"It's already been half a year, and not a single clan has sided with the Young Master..." Feng Yuxiang sighed, her voice echoing softly through the empty chamber. The words of the Primordial Phoenix still lingered in her mind, gnawing at her optimism day after day. She couldn't help but wonder what would happen if none of the Royal Phoenix Clans chose to side with Yuan and instead continued their allegiance to the Celestial Emperor. A few days later, the chamber doors creaked open, and a lone figure stepped inside. Feng Yuxiang turned, expecting to see one of the clan leaders-only to be disappointed. "Oh... It's just you," she muttered, her tone tinged with disappointment. "What do you want?" Feng Haoyu bowed slightly and said, "I wish to swear my allegiance to the Immortal Monarch-or rather, to reaffirm my loyalty to him." "That's cool and all, but what about your family? Where are they?" Feng Haoyu let out a heavy sigh. "It's complicated. While most of my clan wishes to follow the Immortal Monarch, they can't simply pledge loyalty without first seeing what the others decide. In other words... they're waiting." "That's bullshit," Feng Yuxiang said with a deep frown. "Why should it matter what the others do? The Ten Royal Phoenix Clans are separate clans, not one united background." Feng Haoyu shook his head. "You probably don't know this since you were barely with us, but despite the name, the Imperial Vermilion Phoenix Clan holds the most authority. In the end, their word is what carries the most weight." "Why is it that way?" Feng Yuxiang asked. "Because originally, there was only one Royal Phoenix Clan-the Imperial Vermilion Phoenix Clan. But after the Ten Royal Dragon Clans were established, they chose to expand their influence by mirroring the dragon clans, creating the Ten Royal Phoenix Clans." The dragon and phoenix clans had been rivals since ancient times. Unwilling to fall behind the Ten Royal Dragon Clans, the phoenixes established their own Royal Clans, selecting the most qualified among them to rise to that position. "So you're telling me that unless the Imperial Vermilion Phoenix Clan sides with the Young Master, the others will not do so?" "Well, it's not impossible, but it's very unlikely." "I cannot fathom why they would choose the Celestial Emperor over the Immortal Monarch. Yes, the Celestial Emperor is powerful and influential, but their bloodlines would benefit far more under the Immortal Monarch," Feng Yuxiang said with a sigh, shaking her head in frustration. "Honestly," Feng Haoyu replied, "while the Immortal Monarch was a legendary figure in the past, countless years have passed since then. To the Ten Royal Phoenix Clans, who never had any direct ties to him, he doesn't really hold a place in their eyes." Hearing this, Feng Yuxiang fell silent. Unlike the Heavenly White Tiger Clan, the Ten Royal Phoenix Clans shared no ties with the Immortal Monarch. The Heavenly White Tiger Clan's ancestor had been one of the Nine Divine Supremes, so their reverence was only natural. While the Immortal Monarch did have Feng Yuming, another Primordial Phoenix, she held no direct connection to the other phoenix clans and had spent most of her life wandering alone. Feng Yuxiang had to admit that, although the Immortal Monarch was immensely influential, his era had long since passed and even during the height of his reign, not everyone chose to respect or revere him. "What will you do if your family refuses to side with the Young Master?" Feng Yuxiang suddenly asked. Feng Haoyu fell silent, his expression solemn as he pondered. After a moment, he replied, "Honestly, I don't know. I may be the eldest son, but my influence in the clan is limited. There's no realistic chance I could convince them to follow the Immortal Monarch. And unless they exile me for my decision, it's not as if I could simply abandon them, either." "While we're on the subject... do you mind if I ask you a question?" Feng Yuxiang nodded. "What will the Immortal Monarch do if the Ten Royal Phoenix Clans-if my clan refuses to side with him? Will he go to war with them, too?" "I cannot tell you what he might or might not do because I am not the Young Master. That said, he's a very reasonable individual, and he's not someone who will attack the Ten Royal Phoenix Clans without a good reason. Even if we do end up fighting them, I can guarantee you that he won't make you fight your family." "That's good enough for me." Feng Haoyu nodded. 'If we do end up fighting my family... what will I do?' he wondered inwardly. Another five months slipped by. Yet, with only a single month remaining before the deadline, not one of the Ten Royal Phoenix Clans had appeared at the summit-let alone to contend for the first three positions. Meanwhile, at the Rising Phoenix Clan, the Grand Elder approached Feng Lingyang. "Clan leader... have you come to a decision yet? There's only one month left, and as far as I am aware, none of the other clans have sided with the Immortal Monarch yet." "No, not yet..." she sighed. "I apologize for being indecisive. I am such a useless leader." "I want to side with the Immortal Monarch, but doing so will definitely paint a target on my back for the others to aim. However, if I don't side with him, we would not only have to deal with the Immortal Monarch and his powerful allies, but we'll also have to fight my son." "Grand Elder, if you were in my position, what would you do?" she asked, gazing at him intently. "I would side with the Immortal Monarch," the Grand Elder replied without the slightest hesitation, leaving Feng Lingyang utterly dumbfounded. He smiled and continued, "Honestly, if it weren't for my position, just like the Young Lord, I would've already sworn my loyalty to him." "T-That was a quick response... almost as if you were ready to say it at any moment. Can you explain your reasoning?" she asked. (More chapters in Buyers club for TMT)