The scene unfolded in an expansive mansion nestled within the Sunchaser estate. In a large window, eight by fifteen inches, a young woman was looking. She could see a lake that sparkled like a gem, reflecting the vibrant energy around it. However, Judah's gaze was not fixed on the water or the stunning view. She gazed into the horizon, envisioning realms beyond the reach of ordinary eyes.
There were hurried footsteps and a rush into the opulent room, radiating the sophistication and charm of a regal figure. The room featured a subtle touch of violet, the trim was a deep red reminiscent of blood, and the floor had descending steps that led into a spacious circle surrounding the window where the young woman stood.
"Milady, Sifir has returned to the Midnight Clan!"
Her gentle smile has the power to soften even the most icy heart.
"Excellent. It's time to kick off the initial stage of the strategy. They ought to have never allowed Sifir to come back to the Midnight or Night clan. Since his return, those folks cannot hold us back."
Another set of footsteps rushed toward the young lady.
"Milady, the former matriarch Kyri has called for you."
The young lady turns around from the glass. Stare at the new arrival that came in the room.
"Tell her I, Judah, the current matriarch of the Sunchaser, will be there soon. I need to make a few preparations."
"Yes, Young Matriarch!!"
---
The next day, early in the morning. Sifir woke up in a room he knew all too well. This room was his before going on the mission for the Elder. A young maid was waiting on the side of his bed with a worried look on her tender face.
"Beyond Blue, how long have you been waiting?"
"Young master, I have been by your side since your return. Staying here just in case you needed me."
Sifir patted the young maiden on her head and smiled gently. However, Sifir didn't realize how damaged his body was until now. Making the slightest movement caused him a great deal of pain.
The mysterious voice rings in Sifir's ear.
'How long are you going to sleep?'
'You are worse than my nagging little maid.'
'Huh? That is rich coming from you. I can point you to someone who likes to nag'.
'No, thank you. You can keep it'.
'Since you are finally up,. Let's talk about a few things'.
'Yes, I am up. Who are you anyway?'
'Hahaha. I am surprised you can't tell who I am. You're unaware of my identity. You will soon find out in the near future.'
Sifir ceased his brows, saying nothing.
"Do you still have all those herbs and plants I told you to gather when you were being hunted like a dog, Sifir?"
'Of course I still have them. And I am no dog!'
'Good. Ask that patriarch of yours for the best herbalist to start your recovery with this body-tempering recipe. Let me tell you now. Your hellish training begins now and won't end until you die. I am entering slumber today. I will probably wake back up in a year's time, roughly. I expect you to make great progress in that time.'
Sifir sighed with helplessness.
'There is nothing that can be done now. If I want to regain my old cultivation level and then grow stronger than this, this is the only way. Let's start with body tempering today to heal my broken body.'
"Beyond Blue, help me to the desk and grab my dimensional space pouch, a pen, and some paper."
"Yes, young master."
----
Only a few candles flickered in the darkness of the room. This room was medium-sized, providing enough space for several people to gather. The group that was sent to track and kill Sifir was in this room meeting a grand figure.
"Elder, I apologize for our failure. You can punish us with death!"
"Ghost leader 1 of unit one, there was always a possibility of this mission failing. What I want to know is how hurt Fall Night is."
"The injuries Fall Night had sustained from the mission and us not giving him a rest. I would say that Sifir's core is heavily damaged."
"Fall Night's core is heavily damaged but not destroyed?"
"Yes, Elder."
"Trash! Absolutely trash! I should burn your soul on an open fire and let your screams seduce those demons that crave miserable souls!"
Everyone in the group could not stop shaking when hearing the Elder speak those words. It was evident that the Elder's words were delivered with conviction, and his actions carried more weight than his words. The Elder looks at them with his eyes glowing dark crimson.
"Since I told you I won't kill you,. You should be happy that I spare your dog's lives. Now, anything else you need to report to me?"
"Y-ye-yes, elder. Few of the dragons have agreed to increase the pressure on the lockdown of the Ligers."
"Good. Now leave before I refine one of your members' souls to let off some steam.
The Ghost unit 01 left in a hurry, and they didn't look back for fear that the Elder would change his mind.
"That temper of yours still hasn't changed much over the last several years, I see."
