Chapter 550: Vindicating the Clan
"Kid, you're lucky. It's a shame you didn't break through to the Immortal Lord Realm this time!"
Just then, a figure appeared suddenly in front of Da Meng Jiuyuan, accompanied by an elder whose aura was deeply restrained, his gaze like a dragon lurking in the Nine Nether.
At those mocking words, everyone turned and saw the youth wearing the cloud-patterned robe of the Yunjin Imperial Clan.
Li Hao saw it was Jin Fengling. His eyes narrowed slightly, but his expression remained calm, though a faint chill flashed in his gaze.
"Yunjin Imperial Clan, the great battle is about to begin, and you've come here to disturb my sect's disciples? Don't you think that's a little inappropriate?" the Da Meng Sect Master said coldly, stepping protectively in front of Li Hao. Her expression darkened, clearly seeing Jin Fengling's words were targeting Li Hao.
Jin Fengling ignored the Sect Master, his mocking gaze fixed on Li Hao. But he didn't say anything more—he could faintly sense a terrifying gaze watching from the clouds above.
He had come deliberately to provoke, to stir Li Hao's temper and shake his state of mind. But he also knew this was skirting the edge of the rules. If he pushed too far, it might backfire.
"Hmph."
He snorted coldly and turned to leave.
After he was gone, the disciples within the sect were furious.
"That Yunjin Imperial Clan is disgusting!"
"Five of them ganged up and still couldn't beat Brother Hao Tian. Now they're trying to bully him again? Pathetic!"
"Yeah! They're sore losers, it's embarrassing!"
"Don't let it get to you, Brother Hao Tian. Just treat him like a fart!"
They shouted angrily while trying to reassure Li Hao, afraid the provocation had shaken him. After all, Jin Fengling was already at the Immortal Lord Realm, and his words were full of threat—it could easily throw someone off mentally.
The Da Meng Sect Master's eyes turned grim. She hadn't expected the Yunjin Imperial Clan to be this despicable. But they were royalty, backed by an Immortal Dynasty Emperor. It was said the seven great Imperial Emperors of the Immortal Dynasties were all peak Immortal Kings, and some were even half-step Immortal Emperors.
With Da Meng Jiuyuan's strength, they couldn't possibly stand up to an entire imperial clan. Even though she was furious, all she could do was endure it and report to the Yanchu Royal Clan for support.
"I'm fine," Li Hao said calmly, having already guessed Jin Fengling's intentions.
Just then, an ancient, dense aura emanated from the emperor's platform. It was deep and filled with a sense of vast time.
A formation appeared, sealing the platform. Two figures were already within, weapons drawn.
"The first match: Chijiang Immortal Dynasty's Tianmen Sect disciple, Chi Jiangyang of the Chiyang Clan, versus Tianzhao Immortal Dynasty's imperial heir, Xu Wushuang!"
The Immortal Guard Commander's voice rang out, projected across the entire South Domain and all its Immortal Dynasties. Not only the contestants, but their sects, dynasties, and races were revealed, representing the prestige behind them.
In the Chijiang Immortal Dynasty, disciples of all sects turned their attention to the battle with intense focus.
The same happened in the Tianzhao Immortal Dynasty. Cheers erupted across countless cities, shouting for their domain's geniuses—even knowing the contestants couldn't hear them.
"Let's watch the fight first," Li Hao said with a smile, calming the others in the sect.
Seeing that Li Hao hadn't been affected, the Sect Master felt slightly relieved. Still, when she looked toward the Yunjin Imperial Clan's area, her eyes carried rare coldness.
On the emperor's platform, the two fighters had already begun exchanging blows. The royal from Tianzhao revealed a fierce, overwhelming power as soon as he entered the field. His immortal mark shone—it was the Nineflower Immortal Seal.
Knowing all eyes were on this first bout of the Top Hundred, he didn't hide his power. He went all in, aiming for a quick win.
Facing him was a woman from the Tianmen Sect, wielding a rare bell-shaped weapon. As it rang, it released waves of sound, creating illusions and targeting the primordial spirit. For those with weak soul strength, just two chimes could pull them into a dreamlike trap, fully under her control.
Unfortunately for her, the Tianzhao prince struck faster. His soul power was strong, and before her weapon could do much, he pierced her skull with a spear—utterly ruthless.
Seeing the swift end, cheers erupted from the Tianzhao camp.
