Clan Cultivation: Starting with Building an Island Immortal City

77: The Holy Flame of the Blazing Tribe, the Sky-Burning WalkerIt was a multi-decked boat, predominantly dark red with numerous gold-painted patterns, not as massive as the Xuan Yu Clan’s “Peacock Bright King’s Carriage,” but quite imposing.

The hull was entirely crimson, adorned with gilded patterns that shimmered brilliantly, like a burning flame cutting through the waves.

The bow was raised high, carved with a totem of a roaring beast, shaped like a giant goat with spiral horns, yet entirely composed of swirling flames. Golden light shot from its eyes, and a violent, scorching aura emanated from it, causing a sense of dread.

Li Yinglong raised his eyebrows slightly, finding the crimson-gold multi-decked boat somewhat familiar. After a brief recollection, he remembered Long Tao’s introduction and spoke:

“Captain Long, if this Old Ancestor remembers correctly, isn’t that the Chi Jie Clan’s carriage you just mentioned?”

Long Tao was focused on controlling the dragon boat. Hearing this, he looked in the direction Li Yinglong pointed and indeed saw the crimson-gold multi-decked boat “inappropriately” approaching the Xuan Yu Clan’s carriage.

He was startled at first, then a mischievous expression spread across his face, and he even let out an involuntary chuckle.

“Haha ~ Clan Chief, you have excellent eyesight! That’s precisely the Chi Jie Clan’s flamboyant ‘Huang Jie Flame Boat’! This clan has always considered themselves ‘Sons of the Sun,’ and they love such dazzling, opulent, and magnificent displays. Coincidentally, they are quite similar to the Xuan Yu Clan in this regard, but the underlying reasons are vastly different.”

With a clear tone of mockery, he continued:

“The Xuan Yu Clan’s love for beauty is their inherent nature; they view beauty as the Dao, integrated into their Bloodline. As for the Chi Jie Clan… hehe, most of the men in their clan believe that only such extravagant splendor can showcase their superior status, allowing them to distinguish themselves from ‘rustic’ tribes like us, who only deal with mountains and dirt, and to flaunt their extraordinary nature.”

Li Yinglong’s eyes flashed with understanding and curiosity upon hearing this.

He hadn’t expected such a clan to exist in the Southern Border, which he considered quite simple and unadorned.

To be so arrogant, they must have something to rely on.

He then asked:

“Listening to Brother Long, this Chi Jie Clan acts ostentatiously, so they must also possess a formidable Legacy, right?”

Long Tao put away his playful expression, nodded, and said seriously:

“The Clan Chief is absolutely right. Although this Chi Jie Clan is arrogant and flamboyant to an unpleasant degree, they indeed have the capital for their arrogance.”

While controlling the dragon boat to avoid the reefs ahead, he explained to Li Yinglong.

“This clan is not an indigenous group of our Southern Border, nor are they citizens of your Divine Land. They migrated thousands of years ago from the other side of the endless desert in the Western Regions, even further than the Xi Chan Buddhist Kingdom. Legend has it they were originally a branch of a Western world power, scattered by local forces, and fled eastward until they settled at the border between the Southern Border and the Xi Chan Buddhist Kingdom.”

“They are entrenched around the largest active volcanic cluster in the western Southern Border, where they have built a majestic city called ‘Sun Crown City.’ They do not worship ordinary beings, but a Western Sacred Beast named ‘Huang Jie.’ Legend says this beast was formed from the essence of earth’s fire and the core of light, appearing as a giant flaming goat, wielding the power of destruction and creation. The Chi Jie Clan people call themselves ‘Descendants of Huang Jie’ or ‘Sky-Burning Walkers,’ and their Bloodline carries the power known as the ‘Huang Jie Sacred Fire.’”

“This fire is like molten gold, extremely domineering. When facing an enemy, activating this fire causes golden flames to dance in their hair and pupils, and scorching heat waves fill the air. Their core Cultivation Technique, the 《Huang Jie Sky-Burning Art》, imbues spiritual power with extremely strong burning and penetrating properties; their combat skill ‘Goat Horn Charge’ can condense fire into massive goat horns, with a destructive impact; their movement technique ‘Prairie Fire Step’ leaves flame imprints in its wake, which can be used to set up formations to harass enemies; and their defensive art ‘Sacred Fire Armor’ is an armor condensed from fire, providing extremely strong protection and a… well, rather flamboyant appearance.”

Long Tao couldn’t help but add a teasing remark at the end.

“Furthermore, the Chi Jie Clan’s appearance is distinct from ours; their people have golden hair and blue eyes, are mostly handsome and well-built, and place great importance on their attire and adornments, with a lavish splendor unmatched in the Southern Border. Their Artifact Refining techniques are also exceptional; the ‘Huang Yang Gold’ they produce is a top-tier Material for enchanting and Artifact Refining, even in demand by major Sects and reclusive Old Ancestors. Therefore, this clan indeed possesses substantial strength. In terms of individual combat power and tribal wealth, they rank among the foremost of the Hundred Clans of the Southern Border, so it’s no wonder their people are arrogant and look down on others.”

