Path Of The Dragon (A Dark Fantasy Cultivation Wuxia Xianxia Progression Series)

Chapter 106 The Goddess's Will

Elder Shi, wherever you are please lend me the gift of your silver tongue, Jie prayed as she gave another elegant bow toward the elders.

"Thank you, esteemed elders, for giving us the chance to explain," Jie said as her mind worked furiously to find a way out of this, "we never had any intention of stepping into your sacred realm. We were making our way through your expertly made tests when our path was destroyed by a red statue that rose up out of the lake. She--"

"The goddess destroyed your path?" interrupted the male. Purple smoke spilled from his beak as he spoke.

"Yes," Jie said, "she--"

"See? It's the goddess's will for them to die by our hand," Vrethka slurred, "I'm sure the other elders agree."

"I'll go with whatever Kazzak decides," said one of the elders, her voice even more slurred than Vrethka's as she stared off into space as though looking at something only she could see.

Vrethka glared at her.

"Thank you," said the male that Jie assumed was Kazzak, "it's always so nice to have the support of my fellow elders."

He was the only male elder that Jie could see and several of the female elders preened at that though half of them looked too stoned to know or care what he was referring to. It only seemed to make Vrethka angrier.

"Please, continue," said Kazzak.

Jie inclined her head in thanks. "The great goddess spoke to us and told us that a smart cultivator always prepares as best they can. But that no matter how well you lay your plans, something will always happen to disrupt them. She asked us how we would handle a change in our plans as she summoned an army of blood elementals and broke our path.

"We were forced away from the main path and tried to find our way onto another one to get across. To adapt and overcome as the goddess instructed. We never intended to intrude on you when we are so very grateful for your hard work that gives us the opportunity to be tested by the great goddess," Jie said, "if you would only allow us to leave, we would go back the way we came and try to find another way through to the other side as the goddess wishes for us."

Jie tried to keep any emotion off her face while killing intent came off Vrethka in waves, weighing on Jie even from so far away and enhanced by the strength of her aura. Jie's friends trembled but remained standing.

"Please, control yourself, Vrethka. It's unseemly for an elder to behave in such a barbaric fashion," Kazzak said as smoke spilled from his beak and his golden eyes gleamed with mirth.

Vrethka glared at him. "And it is not a husband's place to tell his wife what is and is not unseemly," she hissed.

In response, Kazzak stroked one of his cloying admirers as she clumsily attempted to shower him with affection. Vrethka's feathers flared and her aura came off her in chaotic waves as she glared at him.

He watched her as though waiting for something with eager anticipation, but as she settled back down a flicker of disappointment flashed through his golden eyes. Gone so fast that Jie wasn't sure if she'd imagined it.

"Their test was to choose another path. They chose poorly. Death is better than they deserve," said Vrethka.

"Ahk. Perhaps," said Kazzak, "but, it's not our goddess's will for us to interfere in the tests. Only to help create them. Killing them now would be sacrilege."

"What would you do? Let them go? Such weakness. As expected of a male," Vrethka snapped.

"Is that you saying you wish to challenge me, Vrethka? If so, I happily accept," Kazzak said.