Rivers of the Night

An elder as skinny as a pole and another who seemed to be hiding an iron wok in his bronzed robes strolled in.

The first wore robes of white with golden embroidery around their hems and sleeves. The emblem of a golden eye was tattooed onto his forehead, sparkling with Mana that seemed capable of piercing through all things.

This man was the Third Elder of the Resonate Eye Sect, Elder Dezend. His body looked willowy and easily broken, yet the power he radiated seemed to solidify the air.

The second wore bronzed robes with black embroidery. Every one of his steps seemed to shake the ground, sending ripples out in what should have otherwise been solid marble. It made the earth look like the waves of the ocean, almost like it was as easily flexible as the wind.

This man was the Third Elder of the Bronzed Earth Sect, Elder Don.

Patriarch Nightingale nodded toward the new arrivals.

"I thank friends of the Resonate Eye and Bronzed Earth Sect for coming to our aid today."

The two elders clasped their hands and bowed respectfully. Not enough to show subservience, but instead as a positive sign of respect and cooperation.

"The Demon Corps are the public enemy of all. We will, of course, do our part. If we two old bones aren't enough, we are more than willing to send more help."

Patriarch Nightingale nodded, feeling pleased with the attitudes of the two Sects.

The relationship between the three Sects was actually normally quite contentious. However, the movement of the Demon Corps was a threat to them all. If the Demon Corps wanted to become more active in this region, it was best if they acted early to nip this problem in the bud. Otherwise, they would all be suffering in the future.

"This Nightingale will have to rely on the two of you, then. From our understanding, the Demon Soldier is using some sort of underground escaping method. We will need the help of Elder Don to make sure that this cannot be done so easily."

"Mm." Elder Don nodded, his hard-as-iron belly rippling like the earth beneath his feet.

"As for Elder Dezend, your senses are likely the best in our Sect currently. If you can pick out any non-Dark Mancers, please do."

"And if the Demon Soldier is a Dark Mancer?" Elder Dezend asked.

"Then we will need a more systematic method of picking them out. Anyone acting out of the ordinary, anyone using concealment techniques, disguise techniques, etc."

It was impossible for Elder Dezend to know the faces of all of the disciples; even the Patriarch of the Nightingale Sect didn't have such intimate knowledge. In fact, even the courtyard elders didn't know the faces of every one of their disciples. The only reason Elder Lotus knew that Zhou and Huwen weren't present was because he was reading off a list and had taken attendance.

With the time constraints, it was best to use the easiest methods of detection first and then move on to the more inconvenient methods.

"Understood. If possible, I can also check the scene of the initial crime. I may be able to detect things others might have missed," Elder Dezend said calmly.

"Then we will have to rely on your skills."

Elder Dezend nodded once and then closed his eyes. An array of orbs took shape around him before the world shook and a ripple of sensory Soul Mana shot out in all directions.

Strong, pulsing waves shot over the Sect.

—

"What do you guys think is going on here?" one of the Nightingale Sect disciples finally mumbled. "I've been in the Sect for a decade and we've never had to do something like this. I'm thinking it's pretty big and the elders are hiding what's going on."

"I think so too. Do you think it's a thief? Did they steal the Sect's Ancestral Treasure?" another blinked with curiosity.

No one answered. They didn't have the answer, or else they wouldn't be discussing it in the first place.

Theron's eyes narrowed from on high. 'Bait.'

He realized he was right. They were definitely monitoring Soul Lamps.

His eyes flashed as he made a decision. Right at that moment, he suddenly dropped down from above. He couldn't laze around. He needed to be sharp and decisive.

The change was too fast. The disciples who were still mulling over the implications of their part in all of this couldn't react in time.

Theron's blade fell from above, but just as it seemed he was about to slice one of them in half, he pummeled one of their heads with the hilt of Ironvale's sword, nearly splitting their skull in two.

He landed seamlessly in the group of five, his eyes as sharp as a wild beast's.

"ENEMY ATTACK!"

The voice boomed, spreading out in all directions, but Theron didn't seem to realize the danger he was in at all, moving like the wind.

An arrow of darkness pierced toward him and he seemed to flicker and vanish. It went over his shoulder, deflecting just the slightest bit with a flick of his palm and right into the collarbone of an opposing disciple.

At the same time, he crossed the distance to another, chopping a leg off with one fluid motion and grabbing their body before they fell, spinning their limp form toward the next oncoming attack.

This stalled the others for a moment, but none of them expected Theron to suddenly pierce right through the chest of the disciple and use him like a battering ram.

The disciple that had just stifled their attack to avoid killing their fellow disciple couldn't react in time and found their own body skewered through by the sword as well, only for their back to slam into a tree, pinning the both of them down.

Theron spun as he faced the last standing disciple, his eyes sharp as he unsheathed his father's short sword.

However, as the disciple was distracted by the raise of the blade, his free hand formed a palm of darkness that slammed out.