A silent night enveloped Xuliang City, an ancient city surrounded by towering cliffs and a clear spiritual river.
On top of her residence building, Yunxihua stood gazing at the stars, which seemed to shine brighter than usual—as if awaiting her command.
After considering everything, she finally made a great decision:
"I will establish the Devouring Star Alliance."
Her cold aura spread slowly, sending chills through the entire courtyard.
With a gentle motion of her finger, ancient runes appeared in the air.
Spiritual invitation papers floated up into the skies of Xuliang, then scattered and flew in all directions across the city and beyond its borders.
The names of the recipients were influential clans and sects:
The Xulong Clan, one of the guardian families of the western region.
The Mystery Cloud Sect, controllers of information throughout Xuliang City.
Xu Sword Pavilion, renowned for high-level sword experts.
The Fenglei Clan, holders of the bloodline of wind and lightning.
Several independent sects that had long been suppressed by the Soul Purification Sect.
The contents of the invitation were brief yet firm:
"Come to Xuliang City and swear beneath the stars. Or be eliminated by them."
— Yunxihua, Founder of the Devouring Star Alliance
The elders who read the invitation felt chills run down their spines.
Those words were not a threat… they were a declaration of power.
Yunxihua did not choose a mountain in Tian Tian.
She chose Qingshui Cliff, a massive cliff on the outskirts of Xuliang City that had long been abandoned due to the sinister aura shrouding it.
With a single surge of energy, the evil aura around the cliff vanished like morning dew.
Giant stones moved on their own, forming the foundation of buildings.
Qingshui Cliff had now become the headquarters of the Devouring Star Alliance.
She activated an ancient-level protective formation, covering the cliff in a layer of light imperceptible to ordinary eyes.
Rumors spread throughout Xuliang City:
"She really formed a massive alliance?"
"If Yunxihua is leading… the Soul Purification Sect could be destroyed soon!"
"I heard she fused with a primordial dragon…"
"A new power will be born in Xuliang…"
In just two days, envoys from various clans and sects began arriving in Xuliang City.
Some came seeking alliance…
Others came out of fear of refusal.
The Devouring Star Alliance began to take shape.
When the Soul Purification Sect received news that the Devouring Star Alliance had formed forces to attack them, they were immediately thrown into turmoil.
The elders who were in assembly abruptly stood up, their faces flushed with anger.
"That brat has only reached the Soul Formation realm and already dares to act so arrogantly?!" one elder slammed the table, veins bulging at his temples.
Another elder sneered coldly, his voice filled with irritation. "Utter insolence! Such a trivial alliance dares to challenge the Soul Purification Sect? Have they grown tired of living?"
The atmosphere in the meeting hall grew increasingly heavy, yet one matter became their primary concern.
"Remember! These rumors and chaos must not disturb the Sect Master," the Grand Elder said in a suppressive voice.
"He is still in closed-door cultivation. If anyone disrupts that process, the consequences will not only fall upon us… but the entire region."
The elders nodded firmly, their ferocious auras filling the room.
"Prepare the shadow forces. Crush the rumors. Monitor that alliance. But do not let a single word reach the Sect Master."
Back to Yunxihua…
The banquet hall of the Devouring Star Alliance was filled with the light of spiritual lanterns.
The aroma of rare tea and high-grade spirit delicacies drifted gently through the air.
Leaders of factions that had just pledged their loyalty sat around a large round table, yet their eyes unconsciously focused on one figure at the end of the hall.
Yunxihua.
She sat calmly, graceful yet possessing a firmness that was hard to conceal.
Though still young and only at the Soul Formation realm, the aura surrounding her made the alliance elders feel a strange pressure—as if something extremely ancient dwelled within her soul.
The elder of the Jiuhei Clan raised his cup and smiled stiffly, "For the success of this alliance, we extend our respect to Miss Yunxihua. Without you, this unity would not have been possible."
The other leaders raised their cups as well.
But before anyone took a sip, Yunxihua slowly stood up. Her voice was gentle, yet it echoed throughout the hall as if supported by soul power.
"Thank you for your trust," she said. "This alliance is not for personal gain… but to balance the power in Xuliang and protect the people threatened by the Soul Purification Sect."
Her words made several leaders nod respectfully. Yet others watched cautiously, realizing that this young woman possessed ambition and depth they could not yet fully measure.
Suddenly, one of Yunxihua's personal guards approached and whispered information into her ear.
Yunxihua lowered her cup, her eyes narrowing. "So… the Soul Purification Sect has already begun to move?"
The leaders immediately fell silent, awaiting her reaction.
Yunxihua smiled faintly—a smile that made the hair on some people's necks stand on end. "Good. If they wish to test this alliance, then we will show them whom they are challenging."
The gentle aura around her sharpened, as if the shadow of an ancient dragon flickered behind her back.
The banquet, which should have been lighthearted, transformed into the beginning of a true war council.
Suddenly, the doors of the banquet hall burst open.
Several guards rushed in, faces pale and breaths ragged.
Their panicked auras instantly caused all alliance leaders to rise from their seats.
"Report!!" The foremost guard knelt, his body trembling. "The western branch sect… has been attacked!"
The hall fell instantly silent. Even the flow of spiritual energy in the room seemed to freeze.
Yunxihua slowly turned her body, her gaze deep and sharp. "Attacked? By whom?"
The guard swallowed hard, his voice shaking. "The shadow forces of the Soul Purification Sect, Miss! They number… four hundred."
Shocked whispers immediately erupted among the alliance leaders.
"Four hundred?!" "Their shadow forces are known for never appearing all at once!" "They wouldn't mobilize such strength without a major reason!"
But the next report made everyone's faces turn pale.
"And… all of them are at the Nascent Soul realm. Without exception."
The hall trembled under the auras of leaders who had lost their composure.
The elder of the Jiuhei Clan slammed the table until it cracked. "Madness!! That many Nascent Soul cultivators… they want to erase the alliance from the map tonight!"
While the others grew restless, Yunxihua stood calmly—so calm it made everyone stare at her.
The gentle aura around her began to shift… like mist parting to reveal the shadow of an ancient dragon.
Yunxihua slowly raised her cup, staring at the liquid still trembling from the panic in the room.
"Four hundred Nascent Souls…" She smiled faintly, a smile far more terrifying than anyone's panic.
"The Soul Purification Sect truly underestimates us. They think numbers can frighten me?"
She then placed the cup on the table.
THUD.
The sound rang like a war gong.
"Prepare the formations. Alliance leaders, come with me."
Yunxihua looked at all the leaders, who now stood in silence.
"Tonight… we will make them regret sending only four hundred."