Abyssal Awakening

"That's four sects down and it doesn't seem like this demoness will stop her attacks. I believe a bounty should be placed on her. To track her movements and deal with her when she reveals herself." A young man proposed while standing at the front of the table.

He was currently talking to 10 others. Each was a representation of the different sects, houses and sovereign sects.

Currently, after Alyss's rampage, there were six houses that were untouched, 2 sects that were further away from the other four and the three sovereign sects.

"And what do you propose for this… bounty? I hope you're not suggesting to have vagrants help you fight her." The representative of the Vermilion Clan asked with his arms folded.

"No, we will not have vagrants fight her. All they need to do is to report her location when they spot her. Nothing more, nothing less. If there is anything that we know, it's that she doesn't kill. . . Often. None of the sects have anyone that died but disciples running after her once she left were… dealt with." The young man clarified.

None of them were sure what her motives were and the representatives of the sects that were attacked couldn't make it to the meeting.

All they knew was that she hadn't killed anyone during her attacks with a few exceptions outside of it. And even with that being said, they couldn't be sure it was her or if it was someone taking advantage of the chaos she was leaving behind.

The news was already spreading after the Swallow Tail sect got attacked. The pillars of fire and chains drew too much attention from the civilians living nearby.

"And I'm guessing once you obtain this information you want us to help you fight her?" The representative of the Hao clan frowned, clearly displeased by the arrangement.

"That… is indeed the case." The young man faltered.

Right now, the only ones that sustained damage was the sects. With their previous conflict in mind, it was practically impossible for the clans to help.

*Tap

Before any of the clan representatives could respond, the representative of the Silent Lotus sect tapped her finger against the table.

Out of all the sects, only the Silent Lotus Sect managed to achieve a status above the clans outside of the sovereign sects. The rest of them were all defeated.

"I believe this is no ordinary demoness that we are facing. The longer we give her, the stronger she becomes. There are already reports of her stealing the martial arts of those that she fought before.

"Skybound Swallow from the Swallow Tail sect, the Poison sect's hidden weapon arts, Scorching Tyrant Arts from the Blazing Sun sect and the Unyielding Colossus from the Titan sect. All four of these martial arts have been stolen, replicated and even improved.

"If you are satisfied with the demoness taking everything including the martial arts from your clans then be my guest and do nothing. Unless… You're f*cking scared?" The woman smirked as veins bulged on the necks of the clan representatives.

Despite looking peaceful and polite, the words of the woman cut shard with mockery at the end.

"That's enough Miss Meilin. We are here to deal with an anomaly. If you there are any lingering grudges between the sects and houses, you may continue this in the next gathering." The retainer of one of the three sovereign sects spoke up while Meilin simply shrugged.

"Is there any more information that you wish to share?" He turned to the young man who was speaking.

He belonged to the last remaining sect that hadn't been attacked yet, the Phantom Sect.

"We've also received news from Miss Qiu Qiu, a captain from the Demon Extermination Squad, that she has exhibited signs of having a complete domain. She was able to study and master the Instant Draw – Killing Arc beyond a level that Miss Qiu Qiu could achieve."

Hearing this, all of the clan representatives realised how dangerous this was now.

Despite her young age, Qiu Qiu was one of the top geniuses of the next generation. Had it not been for the fact that she's affiliated with the Demon Extermination Squad, she would've long been recruited into one of the sovereign sects!

The representatives began to whisper to one another, trying to figure out the best course of action. Meanwhile, the sovereign sects weren't planning on acting at all. After all, they were deterrents for the other regions of Sikha. If they were to have their power weakened and the news was to spread out, it's very likely that one of the sects from the west or south would come to attack.

They needed to maintain as much fighting power as they could.

After much discussion, they finally settled on a plan. They'll spread a bounty and a rough drawing of what the demoness looks like. Once news starts flowing in, they'll collapse around the area and attack her all at once.

With the meeting concluded, they all left preparing to spread news about this new bounty.

Meanwhile, Meilin left the meeting room first before waiting by the entrance.

The three sects consisted of the Celestial Sect, Abyssal Tyrant Sect and Empyrean Dragon. As for the one hosting the meeting, it was naturally the Celestial Sect, strongest out of the three.

But Meilin wasn't here for them.