Li Yinglong listened quietly, a slight ripple in his heart.

Huang Jie Sacred Fire, Sky-Burning Walkers, Sun Crown City… this Southern Border truly was a place of hidden Dragons and crouching Tigers, with each of the Hundred Clans possessing unique splendor.

In contrast, although his Li clan had obtained the True Dragon Opportunity, their accumulated Legacy was still shallow. The path ahead required careful steps and drawing on the strengths of many… But that’s another story for another time.

The gaze shifted to the magnificent Peacock multi-decked boat.

At this moment, inside the highest observation deck of the multi-decked boat, cloud-like gauze hung lightly, and a fragrant breeze wafted through the air.

The boat’s exterior was already extremely opulent, but its interior was even more breathtaking.

The floor was paved with warm jade from the snowy regions, reflecting like a mirror.

The four walls were hung with embroidered tapestries of a hundred flowers in bloom, crafted from spiritual silk. In the corners, beast-shaped incense burners burned the calming and mind-cleansing “Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix” incense.

Outside the window, the river scenery was picturesque, with water and sky merging into one, all within view.

Seated on the main seat of the observation deck was a young girl.

She was not wearing the Xuan Yu Clan’s usual elaborate palace attire, but simply a plain, moon-white ethnic everyday dress, so simple it seemed out of place in the luxurious surroundings.

Her face was covered by a thin veil, like a cicada’s wing, with faint shimmering light, completely obscuring her features, revealing only her eyes.

Those eyes, however, seemed to contain all the spiritual grace and mystery of heaven and earth.

Her pupils were not pure black, but a deep, constantly shiftingGlass-like color, sparkling with light as she looked around, as if capable of captivating one’s soul.

She sat there quietly, needing no words. A mere glance from her eyes would involuntarily inspire awe, followed by an urge to willingly follow and devote oneself.

That was not a charm spell, but a noble and unique temperament originating from the Origin of life itself, entirely natural.

Below the main seat sat a beautiful and enchanting woman, appearing to be around thirty years old, a time when a woman’s mature charm is at its peak.

She wore a sweeping gown predominantly in “peacock green,” its hem embroidered with intricate peacock feather eye patterns in gold thread and emerald silk, shimmering like rippling green waves with her movements.

Her cloud-like hair was swept up high, adorned with a blue-gold, kingfisher-feathered peacock hair ornament, with three strands of pearl chains dangling from the peacock’s mouth, gently swaying with her movements, making her fair neck appear even more slender.

This woman was Kong Yao, one of the Xuan Yu Clan’s five powerful “Five-Colored Feather Lords,” who held the “Green Feather” position.

Her beauty was such that describing it as able to make fish sink and geese fall would not be an exaggeration. Her brows were dark without makeup, her lips red without rouge. Her Phoenix eyes, when smiling, possessed a natural charm, yet when focused, they were sharp as lightning, indicating she was certainly not a mediocre person who merely possessed beauty.

At this moment, Kong Yao was slightly turned, facing the young girl in the main seat, her tone carrying a hint of indulgence and respect, as she softly said:

“Saintess, this journey down the river, to the Thousand Sails Ferry to observe the rotation of the council, was intended to allow you to momentarily escape the clan’s trivial matters and relax your mind. You only need to observe; all miscellaneous affairs can be left to us to handle. Please do not trouble yourself.”

The young girl, referred to as Saintess, did not respond immediately. Her gaze remained fixed on the rushing river outside the window, through the thin veil, as if contemplating something.

Just then, the subtle, orderly sounds outside the observation deck were suddenly interrupted by a faint clamor.

The clamor was mixed with the crisp scolding of women and the rough arguments of men, approaching from afar, seemingly heading towards the top deck of the multi-decked boat.

Kong Yao’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, and the gentle smile on her face instantly vanished, replaced by the authority of a Feather Lord of the clan.

She did not rise, only slightly raised her voice, asking coolly:

“What is all that noise about outside? Don’t they know the Saintess is quietly cultivating here?”

The gauze curtain stirred, and a Xuan Yu Clan female guard, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit and carrying a short blade at her waist, hurried in. She knelt on one knee and reported swiftly and clearly:

“Reporting to Green Feather Lord, the Chi Jie Clan’s ‘Huang Jie Flame Boat’ is approaching head-on, attempting to cut us off. Our boat master ordered them to yield, but not only did they refuse, they spoke arrogantly, saying that our boat is large and slow, blocking the waterway, and that we should retreat and let them pass first! Both boat masters refused to yield, hence the dispute!”

As the female guard’s words fell, the observation deck immediately fell silent.

A barely perceptible cold glint flashed in Kong Yao’s eyes. She did not immediately erupt but first turned her head slightly, her gaze inquiringly directed towards the Saintess in the main seat.

The veiled young girl remained seated, her eyes, beneath the thin veil, shifting as she looked out the window at the increasingly close, fiery giant boat. No one could discern her expression at that moment.