Demon of Dawn and Dusk

Elliot and I rode a flying boat heading towards Mt. Dawn and Dusk. It was a beautiful spring morning, with clear skies and warm temperatures. The sun shone down upon the world, beautiful and glorious. The wind felt refreshing against my skin. It smelled crisp and clear. Elliot hummed to himself as he piloted the flying boat. I didn’t know what song he hummed, but it sounded joyful. However, despite all this, I was in a foul mood. I sat on the bow of the flying boat with my arms crossed.

“You have nothing to be ashamed of, Young Master,” Elliot called out, ceasing his humming, “Everyone fails on their first try.”

It took me a moment to respond.

“I succeeded on my first try when learning how to fly with my carpet magic treasure.” I grumbled.

“Yes, but there is a difference between a flying carpet and a flying boat. It takes experience and practice to pilot the latter. Besides, with your current cultivation base, you wouldn’t have been able to fly it for long.”

I grunted at this and fell silent. The reason why I was in a foul mood was because of my failure to pilot the flying boat we were on. After I received Sidra’s summons, I wanted to pilot the flying boat and bring Elliot along instead of relying on him to ferry me.

However, I soon realized just how difficult it was to pilot a flying boat compared to a flying carpet or a flying sword. It drained my internal qi at a rapid rate and strained my spirit sense. I managed to hover in the air with the flying boat for a few seconds, but that was it. After a few more tries, I gave up and let Elliot pilot it.

Despite my foul mood, I gained a new appreciation for the disciples who ferried others around for spirit stones. Before, while I felt grateful to them for their service, I hadn’t thought much of them. After giving it a try just now, I realized that piloting flying boats and ferrying people around required more power and skill than I realized.

Elliot and I continued on our way, and soon Mt. Dawn and Dusk came into view. I let out a breath when I saw it, awed by the sight before me. Flame Fiend Peak and Celestial Warrior Peak were grand and majestic in their own right. However, they paled in comparison to Mt. Dawn and Dusk, the heart of the Dawn and Dusk Sect.

It was the biggest mountain I had ever seen in my entire life. It was as wide and broad as the black desert that surrounded Flame Fiend Peak, and it was tall enough to pierce the heavens. The most striking thing about the mountain was its strange appearance. One half was lush and full of life, like an immortal paradise. The other half was barren and devoid of life, with a demonic and sinister air about it. The two halves should have been at odds with one another, but they weren’t. Instead, they seemed to form a harmonious whole.

At the base of Mt. Dawn and Dusk were several buildings. The largest of which was the main hall. This was the administrative heart of the Dawn and Dusk Sect, where decisions pertaining to the sect as a whole were made. Many of the facilities shared by all members of the sect were also located here, such as the mission hall where disciples could perform tasks in order to earn spirit stones or contribution points.

I found it funny that there were mission halls for the individual halls that made up the sect, as well as a mission hall for the sect as a whole. Not for the first time, I thought that the individual halls were like smaller sects gathered under the umbrella of the Dawn and Dusk Sect as a whole.

The other facilities included the scripture pavilion, the lecture hall, the treasure hall, and more. As for Mt. Dawn and Dusk itself, it housed the immortal caves of the sect’s leadership. This included the Sect Leader and Vice Sect Leader, as well as the patriarchs and matriarchs of the sect.

The latter were mysterious and unfathomable beings, who had achieved a level of power few could ever dream of: the Path Seeking realm. Their number included the founders of the sect, Patriarch Dawn and Matriarch Dusk, though the two had been in seclusion for the past several thousand years. No one in living memory had ever seen them. I wondered if they were even still alive.

There were also stories of a sacred treasure buried deep within Mt. Dawn and Dusk called the Heart of Dawn and Dusk. It was a strange and mysterious object that aided one in understanding and comprehending the mysteries of the universe. However, the sect limited access to the Heart of Dawn and Dusk to a select few. Either one had to perform a significant meritorious service for the sect, or one needed to pay a large amount of contribution points. I wasn’t sure of the exact amount, but I imagined it was in the thousands or tens of thousands.

The base of Mt. Dawn and Dusk was a lively and bustling place. From my vantage point, I saw thousands of people flying to and fro from the various facilities. There were disciples from all the halls that made up the sect. Dawn Halls, Dusk Hall, neutral halls. It didn’t matter. They all came together in this place. In front of the main hall itself stood a plaza made up of white and black stones, which formed the image of a giant taijitu. Many disciples congregated in the plaza.

