As the first massive beast tide charged towards the number one Orthodox Sect, the Immortal Sword Sect, shockwaves were felt across the entire Continent. The Immortal Sword Sect, known for its discipline, honor, and strength, had stood unshaken for centuries. Now, it faced a threat like never before.
A tide of beasts was not something unheard of, but the sheer scale and ferocity of this assault were unprecedented. Not only were there so many of them, but the barrier that had protected the Sect from outside forces had actually let the beasts through without any issues! It was as if something, or someone, was driving the beasts to attack with a ruthless, focused determination.
***
In the headquarters of the Immortal Sword Sect, Sect Leader Alexander's eyes narrowed as he received the alarming news. The walls of his chamber seemed to tremble with his suppressed anger.
"How could this happen?!" he thundered. "Our barriers and defenses have always kept away any ambitious beasts! What changed?"
The Supreme Elder, Li Xiu, bowed slightly, his voice steady. "Sect Leader, we've found traces of manipulation within our defensive array. It seems like someone has tampered with it, weakening our defenses."
Alexander's eyes flashed with realization, and his lips twisted into a grim smile. "So, it seems we've been targeted."
The image of a woman with mysterious violet eyes and a perpetually annoying smile on her face flashed through his mind. The most likely suspect here was Aelina, as she was currently purchasing beasts, both alive and dead as if they were about to go extinct.
And, if there was anyone capable of tampering with his defenses without anyone ever knowing, it was her. A few Unorthodox Sects and powerful families also passed through his mind as well, but he immediately crossed them out.
While he certainly had his fair share of enemies, they wouldn't waste their time or resources doing something like this. Other than ripping up the terrain and destroying buildings, those beasts would hardly do any real damage to his Sect.
'But why would she do this? I thought we planned for a full-frontal attack against the beasts in about 5 more months. Why'd she suddenly make them attack me?' He wondered, but thinking of the recent events, his eyes widened with understanding.
'That bitch-! She's using me and my Sect as a borrowed sword!' Alexander slammed his fist into the table, causing it to explode.
He then turned to the Elder and ordered, "You deal with this here, I'm going to go have a nice little chat with someone."
"But, Sir-!" The Supreme Elder started, but before he could finish his sentence, Alex was already gone.
"Haaa…" He sighed, "Leaving me with all the work with me again."
Then, he slapped his cheeks and walked out of the room with a renewed expression.
"Mm. I suppose this could be a could training event for the disciples. I have noticed them growing a bit bored lately."
***
Unfortunately, the Immortal Sword Sect wasn't the only one who suffered. 4 other major Orthodox Sects, 4 of the 8 Unorthodox Sects, along with other powerful families, had the same thing happen to them.
Most of the leaders, like Alexander, realized that something was fishy with the way Aelina was acting lately and left to go have a talk with her. Some were enraged that she'd even dared to do something like this, but others also understood this was an opportunity to make some big-time profits.
As the leaders and heads of the Orthodox and Unorthodox Sects, along with some of the powerful families, made their way to the Battle Maiden Sect, the air was heavy with tension, anticipation, and anger. The sudden, seemingly coordinated attack on their territories left many of them with a lot of questions, and all the signs seemed to point toward one person: Aelina.
***
At the grand hall of the Battle Maiden Sect atop the mountain, Aelina was seated in her high chair, her violet eyes calm and expression inscrutable. Her smile, which seemed to never fade, had taken on a serious demeanor.
She was well aware of the reason behind this sudden congregation. The various leaders seated before her were a mix of livid and calculating. All of them had one thing in common: they wanted answers.
"Sect Master Aelina," Alexander of the Immortal Sword Sect began, his voice betraying a hint of controlled fury, "You are aware, I presume, of the recent events that have transpired?"
Aelina's eyes flickered, and she replied without shame, "Indeed, I've heard of the beast tide. Sounds like they've been rampaging around for a while now. A truly unfortunate occurrence, indeed. My condolences for your future losses."
