Immortal Ice Empress: Path to Vengeance

On the way to her next destination, Mira learned a lot about the Unorthodox Faction, as well as this Continent.

From what the man explained, the Unorthodox Faction was much bigger and way more organized than Mira initially thought or how people make it out to be. In fact, she felt that they had a better layout than the Orthodox Sects.

While the Orthodox Sects were under an umbrella of what the general populace called the Orthodox Faction, that wasn't totally correct.

The 7 Top "Orthodox Sects" were at each other's throats more than they were with the Unorthodox Faction or any other power at that. They were just labeled under this umbrella term simply because they shared similar views on how they saw the world and their cultivation techniques.

Other than that, most of the Sects weren't that close with one another. At most, some had private alliances with one another to trade various goods and treasures that they might not have, but that's about it.

Still, even though the Orthodox Sects weren't exactly best friends, they weren't enemies either. It was just a competitive environment where everyone strived to obtain the best environment for cultivation, resources, and teachings.

However, the Unorthodox Faction was different. They were a legitimate, structured faction ruled under a single person. Unlike the Orthodox Sects, which had seven Sect Masters all fighting for supremacy.

The structure of the Faction was fairly simple. At the top of everything was the Faction Head, also known as The Crimson Titan, Victor Steele. Back in the day, he was a fearsome brute of a man with unknown origins who worked his way up to the top with his overwhelming strength and eventually became the Faction Head.

However, nowadays, he's a hard man to find, and most people believe he spends his time cultivating, focusing all of his energy on breaking through to the Ascension Realm. Whether that's true or not is up for debate, but only the higher-ups of the Faction even have a chance of meeting him.

Under him is the Second-in-command, the Assistant Head, Nathaniel Ashford. He's often referred to as The Brain, as he's the man who comes up with the Faction's long-term plans and solutions.

Next are the Elders, who work directly underneath the Faction Head and Assistant Head. They don't control any Sects, any powers, nothing. Their only jobs are to serve the Faction Head.

However, the number of Elders is unknown, their jobs are unknown, and even the process of becoming an Elder is unknown.

Under them in status were the Sect Masters. There are a total of 8 Unorthodox Faction Sects, and they are:

1. Black Jade Sect

2. Crimson Slayer Sect

3. Toxic Blade Sect

4. Nightshade Assassins

5. Shadow Necromancer Sect

6. Hellfire Sect

7. Soul Devouring Sect

8. Essence Reaper Sect

Each Sect uses different cultivation techniques, completely different from all the more standard orthodox techniques. For example, the Black Jade Sect uses a technique that forcefully transforms their Qi into Shadow Qi, which they use to perform more evil acts.

However, doing something like this, which goes against nature, also significantly burdens the user since Shadow Qi doesn't come naturally. Or, at least, it's not something that one can obtain naturally.

That's how all of the Unorthodox Faction cultivation techniques work; either they steal power from someone else or harm themselves for power.

Usually, this ends up damaging one's foundation, but even if it doesn't, cultivating in the higher stages becomes increasingly more difficult. The energy needed to break through in the Mortal Shedding Realm and above is simply too much; it's not like there's an overabundant amount of people or beasts in those realms.

The statuses of the people below the Sect Masters are the same as a regular Sect; Direct Disciples, Core Disciples, Inner Disciples, and Outer Disciples. Below them are the trainees and then the slaves.

Below them in status are the branch Sect Masters, along with their disciples.

However, at the very bottom of the ladder are the "cattle". These people aren't even qualified enough to be slaves, as their only purpose is to breed, grow strong, and die for their disciples, fueling their growth. Over countless generations, their minds have turned to mush, and they are hardly conscious of their situation.

They've literally become human cattle!

Fortunately for the general populace, only the Crimson Slayer Sect, Shadow Necromancer Sect, Soul Devouring Sect, and Essence Reaper Sect use these human cattle instead of all of them.

Still, across the dozens of branch Sects all over the continent, that adds up to a lot of people.

Even Mira couldn't help but feel a little disgusted by this. She saw first-hand how those "cattle" were treated and knew how inhumane it was, but she didn't expect it to be so widespread.

