The pressure within the cultivation chamber slowly dissipated, yet the tense atmosphere only grew thicker.
Yunxihua stood up, her robe fluttering gently even though there was no wind. The spiritual light around her became more restrained—calm, yet concealing lethal sharpness.
"If war is truly inevitable," she said softly, "then they have chosen the wrong opponent."
Xuhuo looked at his sister with a complicated gaze—pride mixed with worry. He knew that when Yunxihua displayed such calmness, it meant she had already made a major decision.
"You're still the center of the storm, just like before," Xuhuo muttered. "That ancient inheritance… they will never stop coveting it."
Yunxihua turned toward the stone window overlooking the night sky of Xuliang City. The stars flickered dimly, as if veiled by an invisible layer of mist.
"That inheritance does not belong to the Fu Clan," she said coldly. "Nor is it a tool for the Devouring Star Alliance."
She slowly clenched her fist.
"It is a key. And someone wants to use it to open something that should remain sealed."
Xuhuo's eyes narrowed.
"The Ancient Astral Seal…"
Yunxihua nodded faintly.
"If that seal collapses, it won't involve only the eight ancient clans. The Qin Empire, the great sects, even the ancient races that have long remained hidden… all of them will be dragged into it."
For a moment, Xuhuo fell silent. Then he let out a small laugh, though there was not the slightest trace of joy in it.
"Hah… this world truly never gives us time to breathe."
He patted Yunxihua on the shoulder.
"Very well. The Ancient Dragon Clan will stand behind you. But remember—during the upcoming negotiations, the most dangerous weapon is not power."
"But words," Yunxihua added.
The two exchanged a look, mutual understanding formed without the need for words.
Three days later.
The sky above the territory of the Ancient Dragon Clan was split by magnificent lights. Astral dragons circled in the air, ancient protective formations fully activated. For the first time in hundreds of years, the clan's main gate was opened to guests from the eight ancient clans.
The Lei Clan arrived amid rolling lightning. The Fan Clan was shrouded in golden flames. The He Clan carried a silent aura of void. The Hong Clan emanated blood and slaughter. The Xiao Clan moved like shadows of wind. The Meimei Clan smiled gently—too gently. And finally…
The Fu Clan.
Their dark purple-black robes glimmered faintly, the soul symbols on their chests pulsing slowly like living hearts.
Inside the Astral Dragon Hall, the clan leaders sat upon their respective thrones, forming a circle of power.
When Yunxihua stepped inside alongside Xuhuo, whispers immediately spread.
"Is that her…" "The owner of that inheritance…" "The child who made the heavens weep…"
Grand Elder Fu Zhenhai opened his eyes.
His gaze immediately locked onto Yunxihua.
In an instant, two powerful wills collided in the air—without sound, without movement, yet enough to make several stone seats creak softly.
Fu Zhenhai smiled faintly.
"It has been a long time, Yunxihua."
Yunxihua returned his gaze without fear.
"If Elder Fu summoned the eight clans merely for pleasantries," she said calmly, "then this is a waste of everyone's time."
The hall suddenly fell silent.
Several elders were shocked—few dared to speak so bluntly before the Grand Elder of the Fu Clan.
Yet Fu Zhenhai only chuckled softly.
"Straight to the point. Good."
He raised his hand, and a stellar projection appeared at the center of the hall—a constellation array pulsing with darkness, as if devouring the surrounding light.
"The Devouring Star Alliance has risen once more."
A cold aura swept through the hall.
"And they have only one objective," Fu Zhenhai continued slowly, his voice piercing.
"To awaken the Deepest Astral Inheritance… through her."
Everyone's gaze shifted simultaneously toward Yunxihua.
Xuhuo stood up, his ancient dragon aura erupting like a volcano.
"Enough, Fu Zhenhai! Don't wrap your ambition in the guise of a world-ending threat!"
But Yunxihua raised her hand, stopping him.
She stepped forward one step.
If the hall had felt tense before, now it was as though everyone was holding their breath on the brink of destruction.
Her eyes gleamed sharply, the ancient inheritance within her body trembling softly—as if welcoming the challenge.
"Because from this moment on…"
thunder roared outside the hall, astral dragons howled loudly,
"…I will no longer merely react to your plans."
She looked at each clan leader one by one.
"I will become the variable you cannot control."
And in the corner of the hall, the soul symbol of the Fu Clan pulsed faster and faster.
A sign that the true game… had only just begun.