Chương 7: Chapter Seven: To Submit to Judgment? The Survival Wisdom of the Female Chieftain
"Why must the chieftain bow her head? We still have many warriors who can fight!"
"That scaled, long-tailed horse is terrifying; it seems capable of slaying countless men..."
"After compensating with so many resources and horses, can we still remain neutral? What if the Zuo Qiu Clan attacks again..."
...
The Nalan clansmen, while clearing the battlefield and repairing the stone wall and massive gates, exchanged anxious whispers among themselves.
Having been fence-sitters for hundreds of years, this was their first experience of such a staggering loss!
The loss of ores, iron tools, and warhorses was akin to a severe blow to their vitality.
Not to mention the possibility of the Huyan Clan taking advantage of their weakened state.
Merely the sight of that ferocious beast Longma was enough to render the Nalan Clan's once-proud defenses virtually meaningless!
Fortunately, every generation of Nalan leaders was known for their exceptional intellect.
Even if the clansmen could not comprehend the large reparations at present, they trusted that their chieftain would eventually devise a sound plan!
...
Meanwhile, within the stone building.
The chieftain Nalan Xia, who bore the hopes of the entire clan, found herself devoid of her usual confidence.
Kneeling on the ground, she appeared as the most humble of servants.
She dared not raise her eyes to meet the gaze of the man seated upon her chieftain's throne.
"You seem to know my identity?"
Wang Hui rested his chin on his hand, intrigued as he examined Nalan Xia.
He had nearly concluded that the crystal pendant she wore was a source crystal!
According to the rules of the miniature world, only those possessing a sacred heirloom could perfectly absorb the essence of the source.
From Nalan Xia's remarkable wisdom and the unusual graying of her hair, it was likely a form of "imperfect absorption."
She had sacrificed her lifespan to enhance her cognitive abilities!
"I do not know your specific identity, but... I have some conjectures."
Nalan Xia paused, raising her hand to grasp the pendant at her neck, her expression complex as she continued:
"Upon approaching, I sensed that the crystal's power was particularly vibrant.
It seemed eager to escape my grasp and seek refuge in your embrace...
According to the records left by our ancestors, the crystal is a treasure that descends from the heavens; yet now..."
At this, Nalan Xia mustered her courage to look up: "Are you a deity?"
"The heavenly crystal? The name you have bestowed upon it is indeed fitting."
Wang Hui did not directly answer Nalan Xia's inquiry, replying with a bemused smile:
"The Nalan Clan lacks horses and grain yet has managed to navigate between the other two clans for hundreds of years; it seems your survival relies not only on minerals and ironwork but also on the wisdom granted by the heavenly crystal...
Your generous reparations to Zuo Qiu Yue suggest that you anticipate an end to hostilities?"
Nalan Xia received no affirmation, yet she remained humble in her response:
"The heavenly crystal has granted me sharper intellect but has drastically shortened my lifespan.
A healthy Nalan tribesman generally lives close to fifty years, yet every chieftain who has inherited the heavenly crystal only lives around thirty-five.
Had it not been for the celestial phenomena five days ago or the arrival of the divine beast Longma today, I would not have bowed to the Zuo Qiu Clan.
Facing death, I had intended to maintain the balance of power between the Huyan and Zuo Qiu clans to ensure the survival of the Nalan Clan.
The next chieftain would inherit my will, and the cycle would continue..."
Upon hearing this, Wang Hui nodded slightly.
The so-called "celestial phenomena" likely referred to his previous act of absorbing essence from above the clouds.
That Nalan Xia wore the source crystal and could perceive such events was entirely reasonable.
Perhaps the elder from the Huyan Clan, who seemingly could see Wang Hui, had the same reasoning?
Noting Wang Hui's pensive silence, Nalan Xia prostrated on the ground:
"O Divine One, since the Zuo Qiu Clan has received your protection, my clan has no reason not to submit.
The reason I did not declare surrender outright was to test the waters with the Zuo Qiu Clan...
If my actions displeased you, I implore you to punish me!"
With her act of submission, her long hair cascaded down, framing her delicate neck, inviting no hint of malice.
Wang Hui could not help but feel a profound admiration for the survival wisdom ingrained in each generation of Nalan leaders.
How else could the outwardly formidable Huyan and Zuo Qiu clans have found it so difficult to suppress the Nalan Clan?
"And what if I were to demand your heavenly crystal?"
Upon hearing this, Nalan Xia did not hesitate; she promptly removed the pendant and cradled it in her hands.
"The heavenly crystal, having descended from the heavens, rightfully returns to the hands of the deity!"
Her actions displayed no hint of reluctance, which only further pleased Wang Hui.
Who would refuse a fervently obedient follower?
Although Nalan Xia might not be entirely in awe of the deity, the steadfastness she exhibited was certainly commendable.
Wang Hui examined the pendant.
This heavenly crystal took on a prismatic shape, resembling natural crystal but radiating threads of ethereal light, imbuing it with a fantastical quality.
Crack!
Wang Hui's fingers clenched, and with a crisp sound, the heavenly crystal shattered, transforming into pure essence that flowed into his being!
Possessing the sacred heirloom, the Yin Yang Fish, the absorption of the essence went smoothly without any adverse effects.
At the sound of the crack, Nalan Xia wavered, her countenance growing weary.
She felt the connection she had maintained with the heavenly crystal for years sever entirely!
At that moment, Wang Hui's calm voice echoed once more.
"Then when do you plan to present the remaining heavenly crystals to me?"
...
The massive stone gates facing outward and the triple-storied stone building within were sources of pride for all Nalan clansmen.
Yet only each generation of leaders knew that beneath the stone building lay a hidden chamber.
This was the place that had enabled the Nalan Clan to endure through the ages!
"Wow, so many collected..."
Standing in the dim chamber, Wang Hui surveyed the surroundings.
On the stone shelves along the walls lay hundreds of heavenly crystals of various sizes!
Although the essence was a transcendental energy, it still adhered to the laws of energy conservation.
How could a single heavenly crystal pendant suffice for generations of Nalan leaders?
Thus, Wang Hui deduced that Nalan Xia must have additional stock, but he had not anticipated such a quantity...
As if responding to the presence of the sacred heirloom, the heavenly crystals illuminated with a striking glow, brightening the entire chamber!
This scene only reinforced Nalan Xia's belief in Wang Hui's divine status, easing her heart more than before.
The heavenly crystal was a treasured secret of the Nalan Clan, and revealing all at once was undoubtedly a gamble!
Should her opponent turn out to be a duplicitous deceiver, Nalan Xia would undoubtedly find herself branded with the shame of her clan's extinction.
However, if his divine identity were genuine, it would wholly transform the situation.
An unreserved submission might elevate the Nalan Clan's standing in the eyes of the deity.
They could attain a position even loftier than that of the Zuo Qiu Clan!
"O Divine One, our ancestors began secretly seeking heavenly crystals after discovering the benefits of the first one.
After centuries of effort from dozens of leaders, we have finally amassed a modest quantity, hoping it pleases the deity."
Although Nalan Xia appeared haggard without the pendant, her words and demeanor were imbued with humility, aiming to leave a favorable impression.
Wang Hui nodded, pacing steadily along the stone shelves.
With each brush of his hand, several heavenly crystals dissolved into him, an act devoid of reservation!
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