"Based on our clan's investigations, these purple-skinned creatures primarily inhabit the vicinity of breached nests.
After preying on a few individuals or beasts, they retreat into their lairs and seal the entrances.
The only reason we managed to capture this one was due to its unfortunate positioning near the Zuo Qiu pasture, where it was dealt with by our divine beast, the dragon horse!"
The Zuo Qiu envoy spoke nonchalantly, yet pride was evident upon his countenance.
After all, theirs was the only clan among the three to have a divine beast guarding them.
Pausing momentarily, the Zuo Qiu envoy's expression turned grave:
"As for the extent of these creatures' nests...
Our clan leader suggests that you may consider the entirety of the underground world as their domain!"
A collective gasp filled the tent, a chilling sound echoing throughout.
Even the most rugged Huyan warriors found it difficult to suppress their trepidation!
Someone chuckled nervously, "Isn't Leader Yue's statement rather far-fetched? If the world beneath is teeming with such creatures, their numbers would be staggering..."
No one dared to interject further.
If similar occurrences were manifesting across the territories of the three clans, what other explanations could there be?
These monsters could potentially number in the hundreds of thousands, or even millions!
It was worth noting that the combined population of the three clans was barely around one hundred thousand, most of whom were the elderly, weak, and children...
Seeing the moment was ripe, the Nalan envoy added:
"Our clan leader also concurs with Leader Yue's assessment; even if the subterranean monsters have yet to mobilize en masse, we must remain vigilant..."
This time, the Huyan leaders refrained from retorting.
How could they allow countless monsters to slumber at their very doorstep?
The mere knowledge of those creatures lurking underground made it exceedingly difficult for them to sleep soundly!
"So, the intention of the Zuo Qiu and Nalan clans is to unite with us against this threat?"
Huyan Gui stroked his stubbled chin, his expression pensive: "I assume... Leader Xia has a plan in mind for how we should proceed?"
"Chief Gui, your insight is remarkable!"
The Nalan envoy chuckled awkwardly, producing a piece of fabric from his robe and respectfully offering it to Huyan Gui.
Under the watchful eyes of all present, Huyan Gui meticulously read the contents on the cloth, word for word.
Gradually, he rose, surveying his subordinates.
"The cataclysm is imminent; no clan can remain aloof...
An alliance of the three clans is not merely advisable, it is imperative!"
...
In the "Third Year of Divine Descent," on September 19th.
The Zuo Qiu, Huyan, and Nalan clans officially declared their alliance, standing united against the encroaching underground menace.
This marked the first alliance in the storied history of the three great clans!
Not merely a partnership for trade, they resolved to advance and retreat together in military matters.
As per Nalan Xia's suggestion, Huyan Gui was appointed as the supreme military commander of the three clans, tasked with unified coordination.
This title, though more symbolic than practical, would ensure that his deeds as the inaugural commander would be celebrated for generations to come!
Huyan Gui understood the principle of reciprocity and pledged to supply the warriors of the other two clans with leather armor and bows without reservation.
The ever-pragmatic Nalan Xia immediately responded, stating that her clan's artisans were working tirelessly to forge superior weapons before a full-scale conflict erupted.
Meanwhile, the weight of responsibility fell heavily upon Zuo Qiu Yue.
In the past two years, under the relentless efforts of the dragon horse, numerous lesser-scaled steeds bearing divine blood had been birthed.
These creatures grew at a noticeably accelerated rate compared to ordinary foals of the same age.
While their combat prowess was not as exaggerated as their father's, their strength and endurance were notably commendable.
Adorned with scales, they were essentially born as armored cavalry!
Zuo Qiu Yue selected one hundred and twenty elite warriors from her clan, each mounted on a scaled horse, dividing them into twelve squads to patrol the territories of the three clans in rotation.
According to current intelligence, the number of underground purple-skinned creatures rarely exceeded five at a time.
With each contingent of ten fully armed elite cavalrymen, the challenge posed was manageable.