Meanwhile, across Chijiang's cities, there were cries of disappointment and angry curses.
"That Tianmen Sect girl wasn't weak, but that Tianzhao royal was stronger. These Nineflower Immortal Seals just keep popping up," Yue Xi whispered with a serious look, sensing just how dangerous these Top Hundred fights truly were—she couldn't defeat either of them.
"If your opponent is too strong, and you know you can't win, don't be afraid to surrender. Don't throw away your life," said the Sect Master. "Even though the Supreme has preserved your soul core for reincarnation, restarting a new life takes a lot of time."
The others all nodded.
Soon, the second match began.
From the mountain peak, the rest of the contestants quietly watched, gauging the intensity of the Top Hundred duels.
While a few had made it this far under someone's protection, in the Top Hundred, no one could hide anymore. You had to rely on your own power.
Before long, the seventh match came—and it was Yue Xi's turn.
She was the first contestant from Da Meng Jiuyuan to enter the ring.
"Good luck!"
"Don't be nervous, Junior Sister. Just fight with your Dao!"
Other disciples encouraged her with supportive gazes.
Feeling their care, Yue Xi took a deep breath. At that moment, she felt as if she were back among her clan.
When she left her clan, her family had shown her the same care. And as a young girl with a firm heart, she vowed to make a name for herself—for her people.
"Mm!"
Yue Xi nodded hard. She glanced at Li Hao and, seeing his warm and encouraging gaze, felt a wave of courage rise in her heart.
She calmed her thoughts and flew onto the emperor's platform.
The barrier rippled to let her in. When both contestants were inside, it sealed shut again.
"Seventh match: Yanchu Immortal Dynasty, Da Meng Jiuyuan Sect, Yue Xi of the Huoluan Clan, versus Wangqin Immortal Dynasty royal heir, Qin Xiangyu!"
The Immortal Guard Commander's voice echoed through the air, and across the Yanchu Immortal Dynasty, people in all the immortal cities sat up straight to watch.
But their excitement quickly turned to worry. So far in every bout between sect disciples and royals, the royal bloodlines had won almost every time.
After all, the resources given to the imperial clans far outstripped what sect disciples received.
"Huoluan Clan? Wasn't that clan once known as a disaster-bringer in the Hundred Races? I can't believe one's appeared again."
"Didn't they go extinct? What are they doing in Yanchu?"
"I've heard that wherever the Huoluan Clan appears, disaster follows."
In the nine thousand cities of the Yanchu Immortal Dynasty, many people began to whisper with concern.
"To think the Huoluan Clan wasn't wiped out after all. And now they've even come to Yanchu?"
"Is Yanchu out of its mind? Taking in the Huoluan Clan? Did they learn nothing from the calamity during the Ancient Demon invasion?"
"That's right, I heard the Huoluan Clan even caused the death of an Immortal Emperor."
"They were the reason for the Ancient Demon catastrophe. A clan like that shouldn't exist."
Within the Wangqin Immortal Dynasty, many people hurled fierce accusations while cheering for their royal heir.
On the mountain peak, several contestants from other Immortal Dynasties whispered among themselves.
"It's Xi'er..."
"Is Sister Xi going up next?"
"Her opponent's from the Wangqin royal family. I'm afraid she'll lose."
"Even if she does, she's already brought honor to our clan. She's shown the world that the Huoluan Clan also has its own prodigies!"
In a remote, toxic mountain deep in the wilderness—bordering an ordinary Immortal Dynasty—stood a hidden valley that looked like a paradise. A projection stone displayed the South Domain Tournament in the sky above, letting the entire Huoluan Clan watch the unfolding battle.
The moment they saw the young girl, the whole clan erupted.
That same girl who once left home, vowing to carve a path for her people, had truly done it.
And it had only been a few short years since she departed.
"Da Meng Jiuyuan—they were once aided by the Tianyang Immortal Emperor. No wonder they took Xi'er in."
"Sister Yue Xi is going to win, right?"
"Don't say that. Just getting on that stage is already a victory. She's endured more than any of us can imagine."
Everyone in the clan, young and old, had gathered at the mountaintop, watching the projection of the emperor's platform with tense eyes.
"Ever since Tianyang Immortal Emperor fell, our Huoluan Clan has been persecuted in the True Realm. Even those clans who once followed us turned their backs and started spreading lies—blaming us for the Ancient Demon invasion. Such absurd slander, yet people actually believe it!"
