The words from Mei Ji silenced everyone in the hall, leaving the palace suddenly so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Those present had arrived from various domains—many were powerful figures anchoring the Myrmidon Clan in their respective territories, while others were adherents who pledged loyalty to the clan.

All were formidable in their own right. They had, to varying degrees, received news explaining the recent fervor across the star river, and the reasons behind the fury of the Soul Clan, Devourer Clan, Black Demon Clan, and Ancient Demon Clan.

As Mei Ji had pointed out, if Shi Yan dared to slaughter the four clans and sweep through their ancestral lands, what was there left that he wouldn't dare to attempt now? Mandice was highly satisfied with the deterrent effect generated by Shi Yan's reputation as a "God of Slaughter." Her small face broke into a smile, and she gave Mei Ji a slight nod before immediately glancing toward her sister, Candice.

Candice’s expression was icy; no specific emotional fluctuation was revealed in her eyes. Likewise, Vandler remained completely silent.

“I propose we prepare for war while simultaneously waiting for Shi Yan to awaken,” Mandice finally declared with a crisp, light cry. Her eyes, shimmering with divine light, swept over the assembly before she continued leisurely, “The four clans are severely weakened, and Shi Yan is their primary target.

As long as we flatly deny any knowledge of Shi Yan’s whereabouts, if they dare to mobilize fully, we will be in the right! If they fight, are we truly afraid of them?” Those who had previously placed great importance on the opinions of Vandler and Candice now realized, due to Mei Ji's speech, that the terrifying Shi Yan was the single most vicious character they faced.

They were all fearful that if their involvement in dealing with Shi Yan were exposed, they would face his bloody retribution. They did not possess the overwhelming strength of the four major clans; they could not possibly withstand even one wave of Shi Yan’s attacks.

Perhaps an entire race could be annihilated by his rage. Consequently, after weighing the potential gains and losses, these individuals gradually accepted Mandice’s suggestion.

—Prepare for war, and observe the situation quietly. Wait for Shi Yan to wake up.

The matter was temporarily settled in this manner. ...

In Mandice’s cultivation palace, her eyes shone brightly with excitement. “Let me see!” Mei Ji nodded, maneuvering her soul power.

Then, her sacrificial altar slowly manifested above her head. Mei Ji’s true cultivation lay in the Profound Meaning of Ice, and her soul altar was quite wondrous; at a glance, it resembled a crystalline glacier, covered in frost and snow.

A shard of Ice Profound Meaning resided within the altar. Inside the ice crystal, a Source Rune of Profound Meaning pulsed as if alive, faintly emanating currents of frigid air, bearing the imprint of Mei Ji’s soul consciousness, continuously releasing profound fluctuations of Ice Profound Meaning.

Catching the chilling aura of the cold ice and sensing the gradual freezing of everything within the palace, Mandice’s eyes grew brighter. She praised, “Truly worthy of a Source Rune of Profound Meaning!

One Source Rune signifies a mysterious divine ability. It seems that through this rune, your Ice Profound Meaning will become even more refined and esoteric.” “I didn’t expect him to refine a rune for me so quickly either,” Mei Ji admitted with slight shyness.

“Heh heh,” Mandice was in a good mood. “That boy wrought such slaughter among the four clans, killing countless of their members.

He must have absorbed an immense surge of power. I guessed he would undergo a massive transformation, but I didn't anticipate it happening here, within our Myrmidon territory.

In hindsight, the fact that the Phantasmal Prison group targeted me was pure luck for them stumbling upon the truth.” “Grandmother, are you truly intending to fight the four clans to the death?” Mei Ji’s expression gradually turned serious. Admittedly, due to Shi Yan’s mad slaughter, the four clans had suffered devastating losses, with many powerful ancestors perishing in their ancestral lands.

However, the four clans were powerful races that had dominated the heavens and earth for hundreds of thousands of years; their deep foundations were immeasurable, and even the Myrmidon Clan was slightly inferior to those four great races. Mei Ji knew clearly in her heart that if their Myrmidon ancestral land were swept clean, although they would suffer a great blow to their vitality, their foundation would remain intact.

For instance, the combined forces of the clansmen and allied powerhouses who had arrived from the great domains were stronger than the power concentrated in the ancestral land. Similarly, many experts from the Soul Clan, Devourer Clan, Black Demon Clan, and Ancient Demon Clan were scattered across the various domains, manning numerous fortresses.

If all those individuals participated in this war, it would place tremendous pressure on the Myrmidon Clan and the White Bone Clan. Mei Ji was not as relaxed as she appeared; she also feared that the outbreak of this war would lead to mutual destruction, just as Candice and Vandler worried.

“We worry, but do you think Phantasmal Prison, Rupert, Egger, and Beverly don't worry? Heh heh, you must realize that among the seven clans, the most cunning one, the Profound Heaven Clan, has yet to state its position.

Furthermore, in his sweeping rampage, Shi Yan deliberately excluded both us and the White Bone Clan. Do you know what that signifies?” Mandice’s small face held a smile, her eyes twinkling with wise light.

Mei Ji’s delicate body moved slightly. “You mean…?” “The Profound Heaven Clan must have reached some tacit understanding with Shi Yan!” Mandice was absolutely certain.

“You know the Profound Heaven Clan is slightly stronger than us. If we unite with the White Bone Clan and gain the assistance of the Profound Heaven Clan, who do you think has a greater chance of winning this war?” Mei Ji suddenly smiled, her laughter captivating and alluring, her graceful figure swaying like a blossoming branch.

