Fenrir's Journey : I Shall Devour The Heavens!

After taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down, Fenrir opened her eyes and stared at Wen Xiulan, saying, "You are right...my Master would not be happy if he knew I was seeking trouble with other people, especially if they had never wronged me..."Wen Xiulan produced a small smile when she heard the young woman's words, happy that she had not only been loyal to her Master, but that her Master also seemed to be a righteous person. For someone as young as the girl was, the amount of power she possessed could easily have gone to her head. If she wanted to, there was little most people could do to stop her from rampaging and doing whatever she pleased. This did, however, beg the question as to why the girl was even looking for cultivation techniques, to begin with...It was absolutely impossible for a cultivator to reach the point of the young woman before her unless they had a powerful technique. Just the fact that the girl seemed to be able to pull in qi from the atmosphere, seemingly with the ease of breathing, showed that she should have a very powerful one at her disposal. This caused Wen Xiulan to wonder if, for reasons she couldn't fathom, that the young girl's Master had 'hidden' a cultivation technique inside of her. Since it seemed that her Master had died, it must have been a failsafe he had implemented to make sure she was able to become stronger, even with their absence...Thinking this far, Wen Xiulan developed a sense of respect for the unknown Master of the girl and, decided introductions were in order, she asked, "This Little Sister...may I ask your name? I would also like to know the name of your esteemed Master...to have such a talented disciple, they must have been a very powerful and kind individual." Based on what she had seen thus far, Wen Xiulan figured that she could get the girl to disclose some information if she pandered to her a little.For the first time since their meeting had started, Fenrir produced an almost indiscernible smile, but a smile nonetheless. She gave a small nod, affirming Wen Xiulan's words as she explained, "My name is Fenrir, a name bestowed to me by my Master, Vahn Mason. As far as strength goes...there are only two people I have ever seen who were stronger than my Master, though neither would be able to defeat him. And you're right...more than anyone in the entire world, my Master was a very kind and gentle person...he would always help everyone, regardless of how difficult it might have been for him to do so..."Wen Xiulan was very surprised to learn that the girl's Master was actually a man, especially considering that there were very few men who would be capable of teaching someone with such a powerful Yin constitution. Most men, even if they didn't cultivate Yang-based techniques, still had ambient Yang energy within their bodies. If they had been around someone like Fenrir for a long period of time, especially with the intimate relationship of Master and Disciple, she would have undoubtedly been 'used' by the other man for dual cultivation. The fact that Fenrir still had her 'virgin yin', and such a powerful one, showed this hadn't been the case...With this revelation, Wen Xiulan's impression of the man named Vahn Mason increased exponentially, even though she had never heard of such a strange name before. The fact that he hadn't taken advantage of his Disciple, even though she showed an immense amount of loyalty towards him, meant he must have been a truly great person. Considering that Fenrir also claimed he would go around helping people, Wen Xiulan couldn't help but offer a silent prayer for the loss of such a kind and gentle soul in this cruel and lonely world...(Fenrir's Commentary: 'This woman is very smart. Even without meeting Master, she can understand how great he is...ufufufu~')

