The Gathering of Ancient Kings
“This is the last gift I will give you,” Third Young Master Qiong declared, a triumphant gleam in his eyes as the myriad elixir enveloped Qin Huai.
But in mere moments, the colossal myriad elixir, renowned for its overwhelming power, began to diminish rapidly.
“It can’t be,” muttered Third Young Master Qiong, disbelief evident in his narrowed eyes. He could only watch as the myriad elixir transformed into a minuscule speck of light, nestling in Qin Huai’s outstretched hand.
Whoosh!
The winds surged, gusting with such ferocity that Third Young Master Qiong had to shield himself. The very bones within him began to resonate with a sonorous roar. Before he could react, the bone-chilling sound of bones cracking filled the air, followed by the eerie sound of a body being impaled.
Staring deep into Qin Huai’s eyes, Third Young Master Qiong rasped, “We will meet again… in the main world.” It was as if he sought to imprint Qin Huai’s face in his mind forever.
The spirit world’s moon cast its radiant glow, revealing tens of thousands of king bones emanating astonishing spiritual energy. In this moonlit spectacle, shadowy figures emerged, escorting Wang Gu into their midst.
From the fringes, the elders of the six royal clans observed with satisfaction. The grand elder of the Qiong Qi clan boomed, “Our seven descendants may have faltered, but their unity proves our familial bonds.”
Nodding in agreement, the elder of the white tiger clan remarked, “Such unity among our seven kings only reiterates the shared bloodline that binds the eight royal clans.” The charismatic Qilin grand elder added, “Their efforts only fuel our determination to unite. With the inclusion of the Kun Peng and dragon clans, no force, not even the Great Spirit Dragon, can defeat us.”
Their moment of unity, however, was abruptly disrupted. A tangible shift occurred in the atmosphere, a swell of unprecedented energy that resonated in the ground beneath and the very air they breathed.
One by one, the elders felt the ground give way, with the weaker among them buckling under the pressure, their glowing bone patterns the only defense against the overwhelming force.
“Who summoned me?”
The voice, seemingly from the ether, reverberated throughout the King Bone Holy Altar, its sheer power causing the surrounding flora to quiver. Next to the white tiger elders, a mysterious finger bone levitated, its aura morphing into a distinct humanoid silhouette.
“I… Is that you, Great-grandfather?” The grand elder of the white tiger clan gasped in disbelief, eyes widening at the familiar figure.
The spectral figure tilted his head, his gaze settling on the tear-brimmed eyes of the grand elder. “Second grandson, is that truly you?” he asked in a voice that echoed with centuries of wisdom.
The white tiger grand elder’s tears spilled over, but he quickly recomposed himself, cheeks reddening with embarrassment. “Ahem, Great-grandfather, I’ve grown now. I serve as the grand elder of our clan.”
The elderly apparition chuckled. “After all these years, and you’re still just a grand elder? Haven’t reached the king realm yet?” He looked affectionately at the white-haired man before him, noticing the visible signs of age. Surveying his surroundings, he remarked, “So, this is the King Bone Holy Altar?” His aura intensified, spreading outwards like a shockwave, and settled on Qin Huai. “You summoned me to handle this brat?” He assessed Qin Huai critically, “He’s a top-tier king with uneven aura flow. How did someone like him even make it this far?”
The white tiger grand elder inquired urgently, “What do you mean, Great-grandfather?”
Those who had ascended to the king realm possessed heightened senses, able to perceive nuances that others couldn’t. Hence, their remains, post-mortem, became invaluable artifacts.
A nearby Qilin elder chimed in, “He’s used seven techniques to craft the bone patterns on his entire physique.”
A ripple of shock coursed through the gathering.
“There must be overlaps in the bone patterns then. How does he even maintain the integrity of his bones?” someone exclaimed.
Others murmured in agreement, “Even our esteemed royal clans couldn’t bear such strain.” The whispers conveyed a newfound respect for Qin Huai’s prowess.
Further observations were shared, “His chosen techniques are at odds with one another. Their clashing auras are incredibly dangerous.”
Two phoenix elders added, “If a mortal gets close to him, he would be crushed by this killing aura. He’s like a fortress even in sleep.”
A black tortoise elder interjected, “His protective aura is quite distinct from ours. It’s drenched in the aura of battles and bloodshed.”
The gathering of ancient kings exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of the situation evident.
“Good job in summoning us,” the elder apparition finally said, his tone grave. “This person poses a serious threat to our clans. Tell me, have you brought the Soul Slayer?”