In a more isolated and perilous part of the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, a cataclysmic battle was unfolding under the moonlight. Rank 9 Beasts, filled with unfathomable rage and bloodlust, were locked in combat with some of the most formidable figures in the Battle Maiden Sect - the Elders.
The sound of devastating clashes and roars filled the air, the ground quaking with each attack as dust and debris were flung up high into the night sky. The Elders - Sandra, Xanthe, Talia, Callista, and others - despite their immense power, were being pushed to their limits.
"Frost Palm!" Elder Xanthe, known for her water affinity, exclaimed. Her hand moved fluidly, launching a palm attack that turned into a chilling wind.
The attack raced toward a Rank 9 Beast, encasing its massive body in ice. But the beast roared, its body radiating heat, melting the ice and releasing it from the hold.
"Earthly Chains!" Elder Talia, a master of the earth element, commanded, her fingers weaving intricate hand signs.
The ground beneath the beasts erupted as chains formed from compressed earth and stone shot up, trying to bind the beasts in place. The beasts, however, smashed through the chains, their blood-red eyes glowing menacingly under the moonlight.
Elder Callista, known for her prowess in fire manipulation, moved among the beasts, her actions akin to a raging inferno.
With each of her swift and fierce attacks, flames accompanied her, searing and burning the beasts. Yet, these beasts seemed impervious to pain, shrugging off their burns and injuries to continue their onslaught.
The Elders were veterans of countless battles, their strength and experience in combat was to bring them to the peak of this continent, right under the Sect Masters.
They were able to hold their own, their unique abilities clashing with the monstrous power of the beasts.
However, it was clear that fighting against a horde of Rank 9 beasts was anything but easy. The ferocity and irrationality of the beasts made it difficult to anticipate their moves or effectively exploit their weaknesses. Not to mention, their overflowing vitality and ridiculously strong physical bodies made it difficult for ordinary attacks to have any effect on them.
The most effective way to kill them is to do so in one shot, but that was easier said than done.
When Mira and the others fought the Shadowfang, they were lucky they were able to leave with their lives, much less kill it.
In the midst of this chaos, the Elders were surprised to feel the unmistakable surge of two familiar auras racing toward them.
"What the hell..." Elder Xanthe muttered under her breath, her attention momentarily distracted from the battle. She had recognized the auras. Luo Chen and Zhang Yun, the Patriarchs of the Luo and Zhang families. They had appeared in their hour of dire need.
Luo Chen and Zhang Yun arrived on the scene, their faces paling as they took in the carnage unfolding before them. Without wasting a second, they launched themselves into the fray, their powerful attacks aiding the Elders and shifting the balance of the battle slightly.
Yet, their arrival only seemed to enrage the beasts further, their attacks growing more ferocious.
"Damn it! What's gotten into these beasts?" Luo Chen yelled over the roars and clashes, his sword clashing with a Rank 9 Beast.
"I don't know, but we have to end this now!" Zhang Yun shouted back, his spear dancing in his hand as he fought back a Rank 9 Beast.
The Elders, Luo Chen, and Zhang Yun, fought bravely, their attacks unrelenting as they tried to subdue the beasts. Their auras clashed, creating shockwaves that shattered the rocks around them, their fierce energy lighting up the dark night.
"The Nine Phoenix Dance!" Luo Chen roared, unleashing his family's ancient technique. Nine phantom images of a fiery phoenix danced around him, and with a swift movement, they shot toward the beasts, their burning trails lighting up the night sky. Upon impact, the beasts roared in pain, but the damage was not enough to bring them down.
"Star Piercer!" Zhang Yun bellowed, his spear pulsating with immense Qi. He thrust it forward, and a beam of condensed energy shot forth, piercing through one of the beasts. It roared, its body staggering, but it was far from death.
They had made an impact, certainly, but it was not enough. Their powerful attacks, while able to inflict significant damage, were insufficient to end the lives of these monstrous Rank 9 beasts.