Though it was looking as though things were going to end peacefully, the situation rapidly changed when an overbearing aura weighed down upon everyone and a man's voice resonated through the air, "Palace Master, Wen Xiulan, why did you fail to inform me of the arrival of a guest...? Surely, you aren't trying to undermine my authority as the Sect Leader, are you...?" Following the voice, a girly man with a slightly more angular face, black hair tied up in a ponytail, and pristine white robes descended from atop the massive reinforced walls. He walked down as if he were descending steps, casually placing the soles of his feet on invisible footholds formed from the Qi in the atmosphere.Sensing the sudden pressure, followed by the voice of her Sect Master, Wen Xiulan countered his aura with her own, turning an icy expression towards him and saying in a cold monotone, "Sect Master, Tian Gengxin...I was not informed that I needed to report to you when guests came seeking me personally. This is a personal matter and I would have you take a step back and consider the implication behind your actions. It is unbecoming of the Sect Master of the Heavenly Moon Sect to interfere with matters unrelated to the Sect itself..."Tian Gengxin's eyes squinted, a cold light flashing across his black pupils as he raised his chin slightly and said, "Hmph...I have been listening from the start. The fact that you were willing to let such a 'capable' disciple leave the Sect, even after she 'demanded' your cultivation technique...tell me, Wen Xiulan, are you actually a spy from another Sect, trying to weaken the Heavenly Moon Sect from the inside...?"With Tian Gengxin's words sounding out, clearly audible to all of the Disciples present, various murmurs began to spread through the surroundings. Though nobody truly believed the Sect Master's words to be the truth of the matter, the implication alone was very heavy. They all knew there was an ongoing conflict between the Sect Master and the Palace Head, ever since the latter refused his courtship, and it was starting to look like this young woman was caught in the crossfire.Turning his eyes away from Wen Xiulan, Tian Gengxin was still just as surprised as he was the first time he saw the girl named Fenrir from a distance. As was often the case in this world, the main reason he had sought out Wen Xiulan was for the benefits she would provide in his own cultivation. He didn't use a technique that would have injured her, so they actually would have both benefitted from the union and, as a result of them having the two highest positions in the Sect, the internal unity of the Sect would have been guaranteed for at least a few hundred years. The fact she had refused them, even though there were so many 'benefits' for them both, had been the greatest insult he had ever suffered...Now, seeing this young woman before him, who had an even more powerful constitution than Wen Xiulan, Tian Gengxin wouldn't be deterred a second time. He could use the fact that nearly twenty Disciples had witnessed the girl request for one of their Sect's most powerful techniques, even if it was unique to Wen Xiulan herself, as a reason to met out punishment upon her. She would either have to become his personal disciple, which would allow him to slowly break her down over time, or she would be imprisoned in the Sect's dungeon until they could find out her origins. If she turned out to be a wandering cultivator without any background...well, he would win out in the end, regardless...Confident that the Heavens had shown him favor this day, Tian Gengxin allowed a sadistic grin to spread across his face as he said, "Though your fealty towards your deceased Master is commendable, you should blame him for failing to teach you the ways of the world. I will give you two options, girl...you can either swear to become my personal Disciple, which will allow you to one day rise to the second most powerful position in the Sect...or you can choose to be imprisoned within the Sect's Dungeon for fifty years. Given your Cultivation, I believe that is a fair punishment for the offense you had made towards 'my' Sect...!"(Fenrir's Commentary: 'Fenrir will kill you...you badmouthed my Master...kill...kill...kill...')

Hearing the young woman speak in such a manner, Wen Xiulan couldn't help but close her eyes for a few seconds, repressing the sigh that had nearly escaped her lips. She could tell that this 'Master' was something of unequaled importance to the young girl and, even if she were to lower her head and try to accept this lonely girl as her disciple, there was no chance of it happening. Still, she was impressed by the resolute response and the amount of fealty this young girl showed to her Master, finding it truly regrettable that none of her own disciples could meet such a standard...Seeing the woman go silent for a while, Fenrir furrowed her brows slightly and said, "I heard from an old man at the Flame Jade Sect that you possessed a cultivation technique that was suitable for people that used ice, water, and yin energies..." Hearing her own words, Fenrir felt a little strange to be essentially asking someone to give what was likely a very important technique to her, even though she had refused to become a student. However, she didn't want to stay in this world for too long and, if it meant she would be able to become stronger, Fenrir hardened her heart to do whatever it took to obtain a suitable method to increase her strength.Wen Xiulan was both surprised and incredibly confused by the request of the young woman before her, especially since the latter had already expressed that she didn't intend to join the Heavenly Moon Sect. Cultivation techniques were an absolute secret that few people shared with anyone other than their direct disciples and kinsmen. Asking for one was a great insult and it was something that wars had been fought over in the past, especially when it was related to powerful techniques. If not for the fact she could tell the strange girl had no arrogance in her request, Wen Xiulan might have 'demonstrated' her technique instead of humoring the request.Instead, Wen Xiulan released a light sigh, shaking her head as she turned her crystal clear blue eyes to match Fenrir's scarlet red, saying, "This request...I am afraid I cannot meet Little Sis' expectations. Forgive me, but my cultivation technique is something I inherited from my own Master and, unless it is to a direct disciple, I cannot teach it to you. I'm certain that there are things your Master taught you that you would never teach to others, correct...?" Since she knew the girl before her was a very loyal disciple, Wen Xiulan hoped she would see reason instead of finding trouble for her Sect. Ever since arriving, she hadn't even been able to glimpse the strange girls' cultivation and her instincts were telling her that, if a battle were to occur, the Heavenly Moon Sect may cease to exist in the future...Fenrir furrowed her brows deeply this time, understanding that what she was requesting was something she would never adhere to herself. If someone wanted to 'force' her to divulge any of the techniques and secrets her Master had taught her, Fenrir would rather fight to the death than betray him. Since she could tell the woman before her wasn't a bad person, Fenrir couldn't justify taking the technique from her forcibly, making her feel confused about what she should do now. She actually wished that Wen Xiulan had been another disagreeable and arrogant person, which would have made this situation a lot easier to deal with...(Fenrir's Commentary: 'Why can't things be simple...Master, what should I do...?')

Chapter 55: Understanding