633: No Remains

No Remains

It was a chilling sight to see.0

The original branch of Redmist Sanctuary was no more. Not even the bodies of their members could be found. just their silhouettes were burned into the ground. There wasn't even dust left as what remained was nothing, nothing at all. 

Xuan Yin was frozen in her place, she practically forgot to breathe.

An entire city was destroyed just like that; it might not have been that large, but a city was a city.

Though now, there was nothing left of it. 

And when the archer finally broke from her stunned state, she looked at Ming Yue in shock. 

"What happened to you in one year?!" she asked. 

The young cultivator looked back at her friend and shrugged. 

"I was focused on recovery and training, that's really it", she answered. 

Xuan Yin just looked at her, narrowing her eyes as she was unsatisfied with such a response. 

"I don't believe you. Where did you even end up in? Did you happen upon some great treasure? Some ancient legacy?! Hmmm?!"

Badgering her with questions, the archer seemed determined to find out what happened exactly. Her eyes carried a strong glow but Ming Yue merely brushed it off. 

"Come on, let's go back, I'll tell you about it when we get to Luan City." 

She turned around to leave, not giving the devastation another glance as she held Xuan Yin up and brought her away. Making their way through Mist Valley, they heard the clinking of armor, as well as numerous steps when hundreds of cultivators and soldiers, came across them. 

Without warning, they took out their weapons and pointed them at the pair. 

"Wait, stop! That is my granddaughter!" 

Running ahead of the group, Grandpa Meng came out and stood between them, preventing any sort of clashing. However, there were wary looks on their faces as they gazed between him and Ming Yue. Among them were a few government officials and members of the Jade Dragon Pavilion. 

Then someone stepped forward, gazing at Ming Yue while putting their sword away. On top of that, a massive ape suddenly landed beside him. 

Looking at him, she lowered her head in respect. 

"I greet Lord Tang."

"Mm, it's been quite a long time since I've seen you but for the sake of safety, I must ask, is there any way for you to vouch for that? How do we know that you're not a member of Redmist Sanctuary?" 

It was none other than the Head Administrator of the Jade Dragon Pavilion and the sworn brother of Red Lotus Country's Emperor, Tang Guang. At a quick glance, he was certainly strong for someone in this country, someone at the higher stages of the Earth Realm as well as the ape, a Rank 4, Thudnerhide Ape.

Dressed in heavy armor, there was a sword strapped to his side. He certainly had a heroic look to his appearance, a small mustache, and a sort of grandiose presence. His eyes were gray in color and were calm. 

Ming Yue looked straight at him before taking something out of her ring, a small pouch. She then tossed it at his feet. Looking at her before staring at the pouch, Lord Tang picked it up and carefully opened it before peering into the pouch. 

"Wha-"

There was a look of confusion before getting replaced with shock as he dig through its contents and took out a handful of it. Opening his hand, there was a fistful of red tokens that he then showed to everyone else before turning his attention back to her. 

"I... that is enough for us."

Everyone gave a pensive look as they saw the number of tokens. There were dozens of them, each one belonging to a member of Redmist Sanctuary. That meant that she killed enough to fill a small pouch with them

A few looked at her more closely, slowly coming to realize a few things but choosing to say nothing. There was some hesitation in their eyes. 

Perhaps, they knew who she was. 

Either way, there were more pressing matters at hand. 

"Grandpa Meng, why are you here? I know that you would make preparations but I didn't think you'd march in like this", she said, looking at her adoptive grandfather. 

The elderly man turned to face her with a concerned look. 

"Truthfully, I had gathered them specifically for the Nightmist Parade. Even if you weren't going to go, this group had already formed to help restrain the chaos. Everyone had camped outside the valley until we heard the commotion. The gathering clouds, the lightning and thunder, the quaking of the ground, something didn't seem quite right so we immediately set off to investigate! Since you were there, you must've known what happened", he said to her. 

"I don't think you'd need to investigate, Redmist Sanctuary doesn't exist anymore", Xuan Yin answered, smiling even.

"What do you mean? What happened exactly?" 

Grandpa Meng was confused as he looked at her and glanced over at Ming Yue. 

"I... there's a lot that must be said but I'd like to say it when we get back to Luan City."

Hearing her answer, he looked turned back to Lord tang who nodded before speaking out to the others. 

"We'll let them pass! Elder Meng and I along with a few others will bring them back. I will leave the command to Han Xin! The rest of you will go to investigate the site and report back to me! Make sure to comb each and every corner of it! Even if there is nothing left of Redmist Sanctuary, make sure of it."

Everyone else nodded before a heavily armored soldier walked forward and led the group towards the Sanctuary. 

Meanwhile, Ming Yue and Xuan Yin were escorted back by Lord Tang and several others. As they were moving together, it would take a few days for them to reach Luan City. By then Xuan Yin had recovered from the effects of the trap.

Residing inside the Jade Dragon Pavilion, it was during this time that she talked about what had happened at Redmist Sanctuary.

Hearing what she had to say, both Grandpa Meng and Lord Tang had surprised looks on their faces. 

"All of that noise was from you? I thought that something more sinister was at hand. I mean, the trap involving the whole Sanctuary was certainly dangerous but the sheer power from that wind and lightning. I had my suspicions but you really are at the Sky Realm."

Grandpa Meng's shocked expression turned to one of joy and pride. 

"Haha! The Sky Realm, to think that you'd reach such a level! Truly, there are very few in this country that could fight against you! Not to mention, you might be the youngest to reach it in this entire continent!" he said out loud.

Even Xuan Yin showed an envious look. 

"Every time I see you, your strength is leagues beyond what they were before. I reached the Sky Realm not that long ago but you're already caught up.."

Ming Yue only had an awkward smile on her face as she was bombarded by compliments. As for Lord Tang, he seemed to be in deep thought before looking up to speak. 

"It is true. Considering your strength, not even the Demon Brigades would be able to match against you. Unless all of them were to work together against you, all 48 brigades. That's almost five hundred Earth Realm experts as each brigade has ten members. But I digress, whether or not, the reports will be the same as you have described, there is no doubt that the other leaders of Redmist Sanctuary will notice this commotion. You may have gotten rid of one danger but that may have invited more danger to our country."

As he spoke of this, the happy mood was soon replaced with a serious tone. 

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