Let us set aside the negotiations between the younger generations of the two clans.
The gravely injured old chief of the Huyan clan floated in a daze through the air, soon succumbing to unconsciousness from excessive blood loss.
In his slumber, he felt a searing pain enveloping his entire body, an unbearable swelling that tormented him.
However, upon awakening, the old chief found the moonlight shining brightly in the sky.
"Am I... still alive?"
He gazed downward, discovering that the wound from the ant's bite on his abdomen had vanished, along with any sensation of pain.
His limbs appeared significantly more robust than before, now sheathed in a resilient, lightweight ebony armor.
As he tentatively touched the armor, astonishment crossed his face.
These armors had actually grown upon him!
Then, a flood of new memories surged into his mind, and the old chief comprehended the situation that had transpired.
"Remarkably, I have become one with that creature… Is this the hand of the divine?"
Turning his gaze, he spotted the majestic lion-headed eagle creature resting nearby, with a young man reclining against it, eyes closed in repose.
"Thank you for the divine blessing of rebirth!"
The old chief hastened over, kneeling on one knee and bowing his head in gratitude.
"It appears you have adapted quite well."
Wang Hui opened his eyes to observe his third creation.
Initially, he had intended to conduct a fusion experiment between a ferocious beast from the microcosm and the external ants.
However, circumstances had evolved beyond his initial plans; this elder and the ant had fought each other to a standstill, both nearing death.
Utilizing the **Yin-Yang Fish** to merge them was perhaps the most fitting course of action at that moment.
"Do you know why the Huyan clan has incurred divine wrath?"
Upon hearing Wang Hui's question, the old chief sighed and replied candidly,
"Our clan has a propensity for pillaging, frequently waging war against the other two clans, thus inviting divine retribution…"
"No."
Wang Hui shook his head in negation, gesturing toward the west of the river.
"The Huyan clan's belligerence is of no concern to me; I have merely promised Zuo Qiu Yue to protect her clan for twenty years.
This is her payment for offering me the sacred relic, **Yin-Yang Fish**.
Until that period elapses, I shall not allow the Zuo Qiu clan to face annihilation."
"Then..."
The old chief was momentarily taken aback by this revelation.
The truth diverged significantly from his expectations.
Yet, after a moment's reflection, he felt a sense of understanding.
From the perspective of the divine, why would it concern itself with the squabbles of three insignificant ant-like groups?
One group had performed deeds pleasing to the divine and received its protection, while another sought to challenge that protection, only to be punished with the release of a monster…
The reality was as simple as it was harsh!
"So it is, I had thought I understood the divine will, but in truth, it was merely the delusion of a diminutive being…"
The old chief chuckled self-deprecatingly.
Then, a thought struck him, and he inquired,
"You did not slay me but instead rendered me younger and more powerful.
Yet I must still bear the consequences of defying divine intent… Do you require me to perform some task for you?"
"Indeed, but first you must answer one question."
Wang Hui gestured toward the sky and asked, "Are you capable of seeing beyond the heavens?"
"Not at present…"
The old chief honestly shook his head and added,
"The clearest vision I had was over a month ago.
When that black-armored creature descended, I beheld a tremendous rift in the sky.
I caught a fleeting glimpse of another realm beyond, and there appeared an unimaginably large hand…"
Although the old chief's body was diminutive compared to the external ants, his wisdom far surpassed theirs, and thus the merged consciousness was dominated by him.
He still referred to the ants with disdain as "monsters."
Wang Hui scrutinized him for a moment, remarking, "You seem quite unperturbed by your fusion with the monster."
"Ha! After all, blood of the Huyan clan flows within me; the pursuit of strength is instinctual, and my body undoubtedly embraces it!"
The old chief clenched his fists, a look of satisfaction illuminating his features.
Now standing over two meters tall, his physique was exceptionally robust, encased in a remarkably resilient shell.
The outer shell of his left forearm had elongated into an oval, resembling a shield, while the exterior of his right forearm bore two curved, serrated protrusions akin to an ant's mandibles.
Feeling the explosive power surging within him, the old chief was confident he could easily tear apart ferocious beasts!
Wang Hui smiled, opening his palm to ask, "Have you ever encountered such a thing?"
As he spoke, primal energy coalesced in his hand, forming a semi-translucent source crystal.
"I have!"
The old chief replied with certainty:
"Twenty years ago, during a war against the Nalan clan, I became separated from the main force and found myself trapped deep within the mountains.
It was winter, and my provisions were scarce; I could only survive by consuming ice and snow.
I unearthed several of these stones, mingled them with ice, and consumed them, subsequently experiencing a surge in strength that enabled my escape.
It was after that I earned the title of the foremost warrior among the three clans…"
Wang Hui silently acknowledged his thoughts.
Those possessing special abilities in the microcosm were likely tied to source crystals.
However, due to differing methods of utilization, the effects varied accordingly.
Leaders of the Nalan clan enhanced their wisdom through these crystals, while this old chief of the Huyan clan strengthened his combat prowess!
To endure severe side effects and survive into old age was likely a testament to his inherently robust constitution…
"I require you to accomplish two tasks: first, to collect these sky crystals— the more, the better."
Wang Hui tossed the source crystal to the old chief.
Rather than delve into the complexities of source energy concepts, it was far simpler to adopt the established nomenclature from the Nalan clan.
"The second task is that I may be absent from this world for an extended period.
Should the Zuo Qiu clan encounter any insurmountable troubles, I need you to resolve them on my behalf.
Even if the source of the trouble is the Huyan clan itself, the same applies."
Following the fusion process with the sacred relic, **Yin-Yang Fish**, the old chief, like the dragon horse and griffin before him, had become an absolute subordinate to Wang Hui, a "fusion beast."
The only difference lay in his heightened intelligence and capacity for verbal communication, although he too could not defy Wang Hui's commands.
"I shall heed your guidance without fail!"
The old chief carefully secured the source crystal within his armor and declared solemnly,
"The previous chief of the Huyan clan has perished by the banks of the Pinchuan River; my current identity is singular.
I am the divine's follower— Huyan Wu!"
Noticing the satisfaction on Wang Hui's face, Huyan Wu hesitated and cautiously inquired,
"Divine lord, you mentioned that the girl from the Zuo Qiu clan offered the sacred relic in exchange for your favor; might I also barter for something in return?"
Wang Hui, in a good mood, absentmindedly petted the griffin's large head and replied casually, "What do you propose?"
Compared to the griffin and dragon horse, a subordinate capable of complex thought would undoubtedly provide greater amusement…
Of course, this was predicated on his unwavering loyalty.
"With winter approaching in about a month, and given that the Huyan clan is unskilled in agriculture, we have failed to procure sufficient food this year.
If we do not slaughter our warhorses for sustenance, thousands of the elderly, weak, and women may perish from starvation."
Huyan Wu observed Wang Hui's shifting expression, speaking in a lowered voice,
"I can mobilize the entire clan to collect sky crystals for you. Might you grant us some provisions to help the Huyan clan survive this winter...?"
"Hmm?"
Wang Hui raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips as he remarked, "Who was it that just claimed the old chief of the Huyan clan was dead, now asserting that he is merely a follower of the divine?"