Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
If any top fighters in the world could harness the skills of the Qingzhou
Alliance, they’d see a boost in their strength by about ten to twenty percent. Much of this was attributed to the relentless dedication of Qin Huai, who seemed tireless in his pursuit of martial arts.
“Has he even turned thirty?” Zhang Youji was awestruck by the realization. Historically speaking, no one matched Qin Huai in his achievements at such an age. Glancing around, he noted the nonchalance of the others — they were all familiar with this fact.
Among them, Zhang Youji was the oldest at sixty years old. The majority were around forty. While he knew his abilities didn’t compare to Qin Huai’s, he felt confident he could match up against the others.
This realization gave him a pang of regret. Had he, a distinguished Dao Child, squandered the prime years of his life? If he hadn’t achieved the king realm by now, did that make his efforts negligible?
“Oh no, oh no…l’m already starting to get anxious.” Zhang Youji shook his head.
Elsewhere, in a corner of the world, the heads of the six royal clans convened. The room was thick with tension and remained silent for a lengthy span.
“We lost again,” the white tiger clan leader finally declared, dispelling the silence. “We’ve had our setbacks in the past, but this loss is undeniable.”
“The Sacred Heart Sect’s king has been defeated by the Qingzhou Alliance’s best,” remarked another clan leader. “But how did two, Qin Huai and Prince Qing Cang, fend off our combined might?”
Interrupting him, the black tortoise clan’s leader added, “We shouldn’t underestimate Qin Huai. We need to view him as a young true emperor.”
Whispers of astonishment filled the chamber. All present were kings, influential figures with the power to shift the balance on the battlefield.
The title of ‘True Emperor’ was one held in reverence and hadn’t been spoken in ages. While Qin Huai had been rumored to be worthy of the title, especially following a previous great figure’s demise, no one from the six royal clans had openly acknowledged it until now. But with this public recognition, the dynamics were shifting.
However, the Nine Supremes clan’s leader had a contrasting view. “The Emperor of Qingzhou of old and today’s Qin Huai,” he began.
Curious gazes turned his way, eager to hear more.
The Nine Supremes clan’s leader commented with a slight smirk, “Qin Huai’s might is undeniably on par with the legendary Emperor of Qingzhou. Haven’t rumors been swirling throughout Qingzhou lately?”
“What about the talk of ‘no rivalry, no conflict’? I think Qingzhou’s supposed desire to be a haven is merely a ruse and a diversion. Given enough time, the Qingzhou Alliance will effortlessly dominate Great You. Can’t the venerable Nine Supremes see through such a simple ploy?”
An uneasy silence blanketed the chamber.
Turning his gaze to the phoenix clan’s Sect Master, the Qiongqi’s leader taunted, “Brother, why the silence? Don’t tell me you have the same thoughts as that traitor Purple Flame King?”
The phoenix clan’s leader retorted, “My clan holds a deep grudge against Qin Huai. The phoenix clan will never forget or forgive. As for Purple Flame, he’s no longer one of us. If our paths cross on the battlefield, I’ll be the one to end him.”
Changing the direction of the conversation, he added, “Speaking of which, isn’t it rumored that the Qingzhou Alliance’s Qin Huai possesses the ancient blood of the Qiongqi? Are you trying to divert attention from this fact?”
“Nonsense!” bellowed the Qiongqi clan leader. “We lost two kings in Qingzhou, which is just as significant as your Phoenix clan’s losses!”
The conversation had shifted to a delicate topic, and the mood grew tenser. The six royal clans had always been on the hunt for Atavism, primarily to enhance their fighting prowess by reclaiming their ancient power and lineage.
Another theory speculated that their inability to achieve the true emperor realm over millennia was due to their transformation into human forms, severing their link to their true potential.
For ages, they had sought ways to reconnect with their ancient origins, and now, whispers of Qin Huai possessing this coveted ancestral blood were rampant, ignited by the Purple Flame King’s defection.
Why would a king of his stature switch loyalties to Qin Huai? Raw power couldn’t be the only reason. However, if Qin Huai truly had this ancient blood, the king’s allegiance made sense.
The quandary for the six royal clans was their dwindling faith in overcoming Qin Huai after consecutive defeats. Deploying their entire clan’s might was an option, but external forces like the three sects and the Sacred Heart Sect would not remain passive. They’d seize an opportunity to inflict damage.
Moreover, if one could procure this ancestral blood from Qin Huai by merely trading secrets, many might betray the alliance’s strategies, especially if the core troops weren’t from their own lineage. This predicament left the six sect leaders deeply troubled.
The white tiger clan leader, who had remained quiet for some time, finally broke his silence, “We’re at a pivotal point for our six royal clans. If we persist in our indecision and internal strife, our fate might be grimmer than what befell the humans ten thousand years ago!” As his voice rose in intensity, he declared, “Qingzhou must fall! Qin Huai must be stopped!”
“I agree!” exclaimed the Qiongqi clan leader, being the first to voice his support.
Seeing this, the others gradually rose and voiced their agreement.
“How many top-tier warriors can each clan spare without compromising our positions in the battlefields?” inquired the black tortoise clan’s leader.
Responses came in quick succession.
“Two from my clan.”
“One.”
“One.”
“Two.”
“Two from the Qilin clan.”
“One from the white tiger clan.”
“That’s nine people,” reflected the white tiger clan leader, “This is thrice the alliance’s strength. We needn’t involve our seasoned warriors and elders. The nine kings will embark on this mission.”
“Agreed!” was the unanimous response.
The white tiger clan leader further emphasized, “Regarding the potential betrayal over the ancestral blood, it must be thoroughly investigated.
Eliminate any who come upon this secret!”
And with that, they all vanished from the chamber.
In the desolate North Barren State, Qiong Mou, the head of the Qiongqi clan, was startled awake. He hastily exited his chambers. As he did so, the door was thrust open, revealing a burly figure striding in.
“Big Brother, it’s as we thought!” exclaimed the burly man. Though his physique wasn’t as imposing as Qiong Mou’s, his presence was more formidable.
This aura, rooted in ancient times, made Qiong Mou uneasy. “The ancestral blood…it truly exists,” he murmured, a hint of ambition flashing in his eyes.
The burly man, apprehensive, added, “The six royal clans have made their decision. Nine of their kings are marching on Qingzhou. We can’t let this powerful element fall into the clutches of the other five, especially not the white tiger clan.”
Qiong Mou reassured him, “I’m well aware.” Pausing briefly, he asked, “Are you still in touch with them?”
“Communication remains open.”
“Excellent. Let’s proceed with our plan. As for their survival, it’ll be down to their own abilities.’
A malevolent grin spread across Qiong Mou’s face. Regarding the two Qiongqi kings defeated by Qin Huai, he held no grief. The strong would always dominate the weak.
If they were defeated, it was due to their own inadequacies. This was the underlying rule governing the world of the six royal clans..