"Join us in exterminating the Blood Emperor Clan?"
Although many Hu Clan members were still wounded, hearing the heroic-sounding voices of Ba Li Jiao Huang and Niu Wu Ba only filled them with contempt. Do you take us for fools or idiots? The Harem had entered the battle — few in number, but each one a powerhouse. Anyone with even a shred of common sense could see that the outcome of this battle had already been decided.
Yet the Giao Clan and the Heavenly Demon Academy still shamelessly tried to steal the glory. It was laughable to the extreme. The Hu Clan women felt secondhand embarrassment on their behalf. However, since they were still on the battlefield, it wasn't appropriate to mock the enemy openly. Otherwise, some of the Hu Clan women would have already started cursing them out loud.
Especially the two Hu Clan Protectors — they were grinding their teeth in fury. They had been tasked by the Clan Leader to deliver the request for reinforcements, and their message had even arrived faster than the one sent to the Kun Clan.
And what was the result?
The Kun Clan had come first. Even the Harem, who were on an entirely different continent, had appeared out of nowhere like a bolt from the blue. Meanwhile, where had these two forces been?
"Everyone, retreat! This operation is a failure. Run as many as you can!"
Inside the void, the Blood Envoy commanding the battle also realized the situation had turned hopeless. He quickly transmitted a message to all Blood Guards and Blood Generals, then his figure flashed and vanished without a trace. As expected of a Tribulation Realm expert — he knew when to advance and when to retreat. Once he determined the plan had failed, he no longer cared about the safety of the Blood Guards and Blood Generals.
After all, while Void Refining and Fusion Realm cultivators were important fighting forces on Yuelong Star, they were insignificant in the Blood Realm. Their lives carried no weight that would make the Blood Emperor Clan abandon future plans or openly clash with the entire Cultivation World.
"Break out with everything you have! Run back to the Blood Emperor Clan!"
Receiving the Blood Envoy's signal, the Blood Generals and Blood Guards lost all will to fight. Like a flock of frightened birds, they scattered in panic. Each one frantically tore open space and unleashed their movement techniques, their only goal being to survive.
But… could they really escape?
"Kill! Exterminate every last member of the Blood Emperor Clan!" Ba Li Jiao Huang roared with soaring killing intent. Leading a group of Giao Clan members, he charged in like a tiger into a flock of sheep. One after another, they revealed their true forms — massive, coiling serpents twisting across the sky — and began a merciless slaughter.
"We can't fall behind them! Kill them all!" Although Niu Wu Ba couldn't personally take action due to the one-year agreement, he commanded the Heavenly Demon Academy experts to attack fiercely, as if trying to prove their contribution.
Seeing this, the women of the Harem calmly withdrew their hands. Their mission was complete. They could leave these trivial cleanup tasks to the others.
A long time later, blood flowed like rivers across the battlefield and corpses piled up like mountains. Nearly ninety percent of the Blood Emperor Clan forces had died within Hu Clan territory. The sky itself was dyed crimson with blood.
After the earlier encirclement by the Harem, the Blood Emperor Clan had already suffered devastating losses. Not to mention the current frenzied slaughter by the Giao Clan and Heavenly Demon Academy. Only a tiny few managed to escape — and even that was pure luck.
Hu Qingwu and Kun Mingyue teamed up to slay the final peak Fusion Realm Blood General. The two women exchanged a glance, and both saw a look of firm determination in each other's eyes, as if they had reached a silent agreement.
"Clan Leader Hu, are you alright? Fortunately, we arrived in time this round. Almost every Blood Emperor Clan member who dared invade the Hu Clan has been wiped out!"
Ba Li Jiao Huang and Niu Wu Ba stepped forward together, inquiring about Hu Qingwu with feigned concern. Their eyes overflowed with care and closeness.
"Thank you all," Hu Qingwu replied with a cool nod. She turned away to inspect the Hu Clan's casualties, not even sparing the two men a single glance.
"Quickly assist the Hu Clan and Kun Clan in cleaning up the battlefield!" Niu Wu Ba and Ba Li Jiao Huang felt embarrassed inside, but they maintained dignified expressions on the surface as they ordered their subordinates.
The Hu Clan and Kun Clan members exchanged meaningful glances but did not stop them. They didn't even bother greeting the two groups.
Witnessing the cold and contemptuous attitude from both clans, the members of the Giao Clan and Heavenly Demon Academy felt utterly humiliated. They lowered their heads, not daring to meet anyone's eyes.
"Damn it, it's all because of that damn Harem!"
