“Not only that, but ever since then, Clan Leader He Nian’s personality has drastically changed! She became domineering and arrogant!” added a member of the Qinghe Clan.
“Yes!” the Qinghe elder who had spoken earlier continued, “We all thought it was because Clan Leader failed to break through to the late stage of the Great Demon realm, causing her cultivation to regress, which soured her mood. So, we tolerated her unusual behavior with patience… But who would have thought… who would have thought that Clan Leader had actually been possessed by someone else!”
By the end, the elder was sobbing uncontrollably.
Yun Qingxue walked over, bent down, and channeled her spiritual energy into He Nian’s body to examine her condition.
“She’s still alive!” After a moment, Yun Qingxue withdrew her energy and addressed the Qinghe Clan members. “However, her meridians bear old injuries that haven’t healed, and she’s been possessed for over three hundred years. Her original soul was forced out, leaving only a wisp of remnant spirit hiding in her spiritual platform…”
“Please, Flower King, save our Clan Leader! The Qinghe Clan swears undying loyalty!” The clansmen knelt and pleaded.
“Your Majesty… He Nian was once absolutely loyal to our Floran Tribe…” Mo Su also chimed in.
“I’ll do my best!” Yun Qingxue’s gaze turned icy as she channeled her energy into He Nian’s body, letting it radiate outward. She was using this method to search for He Nian’s lost soul.
Two hours later, Yun Qingxue withdrew her hands, a faint smile appearing on her lips. “It’s done! I’ve summoned He Nian’s wandering soul back. However, she’s extremely weak and will need careful rest.”
“Thank you, Flower King!” The Qinghe Clan bowed deeply in gratitude.
Yun Qingxue waved her hand, instructing Mo Su to settle the Qinghe Clan in Luoyun Mountain while she returned to her residence with the others.
Now, all her forces had gathered at Luoyun Mountain, and she had regained her full strength. Even though the Qinghe Clan had suffered an unexpected setback, their absence wouldn’t hinder her plans. It was time to return to the Floran Tribe and reclaim what was rightfully hers!
Yun Qingxue issued orders for everyone to set off for the Floran Tribe at dawn the next day.
After finalizing the arrangements, she visited the residence of Saint Ziqu to explain her plans. Saint Ziqu merely cautioned her to be careful in all things, saying little else. Yet, Yun Qingxue noticed the faint crease between his brows—something that unsettled her. If even her master was uneasy, the matter at hand was surely no trivial affair.
The morning breeze gently brushed past, lifting the hem of Yun Qingxue’s robe. She turned for one last look at Luoyun Mountain, which had sheltered her for over three hundred years, then took flight with her guards toward the Floran Tribe.
Floran Tribe, Violet Palace.
Listening to the constant stream of battle reports from her subordinates, Tongyun could no longer remain calm. Three hundred years! She regretted, she hated! She should never have listened to that wretch Lan Xin, keeping Yun Qingxue alive in hopes of tracing the Flower King’s Seal! Now, not only had she failed to find the seal, but she had also given Yun Qingxue the chance to grow stronger. And Lan Xin? She had vanished without a trace after leaving the Floran Tribe three centuries ago!
Tongyun paced restlessly in her chamber. Outside the window, the phoenix flowers swayed in the wind, their crimson hue eerily enchanting.
A commotion erupted outside her palace. “Go see what’s happening!” Tongyun snapped irritably.
Her maidservant rushed out, only to return moments later in a panic. “G-Grand Elder, it’s terrible! Elder Gu Mu has barged in with a group of people!”
Tongyun’s face darkened as she rose from her couch. “How dare he rebel!”
**Boom! Boom!**
Two deafening explosions shook the palace doors. Immediately after, Gu Mu stormed into Tongyun’s Golden Phoenix Palace with a contingent of warriors. The sounds of battle echoed from outside as Tongyun’s guards tightened their formation around her.
“Elder Gu, are you staging a coup?!” Tongyun roared.
Gu Mu smirked coldly, his usual absentminded demeanor gone. “I serve the Flower King loyally. How could this be a coup? Tonight, I’m merely here to help Her Majesty apprehend the traitor!”
“Are you referring to me, Elder Gu?” Tongyun narrowed her eyes.
“You know exactly what I mean,” Gu Mu retorted icily.
“I know nothing! Hmph! Yun Qingxue, as Flower King, murdered her own maid Qiandai three hundred years ago and abandoned the tribe. Now she returns to incite rebellion. Such a person is unworthy of ruling the Floran Tribe!” Tongyun lifted her chin defiantly.
Gu Mu burst into laughter. “Hahaha! Grand Elder, you spin lies without hesitation! You know the truth of what happened back then. Now, with Heaven’s favor upon our King, how dare you slander her? You seek death!” With that, he lunged at Tongyun.
Simultaneously, battle erupted inside and outside the Golden Phoenix Palace between Tongyun’s forces and Gu Mu’s men.
“Tongyun! I advise you to surrender quietly! The Flower King is already on her way to the Violet Palace. Despite your attempts to stop her, she arrives swiftly—proof that the people stand with her!”
“Enough talk!” Tongyun hissed. “Gu Mu, today I will end you!”
“Step aside, Elder Gu!” A cold voice rang from the doorway.
Gu Mu’s heart leaped with joy as he feinted and retreated from the fight. An overwhelming pressure descended from above, crushing Tongyun’s followers to the ground.
Then, Yun Qingxue’s sharp voice resonated with commanding authority: **”Those who submit shall thrive; those who resist shall perish!”**
She landed gracefully, unleashing the full power of the Flower King’s Seal. Tongyun’s forces collapsed under the pressure, unable to resist.
Tongyun’s face turned ashen. “The power of the Flower King’s Seal… Yun Qingxue, so it was truly with you all along!”
“Grand Elder Tongyun, we meet again.” Yun Qingxue’s gaze was as sharp as a blade, filled with deep-seated hatred. She would never forget—this woman had killed Qiandai, her loyal and devoted maid!
“Hmph! Yun Qingxue! I never thought you’d return alive. Quite the feat!” Tongyun sneered before launching herself at Yun Qingxue.
Mo Su and Hua Yin moved to intercept, but Yun Qingxue stopped them. “This is my fight!”
She met Tongyun mid-air, slashing out with a surge of energy that distorted the very air. Tongyun barely dodged, but her arm was grazed, blood instantly staining her sleeve. Gritting her teeth, she attacked wildly.
Yun Qingxue evaded gracefully, her fingertips glowing blue as she wove intricate patterns in the air. Countless azure lights encircled Tongyun, trapping her in a radiant cage.
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