"No demon is more dangerous than a man with ambition, cloaked in civility."
While the Qingling Sect bathed in sunlight—its disciples honing sword and spirit for the grand tournament—far away, in the Ruins of Dulong Ridge, a hidden hall lit by blood-crystal lanterns shimmered to life.
A secret gathering had begun.
Nine human factions, once divided by borders, grudges, and pride, now found unity in a single word whispered through their courts and sect halls:
Qingling.
It had grown too powerful.
It had risen too far.
And its Young Master, Ling Xuanye, stood like a dawn they could not dim.
They would try.
🔥 Scene: Crimson Dulong Ridge – Obsidian War Council Chamber
A thunderstorm gathered above the Ruins of Dulong Ridge, where nine ancient flags fluttered in blood-red winds.
Deep within its molten belly, a grand obsidian chamber lit by soulfire torches flickered to life. Nine shadowed thrones lined the circular space — no audience, no courtesy, only sharp words and sharper intentions.
The Council of Thorns had convened.
They were not demons.
They were human.
But what resided in their hearts was no less cruel.
🩸 1. Obsidian Bone Sect (Northern Desolation Region)
Sect Ranking: Lower-middle-tier / Rapidly rising through corpse-path techniques
Sect Master: Hei Yin (Peak Soul Ascension Stage)
Representative: Zuo Kuang
Relation: Direct Disciple and Adopted Son of Hei Yin
Cultivation: Essence Integration – Middle Stage
Attribute: Bone Poison, Soul Chains
Specialty: Spirit Puppet Binding, Internal Bone Dissolution
Weapon: Marrow-Draining Bone Spear
Zuo Kuang entered dragging two walking corpses chained behind him — trophies from fallen sects.
"Qingling's Young Master parades around like a dragon," he sneered. "Let's show him he's just a mortal cub in dragon's skin."
🔥 2. Crimson Jade Dynasty (Eastern Empire)
Empire Rank: 2nd strongest human monarchy on the continent
Ruler: Empress Feng Lanyi (Late Soul Ascension Stage)
Representatives:
Prince Hong Ye
Relation: Crown Prince, eldest son of Empress Feng
Cultivation: Core Formation – Peak Stage
Attribute: Mirage Flame
Specialty: Flame Veil Clone Arts, Heat Mirage Form
Weapon: Molten Jade Fan
Princess Hong Xue
Relation: Second princess
Cultivation: Core Formation – Middle Stage
Attribute: Poison Fire
Specialty: Venomous Lotus Dance, Heart Incineration Flame
The royal siblings entered on a floating phoenix chariot, trailing smoke and scent of lotus.
"That Xuanye... I want his heart in a jade box," Hong Xue smirked."You always want hearts," her brother sighed. "I want his throne."
🕷️ 3. Silken Vein Pavilion (Southern Marshes)
Sect Rank: Low-tier, dark-cultivating sect tolerated by politics
Matron: Widow Bai (Essence Integration – Late Stage)
Representative: Yin Rou
Relation: Blood Daughter and Heir of Widow Bai
Cultivation: Foundation Establishment – Peak Stage
Attribute: Blood Threads, Spirit Insects
Specialty: Illusion Binding, Qi Drain Parasites
Unique Trait: Eyes sewn shut — uses blood-sense to "see"
She floated in, dress woven from thousands of spider legs. Her voice echoed in minds:
"Qingling's boy... I will wrap him in red silk and feed his fear to the hive."
🪨 4. Iron Vow Sect (Northern Martial Sect)
Rank: 3rd strongest sect by body cultivation lineage
Sect Leader: Monk Tie Chi (Late Soul Foundation Stage)
Representative: Tie Yuan
Relation: Direct Disciple and Nephew of the Sect Leader
Cultivation: Essence Integration – Early Stage
Attribute: Earth, Shockwave
Specialty: Ground Collapse Fist, Shock Meridian Hammer
Weapon: None – Fist Cultivator
Tie Yuan stormed in barefoot. Every step cracked obsidian.
"Forget poison. I'll crush his meridians in front of their cheering elders."
🕯️ 5. Black Mist Academy (Independent Assassin Sect)
Rank: Hidden, unaffiliated — feared in every nation
Headmaster: Wu Jinhai (Essence Integration – Peak Stage)
Representative: Hei Mu
Relation: Personal disciple, only survivor of Black Mist Trial
Cultivation: Unknown (Suspected Essence Integration – Late Stage)
Attribute: Shadow Meld
Specialty: Silent Blade, Dream Invasion Kill
He did not walk in.
He was already sitting.
"Qingling's Young Master dreams… I will make him die in them."
⚖️ 6. Void Trace Sect (Eastern Windswept Isles)
Rank: Mid-tier; famed for mind technique arts
Void Elder: Lin Qi (Soul Ascension – Early Stage)
Representative: Qin Zhen
Relation: Nephew of the Void Elder
Cultivation: Essence Integration – Late Stage
Attribute: Wind and Spirit Pressure
Specialty: Crushing Consciousness Palm, Thousand Whispers Illusion
Qin Zhen arrived floating inches above the ground. Not one footstep touched stone.
"Let him breathe once… and I will show the world how loud a soul screams when crushed."
👑 The Council Forms
The obsidian chamber darkened. A scroll made of dragonhide was placed in the center, glowing with blood Qi.
"Qingling's Young Master must fall," said Hei Yin.
Zuo Kuang's spear pulsed.
"The arena will be his coffin."
Prince Hong Ye folded his fan.
"Let him win a few rounds. Then shame him before all sects."
Yin Rou: "Or curse his core. Let it shatter when he uses it."
Tie Yuan slammed a fist: "Enough schemes. Let me challenge him head-on."
Hei Mu: "Or kill him quietly. Make it look like suicide."
Qin Zhen: "No… break his reputation. Let all nations turn on Qingling."
The voices twisted into a plan.
💀 Final Seal
All nine leaders poured their Qi into the pact scroll.
"From now until the end of this Grand Tournament," said Hei Yin, "we fight not alone… but together."
"Let Qingling learn—heaven has thorns."
And as the last drop of spiritual blood soaked the scroll, nine sects bound their hatred into one banner.
A war not of swords… but schemes.
To be continued...