The elders of various sects gathered in Prophis, discussing their strategy. There were many from both continents, representing a wide variety of interests. Gathering all the forces they could had made them formidable, but their actions werent able to be kept fully secret. The Whispering Watchers had an opportunity to gather so allies of their own.
How shall we go about doing this? Elder Adelina of the Frostmirror Sect asked.
Why debate? Elder Sarka of the Glorious Fla Palace complained. We should just go in and crush them.
A straightforward attack suits us as well, Elder Vasu of Million Sword Vault confird.
I am not fond of the idea of having to deal with their formations, Kseniya grimaced. I think we should start by sending them a ssage.
Good point, Sarka agreed. Have to let them know why theyre getting destroyed.
And who would we send? Adelina asked, Who, that would not end up a sacrifice?
I have a solution that should please you both well enough. Ill be the ssenger, Kseniya said, one hand tapping her bow.
Youll kill one of them, then? a younger man from one of the local sects asked. We intend to stand and fight, but we only intend to take out the traitors. And their elders are all holed up
Theyre all traitors, Kseniya declared. And I can prove it easily enough. They sent an elder to kill my disciple first, so there shouldnt be any complaints if I start killing their disciples.
For a righteous sect, that position is a bit extre, a much older man comnted.
Theres no point in letting an open sore like this grow and fester, Kseniya said. And you can all observe my technique. Ive been working on it. I find its much too slow to verify soones status as a Twin Soul and then shoot them.
What does that an? Elder Sarka asked.
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The Whispering Watchers had so idea about Kseniyas existence. She had not been inactive since coming to the continent, after all. But even so, they werent fully aware of her capabilities. If they had been, they wouldnt have let anyone step a single foot outside of the bounds of the defensive formations surrounding their core.
The ti from the spirit arrow being shot to when it pierced through the chest of the targeted disciple was insignificant, at least for those who were not at late Essence Collection at the minimum and able to sense it from far off. Thus, by the ti the first arrow had arrived several more were on their way.
Well, looks like soone got lucky, Kseniya comnted.
The first disciple to be pierced through the chest looked down, knowing he just had a surge of energy go through him. But he looked to see no wound. Yet nearly simultaneous arrows struck his companions, half of which perished. Even Kseniya couldnt track the expressions on the faces of people at that distance, but it should be fear and confusion.
The other elders remained next to Kseniya. I see, Sarka comnted. Thats a good one. Only damaging people from the Twin Soul Sect? You should have shared that earlier.
I know enough about myself that most wouldnt understand my thods and there are so drawbacks.
The attacks are weak, right? Adelina comnted. But it reveals them at the sa ti. Its quite hard to deny. Not that we had doubts anyway.
I dont see the point in sparing the others, Vasu said. They are of the sa sect, after all.
Kseniya shook her head, So might not know any better. But there wont be any rcy for those who join them in the coming battle. It is impossible for them to not at least have heard rumors about the truth of the Twin Soul Sect.
Even as she spoke, her hands moved- targeting any of those associated with the Whispering Watchers and the allies they had along with them. One Essence Collection cultivator from the Infinite Gate Society managed to block the attack, suffering a wound to his arm as he turned to flee. But the physical damage was not as important as the other, his true cultivation being revealed underneath.
Though the strongest elders could pick up what was happening, Kseniya summarized for so of the others. Looks like the Infinite Gate Society has more Twin Soul mbers among them. Beyond Swordmaster Vianne, of course.
It was to be expected by anyone willing to stand by the side of the Whispering Watchers in the current ti. Since they had been discovered, they had to band together to survive. At least, that seed to be the most sensible reasoning.
Soon enough there were no more targets for Kseniya- her targets either lay dead, or were uninjured and given a second chance. Even the dullest of cultivators could recognize a pattern so simply laid out before them- though it was likely that excuses would be made to any allies who were not completely in bed with them. If there were any.
Strange, Kseniya comnted. I would have thought that nobody would step out, but here co a few. She flexed her fingers, grip tightening on her bow. But given their makeup, I think we can reasonably assu this is so sort of negotiation delegation. I bet I could still kill one though. Kseniya coughed, When they inevitably make the wrong decision.
That will just solidify any who are on the fence, Adelina pointed out. We can quickly discuss when they are on the way back.
Even though the delegation seed to be made primarily of Life Transformation cultivators, it still took them a significant ti to approach. Of course, they were most likely interested in conserving their energy in case there was an attack- in which case they could make the thirty minute journey in a fraction of the ti, only having to deal with Kseniyas attacks.
Infinite Gate Society, Hungry Rat Cult and so others, Elder Vasu comnted. Basically what our scouts told us. But it seems the Whispering Watchers are afraid to speak for themselves.
The delegation stopped when they were over a kiloter away. It was still rather close by so standards, and they were able to project their voices with ease.
What is the aning of this attack? the man representing the Infinite Gate Society questioned.
Why have you all joined up with foreign sects to cause war? a relatively younger man with beady eyes asked.
