Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Elder Feris stood frozen, the messenger's urgent words still ringing in his ears: "A seven-star cultivator at the Death Volcano."

For a moment, he couldn't comprehend it. His mind raced as he processed the enormity of the situation. The Death Volcano wasn't just some dangerous landmark. It was one of the few places that housed a rare and crucial ingredient—an essential component for crafting the Nether Puppet.

His hand gripped the arm of his chair tightly, the pressure causing his knuckles to whiten. "Impossible..." he muttered, his voice low, almost as if he was trying to convince himself otherwise.

He looked up at the messenger, his face tightening with concern. "Are you absolutely certain?" His tone was stern, but beneath it was a trace of disbelief. "A seven-star cultivator, you said?"

The messenger nodded vigorously, sweat glistening on his brow. "Yes, Elder Feris. Those were the last words we received before the connection was severed."

Elder Feris frowned, his mind drifting back to the countless hours of cultivation. The Nether Puppet Body Cultivation Manual had led them to the discovery of the volcano's hidden treasures, and it was precisely because of this that he had stationed a team of six-star cultivators and numerous five-star warriors to safeguard the area.

And yet, now, it seemed all of that was for nothing.

He slammed his hand down on the table in frustration. "A seven-star... wreaking havoc there," he muttered, more to himself than to the messenger. "Do you realize what this means? This isn't just a random attack—it jeopardizes everything we've worked for!"

Elder Feris's face darkened even further. He clenched his fists as the weight of the situation sank in. "A silent connection means only one thing," he muttered, glaring at the floor as if it might reveal some answers. "Death."

The messenger nodded slowly, not daring to speak further, while Elder Feris's mind raced.

Seven-star cultivators were extremely rare, Feris thought. He paced behind his desk, his expression twisting with worry. They weren't just common experts—seven-stars were top elders, clan leaders, even leaders of mid-sized sects.

People of that caliber didn't just appear out of nowhere, let alone create destruction in such a critical area. Whoever this was, they were powerful and dangerous. Far more dangerous than anyone he had expected.

Feris stopped pacing and turned back to the messenger. His voice, now quieter but filled with dread, cut through the silence.

"Who could it be? There are only a handful of seven-star cultivators in the region. We know every one of them. None of them would make such a move without reason. Unless..." His eyes narrowed further as a thought struck him. "Could it be someone new?

Someone... unknown?"

The messenger, still tense, remained silent. He didn't need to answer. Elder Feris's question hung in the air like a storm cloud, heavy and foreboding.

Elder Feris rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. His mind raced, torn between the other critical matters he needed to address and this sudden, catastrophic problem. The Death Volcano was no ordinary location, and this crisis was no ordinary threat.

With a deep sigh, his eyes narrowed, he muttered to himself, "What do I do about this?" His voice was low, strained, as if the enormity of the decision was physically weighing him down.

Elder Feris paced back and forth, his mind in turmoil as he weighed the options. He turned sharply to the messenger, his gaze cold and calculating. "If I send more forces…" His voice trailed off, his tone filled with doubt. He clenched his fists, the weight of the decision pressing down on him.

"There's no guarantee they'll make a difference against a seven-star cultivator. And if I don't—" He paused, feeling the gravity of the situation sink in deeper. "—the situation will only worsen. The Death Volcano isn't something we can afford to lose."

He let out a heavy sigh, his brow furrowed in deep thought. But before he could continue, the heavy doors of the hall creaked open. Two figures strode in, their presence immediately commanding the attention of everyone in the room.

The first to enter was Sylra Ravencrest, her beauty both alluring and menacing. Her dark robes flowed behind her, the fabric whispering with each step. Her sharp eyes, glinting with a dangerous confidence, flicked across the room as if already assessing the situation. Her voice was smooth but carried an underlying threat as she spoke, "I heard there's an intruder."

Behind her walked Kaelor Thorne, his massive frame filling the doorway. His broad shoulders and towering figure exuded raw strength, and just the sight of him was enough to intimidate anyone.

He cracked his neck, his muscles rippling as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Intruder?" His voice was a deep rumble, slow and deliberate.

Elder Feris looked up, nodding gravely. "Yes. At least a seven-star cultivator." His tone was tight, filled with concern. "We lost contact with the team guarding the volcano. The last report was that this intruder is no ordinary threat. They're powerful.

Very powerful."

Kaelor raised an eyebrow, glancing sideways at Sylra, a grin spreading across his face. "A seven-star, you say?" His voice carried a note of excitement, as if this was exactly what he had been waiting for. "Perfect. We've been looking for a chance to test our progress with the Nether Puppet Body Cultivation Manual."

Sylra's eyes gleamed with anticipation, her lips curling into a cold smile. "Indeed," she added, her voice soft but laced with wicked delight. "We've only been cultivating the manual for a few days, but this…" She paused, letting the words hang in the air for a moment. "…this will be a perfect test."

Elder Feris hesitated, doubt flickering across his face as he considered the situation. His eyes shifted from Sylra to Kaelor, reading the confidence on their faces. They wanted this. And, perhaps, they were the best option he had.

He nodded slowly, his voice steady but serious. "Very well. Go. Make sure you deal with this intruder swiftly and efficiently. Whoever they are, they cannot be allowed to continue wreaking havoc."

Kaelor's grin widened, his large hand dropping to the hilt of the sword strapped to his back. "Oh, don't worry, Feris." His voice dripped with confidence. "We'll make sure they regret stepping foot in the Death Volcano."

Sylra chuckled softly, her tone amused but dark. "Yes, leave it to us." She glanced toward the door, her eyes already alight with thoughts of the coming conflict. "This seven-star won't stand a chance," she added with a venomous sweetness, as though the battle was already won in her mind.

Elder Feris watched as the two top elders turned and left the hall, their confidence almost unsettling. He could only hope their certainty wasn't misplaced. With them handling the situation, the threat would be neutralized—or so he told himself.