CHAPTER 212: HEAVEN TRIBE, HOLLOW LAND AND UNDERCURRENTS

Within a single breath’s time, Huan Lianhua, matriarch of the Huan Clan and wife of Yu Changming, appeared in the room.

The lingering pressure of that suffocating killing intent was still felt in the air.

Yu Zimo, drenched in cold sweat, stiffened the moment she arrived. Maybe something big really happened.

His mind spun.

’Who in all the heavens provoked the Patriarch? He never... never reveals his killing intent.’

Reading the shift in atmosphere, Yu Zimo bowed deeply. Without a word, he ushered Little Blue out of the room, closing the door behind them.

Silence fell.

Lianhua’s silvery white hair, tied neatly in a bun, shimmered faintly. Her voice, though soft and melodious, carried the sharpness of one who saw through all pretense.

"What happened for you to release such intent, Changming?"

Her words pierced straight through.

Yu Changming turned from the window, his gaze meeting her.

"I sensed it," he said.

"The talisman I gave to Xuan... was used."

Lianhua’s eyes widened slightly.

"...What? Really?"

"Yes."

Her brows furrowed, confusion flickering across her otherwise composed face.

"Perhaps it was on a whim. You know him right? He’s reckless and curious. And the Heaven Immortal Sect’s founder was a genius of the Heaven Tribe. I doubt they would have stupid Elders among them."

Yu Changming shook his head slowly. His voice was low.

"Even so... not everyone there, may have good intentions toward him. The higher one rises, the more their enemies."

Lianhua stepped closer, her expression softening. She reached up and gently ruffled his hair as if he were still a child.

"I doubt," she murmured, lips curving faintly, "that you sent our son with only those talismans, husband."

Together they stood by the wide window, gazing into the boundless skies of the Eternal Star Heavenly World.

"I only fear," she continued quietly, "that one day... you will revert to your old self."

Yu Changming closed his eyes, memories pressing heavily against his chest. His hand tightened slightly around hers before he let out a long sigh.

"No. Never again. I was merely... worried and impulsive just now."

Her fingers interlaced with his. For a moment, the world outside seemed distant.

But then her voice cut again, sharper this time:

"Then what was that killing intent meant for?"

"..."

For once, the Patriarch of the Yu Clan had no words.

"I just hope the world stays calm," Yu Changming finally muttered.

Huan Lianhua snorted softly, her gaze sharp.

"Calm? After such a display from you? Do you truly think ’calm’ is still possible?"

Yu Changming groaned, rubbing his temple.

"I only hope... that during the coming calamity, the Hollow Land does not make a move."

"The Hollow Land?" Lianhua’s eyes narrowed.

"They will not stay quiet. The Eternals will seize this chance, I can say this with certainty."

Yu Changming’s expression was amusing.

"Truly... I never thought this world could hold so many buried secrets."

"But what choice do we have now? Our destiny is rooted here, now. Whatever storms come, we face them. And... it is not such a terrible fate I guess. Not when we stand together."

Yu Changming grip tightened on her hand.

But outside their residence, the winds had already begun to shift.

Just as they had predicted, the world was slipping into chaos.

***

In the Eternal Star Heavenly World, deep within a hidden dimension, a meeting of shadows was taking place.

The atmosphere was heavy.

Seated around a vast circular table of obsidian were figures who rarely revealed themselves — legends among legends, the ancestors of the seven ruling clans. Each one carried a terrifying aura.

From the Ming Clan, only their current patriarch, Ming Taishen, was present. Unlike the others, the Ming Clan’s custom was simple: the strongest always led.

The silence was first broken by a deep, mocking voice.

"Is that Yu boy finally making his move? That killing intent — ha, it shook the world. Old Yu, speak up. What is that child planning?"

From across the table, a voice answered.

"And why should I bare my clan’s secrets to you? If you want answers, go knock on my clan gates yourself."

The speaker was one of the Yu Clan’s slumbering ancestors, his tone carrying the faint weight of sword intent.

Another voice chuckled, unbothered.

"Hmph. Still, it has been too long since I felt such pure killing intent. Refreshing. Reminds me that we old bones are still alive."

"I don’t share your amusement," another voice interjected.

