News of Wei Motian’s fall spread across the realm as a shockwave that rippled through every city, clan, and sect.
The ones to carry this tale were none other than Hei Mang and the handful of other Magi who had witnessed the brutal battle first-hand.
The news first spread to all the Magi within the Qinglin Zhai. And then, these Magi spread the news everywhere they stumbled.
Whether it was a village, a tavern, or even the bustling markets, everyone now knew...
The Heavenly Demon had slain Wei Motian.
Soon, wandering rcenaries, rogue Magi, and curious outcasts of the Unorthodox Faction began weaving tales of the new outco. They spoke stories of a sky split open by spells, clouds evaporated by strikes, and a duel so fierce that it shook heaven and earth.
Their accounts varied widely. So embellished, while others understated. But every version shared the sa conclusion...
Wei Motian, Warlord of the Qinglin Zhai and one of the Unorthodox Faction’s most feared Mana Core Magi, had been utterly defeated.
As traders and caravans arrived in major cities, the tale transford into a political wildfire. Caravan leaders described rings of wildfire bloom in the sky, and seeing the ground tremble from miles away.
By the ti they had crossed borders, they spoke of the Heavenly Demon dragging Wei Motian’s corpse across the battlefield before casting it at his lieutenant’s feet.
Whether truth or exaggeration, it hardly mattered. These rchants carried the story everywhere they went, and their words gave the rumor the montum of an undeniable fact.
anwhile, spies and informants of the major powers quickly confird what the common folks of Yen-Lu were debating. The intelligence reports that landed on the desks of sect leaders, clan patriarchs, all said the sa thing:
The Qinglin Zhai had collapsed, its leader slain, and its territory thrown into chaos. Scrolls marked "urgent" were sealed and dispatched across capitals across the lands, spreading the news with the authority of official recognition.
When the Heavenly Demon’s followers began nailing blood-red banners across the conquered territory, the truth beca inescapable.
The Qinglin Zhai was abolished.
In its place rose a new faction:
The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
The first ones to accept the legitimacy of the Heavenly Demon and his newly established order were the five other major organizations of the Unorthodox Sect.
Soon, the factions of the Arcane Alliance had no other choice but to accept the fact that a new major player had erged.
They all knew that the balance of power had just been shifted. It remained unknown as to how the ergence of the Heavenly Demon would affect the Fourth Great War.
Couriers carried this declaration to every city, treating it not as rumor, but as edict. In just a matter of days, every traven buzzed with discussions, and the common folks whispered to one another as if speaking of a newly awakened calamity.
***
Verdant Palace, Yongdu.
At a council convened by the Patriarch of the Tsuitsui Clan, all the elders of the clan had gathered. They all had mixed expressions on their faces.
So were gleeful that their old adversary had perished. After all, while he was still alive, Wei Motian and his n had been quite a nuisance for the people of the Yongchan Province.
While others were worried about how the Heavenly Demon would act towards them. The Fourth Great War was just around the corner. Everybody knew it. With the Trsuitsui Clan sharing borders with the Tiesha Tang and now the Havenly Demon Divine Cult, they had to rethink their strategies.
Dokuto Tsuitsui sat at the head of the table, his elbows resting on the surface, fingers interlocked. He silently observed the elders of his clan discuss the topic.
"The Heavenly Demon was able to defeat Wei Motian in under one hour! Doesn’t that already tell you about his prowess?"
"But there are reports stating that the Heavenly Demon nearly died in the process! Who can tell if he was stronger or weaker than his predecessor?"
"Regardless! The truth remains that he was the ultimate victor! In under one week, he transford Qinglin Zhai on a fundantal level."
"I agree! My spies tell that those Magi now religiously worship the Heavenly Demon. I know not if this is a result of magic or he’s just that charismatic."
"Truly a cult! The Heavenly Demon is nothing but a mortal with a god-complex! Patriarch, please give us the order and we will show this man his place!"
The hall erupted in loud discussions. One side wanted to show the new hegemon of the Unorthodox Faction his place. While the other side wanted to take a more passive approach and see how things played out.
In the past, the Tsuitsui Clan and the Qinglin Zhai had a bad relationship with one another. In fact, calling it bad would be an understatent. The Magi of the two organizations would always have small-scale skirmishes at the borders.
Tap!
The Patriarch rapped his finger on the table. In the next mont, the hall descended into complete silence.
At last, the Patriarch muttered in a low, even voice:
"We will observe the situation for now. Increase the number of our n at the borders, but do not act. Be vigilant. Focus attention on the borders we share with the Tiesha Tang."
He paused for a mont, scanning everyone’s expressions. Then he continued:
"If the Heavenly Demon has even a shred of intelligence, then he would focus more on the Arakuro Clan, with whom he has deep-rooted enmity. Creating trouble for us would be disadvantageous for him. So, we must instead focus our attention on the Tiesha Tang."
With that said, he rose to his feet. The rest of the elders at the council followed suit and cupped their fists.
As Dokuto walked the vast corridors of the grand palace, he thought to himself:
The Heavenly Demon... just who are you? You suddenly rose to the pinnacle of our realm like a shooting star. Just where did you co from?
Soon, his lips curled into an amused smirk.
Kurozane Arakuro... I bet you never saw this coming, did you?
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