Stone City.
Dongfang Dieyu set down the last document with a helpless sigh, rubbing her temples.
“Head of the family…”
Dongfang Tie stood beside her, his expression stern. “Head of the family… regarding this surrender letter, what are your thoughts?”
“Originally, with the world in chaos, it would be acceptable to submit under a Sovereign-ranked Spirit Tamer, and it would be appropriate to pay the price. However, demanding the handover of Stone City’s control is quite shocking…”
Dongfang Dieyu said with a bitter smile, “Stone City is the foundation of the Dongfang family. We absolutely cannot hand it over…”
“But… the other party is a Sovereign-ranked Spirit Tamer… Even if we contact Shuoming, I’m afraid…”
Dongfang Tie’s face showed concern.
“I believe in Amin. He’s a genius no less than Jun Xuanyu!”
When Dongfang Dieyu mentioned Dongfang Shuoming, a faint smile finally appeared on her face.
“You really are…”
Dongfang Tie shook his head with a bitter smile.
Since Jun Xuanyu’s debut, at the age of eighteen, he immediately reached the rank of Sovereign Spirit Tamer and remained undefeated, earning him the title of the greatest genius in the history of the Yan Continent.
Dongfang Shuoming, in Dongfang Tie’s memory, was still that Spirit Tamer who had tamed the Lava Tyrant—perhaps also exceptionally talented, but by comparison, still paled in contrast.
“However… with the Lava Tyrant’s foundation, perhaps after three years, he really could break through to Sovereign rank… Although he might not be a match for that person, it would definitely improve our Dongfang family’s situation significantly…”
Dongfang Tie murmured.
Actually, all this discussion revolved around one issue!
The Yan Continent was in turmoil, with various ambitious figures emerging. Even the previously elusive Sovereign and King-ranked Spirit Tamers had begun to appear in the human world, supporting their respective proxies in the struggle for supremacy and pursuit of interests.
Stone City was located within the territory of a newly risen force—the Five Poisons Society.
The leader of the Five Poisons Sect was the Five Poison Youth, a renowned Sovereign-level Spirit Master proficient in controlling venomous spirits. Even among seasoned experts, he was considered an exceptionally formidable adversary.
Under his name, the Five Poisons Society quickly subdued dozens of families and several nearby towns around Stone City, becoming a dominant force in the north.
Three days ago, a formal letter bearing the Five Poison Youth’s name was delivered to Stone City!
To the Five Poisons Society, coercing a small family into submission under the might of a Sovereign-ranked Spirit Tamer was simply a foregone conclusion.
In fact, Dongfang Dieyu had once considered yielding, but unfortunately, the other party’s demands were too harsh.
The control of Stone City was the very foundation of the Dongfang family!
Only by managing the marketplace, collecting various fees from the city’s Spirit Tamers, and levying taxes on citizens and commoners could the Dongfang family not only avoid the losses caused by the departure of the Lava Tyrant but also flourish and develop even more vigorously.
Now, handing over the management rights to someone else?
This would not only severely damage the Dongfang family’s interests but also create a disaster—if someone already ruled Stone City, what use would there be for the Dongfang family?
Dongfang Dieyu gazed at the letter, her face filled with severity: “Grandfather… I’ve made up my mind. This time, the Dongfang family cannot yield!”
“Ah…”
Dongfang Tie inhaled sharply through his teeth: “The opponent is the Five Poisons Society. Not only are their numbers and forces dozens of times ours, but regarding that Five Poison Youth himself, what do you plan to do?”
“Therefore… please, Grandfather, quickly lead the family’s elites to evacuate. As the family head, I will naturally stay here, sharing Stone City’s fate…”
Dongfang Dieyu tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling bitterly: “I can only hope that esteemed person doesn’t like seeing a ruined city, and might grant us more lenient conditions… If it really comes to that, we’ll have no choice but to perish together!”
As a wolf girl inheriting the Wolf Clan’s legacy, Dongfang Dieyu’s decisiveness and wisdom in such matters was no less impressive than any family leader.
“Perish together… Dieyu, why must you say such discouraging words?”
In the ensuing silence, a young voice suddenly rang out, filled with a strange charm. The confidence in it even made Dongfang Tie’s expression change: “This is…”
“Ah Ming!!”
Dongfang Dieyu exclaimed joyfully, momentarily forgetting her dignity as the Dongfang family head, rushing outside.
Beside the garden indeed stood a young figure, not yet twenty, with sharp brows and bright eyes, a sharply defined face, radiant gaze, and a handsome, dazzling face. His magnetic voice made him seem like a jade statue of a deity, exuding a peculiar charm that would surely make any young maiden or secluded lady fall hopelessly in love at first sight.
“You… you…”
Although Dongfang Dieyu recognized the figure from his demeanor and features as her cousin, the Dongfang family’s extraordinary genius, Dongfang Shuoming, she hesitated to approach him, her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes seemingly brimming with emotion.
“It’s been a long time. I’m Dongfang Shuoming…”
Wu Ming inwardly complained about Da Huang Qing Lang, taking the initiative to speak.