The Elder looks into the shadow. Seeing a shadowy figure coming out into the open. The Elder had an ugly expression on his face. Even if they were working for the same person. It didn't mean they got along well. The Elder didn't like this person's laid-back attitude.
"What do you want?"
"Don't play with fire with Nine Dragon Emperor, Empress Kagayura. That is the message I was told to send to you from Master."
"The dragons are pawns to be used by us. Since the master has said so, I will listen to his words. Is there anything else?" The elder had a frosty look on his face that his hood could not cover up.
The mysterious person grins wildly. "Yes, I do. This message is from me. Should you truly desire Fall Night demise, you ought to personally undertake the act."
The elder's expression turns black and red from rage and shame. If the Elder were to venture into that tiger den of experts, it would be equivalent to wishing for his own death.
"I see. Let me tell you something. Should you ever disagree with the Lord, I guarantee I will definitely make your soul scream for as long as it doesn't disappear."
The mysterious person smiled lightly. "That is the funniest thing I've heard all day. Be sure when the time comes you can back it up, Little Elder."
The mysterious person soon faded out of existence. The Elder knew it was only an avatar projection. With the clenched fist, the Elder's aura spikes, and everything vanishes in the next moment. Only leaving a small house in ruins out in the wilderness.
----
"Patriarch Murda, Sifir said he is ready."
"Good. Send the best herbalist and formation master as well. Sometimes you should be careful what one wishes for."
"Also, Patriarch Murda, Sifir has asked if the tempering bath can be prepared with these ingredients as well. Sifir also gave us how to prepare the body-tempering bath."
A slight frown creeps on Murda's face with disdain.
'Mhm... The ingredients and the preparation method for the bath are quite good. I wonder how Sifir got his hands on this'.
"Patriarch, Sifir gave us his dimensional space pouch. He guided me through the process of the tempering bath. We also expect the ingredients to last for a year."
"Oh?" A surprised look flashes on Murda's face, for instance.
"You can go and prepare the room. Follow what it is called for, and if Sifir dies, then Sifir dies."
"Yes, Patriarch!!"
Murda fell into deep thoughts about how Sifir was able to gather those herbs and plants for tempering baths. One must know that many of these herbs and plants were natural treasures like the nine-color dew jade, ice-cold lotus, moonlight dew, and others.
Meanwhile, Sifir was slowly walking to the room where the tempering bath was with great difficulty and help from Beyond Blue. Being feeble and lacking strength was a new experience for Sifir. Before Sifir and Beyond Blue could enter the room, a familiar face called out.
"Isn't that who I think it is?"
"Regis Ceezar, what are you doing here?"
"I hear you came back, Sifir. How can I not come to see an old friend?"
"Old?" Sifir chuckled and shook his head.
"Young master is younger than you, Ceezar."
"Little Blue is always the same. A little tyrant in disguise as a maiden."
"Don't think I won't fight you!" Beyond Blue clenches her little fist.
"Enough with nonsense. What brought you here, Ceezar?" Sifir said with a tired voice.
"I just wanted to let you know to be careful of those elders associated with the Setting Sun faction in our Midnight clan."
"I see." Sifir started pondering about it and pushed it to the back of his mind.
"Yeah. Just be careful. I don't want to see you in a grave or something." Regis Ceezar just shrugs.
"Don't wish something bad on my young master! That's why Burning Rogue doesn't like you, Ceezar."
Ceezar just chuckled with helplessness.
"What can I do if little Buring cannot stand to this Regis?"
"You always like talking nonsense, Ceezar. What happened to that girl?"
"What girl?" Ceezar frowned.
"The one you said she was the first and the last?"
"Sifir, why do you have to bring that up?"
"I see what happened. Is she stubborn like a mule?"
"Yes! Why does she have to cultivate her element? Urgh! It is very frustrating."
"What is her element?"
"Earth! The Ligers who started cultivate the Earth element become very overbearing and stubborn." Ceezar crosses his arms in anger.
"Haha. Beloved Rellie is definitely yours, Ceezar."
"Is that why you have been catering like an old sugar daddy?"
Blue Beyond giggled and continued to help Sifir to the room.
"Your little maid still has a venomous tongue. Anyway, make sure you watch for those elders."
"Let go. I need to start my treatment soon, Blue Beyond. I will heed your words, Ceezar."