Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

In the far west where the demon soldiers were, Kong Zhi at on his stone throne, gripping the armrest tightly. And he could not hold it in any longer, ripping it clean off and throwing it forward, sending it crashing into the ground. His breath was heavy and his eyes were crazed

"He's dead as well?!" he shouted. 

Kneeling in front of him was Shi Hou, cupping his fists and looking downwards. 

"Yes, my lord, Hai Zhu is dead."

Hearing it once more, Kong Zhi stood up to grab his throne and toss it in front of him. His stone skin began to glow and tremble as his bloodline began to activate. However, he stopped it from fully manifesting, taking a deep breath. He turned and looked at the Roaring King, maintain his composure. 

"You three were the strongest out of the entire army and now two of you are dead. We've lost not only the Boundless Beast Forest but the lake as well. With every day, we are being pushed back by the humans and they grow stronger."

"We have no excuse!" Shi Hou answered, trying to abate his rage. 

Kong Zhi sighed as he looked at his broken throne. 

"Hah, find their replacements and do it quickly. They couldn't have been able to secure the lake yet. We can retake it if we are swift enough, now go."

"Yes, my lord."

The Roaring King stood up and cupped his fists before turning to leave. Kong Zhi merely continued to look at his throne before looking to his warhammer. It was somewhat different, created from a bevy of metals originating from the Cerulean Serpent's Lake.

Compared to the last one, its length was equal to him in height. It wasn't as elaborate, taking on a simple design with a flat double face and a nail at the top. Despite its appearance, it was twice as heavy and much more durable. It wouldn't bend or break as easily as his last weapon. 

Kong Zhi grabbed it and held it tightly. 

"How?! How is it that we are losing this war?! I am that of the Vajra Race now! We should've taken over the Boundless Beast Forest and yet, we didn't. I should've been able to decimate that old human! But I lost! Why?! Why?!" 

He was angry, furious from the frustration after losing the forest. 

"The Vajra Bloodline is one of the strongest bloodlines but I still lost! Am I not strong enough? What else do I have to do?!" 

The demon mulled over this predicament, trying to think of a way of gaining more strength. Then he looked up, suddenly remembering something. 

"Wait... The Hundun Clan... What about an alliance with them?" 

The more he thought the more he was confident. 

"They might not have answered us before but now they have a clear hatred for the humans. I could use that. Perhaps, I could send them to the lake instead." 

Slowly, a plan formed in his mind as he continued to muse over his options. 

"I could also look for more treasures. Perhaps, my ancestors may have something, I should go back. There has to be more, something else. I need something, I must be stronger quicker, I won't lose, not to that human."

There was a glow in his eyes, an obsession, and a thirst. It would be a thin line he was stepping on, the crazed look on his face slowly appeared. 

What would happen the next time he made his appearance? What sort of terrible thing would he become? 

Such answers wouldn't come so quickly yet. 

As for the Cerulean Serpent's lake, disaster could be coming but another predicament was taking place.

"A year? I thought perhaps a week but... a year?" 

Ming Yue looked at the World Serpent with dismay and Yin Bing had a confused look on her face. 

"Of course, it would take a year. Your sword is nourishing within the lake. The longer it stays, the better it will become. Of course, a year is more than enough to awaken it", the serpent explained. 

"But my sword... I wouldn't have it for a year."

"Really? A year isn't that long you know."

Of course, Yin Bing has been alive for thousands of years, adding another year was akin to a second. But for Ming Yue, a year was a long time, too long even. 

"I'll be twenty by the time I get my sword back. Not to mention needing to defend this camp, if I go without Drifting Sky, It'd be somewhat difficult", she thought. 

The young cultivator then looked at the serpent. 

"Will you be staying here or residing near the camp?" she asked. 

Ying Bing laughed at her question before shaking her head. 

"No, now that I have started this process of nurturing your sword, I must watch it. It is within the center of the lake and if I am not careful, it may break."

"What?! Break?!"

"Yes, more than likely, It might become so powerful that you might not be able to wield it. After all, it could become a sword spirit. Wouldn't that be a sight?"

Ming Yue furrowed her brows, curious about what Yin Bing said. 

"A sword spirit?"

"Yes, a weapon spirit, the pinnacle of its form but it would also have its own consciousness and thought. Depending on the spirit, it could obtain unique abilities, amplifying your own killing intent, releasing much more powerful attacks, and so much more. If a child could wield a weapon spirit, they would become a sword expert instantly. That is how powerful a weapon spirit is. However, that is if a child could wield it, with so much power, controlling a weapon spirit is no easy feat. It could even reject the strong."

"And this could happen to my sword?"

"Of course, weapon spirits are incredibly rare and difficult to create but for me, it is a simple task."

"But why do this?" asked Ming Yue, "I don't believe I did anything to warrant such a reward." 

"Ahahahah, you are a good person. No matter the pain you've suffered or the sorrow within you, there is goodness. Even that other you is a good person. It is not difficult to see that. And so I brought it upon myself to reward that decency. And you cannot reject me, the process has already begun, and taking it out would be useless. As I've said, it is at the center of the lake, within the deepest depths."

Then the World Serpent began to descend into the waters.

"I should leave, I have left your sword unattended long enough, I must return to oversee it. Even if you ask for my help, I will be unable to answer. But in your most dire straits, your sword will come."

Those were Yin Bing's last words as she vanished into the lake, not even a shadow of her was left when she retreated 

Ming Yue watched before turning around and seeing all of the little children awake, staring at her with anticipation.

"Will you play with us now?" 

She looked at them before glancing back at the lake and sighed. 

"Of course, what do you all want to do?"

There were smiles on their faces, big ones, as Shen Varuna and her brother ran to grab her by the hands. Together, they pulled her along and played in the sand. 

Some stopped to watch them, finding it a refreshing sight to see. A beautiful woman playing with children, a welcome scene in this harrowing war. But such peace wouldn't last, this was war, and peace is never an option. 

When all of the children fell asleep, night had fallen. Ming Yue brought them all into the stone compound, where a large mat and blankets were given to them.. She and her two beasts were the only ones awake and the trio went out.