Chapter 280
“No!” Yao Ye rejected the demand outright, his voice resolute. “That is out of the question.”
It was inconceivable to Yao Ye to relinquish the Emperor Weapon. Without it, what leverage would his faction have with the Primordial Holy Land? Did the Grand Elder truly not understand the artifact’s significance?
Before the debate could continue, a deafening rumble echoed across the Heavenly Fox Clan’s small world. Several overwhelming auras descended at lightning speed, enveloping the entire domain in their suffocating presence. The heavens roared as if about to collapse, and towering, terrifying figures manifested in the sky.
A dazzling Golden-Winged Roc radiated golden light, a Phoenix bathed in undying flames soared with majesty, a Vermillion Bird reborn from fire glided with elegance, a White Tiger exuding killing intent prowled menacingly, and a Qilin stood with the weight of heaven and earth beneath its feet.
The Ancient Imperial Clan had gathered their might.
Their immense pressure spread like a tidal wave, shaking the void and threatening to shatter the small world entirely. The Heavenly Fox Clan’s protective formation surged to life, intercepting the devastating auras. Without it, the entire domain would have crumbled under the immense weight of their presence.
“The Ancient Imperial Clan is here!” The Heavenly Fox Clan’s powerhouses felt their hearts tighten. Those in Yao Ye’s faction turned their gaze toward him, seeking his guidance, while the Grand Elder’s faction displayed smirks of triumph.
“I am here!” Yao Ye rose into the air, standing tall against the backdrop of the heavens. His deep gaze pierced through the protective formation to confront the Ancient Imperial Clan’s representatives. His voice was cold, his killing intent palpable.
“What is it you want? Have you come to annihilate the Heavenly Fox Clan simply because I refused your invitation?” His powerful aura surged as he confronted the overwhelming figures above.
Yao Ye’s sharp words clashed with the oppressive might of the Ancient Imperial Clan, causing the void to tremble and crack. Even the mere collision of their auras sent ripples of chaos through the heavens and earth.
“Yao Ye, we have already given you ample time!” boomed the icy voice of Jin Yuan, reverberating across the skies and shaking the hearts of the Heavenly Fox Clan’s members.
Ordinary cultivators within the small world trembled in terror, their eyes filled with awe and dread at the godlike aura of these Great Saints.
Fortunately, the clan’s formation dulled the pressure, sparing the realm from total collapse. However, the looming confrontation felt inevitable.
Jin Yuan’s tone was icy and menacing, filled with a threatening intent.
“I’ve already made it clear: the Heavenly Fox Clan will not participate in your plans!” Yao Ye responded coldly.
“Yao Ye, the fate of the Heavenly Fox Clan is not something you alone can decide,” a calm, emotionless voice echoed from the skies—Huang Tian’s voice, carrying a powerful undertone of authority and danger.
“As Huang Tian said, Yao Ye, you have no right to decide the future of the Heavenly Fox Clan alone,” the Grand Elder interjected harshly. “Any decision concerning the clan must be agreed upon by its entirety!”
“Whether or not we join the Ancient Imperial Clan is irrelevant, but I can tell you this—joining the Primordial Holy Land is absolutely out of the question! If you intend to lead us into that alliance, I will be the first to oppose it!”
The Grand Elder’s words stirred waves of tension in the air. Members of the Ancient Imperial Clan, their faces darkened with rage, erupted with cold accusations.
“Traitorous! Yao Ye, not only have you defied the Ancient Imperial Clan, but you are also plotting to join the humans?”
“If the Fox Empress learns of this betrayal, she will not spare you!”
The Ancient Imperial Clan’s fury was palpable, their auras surging with indignation. Yao Ye’s intent to ally with the Primordial Holy Land had caught them completely off guard, and their failure to uncover this secret beforehand only fueled their anger.
“Spare me your sanctimonious indignation,” Yao Ye retorted with a frigid glare. “If the Fox Empress knew of your tyrannical behavior today, it’s far more likely she would annihilate the Ancient Imperial Clan first.”
“You dare to threaten the destruction of the Heavenly Fox Clan merely because we refuse your invitation?”
The void trembled, and spatial cracks erupted as divine light radiated across the heavens, forming pathways of resplendent brilliance. Figures of immense power began to arrive: the Pure Yang Holy Master, the Primordial Holy Master, the Qin Emperor, the Sect Master of the Supreme Dao Sect….
Each arrival filled the skies with overwhelming pressure, making the very fabric of space quake and groan under their presence.
The Pure Yang Holy Master descended with a faint smile, but his words were sharp. “Jin Yuan, this matter concerns the Heavenly Fox Clan. Don’t you think your Ancient Imperial Clan has overstepped?”
“This is our business, Pure Yang Holy Master. It has nothing to do with you!” Jin Yuan snapped. His gaze turned cold, his tone dripping with disdain. “I advise you to stay out of it unless you’re prepared to pay a price no one can afford.”
The Ancient Imperial Clan had anticipated interference from the Primordial Holy Land Alliance but were reluctant to engage them directly. Despite their confidence, they were wary of the Primordial Holy Land’s notorious reputation for recklessness and their history of unrestrained ferocity in conflict.
“You arrogant bird! It seems the destruction of the Golden Crow Clan wasn’t lesson enough for you,” the Pure Yang Holy Master mocked, his voice carrying a biting sarcasm.
“Do you truly believe the Ancient Imperial Clan can stand against us?”
“Silence! Without the Primordial Holy Land backing you, your Pure Yang Holy Land is nothing!” Jin Yuan retorted sharply. He attempted to maintain his composure, but the Pure Yang Holy Master’s words struck a nerve.
“Oh, don’t get so worked up. We understand your envy—our alliances are beyond your grasp,” the Pure Yang Holy Master quipped with a light chuckle. “But let me remind you, while we may not be able to destroy the True Dragon Clan, wiping out your Golden-Winged Roc Clan would be well within our power.”
The tension between the factions grew as their words clashed. Dongfang Mingyue, unfazed by the exchange, turned her gaze to Huang Tian and spoke calmly. “Huang Tian, stand down. For the sake of our past collaboration, I am offering you a way out. Withdraw now, and we will act as though none of this ever happened.”
“The Heavenly Fox Clan has already joined the Primordial Holy Land Alliance, and this cannot be undone.”
Huang Tian’s expression darkened. After a long silence, he replied, “Primordial Holy Master, you overestimate your reach. The Primordial Holy Land is far from ruling over the Nine Heavens Realm uncontested. You are not invincible.”
As his words fell, reinforcements from the Human Alliance began to arrive, led by Ye Changhe and the Yin-Yang Holy Land. The gathering was now complete, with nearly every major immortal force in the Nine Heavens Realm present, drawn by the struggle over the Heavenly Fox Clan.
Their collective auras shook the heavens, threatening to tear the world apart.
Ye Changhe’s face twisted into a cold smile as he addressed the Primordial Holy Master. “Instead of worrying about the Heavenly Fox Clan, perhaps you should be more concerned with the fate of your Primordial Holy Land.”
Before the Primordial Holy Master could respond, a monumental hand emerged from the Northern Region, tearing through the void with a crushing force. The boundless energy of an Emperor swept across the sky, its presence suffocating and absolute.
The heavens quaked, and the gathered forces were struck with dread.
An Emperor had intervened.