The Prodigies War

In a temple built of azure clouds.

“To be honest, your timing was unfortunate. Our clan has recently encountered a big problem that concerns our survival. The matriarch doesn’t want to get you involved, so that’s why her attitude has been slightly indifferent. Please don’t take it to heart,” explained the blue-robed youth called Lan Yan apologetically.

The Cloud Weaver Clan had always been known for their kind temperament and lack of aggressiveness, which could already be seen in Caicai.

Lin Xun naturally didn’t take offense. With a smile, he exchanged pleasantries with Lan Yan.

Toady couldn’t help but ask, “Just what exactly is the problem your clan has encountered?”

Lan Yan sighed, “As you all heard just now, the young master of the Golden Spectral Sparrow Clan has been asking for Lil’ Sis Caicai’s hand in marriage…”

The Golden Spectral Sparrow Clan was also an ancient clan that resided in the Cloud Dream Reservoir, with a similarly strong heritage and depth as the Cloud Weaver Clan.

The two clans had left each other alone until recently when the Golden Spectral Sparrow Clan had suddenly changed its attitude. It had become aggressive, setting its eyes on the territory of the Cloud Weaver Clan.

Lan Yan was indignant as he said through gritted teeth, “The marriage proposal would have actually been a good thing if they were sincere. Lil’ Sis Caicai also agreed to it because we saw nothing wrong with the marriage. But then we got intel that the Golden Spectral Sparrow Clan wants to use it to invade us!”

Lin Xun’s group finally understood.

“But what’s the reason?” Zhao Jingxuan pondered. “Battles between clans, most of the time, are battles of interest. Does the Golden Sparrow Spectral Clan have eyes on something in your possession?”

Lan Yan was stunned. “Your guess is correct, Miss. They’re after an ancient treasure of our clan.”

An ancient treasure!

The trio was shaken, knowing that this treasure was bound to be extraordinary. Otherwise, the Golden Spectral Sparrow Clan wouldn’t be so pushy now.

Toady seemed to remember something and joked, “Let me guess, they’re after your ancestral treasure, the Galaxy Guide Needle?”

A clang rang out as Lan Yan’s teacup fell out of his hand. He asked in a high-pitched voice, “How do you know about this?”

This instantly told Toady that he had hit the nail on the head! He replied casually, “This treasure had an astonishing reputation in the ancient era, rumored to be able to weave stars into clothes. How could I not know?”

Lan Yan laughed bitterly, “You are truly knowledgeable, Fellow Daoist. However, what the Golden Spectral Sparrow Clan covets isn’t the needle itself, but an outfit called Heavenly Star Feather that an ancestor of ours wove using it.”

Toady laughed coldly, “Heh, this little sparrow lineage has a big appetite! The Heavenly Star Feather is a sacred treasure that was extremely well-known in the ancient era, capable of traveling through the void and breaking through spatial barriers. It will only tarnish its name if such a treasure falls into their hands.”

Lin Xun suddenly asked, “They had plenty of time before, so why did they choose this time to cause trouble now?”

Lan Yan was dumbfounded. He shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Right at this moment, a cold laughter rang out from a great distance outside the great hall—

“Remember, you only have three days to consider. If your Cloud Weaver Clan is still unable to make a decision after that, then my Golden Spectral Sparrow Clan will make the decision for you! Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

With that, the voice disappeared.

The brazen declaration made Lan Yan so furious that his face completely darkened. He cursed, “Those damn bastards! How dare they come to our clan and behave like it’s their house! They don’t take us seriously at all!”

Lin Xun’s group also frowned. The voice just now hadn’t been filled with just arrogance; it had been overbearing.

“Lan Yan, bring our guests here,” a voice rang out.

It was the matriarch of the Cloud Weaver Clan.

……

The group returned to that same violet palace. The only difference now was that there was some undisguised fatigue on the face of its owner.

In addition to the matriarch, a group of the Cloud Weaver Clan’s dignitaries were also present, their faces all gloomy.

After exchanging greetings with them, Lin Xun’s group took their seats and were presented with tea and snacks by the maids.

“That has been embarrassing,” said the matriarch on the leader's seat.

“That sparrow clan harbors sinister intent. I suggest that you don’t accept their proposal, Senior,” Toady said out of the blue.

The matriarch was stunned. She glanced at Lan Yan who was sitting next to her before letting out a soft sigh. “You are Caicai’s friends. I guess it would be inconsiderate of me if I insisted on keeping this from you.”

After a short pause, she continued, “We naturally wouldn't be so apprehensive if it was just the Golden Spectral Sparrow Clan. But not long ago, they gained the support of the Ye Clan in the North Dipper World through a marriage. If we were to oppose the Golden Spectral Sparrow Clan, then we would have to consider the risk of offending Crape Myrtle Mountain.”

Toady and Zhao Jingxuan’s expressions immediately became strange. They couldn’t help but turn to Lin Xun.

Crape Myrtle Mountain’s Ye Clan? Isn’t that the clan Sword Demon Ye Chen comes from?

Lin Xun said, “Senior, can you tell me more about it? Perhaps I would be able to help.”

