Against The Eternity Chapter 112: [111] Chapter - 66: The Beginning of all. (Part 1/2)

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[111] Chapter - 66: The Beginning of all. (Part 1/2) The valley stretched wide. It held a silence that did not feel like peace, but vigilance—as though the valley itself knew something no one else did. At the centre of a small clearing, the elder of the Falling Leaf Sect stood still. His hands were resting behind his back, and his presence was steady and grounded. Then, almost imperceptibly, his expression shifted. He felt many ki. They were approaching him at a fast pace. A moment later, disciples began to arrive. Two rushed in from the east, their robes were slightly dishevelled and breaths uneven, while four others emerged from different directions. They were also carrying the same urgency on their faces. They gathered before him, forming a loose circle, none daring to speak first. The air felt heavier now, weighed down by anticipation and something unspoken. The elder looked at each of them in turn, his gaze calm but sharp enough to make them lower their eyes. Then he spoke, his voice quiet, yet firm enough to cut through the tension. “Did you find the one who killed him?” All six shook their heads in unison. “No, Elder… we weren’t able to,” they said, their voices strained under the weight of failure. A faint tension flickered across the elder's face. It was subtle but unmistakable. “You are all useless,” he replied, his tone low, yet sharp enough to sting. Suddenly, his senses stirred. He felt it. The four distinct currents of ki approaching the clearing, swift and controlled. His gaze shifted as he turned behind, eyes narrowing slightly. In the open sky above, four figures hovered. Their forms were steady against the vast expanse. Without haste, they began to descend; their movements were deliberate and filled with quiet authority as they touched the ground. The man at the front carried an overwhelming presence. He looked young despite his age nearing that of twenty-five. His aura was dense and oppressive, unmistakably that of a high-star Grandmaster, nearing the threshold of eight stars. He stepped forward first, his movements calm yet filled with quiet dominance. Stopping before the elder, he spoke without the slightest hint of respect. “Did you find the killer?” The elder did not respond. He simply shook his head. The man clicked his tongue, a faint sound of irritation escaping him as his lips curved into a cold, dismissive smile. “Tch… what else could I expect from an outer sect elder,” he muttered under his breath, his voice low, yet laced with quiet disdain. Before the tension could settle, another presence cut through the air. A disciple approached from the eastern direction, descending swiftly from above before landing lightly within the clearing. “Elder, we have found the Heavenly Ki Spirit Herb,” he reported without delay. His words halted midway as his gaze fell upon the man standing before the elder. A flicker of recognition passed through his eyes. He straightened at once and turned toward him with a respectful greeting. “Senior.” Then, after a brief pause, he added, “But… a high-level fourth-tier beast is guarding it.” The elder shifted his attention toward the man in front of him—Arutra—his expression returning to calm deliberation. “Arutra,” he said evenly, “I believe we should secure the herb first. It is of importance to the Sect Master.” Arutra shook his head, his expression hardening. “The herb isn’t going anywhere,” he said flatly. “First, we find the killer, and then we deal with everything else.” The elder’s eyes narrowed slightly, dissatisfaction surfacing beneath his otherwise composed demeanour. If the killer was still within this valley, then the herb itself might be the reason. Using it as bait could draw the target out—turning uncertainty into opportunity. The thought formed quickly, precisely, and calculated. He opened his mouth to speak, but Arutra had already turned away. Without giving him the chance to finish, he added, his tone leaving no room for discussion. “That killer took my junio