A Gathering of Flames

Just as the atmosphere in the chamber began to grow heavy with tension, one of the Snake Tribe elders entered quietly and bowed with respect.

"Old Patriarch, you have visitors," he said gently. "Perhaps we should discuss the matter on the other side, so as not to disturb them."

A wave of relief washed through the room—especially for those who feared Yue Ling's identity had just been exposed.

Butler San stifled a laugh, his lips twitching with satisfaction. The old fox had merely been toying with them, stirring the pot for amusement.

"Ah, the two old men and the little miss panicking like rabbits," he chuckled, shaking his head.

Yue Ling, though still recovering, couldn't hold back her playful scowl. She pushed the covers aside, stood on her feet, and marched straight toward Butler San.

"You think this is funny, old man?"

With surprising speed for someone who had just awoken from days of unconsciousness, she chased Butler San around the chamber.

"No—no—Young Miss, have mercy!" he laughed, dodging her half-hearted swats.

Their lighthearted exchange filled the room with laughter, easing the earlier tension like a spring breeze after a long winter. Even Grandfather Yue's lips twitched into the rarest of smiles.

Finally, after enough shouting and laughter, Old Man Hu cleared his throat.

"Let the guest enter."

The elder stepped in, bowing deeply. His weathered features carried the grace of age and wisdom—this was Elder Jietang, one of the most respected and loyal elders of the Snake Tribe.

Despite the informality, his posture remained impeccable.

Yue Ling instinctively reached for her veil, covering her features. Though her identity had nearly been compromised, the importance of remaining hidden was still absolute.

As Grandfather Yue adjusted his robes, Elder Jietang blinked in surprise at the sight before him.

"Old friend… is this Ye'er's daughter?" he asked with a curious glance toward the veiled figure. "Or did you… remarry?"

Grandfather Yue's eyes narrowed, and he gave a rigid, sharp answer.

"Ye'er's daughter."

Old Man Hu sighed dramatically and grumbled, "Why must you glare at me like that?"

"You dragged me into this mess," Grandfather Yue growled. "Had you not asked that ridiculous question the day you saw Yue Ling and me in disguise, your elder wouldn't be repeating it now."

"I didn't drag you into anything! You—!"

The two old men bickered like boys caught stealing fruit from a tree, voices rising and echoing through the room.

Butler San placed a palm to his forehead and muttered, "Here we go again…"

Then louder, "Sirs! Please remember why Elder Jietang is here in the first place."

Elder Jietang broke into hearty laughter, placing a hand on his belly. "Ah… It's been decades, and yet, you two never change. You argued as boys, as men, and now as dusty old relics—what a sight."

His amusement was contagious. Even Yue Ling chuckled under her veil, though she quickly straightened when the topic returned to business.

Elder Jietang's expression shifted.

"To the matter at hand," he said, "the time has come for the Five-Tribe Tournament."

The room fell silent.

"As you know, every five hundred years, the tribes gather to determine who shall have the right to send their elite cultivators into the 'Yōu Míng Mí GōngAncient Ruins'—a sacred realm that appears once every half-millennium."

He paused, then added gravely, "It is within these ruins that the rare opportunity arises: to awaken one's Spiritual Beast."

The air thickened with meaning.

"These sacred beasts are not just companions. For those with strong bloodlines, they are mirrors of the soul—reflections of power, affinity, and destiny. A spiritual beast may grant insight into one's Dao and deepen cultivation beyond ordinary limits."

Old Man Hu gave a slow nod. "And the rankings?"

Elder Jietang recited:

"1st place: 20 participants."

"2nd place: 15 participants."

"3rd place: 10 participants."

"4th place: 5 participants."

"5th place: only 2 participants."

He frowned deeply.

"For the past two tournaments, the Snake Tribe has narrowly escaped the last rank. The Flower Tribe often lags behind us, but this year, that may not be the case. We must rise to at least third—preferably second—if we are to ensure more of our youth step into the ruins."

Old Man Hu clicked his tongue. "So before the tournament, each tribe must conduct an internal selection… right?"

"Yes," Jietang confirmed. "Only the strongest—those who prove themselves—will represent us."

He looked at Grandfather Yue. "I came to request that you lend us your guidance for this generation's training. We need your experience, and the youth need to be shaped with proper eyes."

Grandfather Yue nodded slowly. "I will consider it."

As the two elders continued to discuss the matter, Yue Ling remained unusually silent. Her mind spun like a storm. Her beating weeks ago… the power that responded to her blood… the mysterious voice in the ancient ring...

You must enter the ruins. It is the only way for you to awaken the truth of your existence.

She clenched her fists. The ancient ring hidden beneath her sleeve pulsed faintly against her wrist.

Then, with no warning, she stood and announced in a clear voice:

"I will join the tournament."

The entire room froze.

Even the walls seemed to lean in closer, as if shocked.

Elder Jietang's jaw dropped. Old Man Hu blinked rapidly. Butler San stopped mid-breath. Grandfather Yue's brows furrowed into a stormcloud.

The Yue family did not involve themselves in outside affairs.

This was an unspoken law, carved into their very legacy.

And yet—

Yue Ling stood tall, veil fluttering lightly in the air, her voice calm but unwavering.

"I will support the Snake Tribe. I will fight."

No one knew what to say.

Then, slowly, Grandfather Yue spoke, his voice measured.

"My granddaughter will participate."

Shock turned to full disbelief.

"She will join the fight," he said again. "But her identity must remain hidden."

"But… Patriarch—" Elder Jietang began, but Grandfather Yue raised a hand.

"We will conceal her scent. Suppress her spiritual Qi. No one must know she bears the Void inheritance."

A breathless silence followed.

Even Butler San looked alarmed. "The Void…? But that's…"

"We will take precautions," Grandfather Yue continued. "Let her enter like any other—unknown, unseen. Let her prove herself."

Yue Ling said nothing. Her eyes—hidden behind her veil—burned like quiet fire.

If this is my only path to the truth… I will walk it, no matter what awaits.

And far away, in a cave untouched by time, an ancient eye fluttered open within the dark.

It had felt her awakening.

It had heard the call.

The Yōu Míng Mí Gōng Ancient Ruin would rise soon… and with it, something the world had not seen in a thousand years.