Master Varian stood before Eric and his newly assembled team, the holographic map of the Empire still shimmering behind him. His voice was low, grave. "As I informed Team Leader Eric, your unit's primary objective is to investigate the Crimson Veil cult. There have been increasing sightings of their operatives, and their destructive activities are escalating across the Western Marches. Our initial intelligence suggests a significant spiritual disturbance near the village of Stonehaven. Your mission is to gather intelligence, assess their capabilities, and if the opportunity arises, capture an operative for interrogation."
He then looked directly at Eric, his gaze unwavering. "Team Leader Eric will lead your drills for the next week. You will forge yourselves into a cohesive unit. Your lives, and the security of the Empire, will depend on your ability to work as one."
The week that followed was a grueling series of drills designed to push Eric's team to their limits and test their cohesion. Eric, drawing upon his instincts and the Dragon Spirit's vast knowledge of combat and team dynamics, crafted scenarios that forced them to communicate, anticipate, and rely on each other. They practiced stealth infiltration, coordinated assaults, defensive formations against overwhelming odds, and rapid extraction techniques.
The agents, without question, were disciplined and powerful. Agent Kord, with his Core Formation cultivation, consistently displayed immense raw power, shattering training constructs with his powerful formations. Lysa's defensive barriers were formidable, and Anya's stealth techniques were near-flawless. Jin's tracking skills were exceptional, Roric's physical prowess undeniable, and Seraph's illusions surprisingly effective.
However, beneath the surface of their professionalism, a palpable undercurrent of resentment simmered among some, especially from Kord. He constantly muttered under his breath, questioning Eric's tactics, his age, and his methods. He still hadn't fully accepted a 'kid' leading him.
During a particularly intense combat drill, where Eric had orchestrated a complex trap that required perfect timing and coordination, Kord openly complained. "This is ridiculous! Why are we wasting time with these overly complicated maneuvers? A direct assault would be far more efficient! This 'leader' is clearly unqualified to plan real operations!"
Anya, who had been flawlessly executing her part of the drill, turned sharply to Kord. "Agent Kord! You question Team Leader Eric's judgment again? His tactics were effective. If you followed orders instead of complaining, we would have completed this drill faster!"
Kord scoffed, his eyes blazing as he glared at Eric. "Easy for you to say, Anya! He's clearly got you wrapped around his finger! But I won't follow a kid who got his position through some Academy fluke! I challenge him! Right here, right now. If he can't even beat a seasoned agent, how can he lead us against the Crimson Veil?!"
The training ground fell silent. The other agents exchanged uneasy glances. This was a direct challenge to Eric's authority, a public defiance that could shatter the team's cohesion before their first mission.
Eric met Kord's gaze, his own eyes calm, his Veil of Mundanity holding steady, projecting the aura of a Foundation Establishment Stage 5 cultivator. "You wish to challenge my qualifications, Agent Kord?"
"Yes! Prove to me you're worthy of leading!" Kord roared, his Qi flaring, clearly intending to make a swift, overwhelming statement. Without waiting for Eric's answer, he charged, his fists glowing with Earth-elemental power, launching a devastating strike aimed squarely at Eric's chest.
Eric didn't flinch. He simply shifted, a subtle, almost imperceptible sway of his body, and Kord's powerful strike whizzed past him, missing by an inch. Kord, surprised by Eric's effortless dodge, immediately spun, launching a flurry of powerful, rapid attacks. His fists rained down, each strike capable of shattering stone, but Eric continued to dodge, weaving, twisting, moving with a fluid grace that seemed to defy the very laws of physics. He didn't retreat, he merely avoided, his movements economical, precise. Kord grew increasingly frustrated, his attacks becoming wilder, less controlled, as Eric remained untouched.
Finally, after a minute of this one-sided dance, Eric saw his opening. As Kord overextended on a wild swing, Eric moved. It wasn't a powerful, flashy technique, merely a single, perfectly timed punch delivered with suppressed, focused power to Kord's solar plexus.
The Core Formation cultivator gasped, his eyes wide with shock. All the air left his lungs, and his powerful aura sputtered. His face went pale, and he crumpled to the ground, winded and utterly defeated, unable to even muster a single counter-attack.
Eric looked down at the gasping Kord, then slowly turned his gaze to the rest of the team. His voice, though quiet, resonated with an undeniable authority that settled deep into their bones. "Does anyone else wish to challenge my qualifications?"
Silence. Anya's eyes held a flicker of awe. Lysa, Jin, Roric, and Seraph simply stared at Kord, then back at Eric, their earlier skepticism replaced by a stark realization of his hidden depth. This 'kid' was far, far more than he let on.
Meanwhile, in the opulent throne room of the Imperial Palace, the Emperor himself, a formidable cultivator whose presence radiated ancient power, sat upon his golden throne. He was being briefed by Ambassador Ren, the same envoy who had tried to summon Eric from the Academy.
