Emerald Cove Island.
Nestled amidst the vast expanse of the shimmering sea, this peculiar island boasted a shape reminiscent of a crescent moon.
Its shores were adorned with pristine white sands, kissed by the gentle caress of the turquoise waves that lapped against the coastline.
Towering cliffs of rugged granite stood sentinel along the island’s perimeter, guarding its secrets from prying eyes.
A few years ago, no big organization from the mainland paid any heed to the Emerald Cove. It was just seen as one of many islands present in Dadangar Archipelago.
However, the island underwent a profound transformation when a 2nd-order Spirit Vein suddenly manifested beneath its verdant landscape.
This unforeseen event sparked a cascade of changes, altering the island’s very essence and attracting a plethora of Spirit cultivators from far and wide.
As the Spirit Vein’s influence permeated the island, it imbued the air with a palpable Spirit energy, invigorating the flora and fauna that called Emerald Cove home.
Lush forests teeming with exotic plant life flourished. Crystal-clear streams imbued with potent Spirit essence meandered through the verdant landscape, nourishing the fertile soil and giving rise to bountiful harvests of rare herbs and medicinal plants.
The sudden emergence of the Spirit Vein also heralded the rise of a thriving culture of mortals and Spirit cultivators on the island.
Villages sprung up along the coastline, their quaint cottages and bustling marketplaces bustling with activity as mortals and cultivators alike mingled together.
At the heart of Emerald Cove lay the bustling metropolis of Veinheart City, a vibrant hub of commerce and culture where mortals and cultivators converged in pursuit of wealth, knowledge, and spiritual enlightenment.
Towering skyscrapers of jade and emerald soared into the azure sky, their intricate designs reflecting the island’s rich cultural heritage and boundless potential.
But perhaps the most prized treasures of Emerald Cove were its unique cultivation resources, nurtured by the island’s second-order Spirit Vein.
From rare elemental crystals to unique spirit fruits imbued with potent energies, the island’s bounty knew no bounds, attracting Spirit cultivators from across the realm who sought to harness its power for their own Spirit cultivation advancement.
The island was as big as 50 Lakir estates combined. It was home to about 300,000 mortals and a minority of Spirit cultivators, most of whom had recently moved after the discovery of the Spirit vein.
The day began like any other for the island dwellers of Emerald Cove.
They didn’t know at the time that the ownership of the island had changed hands and the new owners of the island were coming to clean the house.
***
Time of the Ox. (07:00 AM – 08:00 AM)
As the half-destroyed ship approached the shores of Emerald Cove, its tattered sails made fluttering noises, and its weather-beaten hull creaked with each gentle swell of the sea.
“Boss, Kaelen has arrived! People get ready.”
“Hm? Why is the ship all battered up?”
“Did… did it get attacked by the pirates?”
The sight of the battered vessel surprised Kaelen’s subordinates, who had been eagerly awaiting his return to the harbor. They had expected a grand entrance, but instead, they were met with a ship on the brink of collapse.
Suddenly…
A few Spirit cultivators jumped off the ship’s deck using the Light Steps and landed on the harbor.
“Fellow cultivator Nuya, after you,” Aksai said respectfully. Nuya was the Spirit Refining Perfectionist and the group’s official leader. As such, Aksai gave her the respect she deserved.
“Certainly,” Nuya said as she looked ahead, staring at the faces of Kalen’s subordinates who were clearly shocked and puzzled to see them.
In the next moment, a purge began.
Aksai, Nuya, and the other squad members who could fight wasted no time in initiating their plan to eliminate Kaelen’s forces.
With practiced efficiency, they swiftly moved through the harbor, their movements fluid and coordinated as they killed one Spirit cultivator after the other wearing certain long robes with a rising sun motif embroidered over their hearts.
Aksai’s martial prowess and Nuya’s strategic insight proved to be a formidable combination as they engaged Kaelen’s subordinates in combat.
Using a combination of martial arts and Spirit spells, Aksai quickly gained the upper hand, incapacitating his foes one by one. His explosive battle style complemented Nuya’s calculated tactics, creating a deadly duo that struck fear into the hearts of their enemies.
Except for Nimiya, the other Spirit cultivators in Nuya’s squad also did their best in carrying out the purge. Since the Spirit cultivators were directly or indirectly associated with the Sun Ocean Society, pardon was offered to nobody.
As the battle raged on, the once-quiet harbor became a scene of chaos and conflict. Blood and gore were splattered across the floor. The harbor road was painted red as the low-stage and mid-stage Spirit cultivators lost their lives one after the other.
Taking advantage of the information the Purple River Sect had provided them, Nuya and her allies swiftly identified and confronted Kaelen’s lackeys, ensuring that “justice” was served before the eyes of the mortals.
With a certain cold-hearted determination, they incapacitated the Spirit cultivators, neutralizing their threats while minimizing collateral damage.
The purge was carried on for three more days.
However, their task became more challenging when they discovered members of the Sun Ocean Society attempting to hide among the mortals.
Using their keen instincts and spies, Aksai, Nuya, and their team methodically rooted out the infiltrators, making the purge a huge success.
The whole reason Aksai and Nuya had an easier time carrying out the purge was that they had killed Kaelen and all seven of his allies before coming to Emerald Cove.
Since there was no late-stage Spirit cultivator on the island, there was no way for Kaelen’s remaining forces to use the defensive measures that were put in place by the Sun Ocean Society effectively.
The difficulty Aksai and his allies had faced at the beginning of the operation became their blessing at this point. Thus, nobody from Nuya’s squad had to face life-threatening situations as well.
After the week’s unrest on Emerald Cove, the island experienced sudden peace when Nuya’s hold over the island was well-established.
Along with Nuya, Aksai and the surviving members of the squad were also recognized as co-owners of the island by the mortals and low-level Spirit cultivators alike.