Although they might be Mortal Shedding Realm experts themselves, they didn't have the range of experience that the Elders of the Battle Maiden Sect had. While the Elders spent their time refining their techniques, sparring with one another, creating new techniques, or searching for ways to get stronger, they spent their time trying to increase the power of their families.
The number of times they'd faced off against a Rank 9 beast in their lifetime could be counted on one hand.
"Did the Sect Master know about this?!" Luo Chen questioned through gritted teeth, fending off a beast that lunged at him. His mind raced, trying to figure out if this catastrophe was a part of Aelina's grand plan. He didn't want to die here, after all.
"I doubt she'd throw us into the lion's den without any form of preparation," Elder Xanthe responded, her gaze firm as she froze another beast in its tracks, albeit temporarily. "There must be more to this."
Despite their doubts and confusion, the Elders and the two Patriarchs could only continue fighting. They released a flurry of attacks, a fusion of various elements that painted the night sky with spectacular colors. Yet, the beasts were relentless, their ferocious attacks never-ending.
Their joint efforts, however, seemed to have a deterring effect on the beasts. Their numbers began to dwindle as some, injured and intimidated by the formidable combined force, began to retreat.
After being thrashed around for a while, most of them seemed to come to their senses.
"Let's drive them off!" Callista commanded, her voice echoing above the chaos. The others nodded, unleashing another round of attacks toward the beasts.
The tide of the battle slowly began to turn. With the combined efforts of the Elders, Luo Chen, and Zhang Yun, they managed to scare off most of the beasts. However, they were unable to kill all of the Rank 9 beasts, their vitality and resilience far surpassing their expectations.
Still, there were quite a few bodies lying around inside massive craters.
Now that they were able to take a break, Elder Sandra swooped in and began collecting the beast's corpses. She was one of the few people who knew that Aelina was looking to collect as many beast Blood Essences as possible. What she was going to do with them? She didn't know, but she figured Aelina had a good reason.
"Take the injured back to the Sect," she commanded, turning to a group of Elders who had managed to hold their own but had sustained considerable injuries. Nods of understanding were her response as they quickly retreated from the battlefield.
With a sigh, Elder Xanthe turned to Luo Chen and Zhang Yun, her eyes softening in gratitude. "Your assistance tonight has been invaluable. We would not have managed to repel these beasts so quickly without your help."
Zhang Yun wiped the sweat off his forehead, looking at the retreating beasts with a heavy sigh. "We did what we had to do."
Luo Chen remained silent, his gaze still focused on the bodies of the fallen beasts. His mind was filled with confusion and doubt about the events of this night. However, the fatigue and lingering pain from the battle forced him to put those thoughts aside momentarily.
Xanthe smiled and continued, "As thanks, we would like to extend our hospitality to you. Please, return with us to the Sect."
Their expressions changed. They exchanged glances before Luo Chen finally replied, his voice heavy with reluctance. "We appreciate the offer, Elder Xanthe, but there's no need. We're just glad Sect Master Aelina… provided us with this opportunity. How could we continue to impose on your generosity?"
Before they could turn away, a powerful force enveloped them. Luo Chen and Zhang Yun turned in surprise to see Aelina standing a few meters away, her eyes glowing with an eerie light. "What if I insist?" she asked, her voice resonating with an authority that sent chills down their spines.
With that, Aelina used her powers to transport the patriarchs, along with the Elders and the collected beast corpses, back to the Sect. Luo Chen and Zhang Yun exchanged a look of alarm, but there was nothing they could do to resist.
***
Back in the Battle Maiden Sect, at Aelina's lookout that she used to survey the mountain range beneath her, Mira watched everything unfold and sighed. However, the tips of her lips had curved upwards.
"It seems like it's our time to shine now," Mira muttered before she hopped off the cliff, down toward where the Nova and Rayna were staying, while calling for Rhydian to join her.
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