A part of me was tempted to fly down to the plaza and mingle with my fellow disciples, something I avoided during my entire time in the sect, but I refrained. I had an appointment to keep, and I didn’t want to be late. With a regretful sigh, I watched as Elliot piloted the boat towards the main hall. We landed in front of it, before proceeding the rest of the way on foot.

The guards in front of the main hall were both in the Golden Core realm. They challenged us and barred our path when we approached. However, after I showed my sect crest and informed them that I was here to meet with Vice Hall Master Sidra, they let me through.

Like the plaza outside, there were plenty of cultivators inside the main hall. Most seemed to be Golden Core cultivators, though I noticed a few Nascent Soul cultivators. A few noted my presence, but the rest ignored me. After all, as a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, I was beneath their notice. I also used Cloak of Dusk to hide my divine nature, since I wanted to avoid attention. While a Golden Core or a Nascent Soul cultivator’s spirit sense could pierce through it if they put some effort into it, Cloak of Dusk was more than enough against cursory glances.

I followed the directions that Sidra sent along with her summons and soon arrived in front of a room located deep within the main hall. I knocked before opening the door and entering. Inside, I found several people waiting. There was Sidra, of course, along with two other Nascent Soul cultivators.

I recognized one of them. She was a tall and thin woman, with pale skin and long red hair. She wore crimson and black robes. Her aura filled the air with the stench of blood. Elder Alexia, or Martial Aunt Alexia, an elder of Crimson Fiend Hall, which focused on blood mystic arts and blood techniques. She was also Cultivator Willow’s master.

We last encountered one another when Astra tried to warn Cultivator Willow, Cultivator Harlow, and Junior Sister Clarissa away from me. Elder Alexia showed up to defend her disciple from my sister. Not the best way to make a good first impression.

Next to her stood a tall and muscular man who towered over everyone else in the room. He had short dark hair, amber eyes, and tanned skin with a golden glowing undertone. He wore a vest and trousers that were both five-colored. They were predominantly yellow, with the other four colors forming intricate patterns in the background.

The man’s features were rough, as if he had been carved from stone, but not in an unpleasant way. He radiated a solid and steadfast air, like a pillar that could hold up the heavens. Based on all this, it wasn’t difficult to discern this man’s identity. He was Elder Riordan Jade Pillar of Five Divine Pillars Hall.

Some time ago, I looked into Clan Stone Pillar, Cultivator Willow’s family. I knew a bit about them, since they also lived in the Myriad Rivers province along with Clan Wind Dance, but not a lot. I decided to rectify this, due to my interest in Cultivator Willow. It turned out that the Clan Stone Pillar was a collateral line of Clan Jade Pillar, one that had split off from the main family some time ago.

Like Clan Verdant Lotus, Clan Jade Pillar was one of the founding clans of the Dawn and Dusk Sect. They had strong ties with Five Divine Pillars Hall, which focused on the five elements and the interactions between them. Elder Riordan was the current patriarch of the clan, and a distant ancestor of Cultivator Willow. He was famous for his immense strength, and was one of the few elders in the sect that focused on physical refinement.

In addition to those three, there were two other people in the room. One was Cultivator Willow, and the other was a tall and muscular young woman in mid Foundation Establishment. She wore the uniform of a disciple from Five Divine Pillars Hall.

The Nascent Soul cultivators and Cultivator Willow sat around a round wooden table, while the bulky young woman stood behind Cultivator Willow like a servant. Perhaps she was. Cultivator Willow was a young mistress, after all. She had been born into a collateral line, but becoming a divine demon elevated her status.

Everyone’s eyes turned to me when I entered the room with Elliot. Cultivator Willow smiled at me, while the bulky young woman narrowed her eyes at me. Elder Riordan studied me with a frown. Martial Aunt Alexia wore a cold look on her face, though I didn’t take it to heart. Just as I looked into Clan Stone Pillar, I also looked at Martial Aunt Alexia.

For a time, she used to be a disciple of Flame Fiend Hall as one of the few who specialized in mystic arts. However, some time after she reached peak Golden Core, she helped found Crimson Fiend Hall and became one of its first elders.

