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The chuckle grew louder, morphing into a guttural snarl as a figure pounced at him. Black mist swirled around the figure, obscuring its features, but the malevolent energy it radiated was unmistakable.

This was no ordinary being…it was a creature of pure demonic essence.

Elder Wu's eyes narrowed. "Demon!" he roared, raising his hand, a ball of pure spiritual energy condensing in his palm. He charged forward, his intent clear.

Ye Fan, a cruel smile playing on his lips hidden beneath the demonic veil, countered with a demonic martial technique – the 'Shattering Claw.' His hand, transformed into a wickedly barbed talon, pulsed with dark energy as he met Elder Wu's attack head-on.

The clash of energies reverberated through the canyon, a shockwave throwing up a cloud of dust and debris.

The emerald barrier flickered under the onslaught as cracks appeared across its surface.

Elder Wu, surprised by the sheer power of the attack, stumbled back, his resolve momentarily shaken.

He slammed the glowing jade talisman onto his chest, renewing the Earthward Bulwark as he unleashed a barrage of lightning-fast attacks.

His blows rained down on the demonic figure, each one infused with his Nascent Soul Realm strength.

But Ye Fan was a whirlwind of demonic fury.

His demonic body cultivation technique granted him an almost inhuman resilience, allowing him to absorb the brunt of Elder Wu's attacks without flinching.

With each counter-attack, the Shattering Claw chipped away at the Earthward Bulwark. Finally, with a resounding crack, the barrier shattered, leaving Elder Wu exposed.

Fear contorted Elder Wu's face as Ye Fan descended upon him, the demonic talon aimed for his heart. A desperate cry for help escaped his lips, but the canyon walls swallowed the sound whole.

The talon ripped through flesh and bone, a sickening squelch echoing in the air.

Elder Wu crumpled to the ground, his eyes vacant, his life extinguished.

But Ye Fan wasn't done. He unleashed a dark technique, one that devoured the remnant spiritual essence clinging to Elder Wu's dead body, his cultivation base fueling Ye Fan's own demonic power.

A grotesque sight unfolded. Elder Wu's previously robust body started withering visibly, shrinking like a deflated balloon as Ye Fan drained him of his essence. Within minutes, nothing remained but a desiccated husk, twisted and unrecognizable, a testament to the demon's brutality.

Leaving the gruesome scene behind, Ye Fan vanished into the gathering darkness, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips.

He knew the discovery wouldn't be long in coming. The search party assigned to the desolate canyon wouldn't return with empty hands. He could almost hear the gasps of horror, the frantic whispers as news of the Elder's demise spread like wildfire. A macabre smile stretched across his face, hidden beneath the cloak of demonic essence.

The next morning, the news arrived like a harbinger of doom. The search party, sent to comb the desolate canyon where Elder Wu was last spotted, returned with chilling news. They didn't find the Elder alive or well. They found a scene of utter horror – his desiccated husk, drained of life and twisted beyond recognition.

Panic erupted like a volcano within the Stone Mountain Sect. Disciples huddled together, fear painting their faces a sickly shade of green. The initial news of a demonic attack had caused apprehension, but the targeted killing of an Elder, a respected figure within the sect, was a whole new level of terror.

The news reached Sect Leader Huang, a man known for his calm demeanor and unwavering resolve. But even his stoic face hardened as the gruesome details were relayed. The initial attack, while unsettling, hadn't shaken his conviction. However, the deliberate targeting of an elder, the brutal display of power, that was a different story.

A council meeting was called for immediately. The remaining Elders, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and anger, gathered in the main hall. The air crackled with tension as they discussed the grim situation.

"This demon," Elder Chen, known for his fiery temper, began, his voice trembling slightly despite years of experience, "is stronger than we anticipated. We can't afford to take it lightly anymore."

Elder Li, known for his wisdom and strategic mind, interjected. "Strength isn't the only concern. This demon is toying with us. Why target Elder Wu, one of our elite Elders, if not to provoke us?"

A heavy silence descended upon the room. The Elders exchanged worried glances. The deliberate act of targeting an Elder pointed towards calculated cruelty, a sadistic enjoyment in inflicting fear and pain.

Finally, Sect Leader Huang spoke, his voice laced with steely resolve. "This changes everything. A simple search and destroy mission won't cut it anymore. We need a plan, a coordinated effort, not just to neutralize this threat, but to understand its motives."

