SWNOVELXO Chapter 7: The Path to Freedom
The first rays of dawn broke over the horizon, casting a golden hue on the Cloudspring Sect. Riu Xian stepped outside his small hut, stretching after a restless night. The crisp morning air filled his lungs, and for a moment, he felt a fleeting sense of calm—until the sky darkened.
He looked up, his eyes widening as massive flying ships appeared on the horizon, their imposing forms blocking out the morning light. They were a sight to behold, their intricate designs glowing faintly with spiritual energy. The vessels moved with an eerie grace, defying the laws of nature that Riu Xian had once known in the Murim world.
"Incredible," he murmured. "In the Murim, we could only dream of such things. Forget flying ships; even horses or oxen were the pinnacle of transportation. But here…" He shook his head in awe. "This world is filled with wonders—spirit beasts, divine beasts, and now this. Dragons, phoenixes, qilins… creatures we only believed in myths are real here."
The ships came to a halt above the sect's central grounds, their towering presence casting long shadows over the disciples gathered below. From the lead ship, a group of emissaries descended, their robes shimmering with the icy blue hues of the Bright Snow Sect. The leader, a tall man with piercing eyes and a commanding aura, raised his voice, his words amplified by spiritual energy.
"Attention, disciples of the Cloudspring Sect!" his voice boomed. "You have one hour to decide your fate. Surrender and live, or resist and perish!"
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd.
The emissary continued, his tone cold and unyielding. "Disciples below the Foundation Establishment realm may leave the sect now. We do not stain our hands with the blood of the weak. As for those above Foundation Establishment, you have two choices: swear loyalty to the Bright Snow Sect or prepare for war. Make your decision."
Riu Xian's heart pounded. The ultimatum sent waves of fear and uncertainty through the sect. Whispers of escape and surrender filled the air as disciples scrambled to make sense of their choices.
"This is it," Riu Xian thought, his mind racing. "My chance to leave. I have no ties to this place, no reason to stay and fight a war I have no stake in. But how do I escape without drawing attention?"
The sect was in chaos, with disciples running in every direction. Using the distraction, Riu Xian began moving towards the forest that bordered the sect. He kept his pace steady, trying not to arouse suspicion, but his heart raced with anticipation.
As he reached the edge of the forest, he heard muffled voices nearby. Peering through the undergrowth, he spotted Lu Hao, the sect leader's arrogant son, and his lackeys. They were huddled together, their expressions tense.
"Are you sure this is the right way?" one of the lackeys asked, his voice shaking.
"It has to be," Lu Hao snapped, his usual arrogance replaced by fear. "The Bright Snow Sect won't show mercy to anyone, not even me. I'd rather take my chances out here than stay and fight."
Riu Xian's eyes narrowed. "Lu Hao, running like a coward?" he thought. "And here I thought he'd be one of the first to pledge loyalty to the Bright Snow Sect. Interesting."
He debated whether to confront them or let them be. Lu Hao and his lackeys weren't a threat to him right now, but they might know a safer route out of the sect's territory. The forest was vast, and without a proper plan, he could easily get lost or run into danger.
Making up his mind, Riu Xian stepped out from the shadows. "Lu Hao," he called out, his voice steady but quiet enough not to draw attention.
Lu Hao and his lackeys whipped around, their expressions shifting from surprise to anger. "You!" Lu Hao sneered. "What are you doing here?"
"The same thing as you," Riu Xian replied calmly. "Escaping. The sect is doomed, and you know it. But the forest is dangerous, especially for people like us who've never ventured beyond the sect's surrounding forest and its boundaries. Once we enter the deeper parts, it will become treacherous. A temporary alliance might be our best chance. We help each other, and once we're safe, we go our separate ways."
Lu Hao's face flushed with anger, but he didn't respond immediately. One of his lackeys spoke up, his tone cautious. "He's right, Young Master. The forest is full of spirit beasts and other dangers. We don't stand a chance without a guide."
Riu Xian crossed his arms, watching Lu Hao carefully. "I don't have time to waste on petty grudges, Lu Hao. If you want to live, we can work together to get out of here. Otherwise, you're on your own."
The sect leader's son hesitated, his pride warring with his survival instincts. Finally, he nodded grudgingly. "Fine. But don't think for a second that this makes us allies."
Turning to his lackeys, Lu Hao's lips curled into a sly smirk. "We can use him to clear the way or as a distraction during our escape. When the time comes, and he's no longer of any use to us, we'll discard him like the trash he is."
His lackeys exchanged uneasy glances but quickly nodded, unwilling to question Lu Hao's plan.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Riu Xian replied with a faint smirk.
With the fragile alliance in place, the group began their trek into the forest. Riu Xian led the way, his senses heightened as he scanned the surroundings for signs of danger. The trees loomed tall and ominous, their dense canopy blocking out much of the sunlight. Every rustle of leaves and distant growl set his nerves on edge.
As they moved deeper into the forest, Riu Xian's thoughts drifted. He had no intention of staying with Lu Hao for long. The moment he found a chance to slip away unnoticed, he would take it. For now, though, he needed to bide his time and ensure his escape route was clear.
"The Bright Snow Sect's ultimatum may have thrown the sect into chaos," he thought, "but chaos also brings opportunity. If I play my cards right, I can leave this place far behind and finally start forging my own path in this world."