> "The old trees have fallen. Now let the young bloom like stars in spring."
—Warden Rythe of the Codex, upon clearing the last ancient rootlord from the Deep Hollow Valley
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I. The Birthplace of Shadows
In the First Realm, deep within a cursed canyon long dominated by the tyrannical Rootlord of Bone Moss, lay the decaying ruins of an ancient temple. For over three millennia, the Rootlord ruled that valley, using dark soul arts to drain young cultivators and bind ghosts as servants.
When the Edict of Ascending Boundaries was enacted, he was over 6,000 years old—far beyond his time.
Despite resisting, he was purged by a Star Warden, his skeletal frame scattered into ash, his soul fragment sealed in a void crystal. The land, long poisoned, was left trembling—ripe for rebirth.
It was in that moment that six rogue cultivators, all under the age of 500, gathered on the very cliff where the Rootlord once performed sacrificial soul rites. Together, they swore an oath under the stars, declaring the founding of the Soulshroud Sect.
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II. Principles of the Soulshroud Sect
The Soulshroud Sect was radically different from most that came before. It wasn't born of bloodline, greed, or conquest—it was born of pain, survival, and clarity of purpose.
Their Goal:
To become the premier multi-realm sect specializing in Demon Suppression, Sealing Formations, and Soul Purification—ultimately aiding the four realms in resisting Fifth Realm corruption.
Their Doctrine:
"No Demon Shall Go Unchallenged."
"Every Soul Can Be Cleansed or Avenged."
"Power is not for domination—but for deliverance."
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III. Unique Pillars of Strength
1. Demon Suppression Arts
Adapted from ancient beast-taming scrolls and enhanced by Stellar Codex fragments, the sect developed powerful aura-weaving techniques that could bind and suppress Stella demon aura.
Young cultivators learned Silent Pulse Binding, a technique that mimicked the Codex's own waveform.
Their top disciples could bind and immobilize Fourth Realm-class demons for up to five breaths—an eternity in battle.
2. Sealing Formations
With help from a wandering formation master exiled from the Third Realm, they created nested soul-sealing runes that could be planted inside a demon's energy matrix. When triggered, they created star-shaped prisons.
These seals were also harmless to humans, allowing for peaceful rescues when demons possessed villagers or rogue cultivators.
3. Soul Purification
Using moon-dipped crystals and purity flames, the sect became famous for developing soul recovery sanctuaries.
The mentally broken, the demon-touched, and even those suffering from corruption by fifth realm energies could be healed.
Many Codex Wardens began transporting trauma-marked survivors to Soulshroud for rehabilitation.
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IV. Expansion Across Realms
In just 87 years, the Soulshroud Sect achieved what most couldn't in a thousand:
First Realm Headquarters: Located in Deep Hollow, now renamed Shroudlight Hollow—a holy sanctuary with ever-burning soulflames.
Second Realm Division: Established on the floating island of Veilglass Haven, tasked with intercepting roaming fifth-realm demons before they migrated into lowlands.
Third Realm Delegation: Called the Starbind Watch, they operated near the borders of the corrupted wastes, offering sealing services to protect growing cities and young sects.
Each base was approved by the Codex and protected by one resident Lone Star cultivator, assigned by Zaxton himself after witnessing their dedication.
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V. A Message From Zaxton
Upon the 100th anniversary of the sect's founding, Zaxton appeared—not in person, but through a projection written in astral light above their central soul sanctuary.
> "You are the immune system of our reality. You are not warmongers, but surgeons. You do not crave blood, you seek purity. I will protect your path as long as you walk it. Continue cleansing what others fear to touch."
After this divine acknowledgment, the sect was offered a rare Codex Root, a living fragment of the Stellar Codex itself. It was planted in the Hollow, and over decades, grew into a sentient tree known as the Shroudspire, capable of sensing fifth realm energy leaks across the lower realms.
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VI. The Threat Ahead
But greatness attracts enemies.
Dark murmurs ripple from the fringes of the Fifth Realm—ancient demon families now whisper the name Soulshroud with hatred. Several have begun sending cloaked hybrids to infiltrate or corrupt the sect from within.
Zaxton, from the Fourth Realm, watches.
The Codex pulses with new protective seals.
And deep in the Hollow, the six original founders, now elders themselves, prepare for what they call:
> "The Night of Returning Stars"—when the Fifth Realm sends its wrath in person.