At the highest seat in the hall sat a middle-aged woman clad in a palace dress woven from Heavenly Silkworm silk. Her presence radiated noble elegance and innate authority—the kind that only long-time rulers cultivate.
This woman was none other than Sang Yunyun (桑云韵), the Matriarch of the Silkworm Clan, also known in the outside world as Lady Sangsilk or the Silkworm Queen. She was the highest leader of the Silkworm Clan and one of their most powerful figures—second only to the secluded elders cultivating in the Empress Palace.
The Silkworm Clan's leadership rotated:
each matriarch could only hold power for a hundred years before stepping down and appointing a successor. During their reign, these matriarchs typically remained in seclusion, focused on cultivation, as the clan was pacifistic and rarely engaged with the outside world.
But this time, the reclusive Silkworm Clan had encountered a crisis.
Across the entire clan territory, the spiritual mulberry trees, which the clan relied on for survival, were mysteriously wilting and decaying.
This phenomenon sent shockwaves through the entire clan.
Without these trees, the Silkworm Clan would face collapse. While they wouldn't die without mulberry leaves, the Silkworm Girls wouldn't be able to produce Heavenly Silkworm Silk, which depended on spiritual mulberry leaves as vital nourishment.
Worse, the Silkworm Clan didn't consist only of the Silkworm Girls—they also had billions of silkworms, each needing vast quantities of leaves.
These silkworms differed in grade, and the quality of silk they produced varied accordingly.
Without the mulberry trees, the entire cycle of production would collapse, threatening the clan's continued existence.
This was not a small matter—it was a full-blown catastrophe.
Now, the leading figures of the clan were gathered in council.
"Speak up, everyone," said Sang Yunyun, her expression stern."Most of our people don't know the true cause, but all of you here should.This isn't a normal disease—this is the Aura of Decline and Tribulation (衰劫之气) from the Five Decays of Heaven and Man."
The Five Decays of Heaven and Man (天人五衰) represented the eventual downfall of all powerful beings. Even those who had merged with heaven and attained the pinnacle of longevity could not escape this final calamity.
The five omens were:
Dirty clothes – once radiant divine garments become soiled.
Withering of the crown – celestial flowers and jewels on one's head begin to wilt.
Sweating from the armpits – divine bodies, usually clean and fragrant, begin to sweat.
Foul body odor – heavenly fragrance gives way to stench.
Aversion to one's throne – even the most sacred seat becomes repulsive.
These signs marked the end of one's lifespan and fortune.
But while these calamities were aimed at celestial beings, some part of their essence—the tribulation aura—had somehow tainted the land of Mulberry Ridge.
"It's not that a few trees are infected—it's that the entire land beneath Mulberry Ridge is saturated with this aura," Sang Yunyun said coldly."It's in the earth. Every tree has absorbed it. And once this aura fully manifests—it'll be ruin."
Even the most powerful beings would avoid even a wisp of this aura. To encounter it was an omen of death.
But the Silkworm Clan could not afford to flee.
"This Aura of Decline spreads and infects. There are already over a thousand trees affected.We've tried everything. Nothing has worked," said an elder Silkworm Girl, her voice bitter.
"There is said to be one divine substance that can cleanse it," another Silkworm Girl added."It's called the Three-Light Divine Water (三光神水)—formed by fusing the essences of the sun, moon, and stars, using a special feng shui formation."
"Even a single drop can restore flesh to bone and bring the dead back to life. It's a divine treasure of extreme rarity."
But their clan had none.
"We should spread word. If anyone can bring us the Three-Light Divine Water, we'll trade them anything.Even a full Brocade Heavenly Silkworm Robe (锦绣天衣)," Sang Yunyun said solemnly."We'll even tailor one just for them."
This robe was the greatest treasure of the Silkworm Clan, equivalent to a spiritual treasure.
Each one took immense time and effort to craft, using the rarest silk and the most intricate weaving arts.
They had never traded one before.
Just then—
Crisp bird cries echoed across the sky.
"The Wandering Bird! Traveling Merchants have arrived!"
Excitement lit their faces. These merchants had vast networks and resources, and their stores held many rare items.
Even if they didn't have the Three-Light Divine Water, they might know where to find it.
"Let's go welcome them immediately!"
A great plaza lay at the center of the ridge. The massive Wandering Bird descended majestically, landing like a towering mountain.
The merchant city on its back gleamed like a heavenly fortress in the clouds, its wings spreading like stairways to heaven.
From the merchant tower stepped Zhen Deqiong, face beaming.
"Endless Eternity, boundless Dao—A traveler from afar humbly greets the friends of the Silkworm Clan," he said cheerfully.
He was as charming and approachable as ever.
"Zhen, it's been ten years since you last came," said Sang Yunyun warmly."I wonder what precious goods you've brought this time.If it's something we need, we're even willing to trade a Brocade Heavenly Robe."
"What? Your clan is willing to sell a Brocade Robe?!" Zhen was stunned.
This was unheard of.
The robes were never sold, always refused in past trades, no matter the price offered.
"Do you... have any Three-Light Divine Water?" Sang Yunyun asked directly."If you do—we'll trade the robe."
Wandering merchants prided themselves on fair, honest trade, always sticking to an established price list. They never haggled or gouged.
Their reputation depended on it.
Zhen Deqiong's mind whirled.
"Three-Light Divine Water? Why would they need that...?"
Then he remembered—the signs he'd seen from the sky.
"The wilting trees... it's to save the spiritual mulberry trees, isn't it?Something terrible is happening here…"