As Sect Master Jian Wei continued cultivating while seating in the lotus position to loosen his suppressed cultivation, three long hours passed, yet the clouds above continued to grow darker and more ominous.
"Crackle, crackle."
A seasoned elder, distinguished by his snowy white hair and beard, clad in a blue attire adorned with a small engraving of the word "Peace," called out urgently,
"Prepare yourselves! The thunder is about to strike the Sect Master!"
With a resounding boom, the thunderous force descended, its dark purple-blue hue seemingly tinged with shadows. From a distance, it appeared as a foreboding black mass, hurtling towards the Sect Master.
"Honey, please stay safe," Mei Ying whispered anxiously, her concern etched upon her face.
Little Liu Chen, unaware of the perilous trial his father was enduring, gazed at his mother with innocent eyes, oblivious to the gravity of the situation.
"Ki Ki Kiki Kieeee."
"Ja Ja JaJaa Jaaaaa."
"Jian Wei, this mark which you gave me still hurts," Master Sheng smirked, his reddened eyes gleaming with a mix of malice and anticipation, as he observed the heavenly tribulation unfolding in the distance as his hands lingered on the sword mark he had on his face.
"I have long awaited this day since our last battle, four hundred years ago," Master Sheng's voice grew heavier with each word, his mind flooded with memories of their previous battle and the humiliation he had suffered when faced with Jian Wei's blade.
"Today, I, Sheng, will finally have my revenge. I will relish in your blood after I take your life." Master Sheng declared, his voice dripping with vengeful determination.
"Ki Ki Kiki Kieeee"
"Ja Ja JaJaa Jaaaaa."
"Master Sheng, it is time for us to strike," Li Xuan, a skilled assassin and one of Master Sheng's most trusted disciples, spoke with unwavering loyalty.
Behind him stood a formidable army of thousands, of disciples gathered to carry out their master's bidding.
"Today, Shadowmoon Sect will rise as the unrivaled power in this world, eradicating all who stand in our way," Ji Xuan's voice resonated with excitement and anticipation, fueling the fervor of his fellow disciples.
"Kill! Kill!"
"Kill! Kill!"
"Kill! Kill!"
The chant reverberated through the air as the anticipation reached its peak. Hidden from sight, the crowd of onlookers eagerly awaited the breakthrough from a distance of nearly 10 miles.
For cultivators, covering such a distance would only take a matter of minutes, but they chose to remain far away to avoid early detection.
"Everyone, attack!" Master Sheng's commanding voice boomed, signaling the start of the assault.
With his sword held high, he urged his disciples to unleash their full force upon their enemies.
The crackling sound of thunder grew closer, causing Jian Wei to close his eyes tightly, his hands clenched in preparation for the impact.
As the thunder drew nearer, its deafening roar mingled with the electrifying energy in the atmosphere. The moment of truth had arrived.
"AAARRRGHHHHHHHHH!"
A fierce roar erupted from Jian Wei's throat as the thunder struck him, unleashing a torrent of power and energy.
"AAAARGhhhhhhhhh!"
The guards cried out in agony as the Shadowmoon sect infiltrated their ranks, swiftly dispatching them with lethal precision. Panic ensued as the sect master's safety came under threat.
"It's Enemy attack! Protect the sect master at all costs!" an elder shouted, rallying the remaining guards to defend their leader.
"Get in formation ever~" the elder's sentence was abruptly cut short as blood oozed from his mouth, his eyes widening in horror. He turned around, only to witness the sight of a sword piercing through his back.
"Sheng, you..." he managed to utter, his voice filled with disbelief.
"Thud"
Before he could react or defend himself, the elder fell lifelessly to the ground, struck down by a swift and deadly blow from behind, completely unaware of the impending danger.
"Now, kill everyone," Master Sheng commanded, his voice filled with cold determination. "I will go and kill Jian Wei."
Having entrusted Li Xuan with his orders, Master Sheng strode purposefully toward the tribulation ground, driven by his thirst for revenge.
"AAARRrrrrghhhh!"
"No, don't kill me!"
Chaos erupted throughout the sect as the Shadowmoon Sect unleashed a relentless assault, their intention clear: to annihilate the Celestial Harmony Sect, erasing its existence from history and bringing an end to the centuries-old enmity.
In the Sect Master's Abode, a servant rushed toward Mei Ying with an expression of fear and urgency etched upon her face.
"Mistress, you must escape now with young master Liu Chen. Shadowmoon Sect has launched an attack," she exclaimed, her voice trembling with both fear and loyalty.
"No, I cannot leave. I must stay here and help my husband and our sect," Mei Ying replied resolutely, her gaze filled with determination.
She gently handed Liu Chen to the servant, planting a tender kiss on his forehead and caressing his head, tears streaming down her face as she bid her final farewell.
Mei Ying swiftly replaced the golden thread of her necklace with a simple thread, revealing a black locket she wore. Intent on giving it to her son, she also handed a pouch of gold coins and jewelry to the servant, ensuring a chance for a better life as they fled.
"Escape now with Liu Chen, go through the hidden door," Mei Ying urgently directed, swiftly opening the concealed passage on the floor.
"Mother, no!" Liu Chen's cries echoed through the room as he was forcefully separated from his mother's embrace.
"Noooo!" Liu Chen's heart-wrenching wails filled the air, his young mind grasping the gravity of the situation unfolding before him.
"Young master, we must hurry," the servant tightly held onto Liu Chen, their eyes filled with determination as they began their descent through the secret escape route.
"Lin Tao, please take care of my son," Mei Ying's voice trembled with both love and sorrow as she bid her final farewell, tears streaming down her anguished face.