Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

"You crossed it?"

The elder's eyes showed shock as he heard her words.

"Yes, I had to in order to reach a specific place. It was dangerous but I survived going there and returning as well."

Now his eyes were nearly bulging out of their sockets. 

"Twice! You've crossed the Merciless Storm Peak twice and lived without so much as an injury!" 

"Yes, and once Xiao Yin, Hei Yue and I are fully recovered, I will be going there for the third time."

Elder Fei stood up from his seat, hobbling forward to Ming Yue. He moved as quickly as he could before standing front of her, placing his hand on her shoulders. 

"It's too dangerous, you of all people should know that! Why enter again? Those words of his were to provoke you, you don't have to go there."

Ming Yue shook her head, showing her resolve.

"I have to go. Perhaps you are all safe now but there are those who did not end up so lucky. The Tao Feng need to be stopped. I know that I am just be one person but I will do everything I can to destroy them. In any case, Zuo Er is not dead. I do not know how but he revived and I presume that he is returning."

All around, they looked at each other in disbelief, murmuring to each other. 

"What? He revived himself?"

"How is that possible?"

"He has to be dealt with", Ming Yue interrupted them, "No matter what, this has to end."

Now that she knew he was still alive, his revival would be shortlived. 

"Let me come with you."

Hua Xiong spoke up, her request surprising the others. 

"You only know their general location but searching the peak will take too long for you. But I could track the energy down, finding them will not be that hard", she explained. 

That was true. With her unique sight, tracking down one's life energy would make it easier to find them. After all, there were ways to mask Dao Energy but the one's own life force could never be altered. 

"But this is the Merciless Storm Peak, if you come I cannot guarantee your safety."

Ming Yue stressed the dangers that would come with joining her. After all, that place was an execution grounds.

"Do not worry, I have my own methods. 

Hua Xiong was steadfast as she locked eyes with her. 

"Please", she said, "I have to know where my sect has gone, what has been done to them. I won't rest until I find out what happened"

Her divergent eyes seemed to echo the determination in her voice. They were clear and unwavering. Ming Yue understood that the Second Fury could not be dissuaded. 

"Fine, but again, I cannot guarantee-"

"The danger means nothing to me, so long as I rescue my sect members nothing else matters."

"Then, once Xiao Yin is healed and able to fly, we will set out."

"That's fine, I will return to the Violet Sun Sect to settle a few things. Where shall we meet?"

"I will meet you at FIve Element City in a week. That should be long enough for Xiao Yin to heal, no?"

"Yes, a few days of rest is all the owl needs. I've already helped mend its body but it needs time to regain its strength."

"Thank you."

Ming Yue cupped her fists and in gratitude. If Hua Xiong had not accepted her request, she would not have known what to do. 

"Ahem, if that is all. Ming Yue, We and Elder Fei have something to tell you in private. The Second Fury, Hua Xiong, it has been a pleasure to meet your aquaintance. I will send someone to bring you out."

Sect Leader Fu gestured for one of the disciples, who lead her out, leaving Ming Yue alone. 

"Is there something wrong?" she asked them. 

"I am going to retire as an elder of the sect."

Elder Fei spoke plainly, revealing his decision. 

"What? Why? You still have a chance. Even if your meridians are destroyed, there has to be someone who can heal. What of Hua Xiong? We can ask her." 

"No stop, this is something that I have decided. Even the other elders have tried to convince me otherwise but I will leave the sect."

As he spoke, his eyes stared straight into hers and his tone was straight and calm. He was not making a rash decision but one that he had thought about for a long time. 

Ming Yue looked to the other elders as well as Sect LEader Fu Men, who shook his head. 

"Despite our efforts..." he said, "Elder Fei has stuck to his decision."

"Indeed I have, I'm going to leave this life behind and live as a common man... with Cui Fen."

"..."

Ming Yue tried to speak but no words came from her mouth. 

"It is your choice, I won't stop you."

She finally found the words, knowing that she could not dissuade him and accepted it this choice. 

"Haah, that's good, that's good. I thought you would've rejected my decision, that would've been difficult."

"It is what you chose, I have no right to interfere. Though telling Cui Fen would be more difficult than telling me."

Elder Fei looked at her warmly and smiled at the thought of seeing Cui Fen again. Then he looked at the other elders and nodded, fishing out something from his spatial ring.

"Now that the elders and I know where you're headed, it makes this gift a bit more useful to you."

He handed her a book, a manual of some sort. On the front were the words, "Stormblade Dance", she skimmed the manual, finding that it was a set of ten moves focusing on the Dao of Lightning. 

"This is-"

"A gift, whether or not you wanted one, the elders all agreed that if it wasn't for you, the sect would have been done for. Besides, this will prove to be helpful in the Merciless Storm Peak", Elder Fei explained. 

"Indeed, this will help utilize the Dao of Lightning in your body and help harness the energy when you are at the peak. It was derived from the Eonic Stance years ago by a genius who excelled at the Dao of Lightning." 

The elders all spoke out, a tangible reward made them feel much better about owing Ming Yue. 

"Then, thank you all for this treasure. I will use it to its fullest."

"Good, good, now let us help you preapre for this journey. You may have treaversed it before but the danger will not have decreased by one bit."

Everyone dispersed as Elder Fei lead her away, continuing to explain the manual to her. He might have lost his martial prowess but the years of knowledge was still there. 

Time passed and soon enough, Xiao Yin was well enough to fly freely, a sign that it was time to go. Ming Yue said her farewells, especially taking her time Elder Fei, Rou'er and the others. 

"I had hoped that you would come with me when I tell Cui Fen of this. With you behind me, the news might be easier for her digest."

Elder Fei stood by the others, saddened that she would be heading straight to Five Element City. 

"You don't need me in this. Besides, it is a lover's quarrel now, isn't it?"

Ming Yue smiled as she joked with him. Then, Rou'er ran up to hug her.

"Are you really going? You haven't been here for that long", the young girl muttered quietly.

"Yes, I do. But I'll be back and next time, you might be able to play with these two all day."

Upon hearing these words, Rou'er looked up with a smile. 

"Really?"

"Of course."

Xiao Yin and Hei Yue stepped forward and nuzzled against Rou'er comforting her. Their fur and feathers tickled her skin, causing her to giggle just a bit. 

Both Fei Xian and Qi Yao walked up together, their hand wrapped in each other's palms. 

"Are you really going?" asked Fei Xian.

"The Merciless Storm Peak is too dangerous!" Qi Yao followed up. 

Though they saw her risk her life multiple times, this time, they were truly scared for her. But Ming Yue reassured all of them. 

"Don't worry, I will not die there."

Then she left as others arrived to their destination.