"That ignorant… oblivious… little… I'm gonna punch him!" Illia's fists collided with trees and rocks in her path, her vision clouded by rage.
"Sis, go easy on him. He doesn't understand," Ouro cautioned, keeping his distance.
"Shut it! Ignorance is annoying, but blindly rushing into a conflict without speaking to us or even waiting for us is downright stupidity." She veered off her path to punch an unneeded tree. "Don't any of you defend him!"
"Got it." Ouro stepped further back, the rest of the team following suit.
"Right in the diaphragm! No cores to protect you now." A mischievous smile spread across her face as the wind tousled her hair. Suddenly, a gale-force wind pushed against her, slowing her to a crawl.
"So strong!"
"This can't be natural. Are the elders here already?"
"Only a few minutes have passed. I'm doubtful." Illia braced herself against the wind, searching for its source to no avail. The airflow lifted her torso, breaking her stance. Her head was forced upwards, revealing a large, tumultuous, midnight-black cloud with cracks of white light and a pale green light tail performing figure eights.
"Someone is doing a ritual of some sort. A sect secret maybe?" she whispered, gazing at the scene in wonder. The beauty of the force of nature sparked inspiration in her soul.
"Let's find Soloman and get out of here. I don't know what they are doing, but sticking around is not wise." Ouro pushed her forward as the team stood in line, pushing against the wind, dredging slowly forward.
...
They walked on and on, their leg muscles burning and aching beyond what anyone could manage, even with qi supplementing their abilities. Step by step, the group progressed to the tree line around the flare's last position. Breaking the edge of the clearing, they suddenly fell over from the lack of resistance in the air.
"Ow! My face," Sophia grunted, rubbing her nose.
"Finally, some rest. I wouldn't last any longer." Andre exhaled in relief.
"Where did the wind go?" Ouro scanned the area, trying to gain situational awareness.
"GET… OFF… ME… Now." Illia growled at the three laying on top of her, a sharp glint in her eyes. Hearing the tone of her voice, they snapped to and immediately prostrated themselves.
"Sorry," they chorused.
"Sigh~ Is this part of the ritual?" Illia stood up, dusting off her uniform, and began investigating the area. Walking around carefully, she saw the target of her agitation slamming stakes into the ground while wrapping a thin wire around the base.
"YOU~!" She jettisoned herself across the clearing to her target.
"Hmm~ Oh Illia, you're here. I need help—Bweh!" Soloman curled into a ball as her punch connected, driving his stomach to his spine.
"…Gods, that felt good." With a glowing complexion, she wiped her forehead as she stood over Soloman's groaning body.
"Wow, she actually did it." Ouro and the others approached with wry smiles at the scene.
"I cough assume I deserved that. Ugh~" Soloman stood up, wobbling like a newborn fawn.
"Hmph. So what crazy shenanigans is Olivia up to?" She ignored his pain as she gazed at the pale green trail performing odd movements in the dark sky, seemingly controlling the clouds with two people dancing on a boulder.
"Not her, me. What we are about to do… Hmm. You can't hit me again, promise?" Soloman flinched when he saw her turn around.
"…No." An innocent smile with pure eyes grew on her face.
"But why?… Whatever, let me explain the situation first, then what Olivia and her team are doing. There is an invasive species in the forest called Mantle Worms. Apex predators of cultivators, meaning they can kill all of us. The main issue with them is that they proliferate at an exaggerated rate. You know of 'Stagnate Tree Desert'? They did it. If they grow too much, they eat the life out of the environment. So right now, our priority is to eliminate them in the quickest way possible." Soloman gave a quick rundown in an indifferent tone, which did not match the urgency of his hands driving stakes and wires into the ground.
"So you're telling me that underneath our feet are hundreds of spirit beasts that are born to kill us, cultivators, and you had Olivia and her team do this strange ritual to stop that?" Illia cocked an eyebrow at how the prideful Iron Tortoise Sect would listen to an outsider that shamed them twice over.
"Yes to both. Be careful not to release your energy too much; they're sensitive to vibrations and energy." Soloman nailed the ninetieth improvised stake into the ground and waved Hermila and Ceren to start.
"Why aren't they attacking you?" Sophia kneeled down to touch the wired grid beneath her.
"And what are they doing? A straight, simple answer." Illia and Ouro observed two dancing people when she saw the artifacts that could cause a war in the hands of potential enemies.
"Those are our gloves, with spirit cores in them! You just exposed yourself so openly. What are you gonna do, what if they decide not to give them back?" She violently pointed to the dancing duo.
"Calm down. We need to use every tool we have to make this plan work. Supplementing the use of their own energy to have better control over what they are doing is imperative." Soloman proudly stated in a matter-of-fact fashion.
"Creating a lightning strike in a local area without proper control conditions is an incredibly arduous task. You're welcome." He pulled out his thermos and sipped his tea calmly from a job well done.
"Oh~."
"Huh."
