The true rulers are about to appear. Upon hearing this, the steward immediately collapsed, his face turning pale as a sheet, devoid of any color, trembling uncontrollably, with his teeth chattering.
He was engulfed in fear. If this matter were to be investigated further, everyone involved would be wiped out. It was already foreseeable that soon heads would roll, falling in droves.
When a ruler is enraged, rivers of blood flow, and corpses cover thousands of miles. No one can stop him; there would be no escape. The world is vast, but there is no place for him.
Not just him, but even Yu Meng was terrified, pacing back and forth, his heart in extreme dread. If the situation escalated, it was beyond his ability to control. This was the ancestral land of the Stone Clan, sacred and unassailable.
“It wasn’t me. What am I to do?” The steward slumped there, his eyes vacant, repeatedly saying the same thing, no longer possessing his usual authority.
“Get out!”
Yu Meng, furious, kicked him, and there was the sound of bones cracking. The steward cried out in agony, coughing up blood as he was hurled through the air, crashing into a nearby rockery.
With a resounding "Boom," the rockery collapsed, burying him beneath it, dust and debris rising.
Yu Meng’s face turned ashen. When not in a rage, he lacked the typical sharpness of a strongman. But at this moment, his eyes were filled with a fierce light, as if he was on the verge of killing the steward. Yet, he hesitated, knowing that killing the steward would be futile. With the Stone Clan’s immense power, nothing would be overlooked in their investigation.
He shivered, realizing that while he was considering silencing the steward, the elders of the clan might be entertaining similar thoughts and might directly eliminate him as well. The situation had truly escalated, becoming extremely serious and outrageous.
In a giant city in the Western Frontier, several powerful individuals invoked rare primal bones, their symbols flashing as they formed a primitive altar. They placed a letter upon it.
In a flash of light, the letter disappeared.
Simultaneously, in the vast Stone Kingdom, within the imperial city, several ancient bones glowed, transforming into a larger altar. A flash of rosy light appeared, and a letter materialized.
“What? The second ancestral land was destroyed, burned cleanly, truly audacious!”
An elder, after reading the letter, was immediately enraged. The Stone Kingdom, commanding millions of miles, was in its prime, yet such an event occurred—unimaginable.
“Send the letter out!” he bellowed. The letter was copied many times. The original was to be given to the Human Emperor, while the others would be sent to the Stone clan's princes. This matter was too significant; he saw it as a provocation against the entire Stone Clan.
“Boom!”
On that day, the imperial capital seemed to erupt like a nation at war, causing a great stir and eventually boiling over. Many people discussed it, hardly believing what had happened.
“Who did this? Are they trying to defy the heavens? The Human Emperor is at the height of his power, with divine might unmatched. How could someone dare to burn the Stone Clan’s revitalization land? Such audacity!”
“Could it be the Stone Clan’s mortal enemies? But that doesn’t seem likely. Even in war, one would target the living, not do something like this.”
“Could it be the ancient beings like Taotie or Chilong? They harbor hatred against the Stone Kingdom and set this fire.”
The news spread rapidly, and the entire imperial capital was aware of the incident. People found it unbelievable and were discussing it from top to bottom.
“Investigate thoroughly,” ordered the Human Emperor with four words. When this decree was revealed to the outside world, it emitted a dazzling light, the four characters like a celestial sword, scattering the clouds above the imperial capital, with a killing intent rising.
Golden light surged, like lightning across the sky, rumbling loudly, causing all parties to fall silent. At this moment, the entire imperial capital quieted down, devoid of discussions.
It took a long time for the imperial capital to return to normal.
In the Stone Kingdom, on the ancient altar, precious offerings were made. This was a place of worship for ancient deities. At this moment, several ancient bones glowed.
With a “hum,” it was as if an ancient deity had awakened, emanating a terrifying aura, and then opened a golden passage.
“March!” an elder commanded. Following this, one powerful warrior after another stepped onto the altar, entering the golden passage. They were clad in gleaming armor, holding iron halberds and war spears, their killing intent soaring to the skies.
Finally, three princes appeared, each radiating brilliant light like three suns, their terrifying waves shaking the world. They all entered the golden passage together.
This time, three great princes were dispatched to take charge and investigate thoroughly.
Once everything had settled, the royal clan elders led the people in worshipping the altar. Mist and haze enveloped it, as if an ancient deity was receiving their grand tribute.
In reality, there was nothing there.
At the Martial King’s residence, everyone was alarmed. They had summoned more than a dozen elders because the ruined estate was too sensitive, involving their own lineage.