Furthermore, with the support and logistical backing from the Huyan and Nalan clans, the risk of localized ambushes remained low.
After a month of such vigilant efforts, they had successfully slain three hundred of the purple-skinned creatures!
When the first few corpses were found to contain heavenly crystal stones, the initial sentiments of fear and reluctance transformed rapidly into enthusiasm.
Especially among those high-ranking individuals who had previously criticized Zuo Qiu Yue for depleting their clan's fighting strength, their rhetoric now shifted to praise her foresight...
The increased yield of heavenly crystal stones was indeed cause for celebration.
Yet Zuo Qiu Yue found little joy in it.
The deity had remained absent for far too long, and the activities of the underground monsters seemed to be intensifying!
On that evening, during a celebratory bonfire feast hosted by the three clans, she approached Nalan Xia and quietly inquired:
"Leader Xia, I must ask you truthfully, have you seen the deity recently?"
"The divine being rightfully resides in their celestial realm; it is not within our mortal capacity to summon them at will."
In response to Zuo Qiu Yue's query, Nalan Xia chuckled lightly, leisurely slicing a piece of roasted lamb.
Today's hunt had yielded many purple-skinned creatures, and with the Huyan clan slaughtering cattle and sheep to reward their warriors, Nalan Xia and her companions also enjoyed a feast.
"Leader Xia!"
Zuo Qiu Yue was dissatisfied with Nalan Xia's response, grasping her arm earnestly:
"With your wisdom, do you not perceive the troubling circumstances?
Previously, each breached burrow yielded a maximum of five or six purple-skinned creatures.
Now, it has become commonplace to encounter eight or more!
Our elite warriors and scaled horses are suffering increasing casualties...
Even if we amass more heavenly crystal stones, what good will it do? If the deity remains unmanifested, we cannot exchange these precious stones for anything of value.
Should the number of emerging purple-skinned creatures continue to rise, it is only a matter of time before the three clans are overwhelmed!"
This year, Zuo Qiu Yue was eighteen, while Nalan Xia was thirty-two.
Yet, after undergoing the transformative infusion of Wang Hui's source essence, Nalan Xia appeared rejuvenated, resembling a sister in conversation with Zuo Qiu Yue.
In truth, they were discussing matters of existential consequence!
Plop...
Nalan Xia set down the knife used to cut the roasted meat, wiping her lips with a soft cloth, and spoke calmly:
"Even if it were not for the pursuit of heavenly crystal stones, we would eventually confront those creatures from the depths.
If the divine being has never manifested, are you prepared to simply await doom?
Or are you lamenting the deity's absence in your time of need?"
Zuo Qiu Yue's countenance shifted at these words, her voice low:
"No! Without the divine being, three years ago I would have perished at the hands of the Huyan clan; I will never forget that grace!
I merely... cannot bear the continuous losses of our warriors and steeds.
If only we could receive divine blessings, our burdens would be much lighter..."
"Do not forget that deities are deities, and mortals are mortals."
Nalan Xia gazed intently into Zuo Qiu Yue's eyes, speaking earnestly:
"The divine could remain eternally aloof, looking down upon our insignificant lives.
Without the deity, heavenly crystal stones would merely be a double-edged sword, providing benefits while eroding life; yet now, they possess value for obtaining divine gifts!
Without the deity, sacred relics serve only as hollow symbols of status, but now they have bestowed the Zuo Qiu clan with a divine beast and the mightiest cavalry in existence!
Without the deity, the three clans would inevitably remain in perpetual conflict, repeating centuries of strife, with no possibility of the recent peace we have enjoyed!"
At last, Nalan Xia fixed her piercing gaze upon the stunned Zuo Qiu Yue, enunciating each word with conviction:
"Everyone has access to food, clothing, and tools.
The three clans of today are the most prosperous they have ever been in history!
Not due to the merits of these three ordinary leaders, but because of the divine's descent! Do you understand?"
"I..."
Zuo Qiu Yue stood there, utterly speechless!