Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

As soon as she spoke, someone entered the hall. 

"You, why are you here?" 

This person spoke out with a vicious tone and Ming Yue felt pressure come upon her entire being. Xiao Yin and Hei Yue were not affected as they were not the target but they noticed the sudden change. They readied their claws, growling and chirping viciously. 

"Ling Xue, explain, why did you bring this girl here?"

She walked forward, standing in front of Ming Yue, who stood strong. 

"Ancestor, please stop! She is not our enemy anymore!"

"What do you mean? Has she done anything to you? Don't forget her meddling in Maple Root City!"

"She saved my life! She is not here to kill me! She's looking for the Tao Feng!"

With those words, the pressure dissipated and Ming Yue was able to relax and finally saw the ancestor.

Without a doubt, it was the same one from Maple Root City. Ling Xue's master and the one who took control of the Zhao Patriarch's body. Though now, he had his own body, a puppet body made from mahogany colored crystal. It was somewhat transparent, revealing pure white bones, covering it all was a simple tunic. 

However, the most striking part was his head which was a a deer skull with two glowing white beady eyes. 

"Hm, is that so? You're here to deal with those three... Tell me, why is it so?" he asked. 

His voice was beast-like, rough, as if he was growling. 

"I cannot tell you everything but I am only here those three. They have information that I need."

The ancestor's eyes glowed intensely as he stared at Ming Yue, trying to peer into her intentions.

"Why should we help you?"

Ming Yue looked at him straight into his eyes.

"Despite our past relations, I bear no ill will towards you or Miss Ling. Furthermore, this is of utmost importance. It is related to the Calamity, something happened about a month ago, did it not?"

The white flickering eyes of the ancestor's deer skull did not move as he pondered silently. Ming Yue could not figure his thoughts out and but believed that he would accept. 

"Is that so... Come with me."

The ancestor looked away and walked towards the back, leading the group into the inner chambers. Taking them to another room, there were several others, all of whom were dressed similarly and had an overwhelming aura. It took less than a glance to see that they were all at the Sky Realm.

He took his seat at the head of the table and looked towards Ming Yue. Everyone else did the same, looking for an explanation. 

"Ling Xue, tell me everything from the beginning."

The ancestor's voice was much more restrained and carried a sort of echo within. There was a sort of regalness to it, as if facing a noble whose tongue was sharp. 

Ling Xue walked forward before tossing a bloody bag onto the table. 

"On my way back to the clan, I was ambushed by several Mu Clansmen, their Glaive Guards. They took me by surprise and injured me before I could move but they could not land a killing blow. I would not have been able to survive if not for her..."

She continued to retell the events from the black fog of Hei Yue to the killing of the four Glaive Guards.

Afterwards, the ancestor looked around, gauging everyone's reaction. 

"She is here for the Tao Feng and is related to what had happened over a month ago."

They pondered quietly before discussing in front of them 

"Should we accept her?"

"She doesn't seem quite as strong as those three. Would she even last in the secret realm?"

"But Princess Ling Xue was saved because of her, we should at least hear her out."

"Don't forget, she took on four Glaive Guards. That requires a certain level of strength."

They talked and talked before looking towards the ancestor.

"Lord Ancestor, what do you think?" they asked. 

He was silent, sitting calmly in front of them all and after a moment, he sighed.

"I have been in the Human Continent for over a thousand years, split apart from my home here. Throughout that time, I had come across and made dealings with the Tao Feng. The one who leads them is a fearsome man who had seen through my diguise but let me go."

"His cause is noble but his methods... they are sinful, heinous. I have no doubt that his disciples are the same. All of you know, you can tell that they are here with other intentions. Is she the same?"

He looked at Ming Yue and everyone looked as well. Suddenly, their eyes turned into a mix of red and black, and their gaze seemed to pierce her. 

She beared with it, knowing that the outcome would be different. 

After several moments, their eyes returned to their normal colors as they looked amongst each other. 

"Then we shall help her", they spoke in unison. 

"Ling Xue, please bring our guest to a room and explain to her about the true situation", said the ancestor. 

"Yes, ancestor!"

She bowed and took Ming Yue away, quickly bringing her to one fo the rooms in the upper levels.

"What do you mean by true situation?" asked Ming Yue. 

"I only told you of the process as it should be, that both keys are needed to open the secret realm. In truth the realm was already open and has been for the past month", Ling Xue explained, "This occurred after the Heaven's Wrath nearly came down with another calamity."

"Suddenly, the secret realm opened and our keys had become obsolete. That is why I could bring it out of the clan grounds. However, the Mu Clan must've believed that they still had a purpose, hence the ambush on me."

"Is that so?" Ming Yue thought back to the Glaive Guards, finding their fervor and enthusiasm a bit strange. 

"Can you tell me more about the secret realm then?" she asked. 

"The secret realm... It is known as the Realm of the Red-Eyed Moon for the only thing in the skies was a crimson moon shaped like an eye. For everyone, their first entrance would begin with the eerie feeling that something was watching them. However, that moon is also the sole reason for the realm. By cultivating under its presence, our individual bloodline powers would grow to their greatest potential. It is extremely beneficial for our bodies and is one of the reasons why our two clans are one of the strongest."

"Then how do you enter?"

Ling Xue took out a small map of the mountain range and pointed at a place between the two clans. 

"This is the Yao Clan in the East and the Mu Clan in the West, the entrance to the realm is here in the center of it. You could just enter on your own but it is risky. If you are from neither clans, the Red Eyed Moon will bear its power upon you. Should you withstand it, you may come and go as you please. But if not, you will be sent out with your very soul damaged."

"Then if I want to find the Tao Feng..."

"You must enter then. They are already inside, fighting for the third key. All three of them have managed to pass the test. If you are worried about your two pets, they will not be tested on."

Ming Yue thought carefully, forming a plan. 

"Then I will go, I have to go."

Trying to kill all three of them inside would be too difficult but if it was only one, she could do it.. If things went right, she might be able to obtain the information she needed.