278: Gongfa

Although Ancestor Wuji and the others had decided not to continue taking action.

However, the various forces within the three currently remaining prefectures—Xiang Prefecture, Guanghan Prefecture, and Qing Prefecture—were extremely vigilant.

After the news spread.

The Xuanqing Sect, Jiang Family, Yuefu, Jiang Family, and the four Nascent Soul forces in Xiang Prefecture had already made contact.

They formed an alliance.

If any prefecture or sect encountered a mishap, they would immediately rush to provide aid.

With an external enemy at the gates, the principle of "when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold" made the alliance of the three prefectures unexpectedly smooth.

The three prefectures jointly issued a statement, proclaiming it to the entire domain, sternly condemning the actions of Wuji Palace and other forces.

The remaining Cultivators from the forces destroyed by the four families fled one after another to the lands of the three prefectures.

For a time, Nancang Domain had a faint tendency toward splitting.

...

In Huang Prefecture.

The undercurrents and turmoil in Nancang Domain had nothing to do with the Zhou Family that had evacuated here.

Ever since Mo Xuan returned safely that day.

The Zhou Family split into two parts.

Zhou Leren and Zhou Leyi quietly arrived in Luo Prefecture with a portion of the Zhou Family Disciples.

Under the reception of Zhou Xiuyuan and with the escort of Zhou Leren, there were no accidents.

Qingyang Sword Hall merged into the Zhou Family.

Zhou Xiuyuan remained as the Hall Master of the Sword Hall.

Elder Beihai served as the Deputy Hall Master.

The other newly joined Foundation Establishment Cultivators who originally belonged to the Sword Hall became Zhou Family Deacons.

The records of various families stated: Qingyang Zhou Family.

Zhou Liyue led the remaining part of the Zhou Family Disciples together with the Zhou Family War Hall Disciples of the Xuan She Tribe, remaining to guard Huang Prefecture.

The Five-Colored Heavenly Scorpion, which had already recovered to the Mid Golden Core Stage, also remained within the Xuan She Tribe.

In Huang Prefecture, there was a great river spanning the northwest and southwest, named Wuqi River.

After the Xuan She Tribe subjugated the Zhongshui, Qiuniu, and Shan'yang tribes.

They incorporated this Wuqi River into their territory.

At this moment.

In the central reaches of the Wuqi River.

At the bottom of the river.

A Black Giant Serpent covered in mysterious patterns was sleeping here.

As its body rose and fell, a profound mystery flowed around it.

On the bank.

Buildings rose from the ground one after another.

Behind these buildings, by the Wuqi River, stood a huge stone pillar.

The stone pillar was towering, carved with a winding, coiled giant snake.

At the top of the stone pillar, a snake head sculpture protruded, its mouth open, holding an azure blue pearl.

The precious bead emitted a faint light, protecting the entire territory.

This was the Xuan She Tribe, which had relocated its entire tribe here after Mo Xuan chose the Wuqi River as a temporary place to dwell.

Downstream from the center of the Wuqi River, slightly further away.

A scorpion beast emitting five-colored light swam freely in the river, startling a school of strange big fish with huge teeth and fins.

Time passed.

Two years later.

The Xuan She Tribe became the fourth hegemon in Huang Prefecture, following the Changliang, Mingzhao, and Du Ya tribes.

Occupying the entire western land of Huang Prefecture.

These three tribes all possessed several Barbarian Emperor powerhouses comparable to Golden Core True Persons.

The totems within their tribes possessed might even surpassing that of the Barbarian Emperors.

That was why they could firmly sit in the position of Huang Prefecture hegemons.

The people of the three tribes naturally would not let the Xuan She Tribe develop unchecked.

They had just sent experts from their tribes several times, wanting to probe the truth of the Xuan She Tribe.

But they did not obtain much information.

The experts who ventured deep into the hinterland of the Xuan She Tribe never returned.

Inside the Changliang Tribe.

Inside the tall central stone palace.

At the head, on the stone chairs, sat two figures.

One was a middle-aged, bare-chested, bearded man, unkempt and rugged in appearance.

Beside him was an old man holding a wooden staff wrapped in vines that was taller than a person.

Below.

On the left and right, one person sat each.