Ba Li Jiao Huang and Niu Wu Ba appeared calm on the surface, but their eyes occasionally flashed with hostility as they glanced toward the Harem women who were chatting leisurely. In their hearts, they cursed the Harem's ancestors for eighteen generations. If the Harem hadn't interfered, they would have been the heroes in the eyes of the Hu Clan. The ones receiving gratitude from the Hu Clan and Kun Clan would have been the Giao Clan and Heavenly Demon Academy. Their two forces' prestige would have soared across U Origin, and they would have gained even more influence in the Blood Extermination Alliance. Unfortunately, just when everything seemed perfect according to plan, the Harem had charged in…
How could Niu Wu Ba and Ba Li Jiao Huang not hate them? The stage that should have belonged to them had been stolen by the Harem.
However, there was one thing neither of them understood — and even most Hu Clan and Kun Clan members couldn't figure out: Why had the Harem arrived so quickly and so precisely?
Even though reaching the Void Refining Realm allowed one to tear through the void and travel between continents relatively freely, it still required a certain amount of time. Not to mention various other objective factors. No matter how hard Ba Li Jiao Huang and Niu Wu Ba thought, they couldn't understand how the Harem had managed to provide timely reinforcements. Could it be that they were constantly monitoring the Hu Clan's movements? Did they rush over the moment they spotted the Blood Emperor Clan?
"Headmaster, if I'm not mistaken… the Harem women appeared from deep within the Hu Clan territory!" Ba Li Jiao Huang's eyes flickered as he looked toward Niu Wu Ba.
"You're right. They all emerged from the same place," Niu Wu Ba's face darkened. His mountain-like figure emitted a faint, oppressive aura.
From such a small detail, he had already deduced many things. Combined with Kun Mingyue's connection to the Harem, could it be that the Hu Clan had also…?
The more he thought about it, the uglier Niu Wu Ba's expression became. He decided that no matter the cost, he would force the Hu Clan onto the same side as him.
Sensing Niu Wu Ba's determination, Ba Li Jiao Huang shivered inwardly.
This unofficial master of his might look big and honest on the outside, but how could someone who had climbed to the position of Heavenly Demon Academy Headmaster possibly be simple?
Authority was the first thing that could not be taken lightly…
…
Three days later…
Bamboo Lake Forest…
The Hu Clan held a grand banquet to entertain the Kun Clan and the Harem. Naturally, they could not openly turn against the Giao Clan and Heavenly Demon Academy. After all, those two forces had technically come to provide aid. Being too ruthless would only damage the Hu Clan's reputation.
Kun Mingyue, Ji Ya, Ji Bing, Mu Ziyin, Bing Lanxi, Hua Qingzhu, and Su Yan sat gracefully and elegantly on one side of the seating area. Countless admiring and respectful gazes from the Hu Clan members continuously fell upon them.
Thanks to the Harem, although the Hu Clan had suffered many injuries, their casualties were almost nonexistent. Because the Blood Emperor Clan's original goal had been to capture them alive, and Ji Ya and Ji Bing had prioritized rescuing them… the Hu Clan's gratitude toward the Harem was genuine.
Seated opposite the Harem women were the higher-ups of the Giao Clan and Heavenly Demon Academy. Despite trying their best to appear natural, their expressions were far from pleasant.
Amid the deep green bamboo forest and the poetic lake, beautiful Hu Clan maidens moved gracefully back and forth, serving various signature spiritual fruits and spiritual wines to the guests.
However, their attitudes were completely different.
For example, when serving the Kun Clan, the Hu Clan maidens always smiled warmly, friendly and approachable. But when the cups of the Giao Clan and Heavenly Demon Academy ran dry, the maidens wouldn't even glance at them. Only after being reminded would they reluctantly pour less than half a cup with obvious reluctance.
The atmosphere grew somewhat awkward. Meanwhile, the Kun Clan members sat with proud, puffed-out chests, looking at the Giao Clan group with undisguised contempt.
"Ahem!"
Noticing the slightly unnatural atmosphere, Hu Qingwu, seated at the head position, stood up calmly. She wore a silk veil over her face, and her loose, flowing robes completely concealed her six soft tails. Even so, the simple act of raising her hand or taking a step made every man present lower their heads, not daring to look directly at her for fear of losing composure.
Even the Harem women, who were extremely confident in their own beauty, secretly praised her. She truly deserved to be called the number one beauty of U Origin Continent — and the woman their husband and mother-in-law had taken a liking to.
"Compared to Hu Qingwu, the Bewitching Art that Mi'er cultivated back then really isn't worth mentioning," Su Yan gently stroked the head of the little bear cub in her lap and sighed inwardly.
Clearly, Su Yan still didn't know that Hu Qingwu possessed Innate Bewitching Bones. Even if she simply stood still like a statue, she would naturally emanate boundless charm.
"First of all, on behalf of the Hu Clan, Qingwu sincerely thanks everyone for coming to our aid — especially the Kun Clan and the Harem!"
Hu Qingwu cast a grateful glance at Kun Mingyue and the Harem women. When her gaze shifted toward the Giao Clan and Heavenly Demon Academy, it turned icy and emotionless. Even so, just hearing her voice and seeing her eyes up close made both Niu Wu Ba and Ba Li Jiao Huang bite the tip of their tongues to stay clear-headed. This woman was truly too difficult to resist.
