บท 2: Chapter 32- Madam Zhang Ai
Chen Wei greeted Juanxiu and his team with a hint of excitement in his eyes. "We've been keeping an eye on you all since the incident in District 2 with the Snake Whisperer Alchemist and the commotion you caused during the alchemy competition," he said. "We've been hoping that you might be the ones to save us from the clutches of Cui Bai and his toxic spores." Juanxiu couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, unsure if these people were truly loyal or if there were spies among them.
Alchemist Zhou, sensing Juanxiu's hesitation, stepped in to lead the conversation. "We know nothing about you and your group, and one false move could jeopardize our plans," he said, his tone serious. "But we can't deny that we need all the help we can get in fighting against Cui Bai and his zombie."
He then turned his attention to the Sky-Grade Talisman that protected the basement. "How were you able to acquire such a treasure? And who among you is capable of activating and maintaining it?"
As they continued their discussion, an old woman entered the room. Her worried expression and tattered clothes couldn't hide her regal bearing. Alchemist Zhou recognized her immediately and gave her a respectful bow. "Madam Zhang Ai," he said, "It's an honor to see you again." Madam Zhang Ai acknowledged him with a nod.
Madam Zhang Ai was a formidable presence, her regal bearing was undeniable despite her worn and tired appearance. Her wrinkles were etched with years of wisdom and experience, her eyes held a glint of intelligence and determination. She carried herself with an air of authority, much like a strategist in a war.
Her energy, or "Qi" as the alchemists called it, was palpable and unlike anything Juanxiu had encountered before. She exuded an aura of strength and determination, making it clear that she was not to be underestimated. She was the beloved housewife of Grandmaster Zhang, and it was clear that she had inherited his strength and determination.
Madam Zhang Ai greeted Alchemist Zhou with a warm smile, despite the dire circumstances they found themselves in. "It's good to see you, Zhou," she said, "although I wish it were under better circumstances. The situation in District 4 is dire, and after Master Feng took control of the Alchemist Union, Cui Bai has become even more aggressive. My husband, Grandmaster Zhang, warned me about this before he was poisoned. He believed that there were dark forces at play, trying to manipulate and control the Union."
"Lady Zhang, what do you know about these dark forces?" Du Hong asked Madam Zhang Ai.
She sighed deeply and shook her head. "Unfortunately, not much. My husband was investigating a group called the Karma Order, but he never had the chance to share his findings with me. All I know is that they're said to be a powerful group from the Blank Continent, and they've been working to infiltrate and control the Union for years."
Alchemist Zhou was shocked upon hearing her mentioned the Blank Continent. "I've heard whispers of this group before, but I've never had any concrete evidence. Do you think they're behind Master Feng's rise to power?"
Madam Zhang Ai nodded solemnly. "I believe so. My husband always believed that Master Feng was being manipulated by this group, and now that he's in control, they have the perfect puppet to carry out their plans. We must be careful, and we must act fast if we hope to stop them."
Madam Zhang Ai's voice grew somber as she began to speak of the Blank Continent.
"The Blank Continent is a place of legend and fear," she began, her eyes growing distant as she spoke. "It is said to be a place where only the most dangerous and powerful criminals of the empire go to escape their fate. High-profile criminals, dark cultivators, sometimes even heroes who sought adventure, have all attempted to conquer the place, but none have ever returned. It is a place shrouded in mystery and danger, a place where even the bravest fear to tread."
As she spoke, a palpable sense of unease settled over the group. Juanxiu couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine at the thought of such a place.
"But why would a group like the Karma Order come from such a place?" Li Jing asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.
Madam Zhang Ai shook her head. "I do not know for certain," she said. "But my husband believed that they are a powerful and influential group, with connections to the highest echelons of the empire. He feared that they were using their influence to manipulate the Alchemist Union for their own gain."
Alchemist Zhou nodded, a look of understanding on his face. "It makes sense," he said. "If they can control the Union, they can control the empire's alchemical resources and production. This is more complicated than what it seems"
One-Eyed Lily, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. "So what do we do now? We can't just leave these people to suffer."
Madam Zhang Ai's face softened as she looked at One-Eyed Lily. "You are a kind soul, my dear. And you are right. We cannot abandon these people to their fate. But we must be careful. We must tread cautiously and plot our moves strategically. The Blank Continent is not just a legend, it is a reality. And the Karma Order, they are a powerful force that should not be underestimated. They have infiltrated the Alchemist Union. They have their fingers in every aspect of society, and they will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. We must be vigilant, and we must be prepared to fight back. But first, we must gather information and allies. We cannot do this alone.
***
The Blank Continent is a place shrouded in darkness and mystery, a land where even the bravest of warriors fear to tread. The air is thick with the stench of death and decay, and the ground is littered with the bones of those who have dared to venture into this land. The sky is always overcast, the sun never able to penetrate the thick fog that hangs over the land. The trees are twisted and gnarled, their branches reaching out like the fingers of the damned, and the ground is scorched and blackened, as if by an eternal fire.