“Once that boy Shi Yan awakens, we can contact the Profound Heaven Clan through him and establish that rapport. By then, I might actually welcome the four clans attacking us—this is an opportunity for a reshuffling of power in the Star Sea.

I look forward to it greatly,” Mandice squinted, her expression eager. “But before that, you must keep a close watch on Candice and Vandler, and protect Shi Yan well.

I fear these two might resort to underhanded tactics.” “Do they dare?” Mei Ji exclaimed in shock. “I suspect Candice and Vandler have secret contact with members of the four clans.

I hope they know where the line is, otherwise, hmph!” Mandice’s face turned cold, a killing intent suddenly flashing in her eyes. ...

In another secluded area of the Myrmidon Clan, where Candice cultivated. Candice, Vandler, and several powerful subordinates under their command were also gathered, discussing the events from the palace that day.

A look of gloomy dissatisfaction crossed Vandler’s handsome face. “I truly don’t understand why she insists on involving herself with that Shi Yan.

Isn't it just because that boy possesses the Talisman Tower of Profound Meaning? Wouldn't it be more advantageous for us if we seized the Talisman Tower and killed him while he was cultivating?” “It’s not that simple,” Candice shook her head calmly.

“You’ve fought Shi Yan; you should know how troublesome he is. He has mastered the Profound Meaning of Space.

Killing him will definitely not be easy.” “Then what should we do about this matter? Should we simply follow what they propose?” Vandler asked helplessly.

“I am still thinking,” Candice’s delicate brows were deeply furrowed. Just then, a large, stout man with a round face standing beside them suddenly let out a strange chuckle.

This stout man had small braids atop his head. Upon closer inspection, these were thick, finger-sized tentacles, green-blue in color, gently swaying in a very unsettling manner.

He was a member of the Ox-Horn Clan, a minor race allied with the Myrmidon Clan. The Ox-Horn Clan had been subdued by Vandler back then, so they looked to Vandler as their leader.

After leaving the palace, he had followed Candice and Vandler here. After listening to their conversation for a while, he began to exhibit strange behavior.

With his strange laughter, the stout man’s body twisted and shifted. In just a few dozen seconds, he transformed into a delicate young woman, appearing to be in her early twenties, clad in simple, plain silver robes.

His aura, soul altar, physique, and divine power structure had all changed. “Who are you?” Candice showed shock for the first time.

The aura emanating from the woman as she was transforming felt dangerous to her; a pressure originating deep within her spirit made her realize this woman was utterly extraordinary. “You don’t know me, but your sister, Mandice, does.

I killed this stout Ox-Horn clansman and used him to attend your Myrmidon Clan meeting. I listened to your strategy and also heard what you and Vandler were saying,” the delicate woman smiled, composedly facing Candice.

“I am very interested in your thoughts and Vandler’s. I think we can cooperate: you can lure Mei Ji away for me, and I will use Mei Ji’s appearance and features to deal with Shi Yan.” As she spoke, the woman quietly shifted again, rapidly taking on Mei Ji’s exact appearance—her demeanor, temperament, figure, looks, and even the soul fluctuations were completely identical, nearly indistinguishable.

If Candice and Vandler hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they would have believed the woman before them was the real Mei Ji—even they couldn't discern that this Mei Ji had been transformed from someone else. “This technique is truly formidable!” Candice’s bright eyes shot out a strange light.

She searched rapidly, and after a moment, her expression suddenly changed. “Zhen Ru!

Zhen Ru of the Myriad Forms Clan! Zhen Ru among the Ten Great Domain Ancestors!

It’s you!” The Myriad Forms Clan was a minor race within the Star Sea whose members could transform limitlessly. The more profound their cultivation, the more marvelous their transformations, allowing them to embody any race or person while perfectly matching the body, soul, and aura.

This race was originally unremarkable, but Zhen Ru’s emergence brought them immense fame. Zhen Ru was an ordinary member of the Myriad Forms Clan, yet she mastered her clan’s innate divine abilities to a masterful degree, gaining great rewards, breaking through to the Domain Ancestor realm, and continuously improving herself until she became one of the Ten Great Domain Ancestors who did not belong to the seven major clans, much like Solon and Yuan Zu.

“Knowing who I am should give you a bit more confidence, shouldn’t it?” Zhen Ru, appearing as Mei Ji, smiled sweetly, her flirtatiousness and allure entirely consistent with the real Mei Ji, showing no discernible difference. “I know Vandler is interested in the Fallen Star River that boy holds, and you desire the Talisman Tower of Profound Meaning.

I can give you both these things, provided you assist me.” Upon hearing this, Vandler and Candice were both deeply moved. “What do you want?” Candice remained calm, not immediately persuaded.

“You certainly wouldn't come here for no reason. What do you want to obtain from Shi Yan?” “Everything on Shi Yan apart from the Talisman Tower of Profound Meaning and the Fallen Star River will belong to me,” Zhen Ru’s smile was enchanting.

“Since I’m giving you what you desire, this is the Myrmidon Clan territory, your home. If you two assist me with all your might, my chances of success are nearly one hundred percent.

What do you say?” Vandler and Candice exchanged glances and remained silent for a long time before Candice finally spoke: “We need to discuss the details of this matter thoroughly. Yes, we can talk about it properly.” Hearing this, Zhen Ru’s smile became even brighter; she knew the major undertaking was close to success.

...