“Ah, Darian,” Sidra said, flashing me a quick smile, “Excellent. You’re just in time.” She gestured towards the others. “Let me make some quick introductions. This is Elder Alexia of Crimson Fiend Hall and Elder Riordan of Five Divine Pillars Hall.”

I gave them both a bow.

“You are already familiar with Martial Niece Willow,” Sidra continued, “The young woman behind her is Martial Niece Isabel, a disciple of Five Divine Pillars Hall and Martial Niece Willow’s protector.”

I nodded to them both, before sitting down. Elliot stood behind me.

“The reason why we called you both here today is because we have a mission for you two.” Martial Aunt Alexia said in her raspy voice. “I objected to this, but gave in after much insistence on my disciple’s part.”

I glanced at Cultivator Willow, who grinned at her master.

“The two of you are divine demons and future pillars of the Dawn and Dusk Sect.” Elder Riordan said, his voice deep and smooth. If the earth could speak, it would sound just like him. “However, we can’t keep you in the sect forever,” He glanced at Martial Aunt Alexia, “Otherwise, you will be like flowers grown in a hothouse. You need to experience the outside world in order to grow and temper yourself.”

Martial Aunt Alexia narrowed her eyes at him.

“That’s not why I objected and you know it.” She said. “In fact, I’m surprised you agreed at all, considering the circumstances.”

She glanced at me as she said that last sentence. I realized then that she objected to Cultivator Willow going on this mission with me.

“I agreed because of the circumstances.” Elder Riordan retorted.

Martial Aunt Alexia opened her mouth to reply, but Sidra spoke up first.

“Let us not argue in front of the children,” she said in a gentle voice. “The decision is already made.”

Martial Aunt Alexia crossed her arms and harrumphed, while Elder Riordan nodded. I glanced at Cultivator Willow, who seemed amused by her master’s actions. I felt a bit nervous. Cultivator Willow and I were interested in one another, but that didn’t mean we could become lovers without issue. It was clear that her master objected to it, though it seemed as if Elder Riordan supported us. At the very least, he wasn’t against the idea.

“The mission itself comes in two parts,” Sidra said, moving the conversation. “The first is simple. You two, along with Elliot and Martial Niece Isabel, are to escort a pair of disciples to the Dawn and Dusk Sect’s branch office in East Mesa City. One is from Myriad Treasures Pavilion, and the other is from Puppet Master Pavilion.”

I nodded. That made sense. Myriad Treasures Pavilion and Puppet Master Pavilion were two of the Dawn and Dusk Sect’s neutral halls. The former specialized in refining magic treasures. Many of the magic treasures available in the nearby treasure hall were created by disciples, or even elders, of Myriad Treasure Pavilion.

Puppet Master Pavilion specialized in refining and controlling puppets, animated magic treasures that were often humanoid or bestial in form. It used to be a part of Myriad Treasures Pavilion, but broke off a long time ago due to the specialized nature of its techniques.

East Mesa City was located near the Violet Desert hidden realm, which was the only source of Violet Sand, a material used in refining magic treasures at Foundation Establishment and Golden Core level. In fact, part of the reason why the city was built in the first place was because of its proximity to the Violet Desert hidden realm. Most of the disciples assigned to the branch office in East Mesa City were from Myriad Treasures Pavilion and Puppet Master Pavilion so they could use Violet Sand in their refining.

“Completion of this first part will earn each of you two hundred contribution points or half that in spirit stones,” Sidra said.

I frowned. Two hundred contribution points, or half that in spirit stones, was a small reward for a mission with at least four Foundation Establishment cultivators. From the frowns on Cultivator Willow and Cultivator Isabel’s faces, they felt the same way.

“The second part of your mission is far more difficult and dangerous.” Sidra said, her expression turning serious. “I’ll leave it to Elder Riordan to explain the rest.”

Elder Riordan nodded, before pulling a yellow gourd engraved with magical runes from his storage ring. He opened the gourd and performed a series of hand seals. Fine yellow sand flew out of the gourd and covered the surface of the wooden table. The sand shifted and changed color, until it resembled a miniature landscape with forests, rivers, hills, and other geographical features. There were even cities and villages. I marveled at the level of detail. It all looked so lifelike.

“This is the Sacred Ironwood province,” Elder Riordan explained, “Which is located north of us, situated between the Whispering Hills province and the Howling Desert province. It is home to a myriad of small and mid-sized sects and clans. None of the Seven Great Northern Sects have much interest in the Sacred Ironwood province, apart from a few cities here and there, including our Dawn and Dusk Sect.”