"Hmm~."
"Can I have some?" Sophia extended her hand out.
The sight of Olivia's team using their powers to heat the air, control the wind, and water created a gorgeous display of colors unifying with the power of nature. The power of cultivators' capabilities on full display left the four in pride and contentment.
"…Wait~."
"WHAT?!" The four finally recognized the importance of his words, making Soloman choke on his tea.
"Lightning?! Actual lightning?! You… crazy bastard." She started rubbing her temples to make sense of the man living in her sect.
"You make it sound so simple." Andre pinched the bridge of his nose after thinking about the ramifications of Soloman's statement.
"You told others how to summon the power of the sky before waiting for us." Ouro felt a bit betrayed by his actions.
"You make it sound like you've done it before." Sophia went over his words in her head and noticed something odd as she sipped her provided tea.
"I have, with tesla coils in middle school. Don't look so glum, the lecture I gave them is the same I gave to you back home, y'all just never applied it... or thought to."
"Hearing a lesson and understanding it are fundamentally different." He calmly walked away after leaving some parting wisdom for them to mull over.
"Hermila, keep up the updraft. Ceren, use another core and pull more cold water that Marcel is making into the sky for Olivia to catch."
Looking at his back as he gave instructions to the ground units of Olivia's team left them feeling lost. Months of lessons he gave to the whole sect, the tools he donated to demonstrate his truths, and private tutelage he would gladly offer if you happened to catch him when he went to eat or in the library. All of his efforts felt wasted on them when he called them out for not thinking beyond the classroom.
"We need to tell our fellow disciples to go beyond just repeating what we are told, once we are done here." Illia informed the others with a firm look of resolve to strengthen the sect for upcoming conflicts that will ensue from today's events.
"We need to inform the elders and Master about this. Mantle worms will be addressed with the neighboring sects, but what Soloman has done so far and… the insane thing he is about to do will bring chaos and tides of strife for us all." Ouro looked down at his calloused hands, envisioning the battles to come.
"All he does is help without reward, and strangers will condemn him for being so capable that it incites jealousy." Andre felt remorse that an innocent man unaware of this world's culture could not be allowed to stay.
"Even if we don't exile him, he will decide to leave himself." Sophia commented as she clenched the grip of her sword, coming to an unspoken decision.
"What do you mean? We are strong enough to protect our own and would never abandon them." Ouro was taken aback by her commentary.
"We all know the truth of his origins and are aware he is not a body cultivator by any definition that will fool the oldies in the other sects when they investigate the matter." Sophia shrugged her shoulders while shaking her head.
"Why would he exile himself?" Illia was confused by her assertion.
"To protect the mortals," Sophia answered in a hollow voice, her words a heavy blow that crushed any rebuttal the group might have had.
...
"Damn it." Illia's lips quivered as she clenched her fists, knowing his personality.
"… Fuck." Ouro turned his head, his eyes furrowed and dark with frustration.
"I still don't get it." Andre looked back and forth between the group walking away.
"Andre… If you were to fight Soloman, can you win? In ten fights? A hundred? A thousand? A mortal like him can fight on equal ground with our own elders who are hundreds of years old with battle experience in the thousands. If others found out that mortals are able to contend with us cultivators with Soloman's assistance, they will not only do everything they can to kill him and make sure that no mortal dares attempt it." Sophia stated in a dark and firm voice as looked over her shoulder walking towards Soloman's side.
"You mean that the other sects will kill or enslave the mortals out of fear?" He stopped in his tracks, trying to align his thoughts.
'Or weaponize them.' Sophia projected her voice so only Andre could hear as she placed a hand on Soloman's shoulder. "How can I help?"
"Yes, thank you, Sophia. You have lightning attribute sword techniques, correct?" Soloman, having just finished briefing Hermila and Ceren on the next steps, rummaged through his bag for items.
"I have more mastery in light and dark attributes. But yes, not enough to make a lightning strike, though. Why?"
"Hermila is almost done here. If you can help her and instigate the electrical charge in the clouds further with your ability, it would be beneficial. Here, use these rubber gloves and boots." He shoved the items into her chest. "We're lucky the wind and oversaturation of qi in the air has left the worms confused, but still, be careful."
"… Yes, sir." A faint blush colored her cheeks—unusual for any sword cultivator, who are typically trained to sever emotions to embody 'swordwill.'
"Alright everyone, listen up! Once Hermila and Sophia reach the anvil of the cloud, they will use their abilities to create a large electrical charge. This will attract the electricity to the grid I laid out on the ground, driving the worms out in a weakened state. Illia, Ouro, Andre, and I will then kill any stragglers. I've just been informed that the golden flare will summon others here, so we need to act fast to avoid any bystanders getting hurt. Got it?" Soloman's eyes swept over the group, ensuring they understood their roles.
"Begin!" Hermila and Sophia shot into the air, punching a hole in the clouds. As the two breached the cloud barrier, Olivia descended towards the others.
