Dark tides surged beneath the surface as the festival day drew near.
Finally, the day arrived.
That morning, every Shi Tribesman, noble or commoner alike, dressed in their finest clothes.
Those of high status were allowed to enter the plaza to witness the ceremony up close. Those who weren't, gathered outside the capital's walls, waiting eagerly for the start.
Once the ceremony began, an enormous curtain of water would rise above the square, projecting the entire event in all directions so that every citizen in the capital could watch together.
Inside the Imperial City, the largest square had already been activated.
On the towering platform at its center, representatives of different races would perform one after another. Even the nobles and royal family members would lay down their pride for the day, stepping onto the stage to showcase their arts and celebrate with the people.
After the performances, the king would host a banquet for all the honored guests. Even the citizens outside the palace walls would receive a share of the Shi Tribe's auspicious cakes.
At the very heart of the square stood a colossal boulder, the very source of the Shi Tribe's power—the Spirit Stone.
The Shi Tribe had always danced and sung beneath it, offering gratitude for its blessings. This festival had lasted for millions of years. It was the most sacred, most celebrated day of the Shi Tribe.
But this time, something was different. The air felt heavier, the tension palpable.
Everyone knew—this year's celebration wouldn't end peacefully.
Yun Jin and the other rare-race performers had already arrived at the plaza. The envoys from other races had taken their seats as well. Sweeping her gaze across the gathered guests, Yun Jin clicked her tongue softly.
Envoys, they said.
But this lineup was way too powerful for a simple visit. Every one of them had at least reached the Unity stage, and there were plenty of Tribulation and Mahayana experts among them.
Several of their auras stood out, sharp and overwhelming. If anyone claimed they were here just to watch the ceremony, Yun Jin wasn't buying it.
The disciples of the Wushuang Sect had already gathered information: the Shi Tribe nobles were planning to make a move during today's celebration. If even the disciples knew, how could the royal family not?
And if the royal family knew, the king definitely knew too.
The nobles also understood that their plans had already reached the king's ears. In fact, the rumor that they intended to act during the ceremony had been deliberately spread by the royal family itself.
They wanted to manipulate public opinion in advance. If the nobles failed, the royal family could claim they'd merely defended themselves against rebellion. If the nobles somehow won, they'd still bear the mark of traitors and face the people's wrath.
Both sides understood this unspoken game perfectly well.
But in this world, strength ruled all. In the end, only the victor could claim the throne. No matter how strong the propaganda, as long as they won, nothing else mattered.
The Shi Tribe nobles exchanged glances, their expressions grim. They knew the king must've made her own preparations too.
Over the years, she'd appeared less and less often, but every time she did, her power seemed even deeper, even more unfathomable.
For the past decade, she hadn't shown herself at all. They couldn't help but wonder—just how strong had she become?
Still, no matter how powerful she was, she was only one person. To make sure nothing went wrong this time, the nobles had even promised away several Shi Tribe cities to secure the aid of top experts from other races.
With so many powerful cultivators working together, could one king really stand against them all?
Today would be the end of her reign.
The foreign envoys exchanged knowing looks, faint amusement flashing in their eyes. After today, the Shi Tribe would shatter beyond repair.
Just as everyone was nursing their own schemes, a voice rang out through the plaza.
"The King has arrived!"
The crowd turned as one, and their eyes narrowed.
Her royal guards came first, forming two neat rows and surrounding her closely.
Then came the slow sway of an ornate parasol, and beneath it, the king's face emerged—stunningly beautiful, yet eerily pale.
Yu Songnian stood among the disguised guards beside Yue Zhao and Si Wanning. The moment he saw the king, his body trembled slightly.
There was no mistaking it.
The king looked exactly like his mother.
They were twins, after all.
But unlike his mother's gentle, kind eyes that drew people in effortlessly, the king's gaze was cold and strange. Her long isolation had left her face almost unnaturally pale, and her eyes glowed with a disturbing, bewitching light that no one dared to meet for long.
This king was anything but ordinary.
Yu Songnian could feel the entire atmosphere tighten the moment she appeared.
If Yun Jin hadn't been here, he, Yue Zhao, and Si Wanning would've been just as nervous as everyone else. But with her around, even if the sky fell, their Sect Master would probably just push it back up.
The king moved slowly to the front and took her seat upon the main throne. Her gaze swept across the crowd, her lips curving slightly as she licked them, a glint of greed flickering in her eyes.
To stay low and grow stronger, she'd only targeted rare races with no background—those whose destruction wouldn't stir up revenge. She'd tried absorbing the bloodlines of ordinary Shi Tribesmen, but it was useless. Only when she'd devoured the former king—her own mother—had she truly felt her power rise.
Zhi Yue had long suspected that her bloodline was too noble for ordinary Shi Tribe blood to strengthen it. Only her mother's could refine it further. If she'd obtained that secret art earlier, she would've captured Zhi Yin too.
A bloodline that could give birth to the King's Stone was the purest of all. If she could've devoured Zhi Yin's bloodline, she could've perfected her own.
Now, after consuming countless rare bloodlines, her strength was terrifying. But she wanted more. The bloodlines of all the envoys gathered here would be hers next. Once she absorbed the power of a hundred races, she'd stand unchallenged atop the entire Nanlan Continent.
Of course, once she did, she'd become everyone's enemy.
But so what?
Only power held in one's own hands was truly theirs. As long as she was strong enough, no rule, no alliance, could ever bind her.
Zhi Yue glanced around, her gaze sweeping over every envoy as if seeing them as nothing more than prey. She suppressed the thrill rising within her chest, circulating her spiritual power to steady herself.
Patience.
Just a little longer.
She couldn't let them run before the feast began.
Lifting her cup, she rose to her feet with a graceful smile.
"Today marks the Shi Tribe's Spirit Stone Festival. I thank the envoys of all races for joining us in celebration. As in years past, we've prepared an abundance of performances. Please, drink with me, and enjoy the festivities together."