"Before we begin, I would like to ask you something." Feng Lingyang suddenly stepped forward. "Go ahead." Yuan calmly nodded. "Why are you enemies with the Celestial Emperor?" "A good question. Unfortunately, I do not know the answer to that question." "What? You don't know why you're enemies with the Celestial Emperor? How's that even possible?" said the leader of the Crimson Rebirth Phoenix Clan. "I bet you he's making it up," said the Primordial Phoenix. "What would I gain from making this up? I've never even met the Celestial Emperor. Yet, he placed a curse on me for some reason." "Are you trying to claim that the Celestial Emperor showed you hostility for no reason? Sorry, but I don't believe that," said the leader of the Imperial Vermilion Phoenix Clan. The Primordial Phoenix burst into laughter. "You're so desperate to paint the Celestial Emperor as a villain, but all you're doing is making yourself look like a fool!" He turned to face the others and spoke loudly, "Is this really someone you want to serve?! A jealous, arrogant, and foolish human like him?" The room fell into silence. But it did not last long, for it was soon broken by the leader of the Crimson Rebirth Phoenix Clan, who declared firmly, "The Crimson Rebirth Phoenix Clan rejects your offer, Immortal Monarch. We will continue to stand with the Celestial Emperor." Then, like a chain reaction, the others began voicing their decisions. "The Immortal Ember Phoenix Clan refuses your offer, Immortal Monarch." "The Burning Lotus Phoenix Clan also refuses." "The Radiant Phoenix Clan refuses..." One after another, the rejections echoed through the chamber, pouring in without pause. "My Imperial Vermilion Phoenix Clan rejects your offer." "Looks like no one's willing to side with you, huh? Just as I predicted," the Primordial Phoenix mocked. Yet despite the wave of rejections, Yuan remained calm and composed. Eventually, only a single clan had yet to respond-the one clan that still hadn't refused Yuan's offer. "Mother..." Feng Haoyu looked at his mother, his face tight with worry. The others in the chamber turned their glares upon her, and under the crushing weight of their stares, Feng Lingyang swallowed hard, her body trembling. "What's wrong, Feng Lingyang? We're all waiting for you," said Feng Tianhuang, the Imperial Vermilion Phoenix Clan's leader. Feng Lingyang closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. When she opened her eyes again, they flickered with resolution. "The Rising Phoenix Clan will accept your offer, Immortal Monarch," Feng Lingyang declared. Feng Haoyu and the Grand Elder's faces lit up with joy at her words, while the other clans openly displayed their disappointment and disdain, making no effort to conceal it. "What is the meaning of this, Feng Lingyang?" Feng Tianhuang stepped forward, her body radiating oppressive pressure. "Explain yourself!" she demanded. Feng Lingyang met her gaze steadily. "Why should I need to explain myself? While I am grateful to the Imperial Vermilion Phoenix Clan for allowing us into the ranks of the Royal Phoenix Clans, you do not own us-nor do we owe you an explanation. Still, as a courtesy, I'll tell you. As clan leader, I have an obligation to heed the will of my people, and the vast majority wish to follow the Immortal Monarch. Quite simple, isn't it?" "You will regret your decision." "I'll deal with it when that time comes." Feng Tianhuang sneered. "As much as I'd like to expel the Rising Phoenix Clan from the Ten Royal Phoenix Clans right this moment, protocol must be followed. That said, it will take little effort to see you removed." "Then allow me to save you the trouble," Feng Lingyang declared. "From this moment onward, the Rising Phoenix Clan renounces its title and withdraws from the Ten Royal Phoenix Clans. From now on, we shall stand as an independent clan once more." The room fell into stunned silence, the atmosphere growing oppressively heavy. None of the other phoenix clans had ever anticipated such an outcome. Though none of them spoke aloud, a few secretly admired Feng Lingyang's courage. She had dared to stand up for herself when they could not. In truth, some among them also wished to side with the Immortal Monarch-but fear of the Imperial Vermilion Phoenix Clan and the Primordial Phoenix kept them silent. "You will not regret your decision," Yuan's voice suddenly rang out, shattering the silence. "From this moment on, the Rising Phoenix Clan is under my protection. Should anyone dare to harm them, -the Immortal Monarch-will unleash my full power to destroy the offender." Yuan's words were not merely a welcome to the Rising Phoenix Clan. They were also a warning-if any dared to retaliate against them for their choice, he would personally see to their destruction. "Let's go. We've already wasted enough time here," Feng Tianhuang declared coldly before turning on her heels. Her robes flared as she strode toward the exit, her aura sharp enough to cut the air. Without another word, the remaining phoenix clans, their expressions ranging from disdain to unease, silently followed her out of the chamber. "So you've managed to deceive one clan to your side, huh?" The Primordial Phoenix, who decided to linger a little longer, remarked. Yuan looked directly at the Primordial Phoenix and asked, "So, are you going to attack us now?" The Primordial Phoenix smirked. "Why would I do that?" "I wouldn't be surprised if the Celestial Emperor had ordered you to 'take care' of us." A scoff escaped the Primordial Phoenix's lips. "Still trying to make the Celestial Emperor look like a villain, huh? Sorry, but it won't work. Although you've stirred up trouble for the Royal Phoenix Clans, you've done nothing that warrants punishment. Clans breaking ties or shifting allegiance are things that happen constantly in the cultivation world. It's nothing new or illegal." His tone was dismissive, but the cold gleam in his eyes made it clear that he wasn't very pleased about the outcome, as he'd expected a complete victory. (More chapters in Buyers club for TMT)