Upon closer inspection, the man who had transformed into a crane and the Feiling tribesman who had caught him earlier bore significant differences from ordinary humans. While their faces resembled those of humans, their ears were pointed, and atop their heads was a round, crimson protrusion.
As for the black-robed youth who had transformed into a monstrous bird earlier, a small black horn protruded from his forehead, and a pair of fangs several inches long jutted from the corners of his mouth.
Among the surrounding crowd of over a hundred Feiling tribesmen, most also exhibited distinct differences from humans—some with many variations, others with only slight deviations. However, all of them had wings of varying sizes on their backs—long, short, gray, red, and so on—creating a dazzling array of appearances.
These individuals were unmistakably members of the Feiling tribe.
“The Sky Bell Demon-Subduing Divine Art of the Horned Vulture Tribe is indeed formidable. I have learned my lesson,” the defeated man said resentfully before retreating into the crowd with his companions.
“Are there any other fellow cultivators willing to offer guidance?” The black-robed youth paid no heed to the defeat and instead issued another challenge to the crowd below.
A faint stir rippled through the Feiling tribesmen below, but for a moment, no one stepped forward to accept the challenge.
Seeing this, a cold smirk appeared on the youth’s face. Just as he was about to speak again, someone in the distance suddenly shouted, “Look! The Holy Sons from the westernmost three branches—the Five Lights Tribe, the Sky Peng Tribe, and the Crimson Blaze Tribe—have arrived!”
At these words, the crowd below froze momentarily before erupting into excited murmurs. Some of the more curious individuals even turned and flew toward the distance. In the blink of an eye, nearly half the crowd had dispersed.
Hearing the mention of the Sky Peng Tribe, the black-robed youth in the air paled slightly and silently descended.
At the same time, about a hundred miles from the colossal peak, dozens of enormous birds of various shapes, accompanied by a crimson flying scorpion over twenty zhang in length, were flying side by side toward the peak.
Among these giant birds were several pure white ones carrying men and women—the group that had set out from the Sky Peng Tribe’s Holy City. Han Li rode atop one of these birds, blending in with the others.
The Sky Peng Tribe’s delegation included, besides Han Li and two other Holy Sons, the Great Elder Jin Yue and the mysterious Elder Shi. The red-bearded elder and the beautiful woman had remained behind in the Holy City.
Now, traveling alongside them were two other groups with distinct attire and appearances.
One group had deep purple hair and pale red skin, while the other had slightly smaller wings and wore flamboyant clothing. Judging by their appearances, these were the Crimson Blaze Tribe and the Five Lights Tribe. Compared to these two tribes, the Sky Peng Tribe’s mere five members seemed pitifully few.
“Elder Jin, it seems the elders at the Jade Emperor Peak already know of our arrival—they’ve even released the welcoming spirit flames,” said a charmingly dressed young woman with a smile.
High above the distant peak, enormous multicolored flames bloomed in the sky, intertwining and flickering, dyeing most of the heavens in a dazzling display of light.
Even from a hundred miles away, the spectacle was clearly visible to the group.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this. Time flies—three hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye. Brother Zhu, returning here again, do you have any reflections?” Jin Yue responded before turning to a red-skinned elder.
“What reflections could I have? Unless we cultivate to the level of True Spirits or ascend to the Immortal Realm, in a few thousand or tens of thousands of years, we’ll all be nothing but dust. The rise and fall of tribes is no different. Elder Jin, have you considered the matter I raised a few days ago?” the elder replied expressionlessly.
“Our Sky Peng Tribe may indeed be weaker now than before, but we are one of the oldest branches descended from ancient times. How could we abandon our heritage and merge with another branch? After careful consideration, I must respectfully decline your proposal of merging,” the young woman replied coolly, her eyes flashing.
“Is that so? If I recall correctly, during ancient times, the Black Feather Tribe—to which Elder Shi belongs—was annexed by your tribe at its peak. Now that your tribe has weakened, merging with a stronger branch and vacating the main branch’s position for others is only natural. Elder Jin, there’s no need to make it sound so grave,” Elder Zhu sneered.
“The situation with the Black Feather Tribe cannot be compared to the present. Back then, the Black Feather Tribe had lost all its Holy Lords and was under threat from a powerful enemy—they voluntarily sought to join us. Our tribe never forced them,” the young woman replied dismissively.
