Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

A week into traveling, Ming Yue's group of three quickly made their way towards the Yao Clan's territory. Despite their speed, it would seem that they could not catch the first group of Dai Mian's personal disciples before getting there. However, there would always be opportunities later. 

More importantly was the journey there, as it was extremely shocking for Ming Yue. 

Being that this was not the Human Continent anymore, she saw things she had never seen before. Some of it was beyond her wildest imaginations, whether it was a strange plant or beast, all of them had strange qualities that she had never seen before. 

"This green root... Is this poison or medicinal energy? Why does it have green spots? And this smell... it tingles the nose..."

"Is that a tree or a bush? There are branches coming out from all over the trunk!"

Throughout the days, the trio had lived off of the dried rations and drink. However, Ming Yue's curiosity had gotten the best of her and she hunted one of the strange beasts.

"This... rabbit? White fur but six red eyes... I wonder if it will taste good. There was that bird but... bones for feathers... that's a bit too strange."

To her shock and being a pleasant surprise, the meal was not horrible. Due to its wild nature, the taste and smell was a little strange but it was not unpleasant. The meat was of a pinkish color than red and the bite was a bit chewy and tough as there wasn't much fat on it. Still, it was better than she had thought. 

During her meal, she looked at the map, going over the path.

"Only a few more days and we'll reach the Yao Clan. I'm also a sixth of the way to where the Hundun Clan is. If I were to ignore everything and head straight there, it should take more than two to three months. But I don't have the supplies to do so. I did make contact with a couple of outposts though."

The outposts she saw were well hidden, built into the ground. With the overall environment of the Demon Continent being nearly lifeless, there was little tree or grass that made cover. Fortunately, as one traveled towards the west, the land became more mountainous with large caves and many places to hide. 

With their help, Ming Yue was able to restock on supplies and also gather more information about the war which has begun to grow in intensity. 

Past that, she made her way towards the Yao Clan, pondering about that situation.

"Hmm, the secret realm they share with the Mu Clan. I think it's called the "Realm of the Red Eyed Moon". What a strange name. Not to mention the origin of it, created all because of one person. I wonder who it could be."

She had an inkling of this person's identity but found it too unbelievable to be right. 

"Let's just get there first before making any more specula-"

Ming Yue suddenly stopped, flying up onto one of the crags of a nearby mountain face. She gave a small whistle as Xiao Yin flew up and Hei Yue stood close up. 

As they slowly made their way, hiding above the ground, the sounds of battle could be heard, swords clanging along with the sounds of a flute.

The Star Owl flew around for a moment before returning to Ming Yue's shoulder chirping four times before pausing and chirping one more time. 

"Four against one? Is it the two clans?" she thought. 

Ming Yue crept closer and closer until she could finally see the fight. 

Below her, battling it out on the rocky path was a young woman placing a jade flute against her lips. With each note came out wolf howls that turned into flying blades of sound, sword howls to be exact. Her figure was familiar, tribal-like markings and scars on her face and dark red hair that glowed of a bloody nature. It was wild and beast-like and she moved almost on instinct, jumping and leaping around. 

But she was injured, bleeding from numerous cuts on her body. 

"Isn't that the demon from Maple Root City, Ling Xue? So she is a member of the Yao Clan?" 

Ming Yue then turned to look at the four figures, all four were warriors with white and silver guandaos and more importantly, a third eye on their foreheads. Unlike the red aura of Ling Xue, these four were dressed in black and silver armor, covered from head to toe. Each of their third eyes glowed of a different color, perhaps signifying what actions they were doing. 

"Should I help her? Or kill them all?" she thought.

All of them were at the Earth Realm and had their bloodline powers active in this fight. Whether or not their cultivation was lower did no matter that much due to those very abilities. It would not be easy for her to turn it around.

Looking at Ling Xue, she quickly pondered. 

"Letting none of them live is a good option but saving her is better", said Xue Yue.

"She may have some helpful information... Alright, we save her."

Ming Yue crept closer and waited for a moment, watching the battle closely. With none of them noticing her, this was an opportunity to kill one of the Mu Clansmen. 

"How long will you run, Ling Xue? Your strength is waning and soon, the Yao Clan will lose one of their only kin."

One of the Mu Clansmen shouted out and he charged forward, swinging his guandao. His eye glowed of a white color as Ling Xue suddenly felt a mental attack. Her mind suddenly assaulted with thoughts of fear and panic. 

"Geh, to think you would ambush me like this! Do you have no shame?!" she shouted out. 

As quickly as she could, Ling Xue shook off the attack and blew into the jade flute, sending out waves of sword howls at them. 

"Hmph, that damn flute of yours won't save you from this!"

This clansman shot a ray from his third eye but it missed, striking and cracking the stone. 

Ming Yue continued to track the fight, planning her attack before a thought came to mind. 

"If the Mu Clan are capable of sending out mental attacks, are they resistant to it as well?"

She wasn't entirely sure that this gamble would pay off but at least it would be an opportunity to use her mental techniques. 

The colorless sphere in her mind rippled as she gathered the energy into four dense needles. With a thought she sent it forward, entering the mind of the four Mu Clansmen. At that moment, all of them felt their mind go blank as they could not think at all. They froze in place as their thoughts had been disrupted. 

"Whistle Wind."

Four blades of wind formed almost at the same time and flew forth, aimed for the cracks between their helmet. 

Two heads flew, decapitated by the strike while the other two clansmen managed to recover quick enough to avoid the attack. 

"Damn it, there's someone else! Who's there?! Show yourself!" they called out but nothing happened. 

Instead, a black fog began to manifest, slowly covering the road.  Ling Xue looked at it, gritting her teeth before entering the expanding fog. As it grew closer and closer towards the clansmen, they struggled to make their choice before tightening the grip on their weapons and entering as well. 

They could barely see a thing, turning and spinning around, trying to find something. 

"Who are you? Why would you dare to interfere in the Mu Clan's affairs?"

"If you allow us to take that woman's head, the Mu Clan will reward you!"

Both of them spoke out but were met with silence. And that silence gave rise to fear, growing in their hearts. 

All of the sudden, the fog twisted and turned as Ming Yue appeared behind one of them. With her Pearlstone Dagger in one hand and her Zephyr Claws in the other, she silently came up. Neither of them noticed her as they were slowly being overtaken by fear. 

In a single move, she placed the Zephyr Claws on the helmet of one of them, grinding into it and blocking their view and stabbed the Pearlstone Dagger into his neck. Just like that she killed him and dragged him into the darkness, leaving only one on his own. 

When he turned, he could not find his comrade and his face turned white.