I nodded along as I listened to Elder Riordan, though I focused most of my attention on the sand on the table, studying it in closer detail. It was clearly a magic treasure of some kind, though I couldn’t make heads or tails of how it worked. Was the sand itself magical, or was it only the yellow gourd?

“A few months ago, people started going missing in the northern part of the province.” The sand shifted and changed shape, until it just depicted the northern half of the province. “Most of the missing people were in Qi Condensation, with a few at Foundation Establishment. All the missing people were rogue cultivators and travelers from outside the province, so the local sects and clans haven’t done anything about it yet. However, the situation has impacted trade for two of the cities under the Dawn and Dusk Sect’s control: Clear Basin City and Azure Canopy City.”

Two of the cities on the sand map started to glow with yellow light. One was a city located near a lake, while the other was a city built among the branches of a forest filled with giant trees.

“The city lords of Clear Basin City and Azure Canopy City have asked us to resolve the situation and we decided that this was the perfect opportunity for all of you to gain more experience with the outside world,” Elder Riordan continued, “Killing two birds with one stone, as they say. Your mission is to find out who or what is responsible for these disappearances and stop them.” He looked between us. “Any questions?”

“Why did the city lords ask us for help?” Cultivator Isabel asked, sneering. “Don’t they have their own people?”

Martial Aunt Alexia shook her head.

“They do, but none of their people are above the Qi Condensation realm.” She said. “The city lords themselves are both in Foundation Establishment, but their duties prevent them from leaving their posts.”

Cultivator Isabel scoffed.

“They’re too weak to handle their own problems, so they have to come to us.” She said.

I gave her a sharp look, but kept my mouth shut. So far, I wasn’t impressed by what I saw of her. Her attitude reminded me of a number of cultivators I had met. They viewed those weaker than them with contempt and disdain. The worst of my kin in Clan Wind Dance were like that.

“Regardless,” Sidra said, frowning at Cultivator Isabel, “Those cities are under the control of our Dawn and Dusk Sect, and it is our responsibility to look after them. Otherwise, people will start saying that we are either unable or unwilling to protect our subordinates.”

Cultivator Isabel flushed under Sidra’s chastisement and refrained from saying anything else.

“What is the reward for this part of the mission?” I asked.

Learning how to concoct pills and refine magic treasures required a lot of resources, so I needed as many spirit stones as I could get.

“One thousand contribution points or half that in spirit stones for each of you.” Sidra answered, giving me an amused smile. “That is on top of the reward for the first part of this mission.”

A smile stretched across my face. Five hundred spirit stones was a decent reward for a single mission at this level.

“Do we have any idea of what’s causing these disappearances?” Cultivator Willow asked, frowning.

Sidra shook her head.

“No,” she said, “Though we suspect it is either a powerful spirit beast of some kind, or a group of cultivators preying on those weaker than themselves. Those are the usual causes for this sort of thing.”

I frowned at that. While I had plenty of experience hunting spirit beasts and demon beasts, I had little experience fighting other cultivators in a life or death battle. I had only ever sparred with others. There was a good chance that I would have to kill other people in order to complete this mission. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

“Who is in charge of this mission?” I asked, to distract myself for the most part. “Or should we work this out amongst ourselves?”

“Elliot.” Sidra answered. “He has the highest cultivation base among you. Not only that, but he has the most experience with the outside world. Darian and Martial Niece Willow haven’t left the sect since they joined, while Martial Niece Isabel was born into the sect and hasn’t experienced the outside world at all. After taking all these factors into consideration, the three of us decided that he is the best choice to lead this mission.”

I glanced at Elliot. Given his lack of surprise, I assumed Sidra already discussed the matter with him.

“Does anyone have any objections?” Sidra asked. Her tone suggested that saying yes would be a very bad idea.

No one raised any objections.

“Excellent.” Sidra nodded towards the door. “You are all dismissed. Report to Myriad Gate Hall tomorrow morning to begin your mission.”

With that, the four Foundation Establishment cultivators left the room. On the way out, Cultivator Willow grinned at me and sent me a message via telepathy.

‘See you tomorrow, Cultivator Darian,’ she said, her voice in my head. ‘I look forward to working with you.’

I shook my head at that, before heading back to Flame Fiend Hall to make some last minute preparations.