A group of three cultivators was finishing off a seven-core beast. Each attack they executed was executed in near-perfect synchronization; among the group was a leader who radiated the spiritual energy of a tenth core in its early stage.
"Lin Ren, Zhu Zhi, go and harvest the core," the group leader commanded in an authoritative voice.
The two cultivators obeyed the order without blinking. "Yes, sir," they replied in unison.
This action repeated itself day after day. Each day they harvested a core from a beast in the seventh tier; after a week, they already possessed a harvest of seven cores.
"I think that's enough, sir," one of the disciples addressed the group commander.
The man slowly counted the cores to make sure they could return to their sect. "Get ready, we are returning to the Great Iron Hand Justice Sect." Just as he finished issuing his orders, a powerful surge of energy took them by surprise.
The three cultivators circulated their spiritual energy to block any danger, but after a few seconds... nothing.
Lin Ren looked at Yan Wu for help to figure out what to do. "Sir Zhu Zhi, should we investigate?" As he finished his last word, his companion glared at him. If anything described these two, it was the fear of the unknown.
Yan and Lin had been companions ever since they both climbed their way up from being earth slaves in their sect. It had taken them years to get to where they are, and after going through all those hardships, they knew it could all end at any second.
The leader, with excitement in his eyes: "Let's investigate." Greed was almost palpable in his voice. "That treasure will be mine."
The energy from the explosion had sent Xin Kuan flying through the air a few meters away from the epicenter where Shoneyi was.
"What the..." His eyes couldn't believe what was in the little one's hands. "It's shattered," he muttered to himself, "a double magnification right in the middle of the forest." His mind spun, but his excitement grew. Xin Kuan knew that only sect leaders possessed a double magnification, but now he had one too.
Shoneyi looked tiredly at young Kuan. "For you... brother." His head slowly dropped from the pull of gravity until it touched the ground.
The scene before his eyes was like a poem. A boy who didn't even belong to the Inner Circle was capable of achieving a double magnification; gifting an invaluable artifact and falling asleep with a smile.
As he watched the boy rest, he murmured to himself, "Brother." A faint smile formed on his face. A promise had been sealed in his heart, and even though blood ties didn't unite them, destiny certainly had.
Three silhouettes drew near a few meters away from where the Heaven Sect cultivators were.
"Well, well," Zhu Zhi inspected the surroundings to understand what had happened, "it looks like we have a clandestine encounter between high-caliber beasts and two cultivators from the Great Heaven Sect." His last words were spoken in a mocking tone.
Kuan's mind turned into clouds of worry. Damn it. He knew he might be able to escape, but Shoneyi was strengthless due to the Magnification. "Sixth Sword of the Iron Hand. You must think all of this is a misunderstanding." He walked straight to where the unconscious boy was and began making respectful parting gestures.
A slight gesture from the Sixth Sword of the Iron Hand Justice Sect was all it took for Lin Ren and Yan Wu to take an attack stance.
"Listen, young Kuan, I'm sorry to tell you that your father will receive the bad news that you were killed by a nine-core beast." The laughter of his henchmen held the place hostage.
Young Kuan turned his back on the two Iron Hand cultivators. "Let's do something interesting, honorable Sixth Sword." Without hesitation, he took his weapon and unleashed a relentless, powerful flurry of thrusts.
The difference between ten and nine cores is abysmal. Young Kuan's movements were like practice for Zhu Zhi.
"Enough of this stupidity." The pressure exerted by the spiritual energy of the Sixth Sword of the Iron Hand Justice Sect was undeniable.
Kuan could barely manage to stay on his feet.
"Just die already, insect." Zhu Zhi's unspeakable voice penetrated the young man's mind.
Kuan circulated all the energy left inside him and imbued it into his weapon. Two shades coexisted at once.
"Lights..." The eyes of the Iron Hand Sixth Sword couldn't believe what they were seeing, "white and azure."
A headless body collapsed to the ground, and two great sects had started a war.