Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

Opening it up, she began to read the letter from the Grand Elder.

"Ming Yue,

With the recent developments of this war, I cannot in good conscience ask you to continue to keep watch of what remains of my master. At the same time, I feel as if your presence in the Demon Continent is needed. 

Our own lands are still a bit chaotic as criminals and evil cultivators have run amok. However, recovery is growing smoothly. If it serves to ease you, your home of the Red Lotus Country is faring well. The damage from the Heavens was not as bad as we had initially thought. With that said, that badge I handed you will allow you to pass between the two continents. If you wish to return, you can do so at any time.

I wish you good health and thank you for your help."

She looked up from the letter with a contemplative expression. 

"So I'm free to do anything then. I thought that there would be more but... what do I want to do now?"

Ming Yue wasn't quite sure. 

"Wait, the map!"

Remembering that she had such a thing, she took it out and unfurled it, studying the places around her. Even after looking everywhere, she couldn't decide on where she was headed to now. 

"I could always hunt down the rest of the Tao Feng but there is no point anymore. Maybe south?"

In the end, she wasn't sure and so, this decision would be put off for later. 

"Ah, breakfast first, I should eat something."

Putting the letter away, she left her room once more, this time with Hei Yue and Xiao Yin.

But while she went off, the undercurrents of the Demon Continent grew ever fiercer. 

In the northwest, where the Hundun Clan flourished in the mountains under the remnant Calamity Energies, the Idol of Chaos stood at the center, slowly absorbing that energy and healing from the wounds. As for the demons of this clan, they all surrounded the Idol, chanting and praying in front of it.

The clouds churned ever so violently as black lightning cracked down. There were no homes here, no sign of any buildings, not even caves to shield other beasts from the constant storms. It was just the Hundun Clan, these demons that which emitted a sphere of lightning, obscuring their figures from anyone's eyes. 

But their true appearance was like no other, small fairies whose hair seemed to be made out of lightning. Their wings were that of a butterfly's and their naked bodies resembled that of a person but ethereal as well. 

However, their faces were enough to horrify a person. Twisted in anger and rage for the injuries that the Idol sustained. 

"HERETIC! SINNER! TAKE REVENGE ON THE ONE THAT DENIES THE CHAOS GOD! PUNISH AND DESTROY! ALL WILL RETURN TO CHAOS!"

The collective voices of the clan echoed from the Idol's body, talking with an anger that could not be subdued.

"BE HEALED AND RETURN! KILL THE HERETICS! KILL THE ONE THAT DARES HARM US!"

The Hundun Clan were beyond angry. In their mind, Ming Yue was the first person they had to eliminate, the first to punish. But with no way to find her, she could only let their anger seethe. 

"SHOW THE WORLD THE TRUTH! ENTER THE ENCOMPASSING VOID!"

They continued to chant, guiding the Calamity Energy into the Idol, healing the huge gashes in its body. The Idol itself, stood still, unmoving and just accepting this power. Any semblance of Dai Mian was nowhere to be found, destroyed by the Hundun Clan.

It wouldn't take long now and soon, the Hundun Clan will make their move. 

Their territory only included the very mountains they lived in. Whatever action they take, battle was sure to break out.

In the South West was where Kong Zhi's forces resided, various camps were created all throughout the region. They were crudely made, tents created from the pelts of dead beasts, fire pits used to cook whole bodies. There were even small arenas for warriors to battle. 

But in one large tent was where Kong Zhi resided, he sat on this earthen throne, staring at the two demons in front of him. One was Shi Hou, the Roaring King, his horns which had cracked against the fight with Nie Xia had been bandaged up. The other was Hai Zhu, the Tide King, tasked with taking over the Cerulean Serpent's Lake.

He was in fact, a Water Demon, his bluish body was scaled and slightly moist. His matted hair was untied and laid behind his back and his fingers were webbed. Hai Zhu's face was strange to say the least, he had no nose, only two holes for nostrils. His eyes were much larger and bulged slightly outward. More than likely he fought underwater. 

There wasn't much emotion on his face, perhaps it was because his face was incapable of doing so. It was stiff and almost unmoving. 

His weapon was the nine-pronged trident that shimmered like water under the sun. His armor was the same, it was also scaled and flexible, sticking close to his body. All of it must have been created by Deepwater Steel. 

"So he's dead then."

Kong Zhi muttered quietly before scoffing. 

"Yes, my lord, that is what we learned from our contacts with the Mu Clan", said Shi Hou, "He and his squad of men were all killed by a human."

"Hmph, he was the weakest one anyways. Still, it was that girl who did it... She has the potential to match the commanders or those Messengers in strength, she might even grow stronger than that."

Immediately, the image of Ming Yue popped into his mind, making him grimace in realization. That was one more person he had to watch for. She was already a thorn by his side and in time, she would only grow sharper. But there were other matters to attend to. 

"Hai Zhu, how goes the lake?"

The Tide King stepped forward, cupped his fists and bowed before speaking. 

"The past few weeks have been advantageous for us. With the majority of the forces coming to stop you, we have managed to take control of half the lake. Just that one commander is not enough to push us back."

His voice was unlike Tie Ja or Shi Hou, much calmer and quieter. At the same time, it wasn't a cold tone but very flat, emotionless. It was somewhat unsettling to hear him speak. 

"Good, good, we will push forward through the north and south then. Have the Mu Clan eliminate the Yao and take full control of the lake and its mines. You may leave now."

"Yes, my lord!"

The two kings bowed once more before leaving the tent, leaving Kong Zhi alone with his thoughts.

"Damn it, even after all this time, I'm still like a child to that Du Xiu! How! How is that possible?! I have the bloodline of a Vajra now!"

He raised his two fists, clenching them tightly. The aura around him began to grow restless before restraining itself under his control. 

"No, no, I still have plenty to improve. I was too hasty this time, too foolish to see that it was still too early. But once I have full control of this power, not even that commander will stop me."

Kong Zhi knew, he knew that with time he would grow stronger but would he be strong enough?

After all this, Ming Yue's thoughts were right. With that great battle, she made herself known, her name would certainly spread across the lands. But with that, she had become a target of these two fearsome foes. And surely, these two were just the beginning.

For now, however, it would be calm once more. This would be a chance, an opportunity for her to re-evaluate her own strength, understand what she lacked and what needed to be improved. 

After all, her potential has yet to be fully realized.