The patriarch's expression darkened into a frown. He had guessed that if some remarkably valuable treasure had surfaced, it might well have come from a newly discovered or hidden location, possibly one of those perilous ruins still shrouded in mystery—even to one of the strongest factions such as theirs.
Many of these sites were so hazardous that even the Patriarch himself would hesitate to enter, aware that the risk of losing his life was all too real.
"Continue your investigations. Search them again if necessary, but don't neglect the safety." The patriarch ordered with a serious expression.
After the old man left the building, another person stepped forward. He was a tall, lean man with silvered hair bound in a high tail. His long sleeves bore delicate embroidery of fox tails outlined in gold thread.
Bowing respectfully, he cleared his throat as he spoke. "Uncle Ti– uhumm. Patriarch. We have been following your orders, gathering intel from every corner of the Main Continent. Our clan's network of informants and hidden spies continues to scour for signs of any anomaly that might explain the statue's tremors."
He paused, adjusting the folds of his robe. "Through our countless sources, we have compiled the following information: First, there are rumors circulating about a young prodigy rumored to possess an exceedingly rare demonic bloodline. Although the specifics are unclear, whispers suggest his latent power may involve an aspect of fox lineage or some other bestial heritage that is capable of creating extraordinary resonance."
Another wave of murmurs spread through those assembled, and the Patriarch raised a hand to silence them. "Go on," he commanded quietly, his gaze unwavering.
The silver-haired subordinate inclined his head and continued, "Next, several distant sects in the western reaches have reported hearing strange howls echoing through the mountains at night. Some experts in those lands claim the howls carry an 'old magic,' reminiscent of ancient fox incantations that have not been heard for centuries. We cannot yet confirm these stories, but they coincide with the time frame of the statue's first tremor."
He paused again, letting his words sink in. "Lastly, there have been faint sightings but it was no more than shadows of a robed figure with foxlike features traveling between major cities. Our informants describe sightings that are difficult to pin down, as though illusions cloak this individual's true form. While we cannot be certain of any direct correlation, it is peculiar that these rumors arose around the same time as the statue's second tremor."
The patriarch's eyes narrowed, and an almost imperceptible ripple of power emanated from him, stirring the incense-laden air. "A robed figure howls in the night, and a young prodigy with a unique bloodline," he summarized in a measured tone. "None of these threads alone seems conclusive. But taken together…"
He let the sentence trail off, and behind him, the monumental jade statue seemed to glimmer ever so slightly, as if responding to his thoughts. After a contemplative moment, he spoke again.
"Compile all of this information into a detailed report. Correlate the times, places, and any potential witnesses. If our statue trembled not once but twice, there may be multiple triggers or a single source of power strong enough to pulse across vast distances."
The silver-haired man bowed again. "Yes, Patriarch. My team will redouble our efforts to connect the dots. If there is indeed a single source behind these tremors, we will find it."
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From the back of the hall, Old Lao's voice resonated once more, filled with a curious blend of weariness and excitement, "Little Tian, if that robed figure truly wields illusions strong enough to evade detection, we might be dealing with someone who has already awakened a portion of the ancestral fox power or something akin to it."
The patriarch inclined his head, acknowledging Old Lao's insight. Turning his attention back to the silver-haired subordinate, he gave a curt nod. "You know your orders. Go. And remember to spare no effort, but do not place our people in needless danger. Report to me the moment you find any solid lead."
Just as the silver-haired subordinate turned to depart, another figure entered the Ancestral Hall with hurried steps.
A middle-aged man dressed in a dark robe adorned with subtle fox-tail motifs at the hem. Bowing low, he cast a brief glance at the jade statue before addressing the Patriarch in a steady voice.
"Patriarch," he began, "our network has gathered new information on the Golden Lion Race. Over the past two days, they have shown an unprecedented spike in activity as they mobilized scouting parties and fortifying their borders. They appear to be searching for something…or someone."
The patriarch's eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp with anticipation. "Elaborate," he commanded.
The newcomer inclined his head. "Yes, Patriarch. Their patrols have doubled, particularly in regions near where our demonic fox clans sometimes roam. We have also intercepted rumors that the Golden Lion patriarch himself is preparing a small elite squad. From what our sources say, they plan to depart soon—possibly to investigate the same disturbances we've been monitoring."
With a measured calm, the patriarch lifted a hand for silence. "If the Golden Lion Race is truly on the move, it could be connected to the statue's tremors. Perhaps they sense an opportunity like us or fear that we have already discovered a crucial secret." His voice turned grave. "Tell me, do they seem to have any definite lead?"
The subordinate shook his head. "Nothing concrete. However, they've dispatched envoys to at least three neighboring powers, possibly forging temporary alliances. And we've also noticed a significant buildup of supplies such as medicine, High-level treasures, even large transport wagons, as though they anticipate a long campaign. All signs suggest they are preparing for something far more extensive than a simple scouting run."
The patriarch tapped his foot on the marble floor in rhythm. "It's been decades since they gathered on this scale. If they're mobilizing resources, they must have caught wind of our statue's anomaly or perhaps uncovered clues we've yet to learn."