Several figures stood behind each of them.

"Changliang Clan Chief, the Xuan She Tribe is not under our control, and with such frantic expansion, sooner or later they will take action against us."

"Now, why not take the initiative while their wings are not yet fully formed? The three tribes can join forces to destroy them and eliminate future troubles."

The big man sitting on the right with black patterns on his body spoke in a deep voice.

"Du Ya Clan Leader, is this action too risky? We haven't even figured out the background of the Xuan She Tribe; acting rashly is likely not the best strategy."

At the head.

The Changliang Clan Chief, who looked like a middle-aged bearded man, exchanged a glance with the Great Priest beside him.

He spoke with a hint of helplessness.

"Hmph!"

The big man on the right had not yet replied.

The youth-looking Mingzhao Clan Leader sitting on the left snorted coldly.

"Being so timid as a mouse, how can we accomplish anything?"

The Mingzhao Clan Leader sneered.

His words were unceremonious.

"You!"

Anger flashed across the Changliang Clan Chief's face.

"Two Clan Leaders, the big picture is what matters."

Seeing the gunpowder smell between the two growing stronger.

The Du Ya Clan Leader on the right hurriedly spoke to interrupt.

"Changliang Clan Chief, if we wait any longer, the Xuan She Tribe's power will grow even larger, and I fear they will be even harder to deal with."

"This matter should be done sooner rather than later."

"I ask the Changliang Clan Chief to make a decision soon."

The Du Ya Clan Leader continued.

Upon hearing this.

The Changliang Clan Chief's eyes showed a thoughtful expression.

Afterwards.

The Great Priest beside him nodded gently.

The Changliang Clan Chief made up his mind.

"Good!"

"It is time to teach the Xuan She Tribe a lesson."

"The Xuan She Tribe repeatedly fails to follow the rules; if we do not take action again, the prestige of our three tribes will likely be greatly weakened."

The Changliang Clan Chief said in a deep voice.

The Du Ya Clan Leader and the Mingzhao Clan Leader both showed smiles on their faces.

If it weren't for the fact that the Xuan She Tribe was somewhat evil, their two tribes would have already taken action themselves.

"Three months later, joint crusade against the Xuan She."

The three Clan Leaders stood up, raised their stone bowls, drank them in one gulp, and set the agreement.

Immediately, they did not stay any longer, and the two Clan Leaders departed separately.

Three months later.

"Woo~"

A vast sound of horns echoed across the land of Huang Prefecture.

"Rumblings~"

Barbarian warriors with patterns covering their bodies passed over the land, shaking the surroundings.

At the head.

Three huge totem flags stood.

On the left was a strange totem looking like a bird-headed deer.

This was the totem of the Changliang Tribe, named Feilian.

In the middle was a totem looking like a black dog with three ferocious heads.

This was the totem of the Mingzhao Tribe, called Three-Headed Hell Dog.

To the right was a totem looking like a black crow, called Du Ya.

It was the totem of the Du Ya Tribe.

In front.

There were tall giant beasts clearing the way.

Either colorful fierce tigers, vicious lions, or extremely evil demon wolves.

Sitting on top of them were the Barbarian Emperor-level powerhouses of the three tribes.

The three tribes united and headed towards where the Xuan She Tribe was located in the west of Huang Prefecture.

The huge commotion startled the various tribes.

Their expressions were shocked.

The three great hegemons of Huang Prefecture moved simultaneously, and they were going to deal with the newly promoted fourth great hegemon.

Some bold Barbarian Cultivators followed far behind.

After traveling for a long time.

The three tribes stopped.

Beast roars sounded.

In front of the three tribes.

There was a Five-Colored Heavenly Scorpion floating in the air.

Sitting on it was a young girl with a ponytail.

The girl was holding an azure blue pearl in her hand.

Seeing the massive warriors of the three tribes and the various Barbarian Emperor-level powerhouses in front.

The girl slowly stood up.

Stepped off the Five-Colored Heavenly Scorpion.

Using the air as stairs.

She walked step by step not far in front of the three Clan Leaders sitting on the giant beasts.

"Old Ancestor has an order: submit and you will be spared."

The girl, with her left hand behind her back and her right hand holding the azure blue pearl, said with a smiling expression.