“Yes… you’re Ah Ming!”
Dongfang Dieyu quickly lowered her head, daring not to look again, silently scolding herself for completely losing her composure as the family head upon seeing him.
“Shuoming, you’ve come at just the right time!”
Dongfang Tie replaced Dongfang Dieyu in stepping forward, welcoming Wu Ming into the house: “The family is in serious trouble. We have no choice but to ask for your help once again!”
Being old and shrewd, he naturally knew that such a significant change in a Spirit Tamer represented an extremely powerful amplification of spirit feedback.
“The current Dongfang Shuoming should have already advanced to Sovereign rank. Even if he’s a newcomer, the Five Poison Youth would surely show some respect!”
“The Five Poison Youth?!”
Wu Ming casually took the letter, essentially the final ultimatum, and smiled: “No problem. Leave him to me!”
As an established Sovereign-ranked expert, he had a vague impression of the man.
Of course, the most profound impression was that this person seemed to hold the key to the emergence of a Golden-type spirit!
Previously, even if he had known, Wu Ming could only watch helplessly, since his strength was far from sufficient to deal with the other party. Now, however, everything was different.
The opponent had delivered himself right to the door—how could there be any reason not to accept?
“Good…”
Dongfang Tie’s face lit up with joy, then carefully instructed: “He is your senior. When you meet the Five Poison Youth, be sure to show proper respect. No one will mock you for it…”
He still worried that Wu Ming might be arrogant and headstrong, hence the repeated warnings.
“Okay…”
Wu Ming smiled inwardly, wearing an expression as if he hadn’t heard, leaving Dongfang Tie feeling helpless.
“Alright, alright. Ah Ming’s return is a great blessing for our clan. I should properly welcome you…”
Dongfang Dieyu finally regained her composure: “You must tell me all about what happened these past three years… It must have been exciting, right?”
…
Hissing!
Smoke and flames billowed, yellow sands swirling across the sky.
An army composed of ordinary humans, led by numerous Spirit Tamers, arrived outside Stone City.
“Reporting to my master, we have arrived at Stone City!”
At the center of the formation, a Commander-ranked Spirit Tamer knelt respectfully: “Stone City is the trading hub of this region, rich in resources. Originally governed jointly by three major families, three years ago the Dongfang family defeated the Dantai and Wuma families, seizing full control. The current family head is Dongfang Dieyu…”
“A mere Commander-ranked child…”
The Five Poison Youth’s skin was as smooth and white as jade, his face free of wrinkles, though his hair and beard were white. Dressed in a dark green robe, he exuded a sinister charm.
Gazing at the outline of Stone City, his eyes flickered with a mysterious light: “The wealth of Stone City is nothing special, but beneath it is sealed a Silver-ranked Lava Tyrant…”
Silver-ranked spirits were rare treasures. Even Sovereign-ranked Spirit Tamers rarely managed to elevate all their spirits to Sovereign rank.
The allure of this Silver-ranked spirit was naturally immense to him.
As for the rumor that the Lava Tyrant might have already been tamed by a youth from the Dongfang family?
The Five Poison Youth dismissed it with contempt.
Did they think a Silver-ranked spirit was just any ordinary creature? How could a boy under twenty, no matter how talented, possess the soul foundation to withstand a Silver-ranked spirit’s backlash?
Did they think every genius was like Jun Xuanyu?
“Reveal our banners!”
He waved his hand. The army roared, unfurling the Five Poisons Society’s flags with great pomp.
“Wu wu!”
At this moment, from the opposite Stone City, the gates were tightly shut, and a distant, mournful military horn sounded.
“Hmm?”
The Five Poison Youth’s brows slightly furrowed. Those familiar with him knew this was the sign of his temper beginning to surface: “The Dongfang family dares to be so bold? Originally, I intended to spare a branch, but now it seems better to wipe them all out!”
“Master’s wisdom!”
The attendants immediately bowed: “The strongest in the Dongfang family is merely Dongfang Tie, a newly promoted Commander-ranked Spirit Tamer. I alone could handle him!”
“Fine… you go ahead…”
The Five Poison Youth was about to say something when suddenly his expression froze, staring at a young man appearing on the city walls, his gaze filled with seriousness.
“Ao ao…”
“Roar roar…”
Below the city walls, the summoned spirits—wolves, tigers, and leopards—had already been called forth, baring their fangs and claws, ready for battle. But upon the opponent’s appearance, they all cowered, tucking their tails between their legs, as if they wished to bury their heads into the ground.
Boom!
As the Spirit Tamers were still confused, a terrifying soul pressure, like a sovereign ruling all under heaven, suddenly erupted from the city walls.
“Sovereign!”
“A Sovereign-ranked soul pressure!”
The Spirit Tamers screamed in terror, causing chaos as people and spirits alike were thrown into disarray.
“A Sovereign-ranked Spirit Tamer!”
The Five Poison Youth stood up, gazing at Wu Ming on the city walls, his face showing a trace of astonishment: “So this must be the legendary Dongfang Shuoming of Stone City. Truly a genius, almost rivaling Jun Xuanyu!”
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