Her words were met with a cold silence. The Sect Master of the Profound Elements Sect, Flora Lozano, spoke next, her tone sharp and direct, "Don't give us that bullshit, Aelina! We all know you were the one who caused this! There's no need to play these charades; it looks disgusting on you. All we want to know is why!"
The hall erupted into mutterings and whispers. The Sect Masters exchanged glances, their expressions filled with suspicion and curiosity. What Flora said spoke for them all. The only reason they were here was because they knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Aelina was behind this.
Rather, to them, all of her recent actions on top of this were equivalent to her shouting at them, calling for a meeting.
Aelina allowed the uproar to continue for a moment before raising her hand, a gesture so graceful and practiced it was clear she was used to commanding attention. The room fell into silence.
"Please, dear Sect Leaders, there is no need for such hostile words," Aelina's lips curled into that annoying yet mysteriously enchanting smile. "Indeed, I was the one who orchestrated this sudden beast tide, and I have my reasons."
The Sect Master of the Divine Weapons Sect, Damon, could no longer hold back his anger. "Reasons? You dare talk about reasons? Our lands have been ravaged, our disciples are in danger, and you sit here talking about reasons?"
Aelina's eyes gleamed as she stared Damon down. "Yes, reasons. Profitable ones, in fact. This is not a one-sided affair. Each of you stands to gain something valuable. All I ask in return is that you sell me the corpses of the beasts you defeat. I will pay handsomely for them. Think of this as a business opportunity."
This pronouncement was met with mixed reactions. The leaders were visibly taken aback by Aelina's audacity.
Number 1, the Sect Master of the Nightshade Assassin Sect, leaned forward, interest piqued. "What kind of price are you offering?" he asked in a neutral tone, his face covered with a mask.
Aelina's smile widened. "Spirit Stones, herbs, corpses, you name it, as long as it's of equivalent value. However, I am buying them in bulk, so I expect a discount."
Number 1 and the other Sect Leaders' lips twitched. Not only had Aelina destroyed their barriers but also found their headquarters and lured thousands upon thousands, if not millions, of beasts to their locations, she still had the audacity to ask for a discount?! And with a smile on her face as if she was doing them a favor?!
'Shameless!'
"Shameless!"
They all thought, except for Damon, who shouted it out loud.
Amora, the Sect Leader of the Female Disciples from the Yin-Yang Sect, was the first to recover from her shock and asked. "And what of the damages to our lands? Will you compensate us for that too?"
Aelina thought about it for a second before she shook her head, "Just think of that as the price you paid for this meeting."
Some were skeptical, while others were considering the proposition. But not all were so easily swayed. Especially some of the richer ones.
The Sect Master of the Heaven-Defying Pill Sect scoffed, "This is absurd! You've intentionally endangered our lands and disciples. Even if your offer is genuine, how could we trust you, Aelina? What if you give us rotten ingredients instead?!"
As if expecting that question from him, Aelina took out a Mid-Stage Divine Herb (meant for Peak Mortal Shedding Realm experts), which looked like a sunflower with dense waves of Qi rolling off of it, and tossed it to him.
The man nearly pissed his pants when he saw what it was and hurriedly reached out to prevent it from falling too roughly.
"I'll give you two more just like it if you sell me as many fully intact beast corpses Rank 9 and below as possible."
"DEAL!" The man didn't even hesitate. Who was he kidding?! Divine Herbs were basically impossible to find. If he could obtain 3 of them just by killing a few beasts, who was he to turn down a good deal?
The rest of the Leader's eyes sharpened at the sight, flickering with greed, but no one dared to make a move. Still, this showed just how serious Aelina was about this.
Aelina smirked, seeing their reactions, inwardly nodding that they had finally taken the bait. "Now, why don't we start the negotiations?"
***
A few hours later, a group of this Continent's leaders left the Battle Maiden Sect with complicated yet satisfied expressions on their faces.
"Fufufu~ Go, my little worker bees~ Go work for your Queen~" Aelina chuckled as she leaned back in her chair, watching them all leave.
'Once I receive a steady stream of beast corpses, there's only one thing left to do before we raid the mountain range and begin the Prime Disciple Selection: power up!' Her eyes gleamed with a mysterious light.
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