A few minutes earlier...
A few miles away from the ape
"Senior sister! T-this is bad! That’s a stoneface ape, and it’s at least at the 3rd stage of the vital core realm. Please let’s retreat,"pleaded Luo Ming.
"Yes, senior sister, Luo Ming is right, we are only three members left now, if the others hadn’t been killed, we could have tak-"
"Silence"
A simple yet commanding voice resounded through the air.
"Back off, I’ll take care of this Ape, and distract it. As for you two, go and secure that spirit lotus," saying that she drew her sword.
The sword gleamed in mysterious blue hue with intricate patterns etched on its surface. It was radiating a sharp aura.
When she swung her sword, an intense sword intent erupted from her lithe form, forcing the two disciples to leave.
The two of them sighed at her stubbornness and quietly backed off, waiting for an opportunity. The stone ape they were targeting guarded a Spirit lotus, an herb which is extremely important in the process of Alchemy.
She dashed towards the ape with startling speed. The ape, sensing the hostility directed at itself let out a feral roar, and a second skin made up of stone coated his entire body like a thick armour.
With an earth-shaking step, the ape punched forward, intending to crush the ant into debris. Just as the fist was about to smash her,
"Divine Sword Arts: Sword Sense"
A calm voice echoed through the forest.
"Flowing Edge Slash"
A fluid strike tore through the air, striking the upcoming fist with a graceful yet deadly strike. The slash tore through the stone armour with momentum and stuck the flesh beneath.
Slash
WRAAAGHHHH!!
A deep cut appeared on the knuckles of the stoneface ape, though it failed to cut deeper than its skin. The ape hissed but didn’t stop its fists. The woman’s face fell slightly. She hastily raised her sword to defend.
The fist crashed down on her with monstrous strength, sending her hurtling into a giant tree. She splurted a mouthful of fresh blood.
Without giving any time to recover, the ape roared and slammed his stone-covered hand to the ground.
BOOM
The ground split with a thunderous sound.
Back to the present...
Rahu continued to watch the battle between the two; he was surprised by the strength of the woman.
"Divine Sword arts, huh? Now that’s a bit dangerous," he pondered. It was the first time he’d seen such a dominant sword art displayed so closely.
"Divine Sword Sect disciples, huh?" Rahu mused. The Divine Sword Sect was one of the only three sects to have been said to have an equal footing against the four mighty clans.
"She’s interesting...I’ll make her mine," he smirked. Seeing her determined face, streaked with blood, only made her all the more enticing.
His gaze then fell upon the two other male disciples who were slowly sneaking towards the Spirit Lotus. Seeing them, an evil grin broke out, twisting his smile unnaturally.
...
Meanwhile–
The two male disciples Luo Ming and Bai Ming, a pair of brothers who were sneaking around the ape, slowly made their way towards the spirit lotus.
"S-shit, we have to hurry, senior sister can’t hold any longer," urged Luo Ming. Seeing her condition made his stomach twist.
"Yeah, let’s hurry, she can’t hold much longer if her injuries worsen. Dammit, just why is she so goddam stubborn!? This ape is clearly much stronger than the average 3rd stage vital core realm cultivator!" Bai Ming said through his clenched teeth.
"We...have no other; we accepted the mission knowing its risks and rewards. Now stop talking, move faster," Luo Ming replied with an equal tone.
Bai Ming took a deep breath and nodded.
"Indeed, the Senior sister is at the second stage of Vital Core realm, and for someone as gifted as her in the sword arts, she should be able to hold her ground."
The two quickly made their way towards the spirit lotus, with the ape too distracted to sense their presence. The two soon found themselves in front of the Spirit lotus.
"Damn, it’s really beautiful and gives off such a strong spiritual energy!" Luo Ming said, his voice filled with awe.
The spirit lotus was shimmering bright in the gentle morning glow of the sun, its petals shining in soft silver glow. The fragrance it emitted soothed even the angriest soul.
"Hey Bai, quickly, we don’t have time, pass me the box," Luo Ming said hastily...Without looking back. But no response came to his words.
"Hey! Hurry ma-" His words died in his throat as he saw a head roll between his legs, his heart skipped a beat.
"W-who!?"
Just as he was about to turn back, a knife pressed against his throat, drawing a drop of blood, a mere inch away from ending his miserable existence.
"Now now, no need to panic. I just want to ask a few questions. answer them, you’ll live, Refuse ...you die." A low chuckle echoed in his ears, sending a chill down his spine. He was truly scared.
"W-what do you want!?" He asked fearfully without turning back.
"Ah, nothing much, I just want to know the name of the woman fighting there, her personality, and what are you guys doing here?" He asked everything in a single sentence.
"And make it quick if you value your life," He threatened at the end.
"Y-yes, her n-name is Vivianne Rivera, she is a core disciple of the Divine Sword sect, and s-she is a bit emotionally distant and is a genius prodigy in sword arts. We came here to complete a sect mission, and originally, we were seven members, four died wh-"
Slash
"Y-you told..." Luo Ming was shocked..." his throat slashed, and he slowly slid to the hard ground.
"I lied."
Walking forward, he collected both of their storage rings, and with the wave of his hand, a box materialised in front of him, naturally, to store the Spirit Lotus .
He gently scooped up the Lotus and placed it inside the box as quickly and gently as possible. After all, once plucked and left unchecked, it will most probably lose its essence.
"Now then, let’s move on to the next phase," He grinned as he glanced in the direction of Vivianne’s fight.