“Where is Yi’er? Could it be his subordinates did this?” roared the Fourth Master, as fierce as a golden lion.
“Impossible. Though Yi’er is young, he is wise and steady. How could he commit such foolish acts? I believe it must be someone else.” An elder spoke up.
Soon, news from the Western Frontier arrived. Preliminary investigations suggested that the arson might have been due to some grudge, possibly related to a major family in the Stone Kingdom.
The news caused a sensation.
“Isn’t this seeking death? Regardless of any grudge, daring to commit such an act is a dead end. Do they want to be exterminated?”
“This is a lesson. It must be someone from a prince’s family, who doesn’t know their place, causing chaos in the Western Frontier. It’s like digging their own grave—entire families could be implicated.”
The imperial capital buzzed with discussions, with many great families worried, fearing their own offspring might be responsible.
“Alas, Yu Meng has returned with news. Although this incident was not caused by my Rain Clan, the small actions of our subordinates in the Western Frontier can’t remain hidden and will certainly provoke the Stone Clan princes.”
An elder of the Rain Clan sighed. The disaster was unexpected, and if thoroughly investigated, some members of the Rain Clan would surely appear very disgraceful.
“Cousin, you underestimate it. Regardless, for the matter of burning the Stone Clan’s ancestral land, we must bear part of the consequences. I believe it was the steward’s provocation that led others to take such extreme measures.”
“Give up all interests in the Western Frontier. As for the other matters, let them kill as they please. We should try to protect Yu Meng.”
“There are many people in the Western Frontier. Training them is difficult; letting them be killed isn’t an option,” someone opposed.
“We cannot take the blame ourselves. I believe it was likely done by Shi Ziling, intending to frame our clan.”
“Exactly. We can operate this way. Tell Yu Meng to insist that Shi Ziling is the suspect and try to find any trace of him.”
The Rain Clan discussed their strategy.
In the Western Frontier, those warriors, fierce as wolves and tigers, with eyes like lightning, were extremely powerful. The next day, they found clues and captured the steward.
The investigation uncovered many dark secrets. Although they didn’t start the fire, it was evident they were involved, and even dared to collude with servants from the ancestral land—an act of great treachery.
That day, heads rolled. All servants connected to the outside were executed, with their heads severed, blood flowing, and bodies lying in a large pile.
Subsequently, the steward, after confessing, was executed by lingchi (death by a thousand cuts), and his family was imprisoned. They were spared immediate execution because he hadn’t committed suicide in fear of the punishment.
Two days later, Yu Meng was escorted to the giant city. When he was captured, he tried to argue, but a warrior gave him a lash across the face, causing blood to splatter everywhere.
Usually, he was quite arrogant, but the trusted warriors of the princes were even more ruthless.
Yu Meng was stunned as he was brought into a grand hall in the giant city. Above him, there were three radiant suns, roaring loudly and emitting profound symbols that made it impossible to look directly.
He knew that these were true princes, ruling vast territories and controlling the lives of billions. They were the most powerful figures beneath the Human Emperor, their presence terrifying beyond measure.
The three suns emitted divine light, with symbols condensing in the air, seemingly attempting to refine the entire world. The three princes sat on their thrones, their true forms obscured.
Only three pairs of eyes were visible, shining more brilliantly than the rising mist. Constructed of symbols, they displayed scenes of the sun setting and the moon sinking, stars being born, and chaos spreading. Although there were only three pairs of eyes, it felt as if one were witnessing the creation of the world.
“It has nothing to do with me. I believe this incident was caused by Shi Ziling,” Yu Meng said as soon as he entered, following the command of the clan elders to clear himself of blame.
“Utter nonsense, execute him,” one of the princes said coldly. His eyes shot out a symbol, terrifying everyone present in the hall.
A warrior stepped forward, drawing a sharp blade and swinging it directly.
“Please, Prince, calm your anger,” Yu Meng cried out, but no one paid any attention. The warrior’s weapon flashed, and with a "puff," blood sprayed as one of Yu Meng's arms fell to the ground.
He screamed in agony, unable to believe how ruthless and unrestrained the prince was. To have his arm severed immediately was beyond comprehension.
“Your Highness, I am a descendant of the Rain Clan. I…”
“The prince does not listen to nonsense. Execute him,” came the cold voice from the throne once again.
With another "puff," blood splattered as Yu Meng’s other arm was severed, causing him to wail in pain, his face turning pale, nearly collapsing to the ground.
