Wan Ji's seven daughters gathered above the Extreme Yin Star Barrier with the core disciples of the Ancestral Land and Nine Yin Soul Sea.

Hai Qing and her six sisters stood with gratitude etched on their faces. They clasped their hands toward Zu Wei, Meng Huan, the Mu brothers, and others. "We sisters, on behalf of the Harmony Divine Palace, thank you all for extending a helping hand and saving the Extreme Yin Star from peril," Hai Qing said.

Mu Zixiao smiled warmly. "You flatter us. It was just a small effort."

He glanced over at Yun Xiao, his tone turning a bit peculiar. "This time, the Extreme Yin Star escaped disaster mainly because Yun Xiao turned the tide. He shattered the Southern Divine Dragon Realm's alliance and secured our victory. Our appearance was merely adding flowers to the brocade."

Hai Qing responded, "The Young Dragon Lord was ready to fight to the death. Without your timely aid, there would have been a fierce battle with inevitable casualties. Without you, how could we have frightened them away?"

She spoke from the heart. She wasn't denying Yun Xiao's contribution; she and her sisters had seen it all. But since he was one of their own, and Zu Wei and the others were external helpers, she expressed sincere gratitude.

"Regardless, in such dire circumstances, you still stood by us. We at the Harmony Divine Palace will remember this kindness," Hai Qing said sincerely.

The Mu brothers, Mu Zixiao and Mu Zhilu, could only smile.

Now that the Southern Divine Dragon Realm had left and Hai Qing had expressed her thanks, she wasn't quite sure what to do next.

She noticed that Zu Wei's expression was indifferent, with an air that kept strangers at bay. An idea sparked in her mind. Smiling, she introduced, "Senior Sister Zu Wei, this is Feng Yao of our Harmony Divine Palace."

Turning to Feng Yao, she said, "Yao Yao, this is Senior Sister Zu Wei. She hails from the Ancestral Land and possesses their pinnacle bloodline. The Ancestral Land are the pioneers and founders of the Heavenly Deity Stellar River, possessing the highest bloodline. She's extraordinarily talented, her name renowned throughout the Samsara Galaxy..."

"That's enough," Zu Wei interrupted before Hai Qing could finish, her tone cool. "Saying these things in front of a 9-Star Boundless Immortal talent is like showing off a small card trick to a grand magician."

Hai Qing smiled gently. "Senior Sister, you're too modest. With your talent, you should have no problem becoming a Boundless Immortal either."

As Feng Yao listened, she sized up Zu Wei from head to toe. She wasn't particularly polite. Noticing that this woman had a somewhat arrogant demeanor—not the type Yun Xiao liked—she couldn't be bothered to take another look.

The atmosphere grew awkward.

Seeing this, Hai Qing, hoping to ease the tension, said sincerely, "For your timely rescue, we at the Harmony Divine Palace will remember your kindness. If you ever need our assistance, please don't hesitate to ask; we will answer any call!"

"Indeed," Mu Zixiao nodded, smiling at Hai Qing.

Wan Ji's daughters were many, but Hai Qing's gentleness and grace were especially appealing.

Mu Zixiao acted as the spokesperson for the Ancestral Land. While Zu Wei was too indifferent to say much, he spoke at length.

"Hai Qing, the troubles facing the Extreme Yin Star are only temporarily resolved; the dangers ahead remain," Mu Zixiao said, his smile fading, his tone turning grave. Ꞧ

"Yes!" Beneath Hai Qing's grateful eyes lurked deep anxiety. She said, "This is a crisis for our Harmony Divine Palace. The opponent's strength is overwhelming. It might bring you great trouble, so regarding the dangers ahead, we..."

Before Hai Qing could finish, Mu Zixiao interrupted, "Don't boost others' morale while diminishing your own. About this matter... let's speak privately."

This naturally meant ensuring their conversation remained confidential, preventing too many unrelated people from overhearing, and avoiding broadcasting any sensitive information to the Million Starlight Palace.

"Very well. Please." Hai Qing stepped out of the Extreme Yin Star Barrier, her sisters following suit. From the ranks of the Ancestral Land and Nine Yin Soul Sea, four people emerged. They were Zu Wei, Meng Huan, Mu Zixiao, and Mu Zhilu.

Altogether 11 people arrived at another place where cold tides swept through.

"Yao Yao, Yun Xiao, you come too," Hai Qing called out, feeling unsure and unwilling to make decisions alone.

"Mhm," Feng Yao responded coolly and followed. She glanced at Yun Xiao but noticed he remained standing, showing no intention of joining them.

