"How would we know whether this is something you've simply fabricated?" the Beitang Clan Leader said.
"I would not deceive you on such a matter. Chu Feng's Thunder Armor and Thunder Wings can raise his cultivation by two full ranks, and the heavenly phenomenon he triggered was formed entirely of lightning."
"Moreover, you all witnessed it with your own eyes — this boy's talent is utterly heaven-defying. His rate of progress is beyond imagination. With all these signs before you, can you still not see the truth?" said Nangong Beidou.
"I believe Brother Nangong's words." The Ximen Clan Leader rose to his feet as he spoke, turning to address the Beitang and Donghua Clan Leaders. "What you fear right now is the one who wields the Immortal Execution Brush, but I can tell you this plainly — the greatest threat is still Chu Feng."
"No matter how powerful that man may be, he is only a third rank Martial Emperor. Dealing with him will not be difficult."
"But Chu Feng is a different matter entirely. If we allow him to grow, then in the future there will be no place left for our four Great Imperial Clans in the Martial Continent."
"Even if our four clans somehow survived, we would be nothing more than the current Royal Clans — clinging to life by a thread."
"If you truly wish to sacrifice your descendants' futures and your ancestors' legacy out of your own cowardice, then by all means, continue to remain silent."
"Furthermore, Brother Nangong and I did not summon you here to ask for your help. We merely wished to offer a well-intentioned warning."
"Regardless of the conflicts among our four Great Imperial Clans, we are still of the same root. I only hope that all four of our clans grow ever stronger — not that one day we fall below even the Nine Powers."
"I have said all there is to say. Gentlemen, I take my leave." The Ximen Clan Leader turned to depart.
"Brother Ximen, wait." At that moment, the Beitang Clan Leader spoke up. He drew a deep breath, as though steeling himself, before saying, "This matter is of grave importance. I must return and consult with a few Supreme Elders."
"I shall do the same," added the Donghua Clan Leader.
Hearing this, a faint smile tugged at the corners of both the Ximen Clan Leader's and Nangong Beidou's mouths.
They knew full well that to those old monsters, the future of the Imperial Clans outweighed everything. Once they learned of Chu Feng's existence, they would never let him live.
After that, the Donghua and Beitang Clan Leaders took their leave one after another, but the Ximen Clan Leader did not depart.
Only the two of them remained — the Ximen Clan Leader and Nangong Beidou.
"Chu Feng's power has already begun to show. Even if all four of our clans join forces, dealing with him will not be easy."
"And all of this began because of you. I want to ask — now that things have come to this, do you regret the decision you made back then?" the Ximen Clan Leader asked Nangong Beidou.
"You could have done as they did — chosen not to stand against Chu Feng — but you struck first. So let me ask you the same: do you have any regrets?" Nangong Beidou shot back.
"I, Ximen Chuanliu, never regret anything I do." A cold gleam flashed through the Ximen Clan Leader's eyes as he spoke — the unmistakable resolve to see Chu Feng dead.
With that, the Ximen Clan Leader finally departed, and Nangong Beidou personally saw him off. But as he watched the Ximen Clan Leader's figure recede into the distance, Nangong Beidou's face was draped in sorrow.
The truth was, he had long since regretted it. But by now, there was no turning back.
…………
The four clans were plotting their means of dealing with Chu Feng, but Chu Feng knew nothing of it. In fact, he was entirely unaware of everything that had been happening in the outside world.
The backlash from the Evil God Sword had plunged him into a deep slumber, and it was only now that he finally regained consciousness.
"Where is this?" The sight before him sent a jolt of alarm through his heart.
Stretching out in every direction were countless white bones — human, demon beast — piled upon one another, rising into the clouds and stretching on without end.
Before him lay a vast expanse of foul, reeking blood, so deep its bottom could not be seen. Even the gentlest breeze was enough to stir its surface into towering waves.