Born in Blood



Liam paid close attention to the different domains surrounding the Main Lands as the lion grew closer.

They covered massive plots of land and each had their own 'theme'.

Each domain was like an individual city. 

Every corner bustled with thousands of martial artists.

The only reason Liam even caught a glimpse of each one, was due to the high vantage point the lion provided.

"I can explain them one by one if you'd like, my liege," Jargon offered. Liam instantly nodded. 

He barely knew their names, but Jargon had a knack for studying the surrounding landscapes.

His time as a growing disciple of a popular Sect had allowed him to do that, after all.

One had serpentine-shaped towers and swervy buildings, like venomous snakes wildly lurching at the sky. 

In the very center of that vast domain was an arched cobra statue, the crimson, vertical eye slits of which subtly moved left and right.

"That's the Death Lung Clan. They're specialized in alchemy. Lethal poison, specifically."

Another Sect had massive, blocky structures that had beautiful, profound-looking calligraphy draped over on every corner.

Everything was inscribed with layers of complexity, and it looked like an impregnable fortress, with a grand castle in the center.

"The Myriad Brushes."

"They're not battle-oriented, but their inscriptions are known to be profound. They are rumored to even lay their comprehension down on ink."

Another looked incredibly beautiful, like a natural archipelago with towering, lush, pink-and-white trees sprouting from every corner. 

They resembled the sakura tree from Earth, except the leaves pulsed with a violet, living glow, fluttering lightly under an invisible wind.

"That one there is the Unending Wind. They study the way of the sword, and believe that wind is the 'sword's element'."

The subsequent few Jargon pointed out were similarly amazing.

There was the Unmoving Mountain Sect, which featured a pearly white mountain that the disciples lived inside and out of. They resembled little ants from just how colossal the landscape was.

Beside them were the Solar Spears, whose Spear Arts were apparently so deadly, they didn't stab through their enemies…

They incinerated them to ashes.

As such, they were the least challenged from the Seven Clans.

Up next was the Cerulean Dragons, specific to the water element. Other than the obvious draconic designs, there was no need for Jargon to explain.

Sapphire-scaled dragons – along with smaller winged creatures – flew this way and that over that domain, centered around an obvious Rank 5 dragon in the center. 

They were actually alive. 

It seemed like the Cerulean Dragons were the type to 'tame' beasts instead of forcing them against their will, like the Ravenous Leashes.

…But out of all of these, there was one that stood out like a star.

And it was just as bright as one.

It was hard to miss, and its design was just… magnificent.

A palace made from pure light.

It was the largest domain out of the Seven, as well, despite being the one with the lowest number of disciples in their Clan.

But that didn't really matter when you had a Rank 6 on your team.

"And that, is the Luminous Light Sect – the Moyong family – unofficial rulers of Ilali."

The conversation ended there

The Monolith Lion was soon noticed by the Sects that lived around the Seven Clans.

These lower Sects weren't anything to scoff at either. 

Their forces could very well match the Temple's strength. Combined as one entity, they could obviously defeat them.

But they weren't one entity.

Most of them hated each other with relentless scorn.

The very reason they abided was because of the Seven Clans and their combined strength.

They were just too stupid to realize that they could do the same.

Usan was here to change that.

A mass of Shadow suddenly enveloped the Monolith Lion and hid all the acolytes from view.

Liam's instincts screamed as a Rank 5 cultivator with long red hair and a crimson robe flew in front of the Monolith Lion.

"State your business!" he shouted with a frown.

Usan had his mask on.

But he slowly took it off.

The Rank 5 cultivator's face fell.

"...Silver?"

"You're still alive?"

"How?"

There was a tone of solemnity in the man's voice.

Usan said nothing for a while.

Most Rank 5 cultivators knew who the Unforgiven Was.

And not all of them were enemies to him. 

Some were friends.

Some were natural allies.

Some were lifelong brothers.

"I'm not here for you, Zen," Usan said, his face emotionless and distant. 

"I'm here for a talk with them."

Zen blinked. 

He hadn't expected that reaction.

Zen and Usan were practically brothers before the exile!

…But that was the issue.

The exile.

All Zen could do was watch it happen, afraid to protest against the rulers.

Now, nothing of warmth was left to Usan.

More Rank 5 cultivators approached the area, but only watched from afar. 

This particular region was under Zen's control, which is why Usan had gone through here first, avoiding a needless fight.

Just past Zen was the Seven Clans.

The Main Lands were slowly getting rowdier.

Everyone felt something dangerous stirring under the eerie silence.

Something bad was going to happen.

Zen's shoulders sagged in defeat.

He had no intentions of fighting the Unforgiven.

'Forgive me, brother. I could not be there for you.'

Zen descended, and an open path opened up for the Monolith Lion to go through.

"Get out," Usan said as he passed through the outer ring of the Seven Clans. "I've come to talk."

Unforgiven's influence spread.

The world around him grew darker, except the area around the light-made palace. Usan's shadows couldn't reach there.

Usan's words spread to each individual city.

Everyone heard him crystal clear.

They had seen him already, too, but they had to wait until his intention was identified.

Seven figures left each of the seven domains.

Of course, the Rank 6 was not among them.

The Moyong family had a Rank 5 cultivator themselves.

Displeasure, shock, surprise, disgust, anger, scorn, disdain.

These were each of the emotions the seven had given the Unforgiven.