Instead, she was here for the Abyssal Tyrant Sect.

In the distance, she could see the representative make a single movement as she smiled.

'The sovereign sects are no different from us. At the end of the day, they're still motivated by greed.' Meilin smirked, making her way to the previously agreed location.

###

"And here I thought I was the only shrewd one. I didn't expect you to come in person despite saying that we should send representatives." A voice rang out as Meilin smirked.

She was currently sitting by the lake deck, watching her reflection in the water.

"It's an important discussion. Naturally, I have to come in person even if it's through disguise." Meilin chuckled.

A ripple appeared on the calm lake surface as her appearance shifted.

She had long brown hair with a pair of buns on the top, a red lotus pattern on her forehead, sky blue pupils and red markings around the edges of her eyes. A devious smile could be seen on her face as she glanced up at the man who also dispelled his disguise.

"If anything, shouldn't I be the one that's surprised? The Sect leader of one of the Sovereign Sects actually came here in person. What would the others think?" 'Meilin' chuckled, her voice different from before.

"It doesn't matter. It's good that an anomaly appeared at this time since it draws the eyes away. Does the agreement still stand?" The sect leader asked as his appearance was hidden by a strange veil, distorting the details.

"Naturally. We will be using this time to smuggle shipments up from the south. Though… I have another message for you."

"From the master?"

"From the master."

Hearing this, the Sect Leader frowned before nodding his head.

"Is it time?" He asked as this farce had gone on long enough but 'Meilin' shook her head.

"Nope~ He only had one order. 'Let her play around as much as she wants.'"

Confusion filled the sect leader's mind as he wasn't sure what 'Meilin' was talking about. But as he soon connected the dots, he furrowed his brows.

"The demoness?"

"Yep~"

###

"Alice."

"What is it?"

"Can you explain what I'm looking at?" Jin scrutinised with a frown.

"I'm not sure. Seems to be my net worth. How did they know what was inside my pouch?" Alice scratched her chin.

"No no, I don't think it's a matter of your net worth. Do you not see the words above your head?" Jin's smile twitched.

"Now that you mention it… Yeah, that is weird. Do you think they're trying to steal what's inside my pouch?"

"No, I'm pretty sure this is a bounty." Jin sighed as they were currently waiting for their food by a small inn on the side of the road.

There was a sheet of paper stuck to the side with the words 'WANTED' written in a bold red.

It spoke of a reward for anyone who has any information regarding her current whereabouts and even a reward for capture.

As for the picture, it was… a generalised picture of Alice based on the rough descriptions of her key features.

One eye with a nasty scar on the other and split hair of black and white.

Of course, the picture looked nothing like Alice but it's not like anyone else was walking around with split hair.

"I guess four major sects is enough to warrant a bounty now. But it's not like I killed anyone." Alice pouted.

"You didn't kill anyone that didn't try to kill you during your attack. but that's not including those that tried outside of it." Jin interrupted as Alice tried to smack him on the back of the head.

Sensing the smack approaching, Jin instinctively leaned forward only to see two fingers waiting for him.

"MY EYES!!!"

"Who told you to try and dodge my smack." Alice shrugged with a smirk.

"You! You told me to dodge!" Jin clutched his eyes.

At this point, he didn't know if he should call this training or abuse!

"Don't be a baby about it. You still have both eyes no? Look at me, I only have one right now." Alice pointed at the sealed Cayla.

In her mental realm, Alice suddenly noticed Cayla standing right behind her and staring at her silently.

Feeling the stare, Alice could only cough and try her best to ignore it.

While joking around with Jin, she couldn't help but notice that their food was taking longer than expected to arrive.

Tapping her finger momentarily, she sighed.

"There's a reward for capture but isn't information fine as well? Just let me eat my food and let me be on my way." Alice lamented as she could sense three people getting ready to fight inside the Inn.

"Jin, I'll leave this to you." Alice waved her hand dismissively with a yawn. These three were far to weak for her to care about.

"Tch, demon. Poking my eyes then making me work." He grumbled under his breath while pulling out his weapons.

But one glare from Alice sent a chill down his spine.

"I meant the benevolent mighty Alice has given me this chance to demonstrate the harvest of my lessons! I will not let this go to waste!" Jin shouted, correcting himself.

"That's what I thought, now go have some fun."