Only I Am A Reader

'This needs to be known.'

Unknown to most of the residents of the vast murim, a strange anomaly had been detected by a fraction of the Righteous Faction's people.

In the beginning, everyone who came to find a small clue found it too much to share his meager finding with anyone else. No matter who caught sight of it had the exact same thought…

'I need to find more.'

As a small number of sharp Martial Artists pulled on the little threat they caught, their paths quickly entangled with each other. The preliminary investigation revealed that it was just the Evil Faction preparing for something insidious.

However, just as the investigators started to lose interest, one final raid on an Evil Faction organization's hideout changed everything.

'This is too big.'

Nothing concrete was yet to be confirmed, but the possibilities could no longer be calculated with common sense. Something big was brewing in the shadows of the murim. At the very least, the leading figures had to know even if it ended up being nothing but speculations.

'I will do it.'

In order to make sure not to miss anyone important, the only viable solution was to quickly start an event that would bring almost everyone together. As one of the early ones to find out about the suspicious anomaly, the Sword Sage volunteered to bring forward the Sword Conference that his sect oversaw!

Using the Sword Conference as a cover, all Martial Artists occupying prominent or vital positions within any organization under the banner of the Murim Alliance were secretly invited to join a hidden meeting. Over the six days that the competitions went on for, almost everyone was currently present in an underground structure within Mount Hua itself.

"Everything has been done abruptly, but it's only because the situation called for it to be so. We are all gathered here today to decide how we are going to deal with the information we collected… and whether we should publicize it or not."

"Of course, just tell us what it is already."

The only one who could speak directly with the Sword Sage like this was none other than the Sword King. Just like the majority of the people gathered here, he was still oblivious as to what was happening. He demanded an explanation from the very first moment he was called, but after getting beaten by the Sword Sage once more, he could only 'overlook' it for the sake of everyone's wellbeing…

"No matter how ridiculous it may sound, you have to trust that this is still partially speculation. However, we did get evidence that it's very probable…"

Hshshshsh…

As the Sword Sage kept edging his audience without directly revealing everything, non-existent whispers could almost be heard as everyone exchanged glances. The underground hall was still solemnly silent, but everyone was undeniably conversing using Sound Transmissions.

"Well then, without any further delay. Please have a look at this."

Two Daoists dressed in traditional plum blossom robes brought over a large object. Everyone took a look at it, only to feel slight nausea at its sight.

The unidentified object looked similar to an arm. However, it didn't look like something a human would have, nor did it look like a natural beast's limb… In some sense, it rather looked like a mix of both.

With the abundance of natural energy in the world of murim, it wasn't just the humans that could transcend their bodies' limit. Animals had long possessed the ability to absorb natural energy to develop Internal Cores and become True Beasts.

In fact, considering that the history of a large portion of Martial Art inheritance originated from imitating said beasts, humans were unlikely to be the pioneers on the path of energy practice. Still, what was present before everyone still didn't appear realistic even considering the evolutionary path of True Beasts…

"What is this?"

The impatient Sword King had a change of expression as he took the lead in questioning the Sword Sage one again. Was this some sort of prank?

"According to what we have found. We think that a crack in the fabric of space has broken open, what you are seeing right now… We believe that it's part of something that came out of it."

Something that serious should have come to light long ago if that was true, but the first few cases just happened to occur in the desolate territory of the Evil Faction.

"The Evil Faction had successfully obscured our eyes using the recent few upheavals that they helmed so we haven't seen a live case ourselves, but…"

Their investigation had only chanced upon remains and coded records. The Evil Martial Artists were the only source of information they had as they were the only one to make contact with the supposed invader. Undoubtedly, if they weren't simply trying to confuse them, they had to be planning something big.

"If this ends up being true, then it's likely that they hid it all in order to make use of it in their war with us. Of course, whatever the case is, it doesn't really matter. Whether it's a strengthened Evil Faction or a whole new enemy…"

Bang! Gyaaaaa!

Just as the Sword Sage was about to get into the main topic that they were all gathered to discuss a scream sounded out in the middle of the audience!

A Peak Martial Artist who had been focused on the object that everyone's eyes were on suddenly broke out of his trance as he noticed that the presence of the one next to him had vanished with a cry of distress. However…

"Where-"

His words were cut short, similarly vanishing as all eyes turned to him. Vigilance rising in the hearts of every single person, they were under attack!

"Look down, it's coming from below!"

The Sword King's words reached everyone's ears as they looked at the holes on the ground, the enemy was actually fishing them down from under the rocks…

'This… They are here?'

The reason behind their worries had made an appearance… Their rushed meeting was simply too late.