"Your Majesty," Ambassador Ren reported, bowing deeply. "Our inquiries into Young Master Eric's whereabouts have revealed that he was personally taken by Master Varian of the Imperial Intelligence Directorate. He is currently undergoing accelerated training and has apparently been given command of a specialized unit."
The Emperor listened, his expression a complex mix of emotions. "So, Varian has claimed him. That sly fox. He moves quickly when he senses genuine talent." His gaze, ancient and shrewd, fixed on Ambassador Ren. "Tell me everything you have gathered about this boy, Eric. His performance at Ironclad Village, the Wyvern, the miraculous cure of Princess Elara. I want every detail, no matter how small."
Ambassador Ren recounted everything, from the initial Academy competition to the recent birthday celebration. He spoke of Eric's unusual constitution, his uncanny ability to sense the Wyvern's weakness, his single-handed defeat of the S-rank beast, and the astonishing, instantaneous cure of Princess Elara's chronic illness, complete with her immediate cultivation breakthrough.
The Emperor listened intently, his expression shifting from deep concern to a growing, intense fascination. "A miraculous cure... a spontaneous cultivation breakthrough... a Foundation Establishment cultivator capable of felling an S-rank beast... and now Varian has given him command. This boy... he is a phenomenon. Such power, such potential, is simply unprecedented."
He rose from his throne, his powerful aura filling the immense chamber. "If this Eric is as powerful as you say, Ambassador, he cannot be allowed to simply operate under Varian's sole purview. He is a resource to the entire Empire. He will become even more powerful in the future. I need to have him under my direct hand, or at the very least, have absolute certainty of his loyalty and a deep understanding of his abilities."
"What are Your Majesty's commands?" Ambassador Ren asked, bowing.
"Keep a constant watch on the Directorate," the Emperor commanded, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "Subtly. Inform me of every detail concerning this Eric. His missions, his progress, his interactions. Master Varian may have claimed him for the Directorate, but ultimately, all power serves the Emperor." He then addressed his Grand Concubine, who had been listening silently. "Seraphina was wise to cultivate a relationship with him. She will be instrumental in bringing him closer to the Imperial Family. This boy... he could be the key to our future."
Days later, Eric and his team, now a cohesive and silent unit, arrived at the outskirts of Stonehaven, a remote village nestled in the Western Marches. The air here was heavy, filled with an oppressive spiritual malaise. The sky was perpetually overcast, and a chilling wind carried faint, unsettling whispers.
They checked into the local inn, its common room largely deserted, the few occupants looking pale and apprehensive. The innkeeper, a grizzled old man, warned them, "Stay inside at night, strangers. The beasts... they've been different lately. More aggressive. And some of the villagers... they've just vanished."
After securing their rooms, Eric gathered his team. "The spiritual anomaly here is palpable," he stated, his voice low. "The air is thick with negative Qi. This is definitely a Crimson Veil operation. We need to spread out and gather information. Look for anyone acting suspiciously, any unusual markings, or any traces of corrupted Qi. Prioritize discretion. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary."
He then looked at Anya. "Anya, you'll come with me. Your stealth and discernment will be invaluable."
The rest of the team was assigned specific sectors of the village and its immediate surroundings. They dispersed silently, melting into the shadows of the fading twilight.
As Eric and Anya moved through the deserted streets of Stonehaven, the oppressive atmosphere grew stronger. Eric's draconic senses, even beneath the Veil of Mundanity, hummed with the presence of multiple, subtle dark auras. Not common Qi, but the distinct, corrupted energy of the Crimson Veil.
"I sense them," Eric whispered to Anya, his eyes narrowed. "Several of them. Dispersed, but present. They are trying to remain hidden." He focused on the strongest, most distinctive dark aura, leading Anya through the narrow, winding alleys of the village.
They followed the aura through the deepening twilight. It led them to the outskirts of the village, down a dark, unlit alleyway between two dilapidated buildings.
Suddenly, from the inky blackness ahead and behind, four figures, cloaked in the familiar dark robes of the Crimson Veil, materialized, surrounding them. Their eyes gleamed with malevolent green light, and their hands glowed with corrupted spiritual energy.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" one of them sneered, his voice raspy. "Imperial agents, far from home. A pity. You won't be returning."
"Anya, behind me," Eric commanded, his voice calm, but his aura subtly flaring with suppressed power.
The four figures lunged simultaneously, unleashing corrupted spiritual attacks. Eric moved like a phantom, his Wyvern-blade shimmering into his hand. He dodged the first two attacks, then in a blur of motion, he struck. One Cultist's head exploded in a spray of black blood before he could even register the movement. Another gasped as Eric's foot slammed into his solar plexus, collapsing him instantly. The remaining two recoiled in shock.
"He's too fast!" one cried, fear entering his voice.
