The Last Primal

"[Reptilian] Everyone, stand in formation and protect Dara!" Tai Liu ordered decisively. She did not hesitate even a second as she gave the firm command this time around.

The most important thing for them right now was to ensure that Dara, their prospective newest disciple obtained the Ancient Burial Ground's inheritance without being interrupted.

Regardless of whether those arriving were friends or foe, Azure Myst Sect would not allow a single mistake to happen in the inheritance process! This was of the utmost importance to them and each and every disciple understood this.

Besides, they were not like the late Juno Hian. They had no ill intentions.

Before long, around twenty figures rushed over, looking wretched and filled with wounds. They were from a sect they had a friendly relations with, the Majestic Swan Sisterhood, the all female sect.

Shocked, Aiden hurriedly patrolled the crowd.

He only let out a sigh of relief after seeing that the masked figure -probably the leader they have met before the Corpse Poison Sect's base ruins-, was fine as he walked over with Tai Liu.

"[Reptilian]Sister Zhelan, are you alright?"

Tai Liu withdrew a few bottles of elixirs and handed them over.

The female leader martial artist that hid her face behind a swan-figured mask, Fey Zhelan looked listless and was covered with countless wounds. She thanked Tai Liu for the elixirs and hurriedly consumed them.

Although she had elixirs as well, the effects of hers could not compare to those of Azure Myst Sect's, who were masters of the Alchemy and Elixir Refinement.

On the other side, the rest of her small sized group was also badly injured and their members looked even more pale. However, their expression was cold as ever and a slight warmth only flickered through her eyes upon seeing the gray robed young Draconic Skink man.

Aiden also had some elixirs given to him by Tai Liu stored in his system's inventory.

Because of his special circumstances, he would never really use them, nor would he need them for his captains either. As such, he took them all out with a flick of his right hand and placed them all before the worn-down group of female martial artists.

The young women smiled thankfully at this gracious offer. They did not stand on ceremony, knowing the severity of their wounds and accepted the gifts.

Fey Zhelan consumed the elixirs offered  and rested for a couple of moments before she noticed the group from Azure Myst Sect standing in front of the large, ceremonious ziggurat. Shocked, she exclaimed.

"[Reptilian] Huh? There's so many of you?!"

"[Reptilian] What?" Tai Liu froze.

Sighing, Fey Zhelan chuckled bitterly.

"[Reptilian] It's already a blessing that we're able to survive against the pure-blooded ferocious beasts outside guarding the entrance. There are only twenty-odd of our originally thousand strong group that are left. To think that you guys have so many of your disciples survive all those trials and tribulations outside! That's incredible!"

Tai Liu looked at Aiden without saying anything.

If he hadn't fought at the front for the entire journey, Azure Myst Sect would have been annihilated long ago! Even she herself wouldn't have been certain to escape!

"[Reptilian] Ah that…well, we got lucky…"

Fey Zhelan sighed and said.

"[Reptilian] Initially, the pure-blooded ferocious beast, that fearsome bird, blocked us and we couldn't get away. Later on, it seemed like it was attacked by another group and couldn't handle it. We only managed to get here by seizing that opportunity. Even then, there's only these few of us left."

Tai Liu smiled and with a troubled, wry look on her face nodded.

"[Reptilian] Y-yeah… Something similar happened to us as well. We saw the opportunity… and we took it… That was how we managed to get over here successfully!"

Taking a couple of minutes of rest, to recuperate their wounds and get some of their spent stamina back, the group of female martial artists slowly got up from the grounds.

With a graceful smile on her face that though remained hidden behind her exquisitely shaped mask, Fey Zhelan cupped her fists and bowed before Tai Liu and her group.

"[Reptilian] Sister Liu, the Majestic Swan Sisterhood will not be laying a hand on anything in this Golden Refinement Hall. We'll head in and check out if there are any ancient artifacts or manuals that have been preserved to this day."

