A Fatally Prudent Decision

"Yao Clan has not abandoned Shi Clan. A few days ago, I promised Shi Clan Leader that I would preserve a portion of Shi Clan's bloodline. Even if the worst befalls them, their bloodline will continue." Yao Dan spoke solemnly. "Of course, the more friends one has, the better. I naturally hope Yan Clan can become a friend of Yao Clan as well."

"Clan Leader Yao Dan, there's no need to beat around the bush. Forget friends—this is nothing more than an exchange of benefits and an offensive-defensive alliance. Yan Clan has never liked charity, and naturally, we have no interest in being friends with Yao Clan." Yan Jin spread his hands.

"Clan Leader Yan Jin, forgive my bluntness, but if our Old Clan Leader were still alive, would you dare speak like this?" Yao Dan sneered, fiercely tossing out the token engraved with the emblems of the three clans. His tone was filled with undisguised disappointment and grief.

"When Old Clan Leader Yao Guang was still alive, Yao Clan indeed had the qualifications to stand alongside Yan Clan and Lei Clan." Yan Jin did not conceal his thoughts, speaking openly. "Unfortunately, Yao Clan no longer has such a pillar that could hold up the heavens, a Cross-Sea Purple Gold Beam. Early Eight-star strength is not weak, but it truly isn't enough to persuade Yan Clan to form an alliance with you."

At these words, Yao Dan fell silent. While the old clan leader had still been alive, Yao Clan's bloodline had already shown signs of decline. As the only supreme expert in the clan at the late Eight-star Dou Sheng stage, he had relied on his heaven-reaching strength to barely maintain Yao Clan's hollow facade for a thousand years. For a time, it stood alongside Yan Clan and Lei Clan as the "Middle Three Clans."

Unfortunately, after his sudden passing, Yao Clan's structure collapsed with a crash. When Yao Dan succeeded him, he had only just entered the Seven-star Dou Sheng stage. That strength was even slightly weaker than Ling Clan Leader Ling Dong. From then on, the Middle Three Clans ceased to exist. Only Ling Clan, Shi Clan, and Yao Clan remained, huddling together for warmth—the so-called "Lower Three Clans, branches of the same tree."

"Clan Leader Yan Jin, I still have something that will certainly interest you. I hope you will make your decision after seeing it." After a long silence, Yao Dan slowly spoke.

"Go ahead and show me." Yan Jin asked curiously. "I also hope you can truly bring out something capable of changing my mind."

Yao Dan cautiously took a Medicine Gourd from his robes. He removed the seal on it, and a small silver lightning dragon, roughly half a foot long and gleaming all over, immediately leaped out. Though the silver dragon looked exceedingly docile and harmless, those as experienced and knowledgeable as Yan Jin and Fairy Huo Ling naturally understood the terrifying foundation contained within it.

"Nine Profound Silver Lightning? Yao Clan can still refine superior Nine-grade Profound Pills?" Even Yan Jin, with all his knowledge and experience, was left dumbstruck by the silver dragon. Fairy Huo Ling beside him sucked in a sharp breath.

Even among Nine-grade Profound Pills, there were distinctions in quality. If its refinement could only draw a dozen or so bolts of Black Demon Lightning, it was called an inferior Nine-grade Profound Pill. If it could draw more than a hundred bolts of Black Demon Lightning, it was considered a middle-grade Nine-grade Profound Pill. Only a Profound Pill capable of drawing a bolt of Nine Profound Silver Lightning during refinement could be called a superior Nine-grade Profound Pill. Though all were collectively known as Nine-grade Profound Pills, the difference in both efficacy and refining difficulty was as vast as a natural chasm.

"Exactly. If I remember correctly, the last superior Profound Pill to emerge was six hundred years ago." Yao Dan boasted. "Clan Leader Yan Jin, with this skill, Yao Clan can produce four Seven-star Dou Shengs in a short time. Even if their Dou Qi is unstable and their foundations weak, they would still be Seven-star Dou Shengs, incomparable to Six-star Dou Shengs. You should reconsider."

Yan Jin and Fairy Huo Ling exchanged a glance. He saw a trace of affirmation in her eyes. After thinking for a moment, he slowly said, "Let's stop beating around the bush and speak plainly. What does Yao Clan want Yan Clan to do, and what benefits can you offer Yan Clan?"