'I'm surprised they aren't called the Demonic Faction or Demonic Sects because of this.' Mira shook her head, but she knew why. It's because it wasn't public knowledge.

As for their goal... Mira confirmed that whoever the 'god' sent down was indeed working with the Unorthodox Faction. They were paying exorbitant prices for any information about Mira, those close to her, where she's been, her current strength, etc.

In fact, there were many [Capture or kill] bounties on anyone related to her. It seemed they even knew about Dominique, as she was someone on that list, including Maria, Rhydian, and Celaine.

Mira's eyes involuntarily narrowed, thinking about her disciple.

'It seems I'll have to return to the Sect soon to make sure nothing happens to her.' She was going to return soon anyways, as it was almost time for the 2nd stage of the Prime Disciple competition to start, and she needed to take on a few missions before that time, along with learning a few more techniques.

Now that she was proficient with every element except light, she needed to adjust to that and also find techniques that could help boost her power.

'However, before that, I'll cause some chaos.' A devious smile crept up on Mira's face.

'As the saying goes, one must fight evil with a much greater evil.'

***

On the way to the nearest Crimson Slayer Sect, Elenei had broken through to Rank 1. Her body grew slightly, but she was still just a small, winged serpent creature.

For the foreseeable future, she wouldn't be of any help. Not that Mira minded.

Half an hour later, Rhydian appeared above a massive city built into the side of a mountain, spanning many kilometers. From a distance, it was as if the mountain was hollowed out and was replaced with a bustling city.

However, a sinister aura emanated from this place, scaring off all the beasts and even ruining the terrain, leaving it barren.

Mira didn't even bother to hide her presence this time.

While she still wasn't confident in killing someone in the Mortal Shedding Realm, she was certain that with a full-powered strike, she could kill one that was suppressed to the Peak of the Soul Transformation Realm!

So, she tossed down the Suppression Array she had used when raiding those Spirit Stone Mines and amplified her voice with Qi.

"Rats from the Crimson Slayer Sect! Quit hiding like the spineless worms you are and face your death!"

She raised her fist, loaded it with Qi, and punched the entrance of the Sect!

*BOOOOOOM!*

The entrance was completely decimated, along with anyone who stood near it.

"Who is it?! Who dares to make a mockery of-IT'S YOU!!" A furious roar shook the mountain, and in just a second, Mira saw a man come out from within the depths of the mountain.

He clearly recognized her features at a distance and became even more enraged!

"So, you're the one who's been going around destroying my Sect and tarnishing its reputation!" He yelled and shot toward her. When he noticed that she was only in the Nascent Soul Realm, he sneered and increased his speed.

"I might have been forbidden from killing you, but that doesn't stop me from capturing and crippling you! I'm sure Sir Cyrus will give me quite the reward for turning you in!"

He circulated his Qi and raised his fist, aiming for Mira's abdomen.

However, before he could complete his attack, he felt a sudden pressure fall on him, reducing his strength by a large margin.

His expression changed slightly, but he was still full of confidence.

"Hmph! Do you really think this Suppression Array can stop me?!" He yelled, but just when he was about to use his Qi to push the pressure off his body, he sensed a crazy amount of Qi coming from Mira.

It was as if Mira was a giant sun lighting up the night sky; she was emitting so much Qi.

[Scythe Manifestion], [Martial Intent], her ice affinity plus 400% modifier from her icy blue tail's ability and an increase in her perception were all stacked on top of each other to create a massive attack!

The man hurriedly resisted the temporary weakness with his Qi before Mira could attack, but as he did so, a red line spread across his neck, and his head fell from his body.

'What?! How?!' His face morphed into shock, wondering what had happened, but he knew it was too late, as he could feel his consciousness fading.

"Hmph! Did you forget? I'm a 9-tailed fox! I'd be a disgrace to my race if I didn't know how to use illusions!" Mira chuckled and stored his corpse and the Suppression Array.

After finishing him off, she turned to the rest of the Sect and licked her lips, "Time for the main course!"