“Hmph, the events of ancient times are too distant for anyone to know the truth. Since your tribe has formally rejected our goodwill, we’ll see if your Holy Sons can pass the Abyss Trial. Otherwise, don’t blame our tribes for proposing the forced dissolution of your tribe at the Joint Elder Council. Remember, our Crimson Blaze Tribe isn’t the only one interested in your tribe,” Elder Zhu chuckled darkly.
“Brother Zhu, your tribe is already among the top three of the seventy-two branches. Why must you be so aggressive in seeking to annex the Sky Peng Tribe? Could it be that your tribe truly aims to surpass even the Nine Peaks Tribe?” the charming young woman interjected with a coy smile.
“Lady Qiu, don’t speak carelessly! When have I ever uttered disrespectful words about the Nine Peaks Tribe?” Elder Zhu’s expression darkened as he vehemently denied the accusation.
The young woman smirked and was about to respond when a melodious celestial tune suddenly echoed from the direction of the colossal peak. A vast expanse of radiant clouds rolled toward them from the horizon.
The group fell silent, and the entire procession halted mid-air.
In the blink of an eye, the radiant clouds arrived overhead, pausing briefly before ten individuals in varied attire emerged—most of them white-haired and elderly.
“Greetings, Elders!” Jin Yue, Elder Zhu, and the others immediately dismounted and bowed deeply.
“There’s no need for such formality. You will all join our ranks sooner or later. The other elders await your arrival at the Jade Emperor Peak,” said an old woman leaning on a cane, smiling warmly.
“Are we the last of the three tribes to arrive?” Jin Yue inquired politely.
“Not quite. The northernmost Ghost Face and Poison Vulture Tribes are delayed due to urgent matters and will arrive when the Abyss opens. With your three tribes here, the grand assembly can commence ahead of schedule,” the old woman replied cheerfully.
“I see,” Jin Yue nodded.
Han Li, standing at the back, swept his gaze over the ten newcomers and was inwardly stunned.
Most of them were at least at the Body Integration stage, and the old woman who had spoken was at least at the mid-Body Integration stage—on par with Jin Yue—if not higher.
These were the legendary Joint Elders.
It was said that these elders were originally high-ranking members of their respective tribes who, upon nearing the end of their lifespans, joined the council, relinquishing all ties to their former tribes to serve the Feiling Tribe as a whole.
Elder Zhu and the young woman exchanged pleasantries with the old woman before the group, now guided by the ten elders, resumed their flight toward the colossal peak.
Soon, they neared the peak, where the outlines of majestic structures became visible. High above, countless black specks—hundreds of giant birds and winged insects—circled in the sky.
When they were just a few miles from the peak, a deep *boom* resounded, and a seven-colored rainbow shot from the buildings, bridging the distance in an instant to land before them.
A magnificent arched bridge materialized before their eyes.
The old woman and the others stepped onto the bridge first, then gestured for the rest to follow.
“Let’s proceed,” Jin Yue instructed, dismounting and stepping onto the bridge.
The young woman and the Crimson Blaze Tribe members followed closely behind.
As Han Li stepped onto the bridge, he found the surface soft and springy, like walking on a thick cushion.
Curious, he tried to probe it with his divine sense, but before he could, the bridge trembled slightly, and a radiant light enveloped the group. In a few flashes, they were transported to the other end of the bridge.
It was nothing short of miraculous.
Han Li could no longer examine the bridge’s peculiarities, for at its end stood over twenty Feiling tribesmen, their eyes fixed on the newcomers.
Behind them, amidst swirling white mist, loomed a colossal emerald-green hall.
At the forefront stood only two individuals: a tall, white-haired man with a prominent nose and a wrinkled elder with an elongated face and faint black tattoos on his neck.
The old woman chuckled and strode to stand beside the two, while the others merged into the crowd and vanished.
“Elders and Holy Sons, your journey has been arduous. The Holy Sons may rest in the side halls while the elders accompany us for discussions. The other tribal elders are already inside, hosted by our fellow council members,” the tattooed elder said with a courteous bow.
“Elder Ming is too kind. We shall comply,” Elder Zhu of the Crimson Blaze Tribe replied eagerly, his face wreathed in smiles.
Though Jin Yue and the Five Lights Tribe’s young woman were at odds with the Crimson Blaze Tribe, they voiced no objections. After instructing Han Li and the others, the three elders followed the group into the mist.
“Holy Sons, please follow me. This humble servant will arrange your accommodations,” a petite, white-robed girl suddenly appeared before Han Li and the others, smiling brightly.
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