Chapter 669 - 669: Gathering the Nine Kings  

“A traitor within the six royal clans!” The Qilin clan king exclaimed, trying to comprehend the sudden appearance of Qin Huai. “No… It’s the ancestral blood!

You really possess it.” His realization was a mix of shock and awe.

He was certain that the other kings wouldn’t risk everything based on mere rumors. They were calculating and only moved with certainty. As he assessed Qin Huai’s overwhelming aura and the formidable beasts accompanying him, the Qilin king’s mind raced with suspicions.

“It must be the white tiger clan’s leader who betrayed me,” he concluded darkly. Considering that his journey had been mapped out by the very same leader, Qin Huai’s presence here was an unmistakable sign of treachery.

“And to think he played the righteous role, leading the charge against you and even ousting traitors within the clans! But he seems the most deceitful of all.”

Realizing his precarious situation, the Qilin king decided quickly. “I surrender! Like the Purple Flame King did, I too will ally with you.”

In a surprising move, the noble king knelt before Qin Huai. The intimidating presence of Qin Huai and his beasts left no doubt in the Qilin king’s mind about the outcome if they clashed.

Before Qin Huai could respond, the king added a gesture to his surrender. “Take my life as proof.”

Cold determination reflected in his eyes as he drove his hand into his abdomen, producing a blood-soaked white pearl. “This is my Qilin clan’s Bead of Life. It holds the power over my life and death.” He offered the pearl to Qin Huai, who, sensing its vitality, recognized its authenticity.

“Your name?” Qin Huai finally spoke.

“Qi Shan,” the king replied. Indicating the woman beside him, he continued, “And this is my wife, Qi Ya.”

The elegant woman, Qi Ya, bowed, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and respect. She hadn’t anticipated encountering such a powerful figure in her lifetime, and even with her husband’s protection, Qin Huai’s aura left her shaken.

“We will proceed as per the original plan laid out by the six royal clans,” Qin Huai directed succinctly.

Qi Shan, momentarily taken aback, quickly understood the implications. “Understood!”

Boom!

The world seemed to shift and blur, the rushing sound of a river filling the silence. The distinct, overpowering scent of fish filled the air.

Qi Shan and Qi Ya exchanged relieved glances, grateful to have evaded danger once again.

“He’s gone,” Qi Shan reassured Qi Ya, drawing her close.

Huddled in Qi Shan’s arms, Qi Ya whispered, “His aura… it was more overwhelming than even the clan leader’s.”action

Qi Shan nodded gravely. ‘”I’m afraid the ancestor didn’t misjudge you.”

Reflecting on the situation, Qi Shan pondered, “Qin Huai might be the prodigious emperor that hasn’t emerged for ten thousand years. Aligning with someone of his potential could ensure our future is secure. Plus, with the coveted ancestral blood he possesses, a rarity that the six great royal clans have sought for ages, we may benefit even further.”

He continued, “With him, we might no longer have to tread cautiously around the intrigues of the royal clans.” The bitterness he had felt earlier seemed to lessen with this newfound perspective.

At a cherry blossom field, a sea of pink petals painted an almost ethereal scene. A stocky man made his way through, pausing suddenly as a younger figure approached him.

“Are you Alliance Master Qin?” the man asked, adopting a formal stance.

Bang!

Without a word, Qin Huai unfolded his wings, quickly closing the distance between them. Just as abruptly as they had met, they vanished.

In the bronze world, much like Qi Shan’s experience earlier, the muscular man — a king of the black tortoise clan – assessed the imposing figures before him, his face etched with worry.

“Live or die?” Qin Huai cut to the chase.

Seeking clarity, the black tortoise king said, “Who betrayed our secrets?” “The white tiger clan’s sect leader,” came the crisp reply.

The black tortoise king frowned. “That’s absurd. Why would he sabotage himself? If the truth is revealed, he’d be left isolated. Also, you even betrayed the paths of the other kings. Isn’t this like telling the white tiger clan that you want to act against the nine kings? It doesn’t make sense.”

Facing the undeniable reality of Qin Huai’s presence, the king grappled with confusion.

Qin Huai replied with unwavering certainty, “I don’t care about that. I only know that this information is true.” He stared down the black tortoise king, ready to attack at any moment.

As for the black tortoise king’s concerns, they confirmed what Qin Huai and Gou Jie had already suspected – underlying schemes were at play..