The Gods' Decree 190 Sunflower

He had lost so swiftly after being in control of the fight for the majority of its duration. Observing his body internally he suspected that Taf had held back somewhat in his final attack.

In his mind, Taf's words did hit hard. It seems the weakness of his scorpion art was seen through by his opponent. 

The reason he had previously switched his strategy was to mask his art's greatest weakness. Admittedly, to truly hide this first he had to trick Taf into thinking this was one of his strengths.    

So he baited him into close combat in order to cement this fact within his subconsciousness. After which he then summoned his scorpions. 

His scorpions had a psychic link that if interrupted meant their usefulness became negligible. Similar to a puppet without strings.

If his mind was to become clouded this control would then be momentarily lost. Thus the reason Taf ignored his scorpions and smashed him on the head continuously. 

Unknowing of the thoughts that plagued elder Dar's mind Taf took his seat beside May while being continuously scrutinized by the ma.s.ses.

"You seemed to have had some fun," May playfully uttered under her purple mask.

"He had me on the rope for a bit I must admit," Taf replied having felt the battle was one that he truly enjoyed. 

He looked forward to the future encounters at this level which not only tested him physically but also allowing him to think through different scenarios.

One thing this battle highlighted was the need to further his training in the elements. Within his role as Elder Moussier, he figured there would be constant trials and without his aces, not all battles will be won in the same manner.

In some ways, he was thankful he was challenged as he might have become complacent.

After taking some time Dar then regained his seating. By his expression, it could be seen his disappointment at failing in providing a victory.

He didn't dare gaze at the high seat in fear of the second elder's gaze. Though he didn't specifically state it, Dar felt there had been higher stakes than just the reputation his clan.

He braced himself knowing after he was outmatched by his opponent there would be no kind words within his direction. All that will be heard is how he lost, therefore, sullying the face of Zaro Clan.

There were those who were previously envious of the spotlight he gained when selected,  yet presently the saying "Better him than me" came to mind. Now more than ever he feared the consequences of his defeat, not for himself but his branch.

While all were in their thoughts a voice was heard throughout the chambers.

"The victor of the challenge, Elder Moussier!"

With the results read not many inside the chambers thought the victory unwarranted. Afterall they all saw how the battle had unfolded.

Still, it is within human nature to compare themselves among their peers and it was no different for cultivators. Among his fellow elders, there were those who felt they were still superior. 

In some ways, Taf became an even bigger target by showing his battle prowess. He and May indirectly became the means to the prize of fellows.h.i.+p under the grand elder.

Having completed the interim battle the grand elder once more resumed speaking. Within her speech, she spoke of the need for the sect's elders to be more vigilant.

Thus the events of Starlight City were used showcasing how minor incidents may unfold into sect crippling catastrophes. 

It was filled with details that were surmised with the evident omission of some details of what truly transpired. This led to slight murmurs throughout the room. Especially when they were told to whom the sect owed their thanks.

In their eyes, the two new elders become shrouded in mystery as their accoladed compiled.

??????

Ask an old adventurer what he admired the most about the Chu Country after countless years of his escapades and he would speak abundantly about its wealth and riches.

When speaking of it as such the first thing that comes to mind reasonably would be qi stones and resources. Yet, wealth within this adventurer's eyes referred to its beauty. 

This was seen within its boundless mountain ranges which sought to kiss the heavens with their peaks. Hidden within these mountain ranges were remote villages to which it providing sustenance.

Taking advantage of its sustenance were some sunflowers that battled against the gus.h.i.+ng winds. Though the majority held their own one had finally lost its struggle.

It danced beautifully within the wind before arriving at what seemed to be a village. On such a day as this one would expect liveliness being exuded.The playing of children, men hard at work and the aroma of tantalizing dishes being prepared.

Yet the norm was evidently missing as all that could be felt when entering the villages was a sense of agony and torment. There were no sounds emanating and as the sunflower bounced on the floor it was moistened by a red viscous liquid that soaked through the soil.

It became heavy, so much so, that even the wind lost its interest as it settled beside what appeared to be a rock. Yet this was a rock like no other, in fact, it was no rock but a partially crushed skull.

No wonder the village was so deathly silent as all that inhabited it is was as the silence, death. Decapitated and half-eaten bodies were the norm as hundreds of corpses littered the village streets. not one soul was spared it seems from the perpetrators' heinous act.

"What a beautiful flower." A young teen girl with adorable dimples uttered as she bent down grasping the sunflower.

She then took the time to place the sunflower dyed in blood neatly in her hair. Soon another had joined her and with some satire in her voice uttered,

"Sometimes you give the impression that this is all that we are good for, thus why we are hunted unending.  So you were mistaken for a child. How stupid of them right? I mean it is not as though your appearance conveys this."

The newcomer was the seductive Mei who daintily made her way through the corpses that littered the floor. Though her words were heard, her master ignored while lifting her right hand within the air.

An inscription slowly formed within the sky as purple light cascaded down on all the corpses. With each second they became refined into qi that was channeled toward the devilish teen. Within quick time not one corpse was present and even their blood had vanished.

"Whenever you act like a martyr it annoys the f.u.c.k out of me." The fiendish teen uttered though she knew this was a trait of her disciple's Art.

Who knew this woman better that she, after all, she was the one who groomed her. Mei always acted the role of an angel but she was the true definition of a succubus. They had two different styles but both led to the same outcome.

"Let's be on our way." She once more uttered as the flapping of a demon beast wings could be heard above. 

Unedited version

To be continued.....