However, since he had the Mortal Dust Devil Seed planted in Feng Yao's heart, whether he followed or not made little difference.

"They saved us; why does Yun Xiao seem unhappy? Isn't everyone supposed to be rejoicing together?" Hai Ying quietly asked her sister.

"I don't know..." Hai Qing replied helplessly.

To them, Mu Zixiao and the others still appeared amicable and proper.

Including Feng Yao, the 12 of them formed a small group. The three young geniuses—Mu Zixiao, Mu Zhilu, and Meng Huan—were relatively close to her sisters, while Zu Wei maintained her aloof demeanor, standing aside.

The ghostly Anima Immortal youth Meng Huan gave Feng Yao a slight smile, but she didn't even glance his way.

After this small slight, a shadow flickered in Meng Huan's deep, ocean-like eyes.

"Alright, let's get down to business," Mu Zixiao said. He was tall and handsome like a jade tree swaying in the wind, he was the very image of a perfect, talented celestial youth.

He was already quite striking, but Yun Xiao was far more so. However, because Yun Xiao was

cleansed

, beauties habitually excluded him from the category of men, feeling no romantic entanglements with him.

With Yun Xiao absent, Mu Zixiao appeared even more imposing. His expression grew solemn as he faced Wan Ji's seven daughters. In a low voice, he said, "In the last Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects, the Southern Divine Dragon Realm overpowered our Ancestral Land and the Elysian Immortal Palace to seize first place on the Grand Assembly Rankings.

"Since then, they've been arrogant and domineering, waging wars across the Heavenly Deity Stellar River, bringing suffering to countless lives. Now they aim to make a grand spectacle, stepping over you to enter the Heavenly Deity Alliance. If we let them defend their title, I'm afraid the Heavenly Deity Stellar River will plunge into chaos, with innocent victims multiplying tenfold, even a hundredfold. Therefore, as the founding guardians of the Heavenly Deity Stellar River, we have the responsibility to stop them—we must stop them."

His gaze was heavy with worry.

Saying this before Wan Ji's seven daughters was also a way of baring his heart, especially since the Ancestral Land hadn't previously taken a stance against the Southern Divine Dragon Realm, even supporting stripping the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm of its status in the Heavenly Deity Alliance.

"We understand." Hai Qing felt his sense of mission and quickly nodded.

Mu Zixiao continued gravely, "But to be honest, the Southern Divine Dragon Realm has five Young Dragon Lords participating, nearly 100 talented Dragon Devil Clan cultivators, and countless followers from Empyrean Emperor Sects. Relying solely on our Ancestral Land and Nine Yin Soul Sea, it's truly difficult to prevent them from defending their title!"

"Indeed..." Hai Qing and her sisters lowered their heads, exchanging anxious glances.

Just one Young Dragon Lord could gather 500 talents from the Heavenly Deity Stellar River. If the other four weren't scattered on various campaigns, would Yun Xiao have had any chance?

"Hai Qing!" Mu Zixiao took a deep breath, speaking earnestly to Hai Qing. "To be frank, flattening the Extreme Yin Star is the Southern Divine Dragon Realm's top priority, even above defending their title. Although we helped you repel one Young Dragon Lord this time, we've truly angered them. Given the Dragon Devil Clan's ways, the remaining Young Dragon Lords will undoubtedly put aside their current tasks, gather all their forces, and first accomplish the most important matter!"

The Southern Divine Dragon Realm's most crucial task was, of course, to knock the Harmony Divine Palace out of the top ten, leaving them empty-handed!

They lost when it was 500 against 9? Now that Yun Xiao and the others had provoked them, thousands of their elites could descend!

Mu Zixiao's words weighed heavily on the hearts of Hai Qing and her sisters.

They knew all too well what the Southern Divine Dragon Realm was capable of.

"This time, though that celestial slave's actions had miraculous effects, they've truly touched the Dragon Devil Clan's reverse scale, giving them an excuse to disregard criticism and mobilize their entire army. I estimate that in a few days, the area outside the Extreme Yin Star will be swarming with their forces," Meng Huan added casually, his voice soft.

"We understand." Hai Qing could only nod helplessly. She continued, "We are aware of the danger posed by the Dragon Devil Clan... We are extremely grateful for your rescue. You have no obligation to help us, especially if it affects your own missions, so please, return! We are profoundly thankful for what you've done."

"No," Mu Zixiao shook his head. "You've misunderstood me. I'm saying that while the Dragon Devil Clan will indeed be troublesome, our two sects are not weak. We've come here precisely to assist you in a decisive battle against the Southern Divine Dragon Realm!"

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