The creatures that lived on the Blank Continent were said to be monstrous and terrifying. They were said to be born from the very darkness that consumed the land, and they were said to be immune to any form of attack. The trees and plants that grew there were twisted and corrupted, and they were said to be as deadly as the creatures that roamed the land.
It was said that the Blank Continent was a place where even time stood still, and that those who entered it were doomed to wander its twisted landscape for eternity. Some said that it was a place where the souls of the damned were sent to suffer for eternity, while others said that it was a place where the gods themselves had forsaken all life.
Despite the danger and the unknown, some alchemists, cultivators, and even adventurers were still tempted to explore the forbidden land, driven by curiosity, ambition, or even greed. But all who dared to set foot on the Blank Continent were doomed to certain death, and their fate was to be forever lost in its darkness.
Deep in the heart of the Blank Continent, hidden from the rest of the world, lies a kingdom. This kingdom is ruled by powerful cultivators, the lowest of them being General class, while most of them are Master Swordsmen. Their auras are strong and intimidating, and they can be felt even from miles away. They are always preparing for war, honing their skills and training their armies, their eyes blazing with powers from hatred and revenge.
The castle of this kingdom is imposing and magnificent, yet at the same time it is eerie and unsettling. The walls are made of black stone, and the turrets and towers reach up into the sky like the fingers of the dead. The gates are guarded by fierce warriors, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. Inside the castle, there is a meeting room where 15 people are sitting. Each of them shrouded in shadows, making it impossible to see their faces.
Each of them was an Emperor class, their auras powerful and deadly. Sitting at the head of the table was a shadow of a man, his face twisted in a mask of hate. He was the leader of this group, and they were the Karma Order. They were a group of people who had been declared enemies of the empire, and they were preparing to take revenge on those who had sinned against the motherland.
"We have been waiting for this moment for far too long," the shadow of a man spoke with a voice like thunder, "We were once the pride of the empire, but we were betrayed. We were cast out, sent to this wasteland to die. But we have survived. We have grown stronger. And now, we will make those who betrayed us pay. We will make them suffer as we have suffered."
The others in the room murmured their agreement, their eyes glinting with a dangerous light.
"But we must be patient," another one said, his voice cold and calculating. "We cannot rush into this. We must plan our moves carefully, strike at the right time. We must make sure that our enemies do not see us coming."
***
As the meeting in the secret basement of District 4 began, Madam Zhang Ai, the leader of the group, gathered her trusted allies around her. Chen Wei, a resistance fighter against the tyrannical rule of the zombie alchemist, Su Qiaolian, a powerful cultivator from District 4, and Dai Niu, another cultivator, were all present. But one person in particular caught the attention of the others: a young boy, no older than 10 years old, by the name of Juanxiu.
"Madam Zhang Ai," one of the members of the group questioned, "Why is this child here? What could he possibly contribute to our cause?"
Madam Zhang Ai smiled kindly at the boy, "Juanxiu may be young, but he is a powerful alchemist, and his arrival in Cardinal City has brought about change. Based on Chen Wei's investigation, we believe that he holds the key to our salvation."
Chen Wei nodded in agreement, "Ever since the incident in District 2 with the Snake Whisperer Alchemist and the noise that he created during the alchemy competition, we have been keeping a close eye on him. We believe that he has the power to create a miracle for us and save our loved ones."
As they discussed the possible countermeasures against the toxic spores being used by Cui Bai, Juanxiu reached into his spatial pouch and pulled out a small container. Inside was a powder made from the rare Hibernating Mortal Bloom, an antidote to the spores. Alchemist Zhou explained the power of this powder and a glint of hope could be seen in the eyes of the members of Madam Zhang Ai's party.
As the news sank in, Su Qiaolian broke down in tears. "My father," she choked out. "I can save my father!"
Madam Zhang Ai quickly stepped in to calm the group. "We must not let our emotions cloud our judgement," she said firmly. "We must be smart and strategic in our actions. We cannot rush in blindly. But we must also act quickly, before it is too late. We are the only hope for these people, and we must not let them down."
Alchemist Zhou added, "We must also consider the possibility of spies among us, working for Cui Bai. We must not reveal our plans and methods too easily."
Juanxiu kept quiet, listening to the conversation. He knew that he had a crucial role to play in this battle, but he also knew that he had to be careful. He couldn't let Cui Bai know of his true abilities.
As the conversation continued, they discussed possible strategies and plans of action. They knew that they were up against a powerful enemy, but they were determined to save the people of District 4. They would not rest until Cui Bai was defeated and the toxic spores were neutralized. They knew that it would not be easy, but they were ready for the challenge.
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