From afar, at the peak of a mountain directly overlooking the outskirts of Xuliang City, a mysterious figure stood shrouded in dark qi mist.
The night wind howled fiercely, yet the shadow remained upright without the slightest sway, as if fused with nature itself.
Its sharp gaze pierced through the defenses of Xuliang City, as though confirming something.
"So… the city's strength has increased to this extent," it murmured softly, barely audible. "Interesting. Very interesting."
Moments later, a streak of black light flashed by. The figure's body began to fade like smoke carried away by the wind.
Within seconds, it vanished without a trace—returning to its residence, the Fu Clan, leaving behind only a creeping chill that slowly spread across the mountain peak.
The mysterious figure passed through the dark corridors of the Fu Clan and finally arrived at a secret meeting chamber illuminated only by purple-flamed torches.
There, the elders of the Fu Clan were already waiting—five figures cloaked in blackish-purple robes, with faintly glowing soul symbols emblazoned on their chests.
Their auras felt like cold hands gripping the throat of anyone who entered the room.
Grand Elder Fu Zhenhai, seated on a stone throne carved with a shattered soul emblem, slowly opened his eyes.
"Report." His voice was low, yet powerful enough to make the dusty floor tremble.
The mysterious figure immediately knelt, bowing its head so low it nearly touched the ground.
"Elder… Xuliang City has reinforced its defenses. The protective formations have been updated, the guards repositioned, and… Yunxihua has returned."
Several elders stirred their purple robes; the soul symbols on their chests dimly flared, as if responding to the news.
The second elder muttered coldly,
"They move quickly… as if they know our movements."
The room instantly grew colder. The elders' auras surged, causing the purple torches to flicker as if on the verge of being extinguished.
The fifth elder smiled faintly—a smile devoid of warmth.
"Even more interesting… defensive, pressured, and alert. Like little rats who know they are about to be devoured."
But Grand Elder Fu Zhenhai merely raised one hand calmly, silencing the discussion.
"Continue monitoring Xuliang. If Yunxihua takes even a single step beyond expectations… report it. We will strike when they feel safest."
The soul symbols on the elders' chests pulsed, as if acknowledging the order.
The mysterious figure bowed deeply, then dissolved into the shadows.
"Understood, Elder."
And the chamber fell silent once more… leaving only the gazes of the Fu Clan elders, filled with intent to destroy Xuliang down to its very roots.
Back to Yunxihua—she was cultivating in her private chamber.
Spiritual light circulated calmly, forming a gentle vortex around her body. Her focus was so deep… until the sharp sound of wind rang out.
WUUUSSS!!
A powerful wave of aura surged from outside.
BANG!
The cultivation chamber door burst open.
"Little sister!!"
Yunxihua jolted and opened her eyes.
A figure she knew all too well stood at the doorway—long, shimmering purple hair flowing like blazing flames, yet emitting the majestic aura of an ancient dragon.
Xuhuo, her elder brother from the Ancient Dragon Clan, appeared with swift steps, the ancestral dragon aura vibrating powerfully from his body.
"Brother X–Xuhuo? Why so suddenly—"
But she did not have time to finish her question, because Xuhuo had already rushed over and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I've finally met you!"
His voice was a mix of irritation and relief.
"You didn't come back for far too long! Did you think I wouldn't worry?!"
Xuhuo's purple hair trembled softly with his emotions, emitting the unique spiritual glow of noble dragon bloodline.
Yunxihua let out a soft sigh.
"I'm fine. You don't need to—"
"Don't need to?!" Xuhuo shot her a sharp look.
"I heard you went through countless upheavals, faced dangerous enemies, and even returned without any guards! You made the entire Ancient Dragon Clan anxious!"
Xuhuo examined Yunxihua closely—her soul energy, hidden injuries, and the stability of her cultivation.
"No injuries… no soul disturbance… no spiritual fractures."
He exhaled in relief.
"Thank heavens…"
Yunxihua smiled faintly.
"You came here just to make sure I'm alright?"
Xuhuo sat beside her, his purple hair falling over his shoulders like a gentle stream of light.
"Of course. You're my sister. If anything happened to you, the entire clan would move. Did you think I'd just sit still?"
Silence followed, broken only by the soft resonance of spiritual energy around them.
"…Thank you, Brother."
Yunxihua said sincerely.
Xuhuo smiled—a warm smile that rarely appeared, despite his usually boisterous demeanor.
"I'll always come when it concerns you."
"I didn't come only to see you, Little Yun, but…"
"…also to discuss the matter of the Devouring Star Alliance that is currently shaking the Qin Empire and the entire Ancient Astral Continent. This major issue has caused the eight ancient clans—Lei, Fan, Fu, He, Hong, Xiao, Meimei, and Zhang—to agree on holding a conference at our Ancient Dragon Clan."
"That's why I came," Xuhuo said in a serious tone. "I wanted to see your condition and preparations myself before the grand meeting begins."
Yunxihua looked at Xuhuo with slightly narrowed eyes, sensing the subtle pressure carried by his aura. "It seems this matter is far more complicated than you make it sound."
Xuhuo nodded slowly.
"Indeed. Something is not right… The eight ancient clans would not gather just because of rumors or minor threats. The Devouring Star Alliance is not merely an issue—it is a force that could potentially become a threat to the eight ancient clans."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"And even worse… some elders of the Fu Clan seem far too eager to push for this meeting. As if they are hiding something."
Yunxihua's aura trembled faintly, yet she remained calm.
"So you suspect there is another mastermind behind the Fu Clan's push?"
"Not just suspecting."
Xuhuo looked directly into Yunxihua's eyes.
"The Fu Clan… is planning something involving the ancient inheritance that once manifested within your body."
The atmosphere instantly hardened.
In an instant, the room was filled with invisible pressure, as though Yunxihua were restraining a surge of power on the verge of eruption.
"In that case…" Yunxihua slowly drew a breath, her eyes sharpening like a blade.
"What is the Fu Clan's true purpose in summoning the eight ancient clans?"
Xuhuo clenched his fist.
"That's what we need to find out before the negotiations begin. Because if our guess is correct…"
He paused briefly, then looked even deeper into Yunxihua's eyes.
"…then the entire Ancient Astral Continent is heading toward an unavoidable war."