Zi Sect
In the dark night sky, there exists a sect called the Zi/Purple Sect. This sect excels in the power of darkness. Because of this power, ordinary people assume they are allied with the demon spirit Zhou Fang. However, those who know their identity, especially the emperor himself, understand otherwise.
Their highly respected elder is named Zun Zhe. He explains that the power of darkness is inherited from his ancestors. It was originally a curse, but Zun Zhe's grandfather, Zun Jiang, managed to transform the curse into a controllable force.
Zi Sect Residence
In his residence, Elder Zun Zhe and his two elders, Sima Huang and Yue Jin, were sitting leisurely and discussing the inter-sect disciple competition, where the winner would be promoted to the Sky Sect.
"The inter-sect disciple competition will be held in a week. This competition, which only happens once a year, is our chance to win this competition and enhance our sect's reputation," Elder Zun Zhe said, propping his chin on his hand.
"That's right, Elder Zun. The disciples are training hard for the match. Especially our extremely talented disciple, An Lan. She has already fully mastered the second-level dark power. That way, we will have the potential to win this match," Elder Sima Huang replied confidently.
Elder Yue Jin nodded in agreement with Elder Sima Huang's words. Elder Zun Zhe, however, appeared very serious and still considering the matter. After a moment of thought, he stood up and prepared to leave.
"Elder Zun, where are you going?" Elder Yue Jin asked.
"I'm going to check on that child," Zun Zhe replied as he opened the door and left.
Elder Sima Huang and Elder Yue Jin exchanged glances, as if wondering what Elder Zun Zhe would do with An Lan.
All the disciples had returned to their respective places and were resting except for An Lan. In the open-air training ground, An Lan stood proudly, concentrating her strength.
A dark aura emanated from her entire body, indicating that her Qi had spread throughout her. Then, as a small leaf fell to the ground, An Lan moved and began swinging her sword. Even in the darkness of the night, it couldn't stop her determination to continue practicing.
Her speed and agility were truly extraordinary, seemingly teleporting to a certain location without touching the ground. Finally, she executed a closing move, a level two dark power.
An Lan spun her sword in a circle of darkness, then, in a final movement, spun around while swinging her sword.
This movement channeled her dark power into her sword, creating an area attack that would ensure her opponent would be unable to escape.
This was the closing move of her training, ending with a level two dark power. As she was about to sheathe her sword, she sensed someone walking toward her. She turned around and pointed her sword.
"Who are you?"
An Lan's instincts were so sharp that she even noticed the faint footsteps of someone who turned out to be Elder Zun Zhe. Feeling guilty, An Lan immediately lowered her sword and saluted.
"I'm sorry, Elder. I didn't know it was you," he said.
"It's okay, it turns out your abilities have improved significantly," Elder Zun Zhe replied, waving his right hand upwards to stop her from looking down.
An Lan understood, and she raised her head. Elder Zun Zhe smiled, then approached and patted An Lan on the shoulder.
"An Lan, the competition between sect disciples is about to begin. With your abilities like this, we definitely have the potential to win," Elder Zun Zhe continued with a hopeful tone.
"Of course, Elder. My abilities have improved greatly, and I will prove that I can win the competition," An Lan replied confidently.
"Yes, I know. I can't help but rely on you, An Lan. By the way, you should rest now, so take this..."
Elder Zun Zhe took something out from under his shirt. It was a fruit shaped exactly like the apple Zhou Feng had eaten. However, the fruit was a dark purple color. An Lan looked amazed.
"What is this, elder?" An Lan asked curiously.
"This is a fruit of power. I know your strength has increased significantly and you've successfully mastered the second level of darkness. However, you're still not perfect in its movements, so you've only reached a small range... With this fruit, your strength and focus will increase. This will make you invincible, allowing you to perfect the second level of darkness, even breaking through to the third level... Take it."
The explanation intrigued An Lan, who accepted it, intending to keep it for later during the competition. She bowed respectfully to Elder Zun Zhe.
"Thank you, Elder. I won't disappoint you!" she said, raising her head and leaving Elder Zun Zhe.
As An Lan left, Elder Zun Zhe looked up at the sky, adorned with the full moon. His expression was solemn, and he seemed to be contemplating something mysterious.
"This will be the beginning... For a new era..." he said, then walked away with a gentle breeze.
...----------------
Fang Yun's Residence
Meanwhile, Fang Yun and Zhou Feng were lying in their respective beds with a lamp on in the middle. Then, Zhou Feng thought of something and asked Fang Yun about it.
"Hey, Fang Yun. You said the competition between sect disciples is in a week, right?" he asked.
"Yeah, what's wrong?" Fang Yun asked back, his mouth gaping.
"Isn't that still a long way off? Why do they think it's so soon? And it also means a newbie like me won't be participating, right?"
"Hmm... Firstly, the reason they think it's so soon is so we can prepare early, so that when the competition comes, we'll be ready and not nervous about facing our opponents. Secondly, yes. You won't be able to participate because your level is like heaven and earth. In other words, you can't compare to yours."
"Do you need to insult me like that?"
"Sorry, but that's the truth. I'm right, aren't I?"
The explanation made Zhou Feng understand but was a little annoyed because he thought he had no comparison. However, he still admitted it because yes... There really wasn't any. After that, he asked again.
"Oh yeah, I forgot, you haven't finished telling me about the sects that are all over the world, right? Now, explain it to me."