blood as he had already lost most of it, the 'most of it' being used as paint for the walls
*Sicho*
She pulled the knife out of the elders body. The body seemed nothing more than butter as it easily penetrated it as if it were bread.
"You have always interfered with EVERYTHINGehehehehehe"
She brought down the knife onto the dead body once more, this time though, when the knife came into contact with the body, it exploded into red gas.
Jia kneeled motionless for a moment before slowly standing up. Her body shaking in anger as she gripped the blood red knife in her hand. Dark red lines could be seen all over her body.
"J-just have to wait a little… longer…"
She struggled to control herself, all the blood within the room boiling, letting off an unsettling red steam. Her eyes shone crazily red while her nails dug into her hand, causing blood to spill upon the floor, adding to the already many rivers of red that flowed throughout the room.
Her head suddenly lifted up in a certain direction, her demonic eyes seemingly tracing something far away.
Her bloodied face smiled.
***
Wuyao led Jilun towards the Building of Fire.
It was quite a distance, as they only neared after about half of an hour of travel.
Throughout the walk, Jilun noticed Wuyao's absent mind. She always seemed in a daze, lost in thought. This added to the fact that Wuyao was very quiet, not maintaining a conversation with him at all during her guidance only added to his worry.
Jilun thought he would ask one more time to reassure himself.
"Are you sure your okay?"
Her pupils suddenly shot up when she heard his voice.
"Y-yes! I'm fine!"
She pointed in front of them.
"The building of fire is just up there."
Following her pointed finger, Jilun saw a massive building not too far within the distance in front of them.
"There should also be disciples who are on duty that may assist you with connecting to Instructor Fengge." Wuyao spoke in an unusually fast tone.
Jilun understood her cue to leave as he bowed.
"I thank you for the assistance, may you find rest today, I am sure your exhausted."
Completing the bow, Jilun raised his hand for the 'handshake'.
Though he held his hand up for a while, he saw no action from Wuyao to recieve it.
"Ah! It was my pleasure! I will be going now!"
She slightly shuddered before turning around and hurriedly walked back in the direction of the registering desk.
Jilun watched the girl speed off into the distance.
He truly felt confused as to why she had suddenly avoided him, but as he thought back to the reason of that is her exhaustion, it would only be reasonable to miss such small details.
Nonetheless, it had nothing to do with him.
He started to make his way to the building that would house him for the next couple of years, or at least he hoped.
***
As soon as Wuyao made sure she was far enough away, she let out a deep breath.
"Jeez, helping out someone and this suddenly happens to me?"
She didn't know why, but inexplicable fear over took her when he reached out his hand. She actually had to fight her body's natural instincts to stay a bit longer and not come out as disrespectful.
"You should feel lucky, your good deed has granted you an extended life."
Wuyao suddenly turned behind her. Her pupils dilated as she witnessed a figure floating on thin air.
As Wuyao heard a female voice, she assumed the figure to be female. Though, gender didn't matter as the feeling of warmth and relaxation she felt at the sight of her caused her to be frozen within her gaze.
Her white robes danced with the midnight wind as it caused her white hair to flutter. And although the figures face was blurred, just feasting her eyes on her had her in a daze.
The girls hair was beautiful, simply the purest white she had ever seen. Hair so clean, that the very wind feared it would taint it.
"If you wish to keep the life which you retained today, stay away from him."
The sudden words from the girl took her out of her mindless state. But before Wuyao could speak at all, the 'goddess' suddenly vanished, leaving not a trace as proof of her existence.
Wuyao stared blankly at the sky as she pondered her words.
A/N: Sorry if the chapter seems rushed. I had to write this last minute as I was very busy today. Excuse the repetitive words and fast pace and expect better quality tomorrow. I may release 2 chapters tomorrow to make up for it.
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