He had never imagined such a day. As a direct descendant of the Rain Clan, his status was high, yet someone dared to treat him so dismissively. It was as if he wasn’t even considered a meal.
He wanted to shout that even if you are a prince, you should measure your actions, as he was from the Rain Clan. But the words were swallowed in his throat, fearing even greater suffering.
Then, he shivered with cold fear. Could this be targeting the Rain Clan? Otherwise, how could they dare to act so recklessly? The thought filled him with a chilling dread.
“Speak, and do not lie,” came the ruthless and concise order from above.
Enduring the excruciating pain, Yu Meng stopped the bleeding from his severed arms and began to “confess,” recounting everything. Of course, he did not admit to any major fault and tried to deflect blame.
“I only want to hear the facts, not your arguments.”
Above the hall, a prince snapped his fingers, and a vast sea of silver light surged forth. With two loud "puffs," Yu Meng’s legs exploded, sending him flying.
“Ah!” He could hardly bear it, feeling like he was going insane. How could this prince be so heartless? No matter the crime, this was excessive. The methods were so severe they were terrifying.
Yu Meng felt disheartened. The power of the prince was immense; killing him was as easy as lifting a finger. No one could stop it.
Finally, unable to endure any longer, he revealed everything truthfully.
“Drag him out and execute him,” came the unfeeling command from above.
“You have no right!” Yu Meng, in desperation, shouted defiantly.
“Just because I am a prince,” came the cold reply from above, the overwhelming light engulfing the entire grand complex.
These words made Yu Meng’s body go weak, nearly causing him to collapse in despair.
Two warriors stepped forward, pulling him out like a dead dog, showing no regard for him whatsoever.
Yu Meng, in terror, cried out, “You’re not taking me back? You’re executing me so hastily. What will the capital say? You have no solid evidence; this is killing people recklessly.”
“The Human Emperor entrusted us to investigate. Naturally, he fully trusts us. Who dares to defy?” came the stern voice from within the hall.
In his final moments, Yu Meng suddenly realized and vaguely guessed the identity of one person in the hall—it should be the War King, who was said to greatly admire the young prodigy Shi Ziling.
He shivered with cold dread, knowing it was too late to say anything now.
With a “puff,” Yu Meng’s head was severed, and he died in the Western Frontier. The news shocked the capital, drawing attention as it embarrassed the Rain Clan.
Later, when people learned it was the War King’s doing, they were all relieved. From his title, it was clear he dared to do anything.
In the Western Frontier, the War King, having executed Yu Meng, remained unmoved. Another prince spoke, “This matter may also involve the Martial King’s residence.”
“Indeed, the Rain Clan and the Martial King’s residence have a marriage alliance. There must be some connection,” another prince agreed.
“Yes, investigate further. Regardless, we need to issue a warning,” declared the War King.
The Martial King’s residence had a figure named Shi Yi, whose talent was unparalleled, like a blazing sun that shook the vast earth. Among the descendants of these three princes were also prodigies, all contenders for the Human Emperor’s throne. If they had a chance to strike, they would not miss it.
The incident created a huge commotion. The Rain Clan was furious, as many from the Western Frontier were executed, their heads piling up. Even important members of their family could not escape death, and they protested to the Human Emperor.
The Martial King’s residence also faced some issues due to this.
The capital was stirred, creating a major upheaval. Eventually, the Human Emperor intervened, reprimanding those involved and executing many, which gradually quelled the turmoil.
But none of this affected the Little One, who entered the Great Wilderness with Qing Feng. They had already parted ways with the Hai father and son.
“This is snow leopard milk, the best you’ll ever taste. Try it; it’s very sweet,” said the Little One, his face dirty but his bright eyes shining. In the Great Wilderness, they had fought fierce beasts and were covered in blood.
“I’m over seven now; I don’t drink milk,” Qing Feng said bashfully.
“It’s fine; no one is watching. It really tastes good,” Little One said, hugging a bamboo tube and taking a large gulp, savoring it with his eyes squinted into crescent shapes.
“Really?” Qing Feng blinked.
“Really,” Little One said earnestly.
In another mountain range, the Hai father and son had been following the situation outside, their hearts in turmoil, unable to calm down.
“That child is truly a talent, no, a prodigy of heaven. His potential in cultivation is boundless,” Uncle Hai remarked.
“If we meet again someday, I believe he will have made a name for himself across the vast lands. The world will speak of him,” Elder Hai also sighed.
“Roar!” A black tiger roared beside them.
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