In theory, a proper negotiator should have been arranged for on both sides. In practice, it was first co first serve. That ant Elder Vasu began with so cutting words. Let ask you this, how do you all feel about being stabbed in the back? Because thats what youre asking for. Unless youre all traitors. You could co a few steps closer and we can figure it out.
We have no trust for your revealing techniques, the representative of the Infinite Gate Society intoned.
Ah, shaddup, Vasu waved his arm, cutting apart a nearby tree with his bare hand. Your whole damn sect is corrupted, starting with Vianne. I was talking to these other fellows. Hey, rat boy. Bite off his head yourself and youll see his true nature, with not a single scrap of energy from us.
The eyes of the one he referred to as rat boy twitched. I am properly addressed as Elder Farrukh.
Sure, whatever. Vasu narrowed his eyes at the other man. So, Lackey, have anything to say for yourself?
Its Malachy. And its not even pronounced like that. He snorted, Well, it is clear you have no intention to do any proper negotiations.
It is simply that we are in agreent with his sentints, an elder from Marvelous Rabbit Mountain- Elder Paula- made herself known. Our sect has already purged itself of traitors. There does not appear to be any hope for the Whispering Watchers, but the rest of you might have so chance. Except perhaps Infinite Gate Society, it seems.
Though more words were exchanged, little of substance was communicated- except that they were to spread the word that anyone who fought on the side of the Whispering Watchers would be considered complicit- and the others ignored. Whether they would actually spread the words to the ears of their hesitant disciples would be another matter.
A discussion on whether or not to try to take any of them out happened while they were on the way back. It was decided to not be worth it. Not everyone was in total agreent on that, but so were still hoping that the battle lines were not set.
Im taking the shot, Kseniya said. Of course, that was only after her hands had already gone through the motions and the arrow was on its way.
Adelina sighed, but watched closely as her arrow pierced through the back of Farrukh. The elder turned and frowned, though he was already so far that they could not see his expression. Wait a mont, Adelina frowned. Did you can you just ignore defensive energy as you please? Even if your arrow doesnt react to him his defenses.
If only things were so simple, Kseniya grinned widely. No, this technique requires a certain honesty to it. It doesnt work like that.
Adelina ntally noted that she didnt say that it couldnt be done, however. A simple misunderstanding, perhaps. Or perhaps Kseniya would be a fearso opponent in the future. Not that Adelina expected to have any conflict with the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars. Glorious Fla Palace, maybe, but not the Order.
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Uuuugh Im tired of waiting, Alva complained and rolled around on the ground. She wished she could be flopping around on Fuzz back, but he was still on another continent- a choice she was never going to make again.
This is how it is before every big battle, Anish comnted.
Precisely, Annelie affird.
And I get tired every ti! Alva threw up her hands. Just because you can turn off boredom or whatever doesnt an the rest of us can.
A lack of emotion is actually very much like boredom, Annelie comnted.
... Im glad I didnt get stuck with the Frostmirror Sect, Alva shook her head.
It suits quite well, I think, Annelie said impassively.
Yeah, Anish nodded. Uh, everyone has to find the technique most suited for them.
Do you think well have to do a siege? Alva wondered. I feel like they might make us.
Elder Vasu claid to be a master at dismantling formations, the other cousin pointed out.
Im pretty sure that just ans he would chop it into pieces? Alva frowned. He doesnt feel anything like Catarina or the others.
Oh. Right. Annelie actually blushed slightly, for the brief mont before she regained control. Its likely quite effective.
Anish mulled sothing over in his head. You were right, Alva. About Swordmaster Viannes Sect.
Obviously. How can you have a famous mber of your sect whos a spy and not figure it out?
It happens more often than you might think, Anish shrugged. Even so of the Glorious Fla Palace elders had to be removed.
Further conversation was cut off by a wave of energy from up ahead. The defensive formation of the sect wobbled and shrunk in size, the massive change in energy obvious to all but the weakest present- despite the distance. As for what it was doing, it beca clear soon enough that there were components of it that could be moved, allowing a slightly weaker but mobile bubble of power to protect the advancing enemy ranks. It was powered not only by the core that normally maintained it, but elders from the various sects aligned with the Whispering Watchers. Its defensive power prevented any attacks at a long distance, and while Grand Elder Kseniya was the only one who could attack them at the beginning, she could cause enough damage on her own.
Various sects and groups within them began to maneuver with relation to the bubble. It would be optimal to surround it, but if any group got too close alone they might be attacked by the whole of the enemy forces at once. That was a deterrent to most, except for the disciples of the Million Sword Vault, along with Chikere. Glorious Fla Palace was more cautious than them, until they saw the approach- then they rushed to catch up. Other sects moved to at least form a semicircle that would be of so advantage to them. The only problem was the barrier. In theory, it could prevent attacks coming in but not going out- which ant they would soon be in range of many of the Whispering Watchers causing great damage.
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