"Qingwu, why are you being so polite? We're practically sisters already, aren't we?" Mu Ziyin winked at Hu Qingwu, took a sip of wine with her cherry-red lips, and exhaled a fragrance like orchid.
"One family?" Ba Li Jiao Huang and Niu Wu Ba immediately looked puzzled.
"We'll talk about that later!" Hu Qingwu did not deny it. She spoke softly to the women, though the smooth face beneath her veil flushed slightly.
Hu Ngọc Nghiên, standing respectfully behind her master, smiled in satisfaction. If only she could get closer to that man…
"Clan Leader Hu, I have a suggestion to make!"
At that moment, Niu Wu Ba suddenly interrupted their conversation. He deliberately infused a trace of spiritual power into his voice, drawing everyone's attention to him.
Hu Qingwu shook her head and said softly, "Today, this Clan Leader only wishes to express gratitude to everyone. Important matters can wait."
Unfortunately, Niu Wu Ba did not agree. With a firm attitude, he spoke:
"Please hear me out first. This matter will benefit both the Hu Clan and the Heavenly Demon Academy — and even the entire Yuelong Star!"
"Here it comes…" Ba Li Jiao Huang shivered inwardly. With his status and position, he knew something was about to happen. One careless move could lead to open conflict.
Hu Qingwu's snow-white hand tightened slightly, then relaxed. She sighed softly:
"Very well. Headmaster Niu, please speak."
Niu Wu Ba nodded. His dignified gaze swept across the entire venue, attempting to use his aura to suppress the crowd. Sure enough, the demon beasts who had not yet reached the Eighth Stage did not dare meet his eyes and lowered their heads one after another. Only the Harem women wore expressions that seemed half-smiling, as if they were eagerly waiting for a good show. Ji Ya and Ji Bing, however, remained cold and indifferent to worldly affairs, their faces expressionless.
Niu Wu Ba sneered inwardly. Don't think that just because the Harem has Tribulation Realm experts, they can disregard everyone else. He secretly planned to find an opportunity to teach these women a lesson.
But right now, there was something more important. Niu Wu Ba spoke solemnly:
"As everyone has seen, for some unknown reason, the Blood Emperor Clan has specially targeted the Hu Clan. They even mobilized their full strength for the Hu Clan and devised such a meticulous plan that it managed to deceive even our Heavenly Demon Academy, causing a slight delay in our reinforcements!"
"Pfft, shameless!" Many people sneered inwardly. What did the Blood Emperor Clan deceive you about? Why don't you explain clearly?
Niu Wu Ba ignored the crowd's expressions and continued:
"As the Headmaster of the Heavenly Demon Academy, many talented generations of the Hu Clan have studied under our academy. Even Clan Leader Hu received guidance from a teacher when she was young!"
Hu Qingwu nodded without refuting.
She was one generation below Niu Wu Ba. When she had entered the Heavenly Demon Academy in the past, she had received instruction from Niu Wu Ba's own master, who was still the Headmaster at the time. She still remembered that favor. Unfortunately, that senior had passed away due to the end of his lifespan, and the Headmaster position had been passed to Niu Wu Ba. That was already a long time ago…
"No matter what, this Headmaster has always placed the safety of the demon race above all else. At the Blood Extermination Alliance assembly, I even nearly went to war with the Beast Taming Emperor for the sake of demon beasts!" Niu Wu Ba spoke in circles, trying to emphasize his devotion to the demon race and win everyone's trust.
"Now, the Blood Emperor Clan's true strength remains unknown, and the Hu Clan has become their primary target. This Headmaster suggests that the entire Hu Clan should proactively relocate to the Heavenly Demon Academy. That way, I and the elders can protect the Hu Clan at the closest distance!" Niu Wu Ba finally revealed his true purpose.
"Relocate to the Heavenly Demon Academy?" Many Hu Clan members almost burst out laughing. They all turned their eyes toward their Clan Leader.
Not only the Hu Clan, but even the Kun Clan, Giao Clan, and the Harem women looked at her. Clearly, the final decision rested entirely in Hu Qingwu's hands.
Hu Qingwu maintained a calm expression on the surface, but her heart grew even colder. Her clear voice rang out:
"We are extremely grateful for Headmaster Niu's concern. However, the Hu Clan is ultimately not part of one force. Such a merger would be inappropriate, and I cannot easily answer to the ancestors of the Hu Clan!"
Niu Wu Ba's face remained expressionless, as if he had already anticipated Hu Qingwu's response. He pretended to ponder for a moment, then looked straight into her eyes and declared decisively:
"Then what if we become one family? Today, I, Niu Wu Ba, formally propose marriage to Clan Leader Hu. Let the Heavenly Demon Academy and the Hu Clan officially become relatives and together eliminate the Blood Emperor Clan's schemes!"