Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

Far into the Black Peak Mountains, a group moved covertly through the wild winds and thundering lightning. Each and everyone of them were beyond powerful, most of them were at the upper levels of the Sky Realm lead by a figure who stood at the Heaven Realm. Unlike them, he was not as bothered by the storms that rumbled. His young face and golden hair stood out in this dreary landscape. 

It was the Grand Elder Huang, the highest figure within Heaven's Gate

"We're almost there, Elder Kan has set up a small campsite just outside of the Tao Feng's influence."

He turned to the others and checked on all of them. 

They were all tired and fatigued, having traveled and climbed without rest. Hearing that they were close to camp gave them that last spurt of energy as they stepped within a small cave. As they entered, they felt a wave of warmth wash over them. 

"Finally, some rest."

All of them found a place to sit and enjoy this brief respite. 

It was large enough to fit their group of fifty and carried a number of supplies like food and other small items. The place was dimly lit from glowing white crystals that had been embedded into the the walls and ceiling.

"The Merciless Storm Peak truly lives up to its name as one of the Continent Marks, not even the Xue Mountains compare to its harshness."

"Indeed, coming back here has brought up a few unsavory memories."

This person came from the tribes of the Xue Mountains. Known as Tuan, he was one of the strongest Body Cultivators of that region. Once passing the Earth Realm, he continued onto his body cultivation technique, Stone Monkey's Repent. It was a method that focused on weight and endurance to which complete mastery would allow one to lift mountains like nothing, crack the earth in a single step. Tuan is one of the few who have a chance to achieve this level of strength and used a metal staff that was slightly thicker at the ends. 

"Though this place is very suitable for learning the Dao of Thunder and Lightning, it is unfortunate that the beasts here are more than just dangerous."

"But the Tao Feng were able to make a stronghold here, they must have a method to thriving in a place like this."

"Most likely it is the barriers that had been set up. Though, I am not too keen on the methods to creating them. You never know what the cost could be."

These experts all came from varying backgrounds but they were just as if not stronger than Tuan. They come from the Six Kingdoms, the other five regions such as the Four Swords and the Tri-Colored Sea.

There were also several from Heaven's Gate, namely Elder Xiang, Elder Fang, and Elder Kan. Out of a hundred elders, these three had the most experience with killing. 

Presently, they were with the others, discussing and planning. 

From her Spatial Ring, Elder Kan took out a small talisman and placed it on the floor. From it, the talisman projected an image, a map of the Merciless Storm Peak.*

"This is where we are and this is where the Tao Feng are."

She pointed close to the top of the mountain, at a cave too small to discern from the naked eye. Then her finger shifted up to the very peak of it, where a large castle stood, the Tao Feng's fortress. 

"So what should we do? I assume we don't just charge in" one of the experts chimed in.

Certainly, there was a plan. 

"Of course not, there are several barriers and formations interlocked with each other. Should one fall, the others will strengthen and alarm the fortress. Rather, we will be entering through this very cave."

Elder Kan then looked towards the other end of the cave and pointed. 

"It is safe to assume that those barriers would also protect them from the underground. The end of this cave has two paths. One leads to the outside, the other is directly under the fortress. Through this path we can disable the barriers here and out of sight."

The Grand Elder then spoke. 

"Once that happens, we can split and attack from three separate directions. So long as we can disable them all at once, we can launch an attack. Furthermore, once we have a teleportation circle created, we can send in the others to aid us."

This plan was simple enough but it also required timing and patience. The moment the barriers were dispelled would be the time to attack. The rest of this group thought about this before voicing out their thoughts. 

"So in this way we are the vanguard", one of them said. 

Elder Kan nodded.

"Yes, after all, we are the strongest of our respective groups. Once we push our way through, we can deal with the Tao Feng's Sect Elder while our disciples and such will deal with the others."

"An attack from three directions and we have the element of surprise, this is not a bad plan. Though is it a good idea to send out the younger generation, there is no guarantee that they are strong enough."

What this expert pointed out was right but Grand Elder Huang was not perturbed. 

"They are not there to join the main battle. After all, they are not strong enough to so. However, we are the distraction and they will help put a stop to whatever is being planned."

"But they're young and inexperienced, are we going to let these greenhorns have so much responsibility?"

"Qi Dian, you do not have to worry. They will be led by the rest of our group, you should learn to trust your allies."

"If that is the case then so be it."

Qi Dian spoke back, not liking this part of the plan but accepting it nonetheless. This one was an old woman from the Four Swords Region. On her waist was a belt with seven daggers, each one sporting a different style and color. Her fighting style was different, using her daggers in such a way that she would give the illusion of trapping her enemies. 

"Good, does anyone else have any questions? If not, then we can begin the operation."

And so the preparations had begun for them just as Ming Yue and Hua Xiong met at Five Element City, the capital city of Red Lotus.

They had prepared everything but found themselves somewhat stuck.

They could not find a flying ship or at least, one that was willing to head to the Merciless Sotrm Peak. They asked around but failed to find anyone brave enough to make the trip.

They stood at the Skyport, tiny figures compared to the massive ships anchored here. Each and everyone of them were floating just inches from the ground. They were magnificent and well-made, the cores embedded into the hull glowed ever so slightly. 

"What should we do? Every ship we have asked has turned us away", Hua Xiong asked. 

"It's not too big of an issue. Worse comes to worst, we can find a ship that is willing to come close to the Black Peak Moutains and travel there. The trip would be longer but at the very least we are there."

Ming Yue comforted this idea though she too, was disappointed in being unable to find a ship. The ship of Heaven's Gate was long gone and would not return for at least another month. Even then, there was no guarantee that the crew could even go to the Merciless Storm Peak.

Time was of the essence but this little hiccup was nothing to be upset about. 

"I suppose so. Let's go to that black ship. If I remember, they were the ones willing to even come close to there."

The pair walked on towards one of the ships when another ship arrived. It was brilliant blue and white. Its size was massive, almost intimidating even.. However, it was somewhat familiar to Ming Yue as she read the name, "Blue Skies" engraved on the side of the ship. 

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