Within the grand hall, silence lingered after Yao Yunting's departure. Space twisted, light flickered, and four silhouettes quietly appeared — Zhu Bei, Zhu Yu, Zhu Fei, and Liu Xi. The first three stood to the left, while Liu Xi stood to the right. Even without releasing their aura, an invisible, awe-inspiring pressure filled the vast chamber. Four High Level Dou Saints stood gathered.
Zhu Bei, the foremost of the three commanders, smiled faintly. "According to Master Liu's plan, we've helped one faction gather the Ancient Jade. Now comes the time to choose. Once the Four Clan Alliance severs one arm of the Hun Clan, the balance of power will shift — and that's when we strike."
Zi Yan nodded slightly. Judging by the current situation, the alliance indeed held a chance of victory. The Hun Clan, alone facing four ancient clans — no matter how deep they concealed their strength — was clearly overreaching. Still, Zi Yan didn't immediately agree. Her violet eyes flickered as she turned toward Liu Xi. The majesty and allure in her gaze softened, replaced by quiet reliance and trust.
Catching her gaze, Liu Xi smiled and nodded. "Indeed, the Medicinal Ceremony is the key where the balance will shift. But the Hun Clan won't sit idle. If they refuse to attend, so be it — but if they do, the Yao Clan must have prepared their trump cards. They'll have the confidence to face the other three clans. And let's not forget, the Hun Clan still has the Void Devouring Flame. Just because it hasn't appeared doesn't mean it's gone. I need to see for myself how this situation evolves."
Zhu Fei scratched his head, muttering, "Master Liu makes sense, but it still feels suffocating. Back then, if anyone dared act arrogantly, the Old Dragon Emperor would have just gone over and beaten them into obedience."
At his words, both Zhu Bei and Zhu Yu revealed expressions of nostalgia and regret. They too had once been the Old Dragon Emperor's personal guards — witnesses to the tribe's most glorious era. Yet now, they had to scheme cautiously for the sake of the Ancient Jade.
Liu Xi said calmly, "You're not wrong. It is frustrating. In the Old Dragon Emperor's time, at the peak of Dou Saint, whoever defied him was simply crushed. But we're not in that age. Without a peak-level powerhouse, anyone who faces such strength now would be throwing their lives away — and even then, might still lose."
His blunt words laid the truth bare. To seize the Ancient Jade, both Hun Tiandi and Gu Yuan were obstacles that could not be avoided. Even Liu Xi, now a Mid Level 8-Star Dou Saint with an Emperor Realm Soul and multiple fused Heavenly Flames, had no certainty of victory against them — though killing him wouldn't be easy either. The hall fell silent. That was the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe's greatest weakness: they lacked a true peak expert.
Zi Yan broke the silence. Her beautiful face turned resolute as she said, "Big Brother, I'll go with you…"
"No." Liu Xi and Zhu Bei spoke in unison, then exchanged a smile.
Zhu Bei clasped his hands and said with a laugh, "This Medicinal Ceremony could turn into a battlefield. It's too dangerous. Let me go in your place, Master Liu. Together, we'll be enough to handle any threat."
Liu Xi nodded in agreement. "With the First Commander on the surface and me in the shadows, two 8-Star Dou Saints are more than sufficient. The Medicinal Ceremony may be fraught with peril — the fewer people we bring, the better."
Zi Yan bit her lip, a hint of frustration flashing across her face. She had consumed the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit and was now a Mid-Level 5-Star Dou Saint — far stronger than before. Yet to them, she was still the weakest. She clenched her silver teeth, wanting to protest, but she couldn't deny that her strength was still limited. Against 7-Star or 8-Star Dou Saints, she would have no power to resist. Her expression dimmed slightly.
Seeing this, Liu Xi thought for a moment, then smiled. "Zi Yan, you're a key figure. Once the Medicinal Ceremony ends, no one knows what may happen. A war could break out at any moment. You, along with the Second and Third Commanders, must lead the Beast Region's army. If you receive my message, march to the battlefield immediately."
As he spoke, Liu Xi exchanged a subtle glance with Zhu Yu and Zhu Fei. Both understood his meaning — protect Zi Yan at all costs. The two immediately stepped forward and said solemnly, "Please, Dragon Emperor, think of the greater picture."
Zi Yan knew Liu Xi was coaxing her, but his reasoning was sound. She sighed softly, regaining some composure. "Then… we'll proceed as planned. Big Brother, Grandpa Zhu Bei, take care of yourselves during the ceremony."
"Understood," Liu Xi and Zhu Bei replied together.
Their plan set, the month leading up to the Medicinal Ceremony passed swiftly. During that time, Liu Xi didn't continue cultivating. Instead, he took the rare chance to relax, spending time with Xiao Yixian, Zi Yan, Qing Lin, and his newly acquired "daughter," Erlong. Even Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin couldn't hide their worry — though they were improving rapidly, they were still far from strong enough to intervene in a battle among top Dou Saints.
When the month ended, Liu Xi and Zhu Bei set out together. Two 8-Star Dou Saints traveling side by side — even if the Hun Clan came in full force, the two had enough power to ensure their safety. And should things turn dire, Liu Xi could still rely on the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree. Though its true body couldn't come, its clone within him possessed strength exceeding even a 9-Star Dou Saint. Perhaps, with luck, he might even take advantage of Hun Tiandi or Gu Yuan.
For this journey, Zhu Bei would act as the official representative — his Late 8-Star Dou Saint strength gave the alliance due respect. Liu Xi, however, couldn't risk revealing his identity. Simple disguises wouldn't fool those ancient monsters, so he subtly manipulated his body — adjusting bones and muscles with perfect precision. His frame grew taller and broader, his presence more imposing. His features still bore traces of resemblance, but his aura was fiercer and more domineering. Having once absorbed the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, mimicking a member of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe came easily.
Still not satisfied, Liu Xi used his Emperor Realm Soul to conceal his true strength, suppressing his aura to that of a 2-Star Dou Saint. He even employed the illusory art of the Nightmare Heavenly Fog, making himself appear utterly ordinary. In the end, even those who knew him well wouldn't recognize that this imposing, cold-eyed dragon-like man was Liu Xi.
Zhu Bei's mastery of spatial power was equally astounding. With a single wave, he tore open a spatial passage, and in less than half an hour, they emerged again into the light. Standing in midair, Liu Xi gazed upon the distant mountains. The dense medicinal fragrance was so thick it seemed tangible, saturating the skies with golden mist. He smiled faintly. "The Yao Clan truly lives up to its legacy as a lineage of alchemists. To cultivate such vast mountains of herbs — this must have taken at least ten thousand years."
(End of Chapter)
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