"I'm about to be sick. Spinning in circles for so long made me woozy." She covered her mouth, her face a shade of green.
"Good work, Olivia. Get yourself and the rest of your team members to a place off the ground away from here." Soloman rubbed her back to comfort her, then directed everyone to head to the tree line.
...
"Why are you two back already?" Soloman's face turned serious as Hermila and Sophia returned with alarm etched on their faces.
"It's too strong. The forces of nature in the clouds are at their peak," Hermila exclaimed, sprinting towards the tree line.
"It's true. Soloman, we need to leave now! I don't know what lightning you made in middle school was, but this is more than what your grid can handle." Sophia grabbed Soloman by the collar and broke for the forest interior.
"How can that be? I calculated everything. Even the moisture in the air." He stared at the sky to see what had frightened the usually taciturn girl. Large cracks of white light sparked with low trembling rolls of thunder in the blackened cloud, painting a scene worthy of an artist's canvas.
"What could have I missed?"
Priscilla yawned, stretching in her bed. {The qi in the air.}
"… Shit. EVERYONE GET DOWN!" Soloman bear-hugged Sophia to the ground.
A yellow-blue pillar of light, thick as a hill, struck the grid. The initial crack of the lightning was deafening, followed by a continuous roar that shook the very air.
The pillar of light persistently struck the grid for tens of seconds, creating a wave of searing heat that kissed their skin. The sounds of crackling lightning and the earth shattering spilled into their ears, creating a constant deafening ringing. The air was thick with the sharp, metallic scent of ozone, and the ground trembled beneath them.
The intense heat caused their skin to prickle and redden, sweat pouring down their faces. The static electricity in the air made their hair stand on end, and their muscles tensed involuntarily. The sheer force of the strike pressed them into the ground, making it difficult to breathe. Their hearts pounded in their chests, each beat a reminder of the life they still clung to.
Trees snapped and were uprooted by the massive force of the wind pressure. The voracious display of nature's strength left even the most stalwart warrior hesitant to step forward. Everyone lay on the ground quivering, not daring to raise their heads. The power of the strike seemed to pull the very air from their lungs, leaving them gasping in fear and awe.
Soloman felt Sophia's rapid heartbeat against his chest, a stark reminder of human fragility despite their supernatural abilities. The seconds stretched into what felt like an eternity, each moment laden with fear of the unknown.
...
An eerie silence followed the strike. Soloman tentatively looked up to witness the calamity he had ushered. The silence was almost as deafening as the roar of the lightning, a stark contrast that left his ears ringing. His mind reeled at the severity of the event that had endangered everyone. Sparks of electricity still crackled near the site.
"Holy hell, this is outrageous." Soloman leaned over the smoldering molten crater where the grid once stood. Walls of magma slowly congealed, forming a tar pit filled with the stench of sulfur and basalt. The sharp taste of copper lingered, making one cover their mouth. The sight was both mesmerizing and horrifying—a testament to the destructive power they had unleashed.
"Is it safe? Scientist Soloman, is it okay?" Olivia peered through her trembling hands. The rustling of the others became audible as they got up and observed the results. Soloman turned his gaze to the sky, shielding his eyes from the sun.
His eyes trembled at the sight of the deep, untainted blue sky. The contrast between the serene sky and the devastation below was jarring. "Yeah… it's safe. The heat from the strike burned away the clouds. I… I don't know how, though." The calmness of the sky seemed to mock the chaos they had just endured.
"Are they dead?" Illia peered over the crater, pinching her nose. The staunch smell of burnt flesh and sulfur was overwhelming, making her eyes water.
"Looks so, even the big one." Marcel observed the charred hole in the large worm that had killed their elder. The corpse was wide enough for five people to wrap their arms around. A blue sparkle from the elder's jade slip shimmered before fracturing into atoms.
Both teams circled around the crater, discussing and checking if any worms were left alive. The air was thick with tension and the smell of burnt earth. Each step they took was cautious, eyes scanning for any signs of movement. Olivia's team frequently glanced at Soloman, their thoughts unreadable. The silence was heavy, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or a distant birdcall.
...
After resting another hour, using pills and circulating their qi to recover, both teams gathered and made their way back to the sect. The journey back was somber, each member lost in thought. The forest around them seemed darker, the shadows longer, reflecting their inner turmoil. The path was familiar, but it felt foreign, as if they were walking in a new world. Not a word was spoken on the limping journey back.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed through the sky, and a blinding flash of light descended upon the landing site. "Elder Shufang! WHERE ARE YOU?! EXPLAIN YOURSELF!" Sect Master Rodomir's voice boomed, reverberating through the air. Along with several elders from other sects, he flickered in around the landing site, their presence commanding and formidable. With no response given, the five sect masters started using their senses to scan the area for any evidence of survivors. A wrinkled, hunched woman with a walking cane and dragon hairpin pointed in the direction of the Mountain Pass village.