“Nalan tribe…” As these three words rolled off Xiao Yan’s tongue, Gu Yuan’s face slightly twitched. He took a deep breath, narrowing his eyes at Xiao Yan before demanding, “Why do you ask?”
“You, Uncle Gu, surely know of the Hun clan’s虚无吞炎?” Xiao Yan countered.
“Yes, decades ago, I clashed with虚无吞炎, wounding him grievously. It seems he vanished afterwards, likely secluding himself to heal his injuries,” Gu Yuan stated matter-of-factly, recalling past battles.
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, inwardly astonished at Gu Yuan’s sheer power. He had been a witness to虚无吞炎’s terrifying might during the Pharmacist World, how even summoning the殘魂 of the药帝 wasn’t enough to defeat it.
A silent communication passed between Xiao Yan and the Medicine Spirit. He began recounting in detail the events inside that world, most especially虚无吞炎’s transformation into members of the吞灵族. As he finished, disbelief erupted within the chamber.
“Impossible! How can虚无吞炎 produce a吞灵族?”
“And what *exactly* is the吞灵族?” Xiao Yan persistently questioned, eyes locked on Gu Yuan, whose expression mirrored his own uncertainty.
“A rare and bizarre ancient race,” Gu Yuan’s voice took on a heavier tone, “they wreaked untold havoc upon our continent. Our ancient tribes once thrived due to the strength passed though bloodline. Eventually this fades, and if not replenished by the appearance of a Battle King, the tribe inevitably declines.” Xiao Yan nodded at this. The萧 family was just such an example.
“But the吞灵族… they possessed an unimaginable ability – they could devour the blood line strengths of others and use that force to prolong their own survival.
In their insatiable pursuit of dominance, they waged war across this land. Their final downfall resulted from the coalition of the remaining races, ultimately destroying them completely, driving the survivors into hiding.” Gu Yuan’s voice lowered.
“Do you remember their final leader?” Xiao Yan pushed, already suspecting the answer.
“Killed,” the older man finally revealed, “by the Huns.”
A hush filled the chamber; many exchanged uneasy glances, a deep unease settling as a realization dawned.
“Since then, the族has faded. However, the魂族has survived to today… It’s as if…” the implication struck like thunder, “could the魂clan possibly be this very一族?”
“I doubt it,” Gu Yuan’s expression darkened thoughtfully. “I remember the吞灵族attacking the魂family in the long past – before they were pushed back. Likely they took *something*, perhaps even remnants of this strange new power.”
“Uncle, many tribes fell into unaccountable decay after our world’s Battle King era passed.” Old man古道spoke suddenly, “The way in which some faded, it felt wrong – eerily akin to what just befell the Stone People and Spirit People.”
“You’re implying *this* was no natural decline, but instead, annihilation at clan魂’s hands?”
“A cycle of eons, each age sees ancient tribe after tribe wither and perish, but only the魂remained constant, immune to time itself; their bloodline strength undiminished. Surely many others have shared this suspicion… but this clan hides their movements so well that any investigation would find naught – until young Xiao Yan came forward.”
“If what you say is true,” the old man continued grimly, “Then we, too, were *perhaps not unlike herds*, bred and fed to sustain the soul-hungry Hun.”
A cold sweat broke out across the room as dread set in.
“Not to say the魂are all-powerful!” Gu Yuan finally interjected, “Even were they able truly possess such horrific powers as the ancient吞灵, we would hardly sit idle and allow their designs to succeed. Remember — it was only through a clash that cost dear life and limb that even魂天帝, once was driven to the near brink of death himself!”
Those gathered inhaled in unison, shaken.
“Given虚无吞炎’s recent appearance,” The Elder continued with icy logic, “his full recovery explains much. Our inability to probe deeper—his concealment of our investigations—he must have devoured that space *wholly into himself*.” With a sharp gesture, he mimics this act to emphasize it’s horror.
“Ssshhhkk–!”
“Incredible, yes—but he is no man. No mere mortal’s power could encompass such things. He grows in his knowledge and control of the terrifying力量吞噬 over the countless years.”
“And this very power he may have used to transform, becoming the very吞灵族. Perhaps *he*, not a mere member of that long-departed tribe, gave rise to the strange force now afflicting this clan!”
“You think虚无吞炎ate this ancient吞灵族leader?”
“A likely possibility, considering how the魂clan’s survival now makes greater sense,” Gu Yuan’s face grew dark, his gaze glacial. “This虚无吞炎热is dangerous—*exceptionally*must be eradicated at *all* cost.”
A long silence.
“If the Hun attack theSpirit,Stone, andMedicine tribes…” continuedGu Yuan thoughtfully, “Then their aims are obvious. Blood. Power. *One thing*, they want. And also—陀舍古帝玉. I think魂天帝 impatient grows at last.”
The unchallenged pinnacle of this world’s might—魂天帝—and the sole name now remaining worthy of challenge – Gu Yuan.
“Uncle Goo,” Xiao Yan’s eyes bore into the older man’s countenance. “What do we do, given this peril? Four古玉 pieces have already fell into the Hun grasp, with, undoutedly, the remaining four being the focus of their insatiable quest. With *all eight*, they will open the gates to古帝陀舍– and within lies the key – the secret to Ascending toBattle King Itself. There would be no match for them upon this planet. *All* fate would fall within their hands!”
No immediate reply. Gu Yuan’s face remained a stoic mask.
Minute after minute passed—then finally, Xiao Yan burst forth: “Uncle, the remaining EightAncientClans are down to just three if we count out Hun. Lose even *one*, it’s merely a waiting game of inevitable annihilation!”
A sharp jab of conviction hung in the silence.
“To fight – there remains still life.
To wait idle, watchSpirit, Stone and Medicine fall.”
The room shuddered with his words’ impact. Many glanced at the stricken visage of the grieving Medicine Spirit woman – her tribe shattered; her life upended.
Eyes, like a tidal wave, fixed upon Gu Yuan. Deciding moment come.
A lengthy exhalation.
“Well then, young Xiao, your heart’s full courage shines even now,” his voice held a hint of a grin even through grimness. Rising, turning he commanded:
“Summon the Flames! Summon the Thunder! All Clans – we meet together, face this doom head-on!”
The decree echoed in all. Fate’s turning. Battle’s tide, inevitable. All that remained was their unity – and defiance.
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