The Immortal Continent; Golden Sun Empire | 77th District of the city of Solara.
The crowded streets of the market could be seen as busy as usual with merchants peddling their wares, with half of the items being knockoffs or the genuine article. Between the hustle and bustle, unbeknownst to wealthy customers, young orphans could be seen pickpocketing from those that were weak mortals of barely Level two. It was the stronger mortals at level 5 and above that the kids stayed away from as the crime for pickpocketing in this district was a bit severe. With a population in the hundreds of millions, there was bound to be a fair share of suffering, unfairness, and dark alleys of untold nightmares. That also came with the typical joys of life such as marriage, get-togethers, and moving up in the world. But then some were talented enough in cultivation to rise above the common folk and make a true name for themselves. And while everyone in the Golden Sun Empire was required to choose the Cultivator Class on selection day at age 7, not everyone was talented enough at the Qi Cycling process.
Which resulted in a clear divide between the talented ones chosen by the Heavenly System and those abandoned. As an orphan boy was about to snatch a hanging bag of coins from a wealthy customer arguing with a merchant, the boy paused as he heard some strange sounds from above and looked up. He could see streaks of light passing by at unbelievable speeds. The quantity of them was clearly in the hundreds and they ripped through the air with much ferocity. It was then that a few people started talking at a merchant stall nearby.
"Hey, isn't that the Feng Clan? I haven't seen something like this in ages."
"It looks like they are eager for a fight. Which is odd given that they are heading to where the Iron Thunder Sect is located…"
"Why would they want to do that? That Sect doesn't bother anyone, at least that's based on what the locals have said."
"Yeah, but I wonder if it's them doing this. Did you see that guy at the front? He wasn't wearing Feng Clan colors."
"I guess that makes more sense. Someone's pulling the strings huh?"
"It seems that the cultivation scene is always up to something. Cannot say I miss it."
"Oh, come on now, this is none of our business. Especially some petty 'lower step' conflict. Let's just get what we came for and head on to the 23rd District. I heard there's going to be a great play held there!"
"Fine, fine. Let's go on then."
The boy heard this conversation nearby but didn't really understand the situation. Still, he suddenly felt anxious and scampered off. He was afraid of what might happen and did not want to get in the crossfire. Maybe he'll try the 78th District. It is quite far away and did not have as much coin there, but it should be safer than this place at least.
This small army of cultivators moved at speeds that only seemed like colored blurs passing by from above. Yet all could feel a sense of tension in the air as the size of the disturbance spoke of great turmoil ahead. If only they knew how accurate this was.
-----
Mo Long Mountain - Iron Thunder Sect
For the past 834 years, the Mo Long Mountain has been the home of the Iron Thunder Sect; a 1st Step Mortal faction with a long history of being neutral to outsiders and avoiding conflict. Their specialty is that of techniques that specialize in quickness and the transformation of Qi into the element of lightning for certain skills. Their Sect leader is renowned for fighting against a 2nd Step adversary to a standstill while still in the 1st Step. Overall, it has been a Sect that is admired rather than feared, which could be viewed as a rarity throughout the thousands of factions within the Golden Sun Empire.
This is why it was a shock when the leader, Lei Shen, sensed an influx of powerful presences a few miles away, heading in his direction at rapid speed. Quickly, the man summoned his trusty E-Grade Axe that had been passed down through generations and like a flash of lightning appeared in the sky above the Sect Leader's Pavilion. With one hand resting on the handle of his weapon, he sent a Soul Transmission to the Sect Elders.
"Evacuate the outer & inner disciples into the underground bunker! And I need someone to activate the protective formation! We have trouble coming our way!"
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
This startled the various old men, some who were in deep seclusion, but they carried out their orders without question. A few seconds later, a translucent barrier surrounded the sect grounds; the entire mountain was encased in a bubble. Not much later, a procession of individuals on flying swords appeared before the barrier, the number increasing with every passing moment until over 500 cultivators appeared in the sky, surrounding Mo Long Mountain. Seeing this, Lei Shen's eyes narrowed and his aura & intent flared.
A young-looking man, seemingly only about 24 years of age yet with eyes that carried a greater wisdom walked forward upon the air with fluid movements closer to the barrier. This man spoke in a clear and definite tone.
"Hello, I am Di Jun, of the Di Clan. I will say this only once. Forfeit your independence to the family by Heavenly Oath or suffer the consequences. The choice is yours."
These words were said calmly as he casually slapped against the barrier which shattered into pieces immediately.
The sect leader was shaken by what he had just seen and instantly used the Identify skill on the youth.
[Name: Di Jun
Race: Human [2nd Step]
Level: 266
Class: Aura Weaver ]
Panic struck Lei Shen when he saw this. While he might have fought 2nd Step opponents before, this was a truly experienced one with probably several E Rank Skills and they even had a rare class! And most importantly…he was truly from the Di Clan. Not to mention, the hundreds of what he now realized were Feng Clan members supporting this young master of the Di Clan. A defeated sigh escaped his lips as he returned his weapon back into his storage ring.
"I hereby swear an oath to the Heavenly System that I will follow the commands of the Di Clan & work alongside any of its subordinate factions."
A chime rang out in the minds of both Lei Shen & Di Jun and a prompt appeared in front of their eyes.
[Lei Shun has made an Oath of Subservience to your Clan, as the highest authority of the Di Clan nearby, do you wish to accept this pledge?]
[Di Jun has accepted your Oath of Subservience on behalf of the Di Clan. You will be compelled to follow any order by the Di Clan leadership. Failure to do so in a suitable time frame will have a variety of negative outcomes enforced by the Heavenly System.]
A troubled look overcame Lei Shun. They were one of the remaining independent 1st Step factions of the 77th District. Now only the Li Clan remains. His mind could not help but cast astray as the deluge of foreign cultivators entered his Sect.
'I wonder what that boy will do…'
----
Li Clan Estate
A man seated on a modest throne was in a scheduled meeting with his aunties & uncles when he suddenly caught a sneeze.
"Excuse me, I don't know what came over me." A wry smile appeared on Li Wei's face.
[Info
Name: Li Wei
Race: Human (1st Step)
Level: 110
Class: Sword Disciple
Attributes
Mind: 52
Body: 218
Soul: 468
Skills (9/20):
Identify (G)
Iron Body Tempering Technique (G)
Origin Focus Blade (F)
Qi Sense (F)
Swordsmanship (F)
Soaring Sword Dance (G)
Soul Transmission (G)
Star Lotus Qi Cycling Method (F)
Fluid Steps (G) ]