Cloud Millet Immortal Sect, Main Hall.
A figure shrouded in immortal radiance sat upon the throne at the hall's head. The white robes they wore emanated a divine light, shimmering brilliantly.
"Sect Master, we cannot hesitate any longer! The Qin Clan has gone too far! Two of our subsidiary cities were slaughtered overnight, not even the mortals were spared!" Below the hall, the Grand Elder of the Immortal Sect, Feng Baiyang, wore a ferocious expression. His Divine Emperor aura shook the heavens, roaring like a dragon.
"Yes! Sect Master, the Qin Clan's methods are utterly despicable! Seventy-eight of our disciples training outside have gone missing, including one true disciple!" The other elders chimed in agreement, especially those who had attended the Qin Clan event that day; their faces bore a clear will to fight.
Emperor Qin! The Qin Clan! They have gone too far!!
"Elders." A soft sigh came from the Sect Master atop the hall, causing space itself to tremble as if resonating with the Dao.
Among the many supreme orthodoxies of the Eastern Territories, the Cloud Millet Immortal Sect was undoubtedly first-rate. One could imagine the terror of the individual capable of holding the position of Sect Master.
"The Qin Clan is arrogant, their intentions deserve death. But have you elders considered whether someone might be pulling the strings behind all this?"
"Hmm?" The expressions of the elders shifted upon hearing this.
Indeed, whether it was the death of Xu Youwei or the slaughter of their subsidiary forces, it all seemed bizarre. Yet, the scenes recorded within Ma Liang's soul were undeniably real and clear. They refused to believe that anyone in the Eastern Territories could manipulate a soul before a Divine Emperor without leaving the slightest trace. Thus, they instinctively believed this was all meticulously orchestrated by the Qin Clan. But… what benefit would that bring the Qin Clan?
"Sect Master… our spies in the Qin Clan recently reported the arrival of a powerful, mysterious figure. Do you think the Qin Clan… has gained a new ally?"
"Even if the Qin Clan has allied with someone, a war between two great orthodoxies would inevitably lead to widespread suffering. Emperor Qin, though arrogant, is not one to disregard the bigger picture so recklessly. Very well. Order Yang'er to lead the sect's true disciples to investigate the destroyed cities! If it is truly the Qin Clan's doing… Hmph!" The Cloud Millet Sect Master's cold snort made everyone's hearts tremble, their eyes filling with a trace of awe and fear.
An unwritten rule existed across the Sacred Dynasty: conflicts among disciples should not involve their backing forces. By openly sending disciples down the mountain, even if the Qin Clan knew, they wouldn't dare send experts to exterminate them; they could only send their own peers to contend. Otherwise, once this rule was broken, the Qin Clan would face condemnation not just from the Cloud Millet Sect alone.
Let us hope this conflict can be contained among the younger disciples. For them, it shall also serve as a trial.
"Third Elder,follow them from a distance, just in case." Ultimately, the Sect Master found it difficult to be fully at ease and looked up, addressing a Divine King elder below.
---
Meanwhile, in the Qin Clan Holy Hall.
Emperor Qin sat coldly upon his dragon throne. As his eyes opened and closed, it seemed as if sunlight flickered within them, capable of shaking the ages.
"Your Majesty, two of our subsidiary ancient clans have been completely wiped out! We cannot swallow this insult!!"
"Your Majesty, the Cloud Millet Sect has even delivered a formal challenge to us! If we don't act, the entire Eastern Territories will laugh at our Qin Clan!"
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
"I have heard that the Cloud Millet side also lost two cities. Are you all aware of this?" Emperor Qin's eyes narrowed slightly, a furrow of gloom between his brows.
The situation in the Eastern Territories grows ever more complex. An invisible hand seems to be pushing the Qin Clan towards the brink of destruction.
"Your Majesty! I was the one who destroyed those two cities!" A white-haired elder suddenly stepped forward in the hall, his cultivation having long since reached the Divine Marquis realm.
"Huh? There's something… off about you." Emperor Qin's expression froze, a cold intent instantly swirling around him.
"Heh, perhaps Your Majesty is unaware… among the Qin Clan disciples killed by the Cloud Millet Sect was my only grandson! If I do not avenge this grudge… what use is this cultivation of mine?!" The elder's eyes were venomous, his tone dripping with bitterness. "If not for Your Majesty's order to avoid provocation, I would have stormed the Cloud Millet Sect myself to demand justice for my grandson!!"
"You…"
"Heh, how pitiful. Our Qin Clan has endured for millennia; when have we ever been humiliated like this? If my grandson had died due to his own lack of skill, I would have nothing to say. But the Cloud Millet Immortal Sect members are beasts in human skin, secretly attacking their allies! This crime… deserves death!" The elder, Qin Yun, spoke eloquently and at length, causing the other Qin Clan elders to feel a sense of shame, yet the fighting spirit in their eyes grew increasingly fervent.
"Elder Qin Yun speaks reason! The Cloud Millet Immortal Sect has gone too far!"
"Fight!"
"Elder Qin Yun, I understand the pain of losing your grandson. But by acting this way, have you not plunged our Qin Clan into a dire situation? Once the Cloud Millet experts come seeking justification for war, how should our Qin Clan resolve this?" Emperor Qin's voice was heavy.
"Hahahahaha! Your Majesty's words truly chill my heart! How to resolve it? My Qin Yun lineage has fought and bled for the Qin Clan, expanding our territories! And now… Hahaha! Fine! Since Your Majesty does not know how to resolve this, today I shall use my death… to buy our Qin Clan a chance to linger on in ignominy!!" As he finished speaking, the elder named Qin Yun suddenly raised his hand and slammed it violently onto the crown of his own head.
A Divine Marquis expert wholly intent on death—even Emperor Qin hadn't reacted completely in time.
Thump!
Blood immediately splattered across the floor, the thick, metallic scent instantly filling the entire Qin Clan hall. All the Qin Clan powerhouses present stared dumbfounded at the figure crumpled in the pool of blood, their eyes filled with a mixture of grief, hatred, and shock.
What profound bond between grandfather and grandson could drive Elder Qin Yun to spill his blood here? Or perhaps… Elder Qin Yun sought only to use his death to awaken the Qin Clan's fighting spirit?
As this thought occurred to many,the glances they cast towards Emperor Qin held a faint trace of disappointment.
To think our Qin Clan, having dominated the Eastern Territories for centuries, could be bullied to such an extent. And most importantly… Emperor Qin's current attitude is truly disheartening.
"This…" Emperor Qin's face grew even darker. The scene of Qin Yun taking his own life in the hall made him feel as if the gears of fate had already begun to turn. An invisible, immense force made it impossible for him to resist.
A Qin Clan elder avenges his grandson by destroying two Cloud Millet cities. Dissatisfied with the Emperor's stance, he ultimately takes his own life in despair.
The entire sequence was logical,flawless. Yet, Emperor Qin still felt this was merely the beginning of a scheme.
"Alas." "Elder Qin Yun, no matter what befalls the Qin Clan, your life… will not be wasted in vain!" Murmurs of appeal began to rise within the hall.
In the past, they would never have dared challenge Emperor Qin's authority. But today… The righteousness of the clan outweighs all else!
What Cloud Millet, what other foes… even if the Sacred Church itself bullies us, we Qin Clan elders are ready to fight!
Every man must die. What difference is there between swallowing insults and death itself!
Elder Qin Yun! You are the backbone of our Qin Clan! You are the battle hymn of our Qin Clan's awakening!!
Fight!
In this moment, regardless of Emperor Qin's final decision, any Qin Clan member with a shred of fighting spirit was prepared to die for the honor of their clan!