PATH OF THE STAR HUNTER

Perhaps it was because in the course of the past two weeks the strength of all the disciples who survived this event saw a significant increase that the atmosphere in the sect was as lively but as relaxed as the sect could seem; many subterranean streams still developed below the surface.

Events that would inevitably have some impact on the current structure of the roaming cloud sect and whether by fate or choice, Desmond’s group was in the eye of the storm at some of these events.

In Desmond’s case, he had chosen to get involved in the internal affairs of the Miao family to support the romance between Miao Xiauyue and Mei Fei Long, just because of the friendship he had for both girls.

Miao Xiauyue would inevitably have to face the troubles brought on by her second uncle’s faction who seemed to have been planning something related to her marriage in recent days.

While Mei Fei Long would never let the woman she loved marry someone else, she would inevitably have to make a move to defend what she considered hers.

Furthermore, although the trio might appear to have been involved against their will in all of these events, they were also not blameless regarding the internal chaos that threatened to sweep across the roaming cloud sect.

Not when Miao Xiauyue had started to use the gigantic wealth she obtained in the thousand beast forest to gather and strengthen her faction in preparation to compete for the position of sect master in a few years assuming she survives the current disaster upon her marriage.

Mei Fei Long on her side had started the intensive training of the ten sand tribe girls that she bought at the auction and the results were quite exceptional.

.....

With an innate talent by no means inferior and the additional resources specially planned for the early stages of training at their disposal; The ten girls from the sand tribe had shown amazing progress that would not lose in any way with the progress shown by the most talented disciples within the sect; though it would still take time for them to become a force to be reckoned with.

Desmond on the other hand had spent the past two weeks undergoing intense training in an attempt to adjust to his newly gained strength and integrate his new understanding of water mana and its properties into his fighting style.

All while taking at least part of the day to go to the treasure and medicine pavilion to do his work there and discuss the details of Feng Sho’s poisoning progress as well as some ways to exploit any possible advantage against him; Needless to say, Desmond didn′t plan to let his prey escape a second time.

Perhaps the only thing neither Xiauyue nor Mei knew about Desmond’s plans was what he had been doing as he gathered all sorts of information about the surrounding sects and some information concerning the roaming cloud sect.

But maybe Desmond preferred it that way, after all, everything he was doing could be considered his parting gift to Xiauyue and Mei whom it was unlikely that he would see again after he completed his mission in this world.

Speaking of his relationship with both girls, it had become somewhat ... tense, this could not be helped as Xiauyue was still upset by the incident in the kitchen and Mei still looked at him shyly every time they met.

Regarding that incident in the kitchen, it turned out that it was not the first time that something similar had happened to Mei Fei Long as she explained to both Desmond and Xiauyue after the incident.

Apparently, Mei had been having trouble controlling her temper ever since she consumed the with her force breaking the two-star class and having purified her bloodline.

From the description given by Mei, it seemed that certain emotions made her subconsciously activate her bloodline turning her eyes silver, after which she would find it very difficult to control certain emotions highly attributed to dragons; such as anger, jealousy, and lust.

Such a thing happened on her return trip during the harvest festival where she would hunt down any bloody scorpions that came across her path without the slightest hesitation.

And a peculiar incident occurred the same day they returned from the auction, where Mei was excited by hearing what was happening in Desmond’s room and inadvertently activated her bloodline after which the defenseless Miao Xiauyue was almost completely eaten.

Hearing Mei tells Desmond about the intimacy they had the night before, Xiauyue was extremely embarrassed, after all, regardless of the reasons that led to such an event ... She had really enjoyed being kissed and touched so intensely by Mei Fei Long.

Desmond on the other hand tried not to make any comments about it mainly so as not to further annoy Xiauyue who was still looking at him with resentment, although there was a part of him that felt quite identified with Mei who was having problems controlling her impulses.

An interesting detail to note was that in the last two weeks, Desmond had felt in control, he had no idea if it was because he had not been subjected to particularly stressful or dangerous situations but in recent days he didn′t feel that his impulses were as out of control as before; although he didn′t know the exact reason behind this.

As it may be, this allowed Desmond to have a more calm and focused mind during the last few weeks to carry out his plans and preparations for which he could not be more grateful.

It was perhaps until the middle of the third week after the auction that the group had their peace interrupted by the news brought by one of Miao Xiauyue’s men.

At that time, Mei was supervising the training of the ten girls of the sand tribe who looked at her with adoration and gratitude, while Desmond trained a new movement near her inspired by the of Mei Fei Long.

On her side, Xiauyue was brooding over her plans with a cup of hot tea courtesy of Desmond when her trusted messenger came hurtling over as he gasped for breath.

“Young miss... we have problems... your second uncle made a move.” Trying to catch his breath, the messenger still delivered the news as clearly as possible.

Showing her always calm temper, Xiauyue asked her messenger to calm down and deliver the full message, but neither she nor anyone expected to hear what Xiauyue’s second uncle had planned.

It turned out that without anyone within the sect knowing, Xiauyue’s second uncle had agreed with the other sects in the area to organize an event in which the hand of the favorite daughter of the prestigious Miao family, a woman of exceptional beauty and talent, would be put at stake.

After months of negotiating and inciting those concerned, Xiauyue’s second uncle had successfully engaged the other four sects that bordered the Thousand Beast Mountain Region to participate in this event before proudly walking to the Hall of the Master of the sect and delivering the big news.

Obviously, Xiauyue’s father was furious at this clear challenge to his authority not to mention the clear conspiracy implicit in his brother’s acts to marry his daughter to a foreigner but as angry as he was; it was too late to do anything about it.

The bastard of his brother already had on his side four other sect masters who were interested in marrying their descendants to his daughter, be it because of her status, talent, or beauty.

As if that wasn’t enough, Xiauyue’s second uncle had taken it upon himself to make the event public just before telling the sect master and even did something as outrageous as inviting any brave independent warrior to compete for the hand of the Miao clan princess.

Now, even if Xiauyue’s father wanted to retract, he could no longer do it, if he did so he would not only incur the discontent of the other four sect masters which could end in conflict but also mark his daughter’s honor.

Clearly, Xiauyue’s second uncle had planned this for a long time and went to great lengths to corner Xiauyue’s father.

Having finished delivering the news, the messenger looked at Xiauyue with some fear and expectation at his master’s reaction but all he saw was calm, like a lake that is barely disturbed by the waves; Miao Xiauyue’s countenance was stoic.

But only Desmond and Mei knew that beneath that calm there was an irrepressible fury waiting to erupt as well as a slight tinge of despair at her own circumstances.

Desmond who saw this at the same time that he saw how Mei’s eyes turned an intense and brilliant silver color had to step forward to try to calm both girls while he thought about how capricious fate was; now it seemed that he would have to inform the girls beforehand about some of his plans.