Elder Guo, known for his unorthodox approach, cleared his throat. "With all due respect, Sect Leader, I think it's time to go public with this. We need all the help we can get. We need to reach out to other righteous sects, maybe even some of the reclusive cultivation families. This demon is clearly powerful, and frankly, it's scaring the living daylights out of everyone."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. The Elders knew Elder Guo was right. They were in way over their heads, and their pride, while still smarting a little, needed to be shoved aside for the sake of the sect's survival. The hunt for the demon was no longer just a local problem; it was a matter of utmost urgency.

News of the demonic attacks on the Stone Mountain Sect spread like wildfire, fanned by the sect's desperate plea for assistance. Newspapers across the land, from bustling city hubs to sleepy villages nestled in remote valleys, carried the chilling details.

The reports painted a grim picture. Initially, the demon had targeted a group of five disciples, leaving them wounded but alive. This odd detail, despite the undeniable demonic energy, sparked confusion. Why would such a powerful entity hold back? The answer came tragically clear with the second attack.

Elder Wu, a respected and formidable figure within the sect, was found slain, his life force seemingly devoured by the demon.

But amidst the terror, Sect Leader Huang made a surprising announcement. He publicly acknowledged Ye Fan, the inner disciple from the Azure Peak Sect. He explained how the Azure Peak Sect, acting upon credible proof of demonic presence, had sent Ye Fan to assist the Stone Mountain Sect even before the initial demonic attack.

Sect Leader Huang went on to praise Ye Fan's strength and pledged their collaboration in eradicating the demonic threat.

Newspapers across the various righteous sects devoured the story. In bustling cities and quiet towns, the tale of the demon and the brave Azure Peak Sect disciple became a topic of heated discussion. Even within the walls of prominent cultivation families like the Xia Family, the news found eager eyes.

In the opulent halls of the Xia Family, Wang Li, his brow furrowed in concentration, read the news with a growing sense of unease.

A knot of unease tightened in his stomach as he read. Unlike most, Wang Li knew the truth about Ye Fan's secret cultivation of demonic essence. He couldn't shake the feeling that Ye Fan, not some unknown demon, was behind the attacks.

The possibility gnawed at him. Pacing his chambers, Wang Li weighed the implications. Should he remain silent, or alert the Stone Mountain Sect? Finally, he made a decision. He needed to speak with the Matriarch, Xia Bingling.

He found Xia Bingling amidst a flurry of paperwork, her brow furrowed in concentration. As soon as she saw him, however, a warm smile lit up her face, melting away the seriousness of the day. But the news he carried couldn't wait.

"Bingling," he began, his voice laced with urgency, "there's something I need to tell you about the Stone Mountain Sect."

He recounted the news, watching her expression shift from concern to something deeper, a flicker of recognition in her eyes. When he finished, the silence stretched, heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Xia Bingling, ever calm and composed, listened intently. Her sharp mind quickly grasped the situation.

A flicker of surprise crossed Xia Bingling's face, replaced by a thoughtful frown. "Intriguing," she murmured, sipping her tea. "While I can't confirm your suspicions, there is merit in your concern."

With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a jade communication talisman, its surface shimmering with intricate runes. She infused her voice with power, her words clear and concise.

"Greetings, Sect Leader Huang," the talisman spoke in Xia Bingling's voice. "The news of the demonic attacks on your sect has reached us. We at the Xia Family stand ready to offer assistance if needed. However, a word of caution."

Her voice lowered, taking on a more cryptic tone. "If these demonic incidents have occurred after the arrival of a young man named Ye Fan, a disciple of the Azure Peak Sect, I urge you to exercise caution. Keep a watchful eye on him. There may be more to his presence than meets the eye."

She also subtly suggests that Ye Fan's motives remained unclear even to her, but as long as he can observe Ye Fan properly, he might discover the hidden agendas or selfish desires fueling his actions.

With a flick of her wrist, Xia Bingling activated the covert talisman embedded within the communication talisman. This ingenious mechanism ensured that the message could only be played once. As soon as Sect Leader Huang finished listening, the covert talisman would self-destruct, leaving no trace of the message or its sender.

The message ended, and with a flick of Xia Bingling's wrist, it was embedded within the talisman, ready for its covert journey.

"This message will reach Sect Leader Huang directly," Xia Bingling explained. "He will understand the veiled warning, and hopefully, it will prompt him to investigate Ye Fan further."