“Young man, it’s impressive that you killed multiple Saints the other day, but everyone knows you achieved that through borrowed external power. You should know that Crape Myrtle Mountain’s Ye Clan is a Saint clan that has existed since the ancient era. Rumor has it that they still have a Big Saint watching over them!” lamented an old man, very unimpressed with Lin Xun’s declaration.

The rest of the Cloud Weaver dignitaries also sighed.

Obviously, they didn’t believe that Lin Xun could do anything about their situation.

Seeing this, Toady was a little annoyed.

Who in the Ancient Wasteland Domain still dared to look down on his big brother? Lin Xun had killed them left and right and was feared by all those major powers, only to be belittled here. It was truly upsetting.

“Please don’t misunderstand, Lin Xun. They mean no harm,” said the matriarch in a gentle tone. “It’s just that you don’t quite understand the situation yet, so there really isn’t much you can help with.”

Lin Xun only smiled. He didn’t take offense.

The matriarch suddenly remembered something. “Right, you said you needed a favor. What is the matter?”

“We need a path to the lower world, so we would like to ask for the help of your clan’s Path Guide,” said Lin Xun solemnly.

Hearing this, the Cloud Weaver personnel all narrowed their eyes.

“In the past, this was only a trivial matter to our clan, but the great age has descended and caused drastic changes. All the spatial tunnels connecting the Ancient Wasteland Domain and the outside world have all almost collapsed…” pondered the matriarch. “This is really a bit difficult.”

“More than just ‘a bit;’ it’s extremely difficult!” one of the dignitaries suddenly said. “Young man, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. Our Cloud Weaver Clan cannot help you with this.”

The others also nodded.

Lin Xun, Zhao Jingxuan, and Toady frowned. This was what it was like to ask for help; they had no choice but to helplessly accept the result even if they were rejected.

The matriarch felt bad. She said, “In fact, it can still be possible, but the price that I’ll have to pay is too great. Now that my clan is facing an existential crisis, I really have no energy to spare. I hope you can understand.”

“As long as it’s still possible.” Toady slapped his thigh, “But a mere Golden Spectral Sparrow Clan, just leave this matter to us.”

Lin Xun also nodded.

However, their response earned a burst of laughter from dignitaries of the Cloud Weaver Clan. They all shook their heads, obviously treating it as a joke.

Lin Xun didn’t bother to explain further. He got up from his seat and asked the matriarch, “Senior, can we see Miss Caicai?”

The matriarch contemplated a little before nodding. She told Lan Yan to bring Lin Xun’s group to Caicai.

“Alas, the rumor says Demon God Lin is brave and bold, but he doesn’t seem so sharp,” a dignitary sighed softly.

“Didn’t you hear him say that he would help us deal with this crisis? Although his attitude is slightly ostentatious, that’s still quite decisive of him. If it were anyone else, how could they be willing to get involved in this kind of muddy water? I’m afraid that they would have already slipped away,” another expressed their opinion.

“That’s right, he’s a decent youngster. It is just a pity… he doesn’t understand how terrifying Crape Myrtle Mountain’s Ye Clan is at all.”

There was a wave of lamentations in the hall as everyone had a gloomy expression on their face.

The Ye Clan of Crape Myrtle Mountain had always been the overlord of the North Dipper World, with a terrifyingly deep foundation that let them dominate the other major powers!

With such a behemoth backing the Golden Spectral Sparrow Clan, how could this crisis be resolved by just anyone?

“I heard that not long ago, on the day of the Saints' fall, Saint Ye Jiuxiao of the Ye Clan made an appearance to support Lin Xun,” one person suddenly said.

The hall suddenly quieted down as many people’s eyes flickered. Does he have some sort of connection with the Ye Clan of Crape Myrtle Mountain?

Someone refuted, “It’s just a rumor, so we can’t take it seriously. There is also a rumor that Quasi-Emperor Bai Yujing also came in person to stop it, which is just ridiculous. Who doesn’t know that Senior Bai Yujing has been fighting on the frontline of the Ancient Desolate Domain battlefield all these countless years?”

The matriarch took a deep breath and said, “This stops here. Leave it to me to consider this matter.”

She then stood up and left the hall.

……

“Young Master Lin, you really came to see me!”

They had arrived at a snow-white cloud house that floated next to a verdant mountain range. Caicai instantly called out in surprise when she saw Lin Xun.

The young girl was wearing a snow-white dress with a golden ribbon around her waist, and her hair was tied up. She looked simple but beautiful and ethereal.

“Did you forget me, Caicai?” Toady greeted her with a big smile.

“Big brother Jin,” said Caicai, her voice crystal-clear. She then turned to Zhao Jingxuan. “And this is?”

“Zhao Jingxuan.” Zhao Jingxuan smiled. “What a cute young girl. She radiates an aura of nature.”

“Thank you, big sister.” Caicai blushed a little. She hurriedly invited them to take their seats and started pouring them tea.

She seemed to be in a good mood as her every move was overflowing with joy. After finishing pouring tea, she sat down and cheerfully chatted with them.

Everyone was infected by her liveliness, laughing as they talked.

“Caicai, we heard that the young master of the Golden Spectral Sparrow Clan wants to marry you. What do you think about this?” said Toady suddenly.

The atmosphere in the room immediately died down. The joy on Caicai’s pretty face gradually dimmed.