Gabriel and his team had managed only a few miles when the sky started turning dark.
A massive pillar of pure baleful energy erupted from the ruined mountain, punching straight into the night sky. The column was thick as a city tower, a writhing mass of purple-black and blood-red light that twisted and pulsed like something alive. The air pressure dropped. The temperature plummeted. Even at this distance the oppressive weight of the energy pressed against their skin and made their qi recoil in instinctive dread.
As the pillar started to vanish, a horrific monstrosity rose from the ground and stood above the treeline, its silhouette blotting out the stars. The creature towered over the forest—easily a hundred meters tall—its form a nightmarish fusion of flesh, shadow, and jagged bone. Multiple elongated limbs ended in scythe-like claws. A cluster of uneven, glowing eyes opened across its upper body, each one leaking trails of the same baleful energy. From its chest and back, thick tendrils of corrupted flesh uncoiled and whipped through the air, smashing trees into kindling with casual sweeps.
The thing tilted what might have been its head toward the direction Gabriel's group had fled. A low, wet, multi-layered roar rolled across the landscape, vibrating through the ground and into their bones.
Gabriel tightened his grip on Eleanor. Wren's face went pale. Ivan cursed under his breath.
--------------------------------------
In her quiet study within the Celestial Haven Sect, Alana suddenly stiffened.
A wave of powerful baleful energy washed over her senses, so dense and malignant that the protective formations of the mountain momentarily trembled slightly. Without hesitation she extended her divine sense, stretching it across a vast distance until it locked onto the Wood Spirit Forest.
What she saw made her eyes narrow.
A massive pillar of purple-black energy had erupted into the sky, twisting like a living wound in the world. The sheer scale and purity of the baleful qi made her expression grimace in disgust. She was still observing the unfolding horror when a sharp pulse came from the jade token at her waist.
A message from the Sect Master.
*Emergency meeting. Sect Master's palace. Immediate mandatory attendance required.*
Alana withdrew her divine sense at once, rose from her seat, and vanished in a streak of light.
---
Within the grand hall of the Sect Master's palace, the elders of the Celestial Haven Sect had already gathered. The atmosphere was heavy. At the head of the hall sat Sect Master Melchior Aldworth, his expression uncharacteristically grim.
Once the final elder arrived, Melchior raised a hand for silence.
"I have received an urgent transmission from the World Alliance," he began, voice steady but edged with tension. "A short time ago, a major incident occurred in the Wood Spirit Forest. The Outer God Cult was confirmed to be operating there under the cover as bandits. A deacon of the cult, identified as Mo Lihai, was present.
A demonic seed was being nourished beneath the mountain, and a high-level battle has already broken out between Alliance forces and the cultists."
He paused, letting the weight of the information settle.
"A massive pillar of baleful energy has since erupted from the site. The Alliance reports that something… ungodly has manifested. The situation is still evolving, but the threat level has been raised to the highest classification."
As Melchior continued detailing the known casualties and the involvement of Alliance Commander Elias Varen, Alana's hands slowly tightened in her sleeves.
Her youngest disciple had been sent to that region.
Gabriel.
A cold knot of worry formed in her chest. She kept her emotions in check, Alana then stepped forward from the ranks of the elders, her voice clear and steady despite the tension in the hall.
"Sect Master," she said, "my youngest disciple, Gabriel, was sent on a mission to the Wood Spirit Forest region. Given the timing and the severity of what has occurred, I have every reason to believe he may still be there—caught in the middle of this."
A murmur rippled through the gathered elders. Melchior's expression darkened further as he regarded her.
Alana continued without hesitation. "I request permission to depart immediately for the Wood Spirit Forest to assist the World Alliance forces… and to locate my disciple."
Sect Master Melchior was silent for a moment, weighing the situation. Then he gave a single, decisive nod.
"Permission granted. Elder Alana, you will lead a response group composed of three inner court elders and a squad of elite disciples. Support the Alliance, contain any further spread of baleful energy if you are able."
His gaze turned serious.
"Do not take unnecessary risks against the Outer God Cult and be on high alert. Whatever has manifested from that pillar of light must not be taken lightly. Your priority is support and rescue of our own."
Alana bowed deeply.
"Understood, Sect Master. We leave within the hour."
Within the hour, the response group had assembled on the main flying vessel platform of the Celestial Haven Sect.
Three inner court elders stood ready—Elder Kael, a stern man known for his defensive formations; Elder Seris, a specialist in high-speed movement and reconnaissance; and Elder Vorn, whose destructive techniques were among the strongest in the inner court. Behind them waited a squad of twelve elite disciples, all at the late Core Formation or early Nascent Soul stage, their expressions serious as they checked weapons and supplies.
Alana stood at the front, her robes already adjusted for battle, she swept her gaze over the group she was leading once.
"Our objective is the Wood Spirit Forest," she said clearly. "A confirmed Outer God Cult deacon is present, along with a large-scale baleful manifestation. The World Alliance is already engaged in battle. We are here as back up in containing the situation, and to locate any Celestial Haven disciples still in the area."
""Yes, Elder Alana."" They understood what was at stake.
Alana raised her hand. A formation activated beneath their feet, signaling that the ship was ready to disembark. In the next breath, the sect warship shot into the sky as a single streak of white-gold light, tearing westward at extreme speed.
Far ahead, the night sky still carried the faint, sickly glow of the massive baleful pillar. The distance that would normally take half a day would be crossed in less than two hours.
Alana's eyes remained fixed on the horizon, divine sense already stretched forward, searching for any trace of her youngest disciple's aura amid the chaos.