Two days passed in a flash.
Soon, Anastasia is meant to meet up with Arima in front of the cave she has been using to recuperate and cultivate her bloodline.
For the past two days, she has been making arrangements inside the clan to prepare for retaliation in case Luhei's Household decided to advance.
She stood at the mouth of the cave, cool wind breezed over her calm face and seemingly desolate eyes. Even she did not forgive herself for her daughter's fate yet, let alone her husband after he finds the truth. A huge conflict is imminent, perhaps it could escalate towards a civil war.
She was now clad in a new patch of high-grade armor underneath her dark robes. Her thick strands of hair were haphazardly swaying like the mane of an ancient lion of war.
She was now looking in the distance towards the desolate mountain range, which was the peripheral boundary of the Luhei province.
"You look pretty upset!" A proud sound resonated like a clap of thunder descending from the heavens.
The aura of an apex predator premeditated and spread apart the clouds, revealing the figure of a muscular male. The red color was the most conspicuous aspect of his image, a devilish grin plastered onto his pale face.
Anastasia turned her face to look up at Arima without a word. She simply nodded her head in gratitude before she waited for him to descend.
It didn't take long.
Swoosh~
In the next moment, Arima landed gracefully in front of Anastasia.
"Should we go?" Arima asked, a fierce grin on his face. He was honestly looking forward to the upcoming drama.
Anastasia nodded, shooting a glance at the flock of monsters coming in from the horizon as they followed in Arima's trail.
Each seemed to emit a breath no less than an Eclipse Master, there was about 20 or 30 of them.
The number may seem small, but, coupled with Arima's prowess as a Celestial, that's more than enough to raze one of the Nine Families to the ground.
Although she had no plans of initiating a war, her clan isn't a soft pet to be kneaded casually.
"Remember, don't make your move unless there was no other way," Anastasia reminded Arima to which he eagerly nodded. Then, Anastasia shot into the sky towards the general direction of Luhei's Palace, Arima following closely after with his breath condensed.
Unless there was another Celestial level powerhouse, no one would notice him.
....
Currently, in one of the Palace's conferences halls.
Lord Luhei had a familiar-looking guest.
This guest was also one of the 9 Aristocratic Leaders.
He was dressed in what seemed to be scholar clothing, a neutral vibe around him as he viewed through documents and files presented by Lord Luhei.
"Brother Xue, what do you make of this?"
Lord Luhei asked. Truthfully, he isn't astute enough to read through his wife.
Thus, he contacted the one he trusted the most out of the remaining Eight Families, Lord Xue.
Ironically, the entire renowned leaders of the Eight Families seem to have developed an unconditional bond of trust with Lord Xue.
It can be said that Lord Xue is a treasure box containing the secrets belonging to each of the Nine Families.
However, he has never shown any interest in climbing the ladder for supremacy, he was simply being his neutral self, but he somehow ends up as the one these old monsters vent their frustration to.
With that, he can be considered to be the most astute and wise among the Nine friends, so Lord Luhei didn't bother with solo investigation anymore.
"To tell the truth, I also believe Lady Anastasia is hiding something crucial," Lord Xue said.
Lord Luhei nodded in satisfaction, although he was here bad-mouthing his wife repeatedly without perseverance, Lord Xue still maintained a respectful tone when speaking of her.
This only showed how impartial his character is, making Lord Luhei feel better about opening up.
If it was someone else, they would probably bad-mouth Anastasia as well and add the oil onto the fire, or might even take pleasure in his plight, but not his old friend Lord Xue.
"Have you ever thought that she's trying to protect you by hiding the full truth?" Lord Xue asked, startling Lord Luhei.
"What? Protect? Don't make this father laugh my friend. Protect me from what exactly? Once I find out Noire's secret, my Luhei family will prosper!" Lord Luhei declared with enthusiasm.
Lord Xue didn't know whether to laugh or cry, 'The files dictate that Noire is under the wings of not one, but two Celestial Level Entities, yet you want to covet something so confidential about bloodline efficiency. Haven't the thought that maybe, just maybe because of this secret, the two Celestial Entities decided to shelter Noire? If he could help Tianshi and Anastasia, doesn't that mean he can also help others?'
This Kami guy really ignored all of the variables and focused on profit and prosperity.
Must one remind him about what happened a few years ago when Four Seasons tried to covet Noire against his will?
Lord Xue sighed, he didn't know where to start with his friend.
Just then, a crisp shout came from outside the Palace.
"Husband! If you want to know the truth that badly, I will tell you!"
It was Anastasia's Qi imbued voice that resonated from the sky. Lord Xue was startled, he suddenly erupted with bad omen.
"Friend, don't listen to he-"
Yet before he could finish, Lord Luhei laughed like someone who won a great war.
"Hahahaha! I knew she won't be able to withstand my pressure any longer! This father is looking forward towards nine springs of prosperity!"
Lord Luhei enthusiastically left the conference hall, heading outside.
Underneath Anastasia, everyone within the radius of a few kilometers simultaneously looked up, puzzled.
"Truth? What truth?"
"I don't know, but if it's something that major, shouldn't it be discussed in private? Why is Lady Anastasia announcing it outside?"
"Now that you mention it, this past week was very weird."
"What do you mean weird?"
"I mean, Lady Anastasia seldom entered any of the Luhei Family's facilities, including the manor and the Palace. In fact, she would make an appearance at intermittent times, as if she's loathing staying here..."
Many people began to gossip and discuss the enigmatic circumstances that swirled within the Luehi Household for the past period of two weeks.
Some reliable cultivators would shut up those who spoke presumptuous remarks or went above the line, but the tension was very tangible at the moment.
Just then, Lord Luhei could be seen in front of the massive Palace Gate, wearing a victorious grin as he faced Lady Anastasia.
On the other hand, Lady Anastasia had an indifferent expression, as if she's going through the calm before the storm.
Seeing her expression, Lord Xue felt his scalp go numb.
She's going to do something crazy!
She's definitely going to do something mad!
All his inner senses cried in alarm.
"..."
"..."
Then, throughout the building-up tension, Anastasia parted her lips to speak, "I will tell the truth not just to you, husband, but to everyone present!"
"The Nine Families lied! Siyu Noire is alive and breathing, the entire thing was a facade, propaganda by the Nine Families to control you; the masses."
Hisss....
Everyone present sucked in cold air.
No one expected this kind of truth.
Lord Kami's complexion changed drastically, and Lord Xue behind him paled.
"I was sent to the Northern Region under the admission of the Nine Families to investigate Siyu Noire's whereabouts. Through unfortunate twists and turns, Yu Ning and my daughter, Luhei Tianshi, both perished by my hands!"
Lord Kami's pupils shrank, his aura erupted with thick murderous intent that swept the clouds.
Everyone present paled and swallowed nervously.
However, Lady Anastasia didn't stop and continued.
"Young Lady Tianshi had long offered her body and soul to Siyu Noire, literally. Currently, her body is being reserved inside the Phoenix Palace together with Yu Ning's body."
By now, Anastasia closed her eyes lightly and changed her tone, speaking directly towards Lord Kami.
In a cold, indifferent, and slow pace she said, "Husband, your suspicion is right. The one who can solve the bloodline regression is Noire. However, if you want to extract the method out of him, your half-step into the Celestial Realm will turn into half-step into an eternal coffin."