"I only need your clan to guarantee Yao Clan's survival. Should Yao Clan ever face a crisis of life and death, I hope your clan will lend us aid." Seeing Yan Jin's tone soften, Yao Dan immediately pressed his advantage. "In compensation, Yao Clan will refine one Nine-grade Treasure Pill for your clan every fifty years, and one Nine-grade Profound Pill every hundred years. To show our sincerity, I have also prepared a few humble gifts today. I hope you will accept them."

As he spoke, Yao Dan took out an exquisitely decorated white jade box and handed it to Yan Jin. The moment Yan Jin opened it, the fragrance of medicine filled the entire private room. Looking closely, he saw a fiery-red pill the size of a broad bean inside.

"This Nine-grade Treasure Pill is called the Flame Dragon Nirvana Pill. I specially prepared it for the Fairy. If a fire-attributed Seven-star Dou Sheng takes this pill, they will almost certainly advance by one minor stage." Yao Dan continued while the iron was hot. "I hope Madam likes this gift."

"You've been very thoughtful, considering me so thoroughly." Fairy Huo Ling smiled sweetly. She had been stuck at the early Seven-star Dou Sheng stage for nearly two hundred years. If she could use this pill to break through in one stroke, it would be a tremendous blessing. "Husband, Yao Clan will surely prosper in the future. If we don't form an alliance today, we may not have another chance later!"

"Yes, yes, I'll listen to you, I'll listen to you. Clan Leader Yao Dan, I accept this alliance. Is there anything else?" Seeing Fairy Huo Ling so delighted, Yan Jin readily agreed as well. He knew he likely would never break through to Nine-star Dou Sheng in this lifetime. His only wish was for a happy family and for Yan Clan not to be ruined under his leadership.

"Since the alliance has been settled, I shall not disturb you further."

The two great superpowers, Yan Clan and Yao Clan, had formed an alliance! This explosive news swiftly spread throughout the Ancient Eight Clans. Nihility Devouring Flame, who was handling Hun Clan affairs within Ling Clan, naturally learned of it immediately.

"That old fellow broke through to the early Eight-star Dou Sheng stage and then mobilized his entire clan to ally with Yan Clan? Miesheng, what do you make of this?" Nihility Devouring Flame had just killed a Two-Star Dou Sheng of Ling Clan with a single palm strike when Hun Miesheng reported the news. He frowned and casually asked.

"This subordinate boldly believes that Yao Clan is somewhat stronger than it was a few years ago. If we can persuade them to surrender, that would be the most foolproof course of action. If they refuse, we must make thorough preparations, bring more forces, and leave no survivors." Hun Miesheng did not dare slacken and hurriedly replied.

"No, no, no. I'm not interested in that. Miesheng, do you think we should still follow the original plan and deal with Shi Clan first, or should we deal with Yao Clan first?" Nihility Devouring Flame said expressionlessly.

"This subordinate believes it would be more prudent to destroy Shi Clan first and Yao Clan afterward. Yao Clan's top-level combat power currently consists of only one early Eight-star Dou Sheng with an unstable foundation, along with four Six-star Dou Shengs. If milord and the four Demon Saints personally act, while Old Man Hun Mo, Qian Mo, and I handle the cleanup around the perimeter, it will certainly be more than enough." Hun Miesheng rolled his eyes and offered his opinion.

"Mm. If we did that now, I wouldn't be worried. But isn't Yao Clan growing too quickly?" Nihility Devouring Flame seemed to be seeking Hun Miesheng's opinion, yet also seemed to be talking to himself.

"No matter how quickly they grow, they cannot possibly withstand our full-strength strike in just a few years. At worst, we can send out those four Supreme Elders as well. We would surely wipe out Yao Clan's high-level combat power in one sweep." Hun Miesheng said confidently. "But if we destroy Yao Clan first, we cannot guarantee that the news will not get out at all. If Shi Clan, Lei Clan, Yan Clan, and Gu Clan form an alliance, it would instead add unnecessary risks to our plan."

"Mm, you make a great deal of sense. We'll stick to the original plan." Nihility Devouring Flame nodded. He disliked risk. He would rather earn less than suffer a loss. Hun Miesheng's words had struck right at his weakness, making him trust this capable subordinate who calculated every detail to the point of stinginess even more.

Many years later, at the moment Nihility Devouring Flame's intelligence was erased by the Flame Emperor, he would recall the decision he had made at this moment.