"That boy will drag us into storms sooner than later. His father was troublesome enough. Now this generation too?"

"Then why don’t you confront him yourself?" someone sneered.

"..."

Silence. None dared to respond.

The memory of Yu Changming’s fury lingered in their minds. The last time that man had acted recklessly, the Eternal Star Heavenly World had nearly been plunged into war with the Heavenly Oceanica World.

"Bah. The Heavenly Oceanica World is just so-so," one of them scoffed.

"Then by all means," another replied dryly, "go there and kill one of their half-immortals. Let us see how ’so-so’ they are."

Again, silence.

The weight of reality settled over them until Ming Taishen finally spoke, his tone calm but his words sharp enough to split the quiet.

"We all know a dangerous era is approaching. The Aura of Destiny has already appeared, along with the Heaven Immortal Sect. You’ve all begun your preparations, I’m sure."

None denied it.

Ming Taishen continued, his eyes glinting.

"Yu Changming has a son. Yu Xuan. I suggest we betroth daughters from each clan to him. Strengthen our bonds now, before calamity arrives."

His words fell like thunder. An engagement card — definitely not the one used by dying old mans.

A Yu Clan ancestor’s voice cut through the air, cold as a sword edge.

"You dare? You would bind my clan’s heir with shackles of politics? He will be displeased. Very displeased. And you know well what that means."

"I merely suggest a path," Ming Taishen replied smoothly, his hands clasped behind his back.

Another Yu Clan ancestor’s laugh carried a sharpness that chilled the air.

"I have crossed swords with Yu Changming before. If you walk this path, Ming Taishen, you will not form bonds with him, you will forge enmity. Mark my words."

"Tch. Immortals and their pride."

Someone else muttered.

"Enough," another ancestor finally spoke, silencing the room. His voice was like the toll of a great bell, heavy with finality.

"Yu Changming is not the first reincarnated immortal we have seen, nor will he be the last. Let us not waste time speculating. We came here to discuss the matter of the coming calamity. That is what we must prepare for."

"Yes," another agreed.

"Our Seven Clans have endured countless ages because of the bond between us. This is no time for such foolish games."

"Hsshh. Then let us continue."

The obsidian table pulsed faintly with runes as the meeting moved on.

***

Lingluo rushed forward, purple aura coiling around her fists like a raging storm.

Boom!

The collision generated a shockwave as her strike met her master’s hand, only to be stopped by a single finger. The old woman didn’t even shift her stance.

"Hmph. I’ve yet to even begin your disorganized training, and your moves already lack variation," the old woman muttered, her tone sharp but unhurried.

Her eyes narrowed.

"Use your bloodline ability."

Lingluo inhaled deeply, then nodded. In the next breath, she floated into the air, her figure settling cross-legged atop a lotus. The lotus pulsed with chaotic energy, each petal trembling as if alive.

With a faint hum, the petals detached, drifting slowly around her before shattering.

The fragments multiplied, blurring into a dense mist surrounding her.

Lingluo raised her hand and commanded softly.

The mist condensed into a massive hand, a towering palm of purple chaos that loomed above, before crashing down toward her master.

The old woman did not move. She let the attack envelop her entirely.

Then her voice echoed from within the chaos:

"Your chaos is too weak, too rigid. It still has an inherit structure. Do you understand what I’m saying, little disciple?"

Lingluo frowned, sweat beading her forehead.

"Should I... change the patterns continuously?"

If Yu Xuan had been awake, he would have cursed them at such unfair treatment against him.

"No," the old woman replied.

"What you need is mental training. I must shatter the false image of chaos in your heart. Only then will you wield true chaos. A slow start, but... at least you can begin, you dumb girl."

Lingluo’s eyes flared.

"What?!"

Her anger surged, and the chaos hand crumbled back into mist, spreading across them like a tide. It slithered along the ground, covering everything near the old woman, pulsing as if ready to devour the world itself.

Then from within the mist, skeletal figures began to materialize. They resembled undead at first glance — yet each was oddly short and, to the old woman’s dismay, almost cute-looking(???).

The old woman’s expression darkened. Just watching the strange little figures take shape gave her a headache.

***

[A/N:] Working too hard....

Anyways take this gift: ABDHYB9ACXCAAGA6A