"[Reptilian] Yes." Tai Liu nodded.

The young girls of the Majestic Swan Sisterhood bid farewell to Aiden and the others.

Soon, their group vanished in the distance and Tai Liu and her group was left alone once more.

However, not for long…

Just as Fey Zhelan's group of female martial artists left, a few more figures sped over from the direction of the valley, each of them panting with lingering shock.

There were familiar figures and uniforms amongst them. The Crystal Palace Sect and Malefic Demons Clan were among the approaching survivors.

However, those two major factions had it even worse.

Apart from Pei Syriac, the Crystal Palace Sect only had about eight people left and each of them were filled with injuries and had pale expressions.

It was the same for Malevolent Earth Sect.

Yet despite their ragged numbers, there were some unique figures amongst their group, that -like the elderly uncle that always stood beside Tai Liu, two elderly figures could be seen in their ranks.

An elderly man in golden robes stood behind Pei Syriac. Although his hair was gray, his gaze was burning with dominance and his skin possessed a sparkling luster similar to a baby.

On the side of Malefic Demons Clan, a skinny old man in black robes followed closely behind Yang Zahn with a dark gaze resembling that of an undead, a ghoul.

Even if they tried to hide it, Aiden could sense a superior power oozing from them. They were probably the ultimate, last resort trump cards of both powers, similar to the elderly uncle for the Azure Myst Sect.

Pei Syriac and the others arrived at the vicinity of the Golden Refinement Hall and revealed shocked expressions when they swept their gazes across.

So many of the Azure Myst Sect disciples had survived and made it all the way here!

Although Crystal Palace Sect and Malefic Demons Clan coveted the treasures within the Golden Refinement Hall as well, they did not dare to force things given the number of people that Azure Myst Sect had.

After a slight delay, the Crystal Palace Sect, the Malefic Demons Clan and some other itinerant martial artists that still lived on headed into the depths of the ruins.

They have not said a word to each other and merely scoffed as they turned away.

Aiden gazed at the cultivators of the sects leaving thoughtfully.

A moment later, he patted Captain Dragha's broad shoulder on the head and whispered to him.

"[Reptilian] Stay here and guard your sister. I will go ahead and check out the depths of these ruins."

"[Reptilian] Are you really going to fight with those for whatever lies at the end?"

Tai Liu frowned when she noticed Aiden's intention of heading into the ruins.

"Miss Dara is still receiving the inheritance here and in order to prevent any accidents, we can't leave. If you head in alone, you don't stand a chance against all the elites of those major sects."

"[Reptilian] Regardless of that, there is something I need to do inside." Aiden replied with conviction and a resolute gaze.

Initially, he wanted to head into the depths of the ruins with everyone after Dara received the inheritance.

However, by the looks of things now, Dara wouldn't be able to complete the inheritance process within a short period of time. Yet, Crystal Palace Sect, Malefic Demons Clan and other sects have already ventured into the depths of the ruins… not to mention the still missing High Priest and his army of zealots and priests… Aiden could not wait any longer.

"[Reptilian] You have to be careful. Those old men with them... They are dangerous. Don't force yourself if the situation doesn't look good."

Tai Liu said, "I reckon that Miss Dara will definitely inherit some great ancient, long lost recipes from this mysterious inheritance. There is no need for rushing things... You will get your chance to get your hands on whatever your heart desires."

"[Reptilian] Uhm. Protect her, please." Aiden smiled as he nodded at her words, before his figure suddenly turned into a hazy blur and vanished from his spot.

His blurry grayish streak sped into the depths of the ruins in the next instant.

Aiden had no idea what laid beyond the distance, the air didn't grow heavier, nor could he sense anything, his attempts were blocked by the glyphs and runes still active in this whole place.

Yet, he had this vague inkling that he needed to go towards a direction, towards where the rest of those that arrived had gone.

As he sped through the spacious hallways and empty, destroyed streets his ears twitched intently to pick up news from the surroundings.