"They don't believe it—they need a scapegoat. If the demons were a natural calamity, then they had to blame someone who angered the heavens. Only then could they sleep at night."
The elderly woman speaking was the clan chief of the Huoluan Clan. Around her stood seven equally aged elders.
Since being cast out from the Hundred Clans, the Huoluan Clan had lost all respect. The rumors had grown louder, until lies were accepted as truth.
"To think that child Xi'er fought her way into the South Domain Tournament. When she left, she'd only just entered the True Immortal Realm—still wet behind the ears."
"Da Meng Jiuyuan is a great benefactor to our clan. If any of you ever meet their disciples, help them however you can."
The other elders agreed one after another.
While some clansmen had left to seek cultivation elsewhere, most sects rejected them outright the moment they revealed their clan name. That was one of the reasons the Huoluan Clan had grown weaker—no access to elite training or resources. They had to rely on themselves to grow, but progress was slow.
While the Huoluan Clan quietly discussed this, back on the emperor's platform, Qin Xiangyu stood tall in black armor, sharp and commanding. She calmly looked at the girl across from her. She had already reviewed her opponent's background when the matchups were drawn.
"If I were you, I wouldn't flaunt myself in this world."
Qin Xiangyu spoke flatly.
Yue Xi, who had been focusing her mind, was slightly startled. When she looked up, she saw contempt in the other girl's eyes.
As someone from the Huoluan Clan, Yue Xi was extremely sensitive. Even though her Dao Heart had reached the Eternal level, she had trouble moving beyond it. The state of her clan was a nightmare that weighed on every member of the Huoluan bloodline.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice low and rough.
"Your clan may not be as bad as the rumors say, but you've never done any good either. I don't believe you got your Top Hundred spot through your own ability."
Qin Xiangyu's tone was calm. "If people knew you were Huoluan, they'd gang up on you."
Yue Xi's face changed. She knew it was true. And that truth burned her with shame and fury. It was just like when Wan Shan Jianlou rejected her upon learning her lineage.
She had done nothing wrong—so why should she be hated?
Ganged up on? Based on what?
"My Huoluan Clan holds dominion over the Dao of Calamity. It is one of the immortal Dao Laws! It is not us who bring disaster—it is the Dao itself!"
Her fingers curled into fists so tight they left deep imprints in her palms, but her voice stayed low, steady, each word echoing from the depths of her soul. She wasn't screaming—she was speaking the words she had repeated silently countless times, now voiced on the highest emperor's platform of the South Domain Tournament:
"Blades and swords are tools of killing. The Dao of Slaughter and the Dao of Destruction are also among the immortal Dao Laws."
"Has anyone ever feared the Dao of Destruction? Has anyone cursed the Dao of Slaughter? They are revered and pursued. Then why must the Huoluan Clan carry eternal blame?"
As her words rang out, deep in the mountain valley, the Huoluan Clan trembled. Tears welled up in their eyes.
Because what the girl spoke—was the silent cry buried in every heart of their clan.
"Hmph. Don't give me that nonsense. The facts speak for themselves."
Qin Xiangyu sneered. "It's true you wield the power of Calamity, but can you control it? I say no. Which is why it's best your kind disappears."
"And how would you know we can't control it?"
Yue Xi's voice quivered. Her eyes reddened. She could handle debate—but not baseless slander and wild accusations.
"Enough talk. Let's end this quickly."
Qin Xiangyu had no interest in arguing over something the world had already made up its mind on. She didn't care whether it was true or not. Her path was the law of the strong—the pinnacle of the Immortal King Realm—not indulging in sentiment.
As she spoke, powerful immortal Power surged from her. Behind her appeared a towering avatar, clad in black armor and holding a long spear. Three rainbow-colored ribbons fluttered around it—an exclusive trait of the Xuannü bloodline.
From her mother, she inherited the Xuannü blood, one of the Hundred Clans of the True Realm.
Yue Xi was blasted by the overwhelming pressure, her long hair whipping wildly. Her face changed. The strength was beyond what she expected. She had told herself to give it her all, and if she couldn't win, then surrender quickly.
But now she realized—she was no match for her opponent.
Still, surrender?
She stared into those emotionless black-armored eyes, and her heart clenched.
"Ancestor... if you still watch over our people, please grant me strength!"
She called out silently within.
At the same time, her immortal Power erupted. Behind her rose an avatar—a veiled black figure, emanating an ancient presence.