The Astral Dragon Hall fell silent after that superficial agreement.
But the silence was not neutral.
It was heavy. Judgmental.
The Elder of the Lei Clan slowly stood up, faint lightning crackling around his arms.
"The Fu Clan proposes monitoring the Devouring Star Alliance," he said.
"But there is one question that has yet to be answered."
His gaze shifted to Yunxihua.
"Who is its leader?"
Several pairs of eyes instantly sharpened.
Xuhuo was about to speak, but Fu Zhenhai was faster.
"An alliance of that scale cannot exist without a central command," he said calmly.
"And all traces… lead to Xuliang City."
The atmosphere in the hall changed immediately.
The Elder of the Hong Clan sneered.
"A small city that suddenly refuses to submit to any clan, strengthens its defenses on its own, drives out old sects, and absorbs neutral territories."
"If that isn't ambition," he continued, "then what is?"
Yunxihua remained seated, her expression unchanged.
The Elder of the Xiao Clan added coldly,
"We have also received reports… that many independent cultivators are beginning to swear loyalty to Xuliang, not to the ancient clans."
Those words were like knives.
Not a direct accusation—
but enough to construct a picture.
Fu Zhenhai let out a light sigh, as if reluctant.
"Yunxihua," he said slowly,
"we are not accusing you… we are merely concerned."
Several elders restrained their smiles.
"Xuliang City is growing too quickly," he continued.
"And you are right at its center."
He looked at Yunxihua with deep, aged eyes.
"If this continues… today Xuliang. Tomorrow the central regions. The day after— the entire continent."
The pressure of the elders' auras increased.
Not aggression.
A silent trial.
Xuhuo finally stood up.
"Have you all forgotten one thing?" his voice echoed.
"Xuliang grew because it defended itself, not because it attacked."
"Because dark sects pressed in from the outside!" he continued.
"Because of the power vacuum that you chose to ignore!"
The Elder of the Meimei Clan smiled faintly.
"Reasons always sound noble… when they come from the rising side."
Silence.
Then—
Yunxihua stood.
There was no explosion of aura.
No threat.
Yet the entire hall felt smaller.
"I never intended to dominate the Ancient Astral Continent," she said calmly.
"And Xuliang City never asked for the recognition of the eight ancient clans."
She looked at each clan leader in turn.
"We only refuse to be destroyed."
Her tone remained flat, yet every word struck heavily.
"If that is enough for you to call us a threat…"
"then the problem is not our ambition."
She paused briefly.
"The problem is your fear."
Lei Qingtian's lightning crackled violently.
"That is a serious accusation, young one."
Yunxihua nodded.
"So are yours."
Fu Zhenhai narrowed his eyes—his faint smile finally faded.
"Very well," he said softly.
"Then let us speak plainly."
He stood.
"The eight ancient clans will monitor Xuliang City.
No territorial expansion.
No hidden alliances.
No military power beyond the limits."
"Do you accept?"
The silence froze.
Xuhuo looked at Yunxihua—this was not a request.
It was a fence of power.
Yunxihua drew a slow breath.
"I accept only one thing," she said.
All eyes turned to her.
"If Xuliang is attacked—by anyone—"
"I will not ask which clan permitted it."
Yunxihua's aura trembled faintly.
"I will retaliate."
One sentence.
Yet enough to make several elders feel a chill.
Fu Zhenhai chuckled softly.
"In that case…"
He sat back down.
"The meeting is adjourned."
The clan leaders stood one by one.
But as Yunxihua turned to leave—
Fu Zhenhai's gaze hardened.
In his heart, a decision had already been made.
If Xuliang continued to grow…
then it must be destroyed by another hand.
And that hand—
the Soul Refining Sect.