Eric didn't give them time to recover. His blade sliced through the air, parrying a desperate counter-attack, then with a swift thrust, it pierced another Cultist's heart, leaving him spasming on the ground. The final Cultist, seeing his comrades fall with terrifying speed, let out a terrified shriek and turned to flee, scrambling back into the darkness of the alley.
"Don't let him escape!" Anya shouted, her own daggers already moving to pursue, but Eric was faster.
"I'll get him!" Eric yelled, a burst of speed propelling him after the fleeing cultist. He was faster, far faster than the man anticipated. He caught him at the mouth of the alley, slamming him against the stone wall.
"Who are you working for?!" Eric demanded, his voice low and menacing, holding the Cultist by the throat.
The Cultist's eyes, wide with terror, suddenly contorted with a chilling defiance. He grinned, a grotesque, silent smile, revealing a tiny, false tooth. Before Eric could react, the man bit down. A soft click, then a gurgling sound. A dark foam immediately frothed from his lips, and his body went limp, eyes staring blankly. He had committed suicide, using a hidden poison capsule.
Eric frowned, frustration surging through him. These cultists were indoctrinated, fanatically loyal. He quickly searched the body. He found nothing of obvious value, save for a plain, silver ring on the man's finger. It was simple in design, but Eric's draconic senses picked up a faint, familiar resonate from its emblem. He pulled it off, tucking it into his pouch.
He returned to Anya, who was inspecting the dead cultists, her face grim. "Fanatics," she muttered. "They leave no traces. No names, no identities. Just... this." She kicked one of the bodies.
"No, not entirely," Eric said, holding up the silver ring. "This stood out to me. The emblem... it feels familiar."
Back at the inn, Eric briefed the rest of the team. Their faces were grim as they listened to the encounter, the ruthlessness of the Crimson Veil evident. But they looked at Eric with a new level of respect after hearing how he effortlessly dispatched four cultists.
"He bit a suicide tooth," Eric concluded, placing the silver ring on the table. "They're well-trained, disciplined, and utterly loyal. This is the only lead I found."
Lysa leaned forward, examining the ring closely. Her eyes widened. "Team Leader Eric, this emblem... I recognize it. It's the family crest of the House of Blackwood. They are one of the powerful noble families who rule this land, the Western Marches. Their ancestral seat isn't far from here."
A collective gasp went through the team. Kael frowned. "The House of Blackwood? That's impossible! They've been loyal to the Emperor for generations! They're pillars of the realm! They would never be involved with a cult like the Crimson Veil!"
"Indeed," Jin added, his sharp eyes troubled. "Their history is impeccable. They control vast territories and contribute significantly to the Empire's spiritual resources. There's no reason for them to be involved in anything like this."
Eric picked up the ring, his gaze thoughtful. "Loyalty can be bought, or forced. It's possible someone within the family is working with the cult, perhaps a rogue branch. Or," he continued, a chilling possibility dawning on him, "it's possible the family itself is being coerced, or has been infiltrated at its highest levels. Whatever the case, this emblem means the House of Blackwood is involved, directly or indirectly."
He looked at his team. "Our original mission was to gather intelligence. This ring provides a crucial, if dangerous, lead. We need to infiltrate the House of Blackwood and gather more information. This could expose the true extent of the Crimson Veil's reach."
A few hours later, Eric stood alone in Master Varian's private communication room at the inn, the spiritual communication array flickering to life. Varian's impassive face materialized.
"Report, Team Leader Eric," Varian commanded.
Eric relayed everything: the ambush, the fanaticism of the cultists, the suicide, and the discovery of the Blackwood family ring. He presented his assessment, his voice calm and precise. "My conclusion, Master Varian, is that the House of Blackwood is involved. We need to infiltrate their ancestral estate and gather more intelligence. This could be a major breakthrough in understanding the Crimson Veil."
Varian listened in silence, his eyes unreadable. After a long moment, he finally spoke. "Your assessment aligns with some of our deeper, more nebulous suspicions. The Blackwood family's recent reclusiveness, their subtle changes in trade patterns... it was dismissed as minor shifts. But combined with your findings, it paints a chilling picture."
He looked at Eric, a rare intensity in his gaze. "You are authorized to proceed with your plan, Team Leader Eric. Infiltrate the House of Blackwood. Gather all intelligence on their involvement with the Crimson Veil. But be warned, Eric. The Blackwood family is ancient and powerful. Their ancestral estate will be heavily fortified. And if they are indeed compromised, they will be utterly ruthless. Be careful. Do not expose yourself or your team unless absolutely necessary. This mission is paramount."
"Understood, Master Varian," Eric replied, his voice firm. "We will exercise extreme caution."
The communication ended. Eric turned from the array, a grim determination setting in his features. The path ahead was perilous, but the truth lay within the shadowed halls of the House of Blackwood.