Chapter 219: Recognition
The Grand Fae Spirit Alliance, aboard their magical aircrafts, swept across the skies, passing over countless forces gathered below until they halted before the massive tree barrier Shayleaf had created.
At the forefront stood Elton, poised atop Orochicanda, his face hidden behind the white mask of the White Star Radiance Sect. Confidence radiated from him like an unyielding beacon as he gazed upon the sea of experts surrounding them.
On the largest of the Alliance's magical aircrafts, Aeloria revealed herself with Jewleaf smiling warmly beside her. Her noble, kind expression hardened into one of command as she raised her arm.
"Set up an aerial defensive formation to protect this land. All who presume to be enemies will be disposed of!"
Her declaration thundered across the skies as her Early Stage Mortal Lord aura erupted with brilliance.
The experts of the Grand Fae Spirit Alliance followed in unison, unleashing their own power as they roared with battle spirit and began forming protective layers in the sky.
Elton observed silently while Orochicanda's six wings vibrated steadily, keeping them suspended in the air.
Meanwhile, the forces under Ramiro's banner advanced toward the tree barrier, gathering around Ramiro like soldiers around a warlord. Cheers and cries of fervor echoed as his men formed a defensive perimeter around him and the forested domain. Ramiro threw back his head and laughed heartily at the sight.
As the minutes passed, the once chaotic field turned into a grand convergence point of power. Experts from the Southeastern Region, Southern Central, and even the Southwestern Territories were now gathered in one place in and around the lands of the Old Blue Star Sect's Grave.
Enemy and ally, the lines between them had become vague.
Elton gave a simple command. Orochicanda moved forward, rising higher into the air before halting once more. Then, with a calm breath, Elton looked down at the gathered powers below.
A firm, commanding expression overtook his masked face as his voice, amplified by his Ki and aura equal to that of a Mortal Lord, echoed across the heavens.
"Greetings, friends, enemies, and onlookers alike.
Many of you know me by a certain name, while others do not. Allow me to formally introduce myself.
I am Daoist Blue Heavens Sword, the name I have carried for five years. From this day forth, I shall also be known as the White Star Lightning Sage Solman, Sect Master of the newly established White Star Radiance Sect. This sect stands under the jurisdiction of my parent sect, the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, and is backed by the might of the Grand Fae Spirit Alliance."
He paused, his gaze shifting toward a certain direction in the distance.
"As for the Aka Boshi no Tengan Clan…" his tone softened slightly, "I am still uncertain of what exactly our relationship will be. But since my future wife has heavy ties to that clan, I hope that what lies ahead will be peaceful and mutually beneficial."
Then his tone sharpened as his head turned toward another part of the sky.
"And the same goes for you… Soloman Clan!"
A flicker of restrained anger undercut his voice, too faint for the untrained to hear, yet enough to send a ripple of unease through the ranks of Soloman clan observers hidden among the clouds.
Their expressions stiffened, each understanding the layered meaning behind his words.
Elton's voice continued, calm but resolute.
"From this moment on, the White Star Radiance Sect will begin the conquest and restoration of the surrounding lands.
Those who stand in our way will be dealt with accordingly.
There is a greater threat looming, a demon invasion soon to erupt nearby, and I'd rather focus our blades upon that than waste time on unnecessary conflict.
Now then…"
He clapped his hands once.
From the ground and air alike, Zoro, Christy, Ramiro, Erica, and Shayleaf all leaped into the skies as Elchris, blazing like a meteor, shot upward from the treemansion's hidden gate below.
With a shriek of flame and wind, Elchris collected them and hovered beside Elton upon Orochicanda's flank.
"It's best that you all refrain from needlessly provoking us any further," Elton declared firmly.
His words rolled across the battlefield like thunder. The tension grew thick as countless forces exchanged uncertain glances, realizing the line had now been drawn.
Within moments, experts of the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect appeared, their presence a declaration in itself. They had no choice now but to stand behind their affiliated sect's rise.
Then, from the ranks of the Aka Boshi no Tengan Clan, a man's calm yet commanding voice resonated with the pressure of authority.
"Very well. We, of the four main subregional branches of the Southeastern Aka Boshi no Tengan Clan, hereby recognize the legitimacy of the White Star Radiance Sect.
We would also like to request a formal discussion regarding future matters."
Shock swept across the area. Gasps and whispers spread like wildfire. For generations, the Aka Boshi no Tengan Clan had never openly endorsed or supported another sect.
To recognize White Star Radiance so directly, it changed everything.
Elton inclined his head in gratitude, bowing slightly.
On top of Elchris, Christy's icy expression softened, her guarded heart easing for the first time in the face of her clan. She followed with a graceful curtsy of respect.
The Aka Boshi experts' attention almost never shifted from her since the beginning. Seeing her staunch position of standing on Daoist Blue Heavens Sword's side so fervently caused some of them to sigh bitterly with discomfort. Others, such as Christian and Christina, were more so overjoyed.
Few other allied and neutral powers soon followed, one after another, announcing their own recognition of White Star Radiance.
But amidst the relief and triumph, Erica stood silent, her hand tightly clenched into a fist. A coldness filled her heart.
She could not see the Soloman Clan, but she knew they were watching from somewhere. The Aka Boshi's recognition brought her a shred of hope, yet also a surge of despair.
Christy and Shayleaf looked at Erica with faint sadness in their eyes, preparing to offer words of encouragement.
It was then that Elton, having noticed as well, allowed his aura to erupt into the heavens, cold, furious, and heavy enough to shake the air itself.
"Soloman Clan!" his voice thundered. "I know you're lurking around! In the end, you can't even come out to acknowledge your own, huh? I don't care what your stance is, but my future wife is one of you!"
His voice carried both passion and fury, echoing across the sky like a storm breaking through clouds.
"You damned bastard! To think you'd actually dare speak so arrogantly!"
A powerful Early Stage Mortal Lord from the Soloman Clan exploded forth, leaping from his magical aircraft. Flames ignited around him as he summoned a blazing bird essence beast, mounting it before diving through the clouds toward Elton's position.
The Fanged Elves and other defenders prepared to intercept his descent, but Elton raised his hand sharply.
"Stand down!" he commanded.
The order surprised many of them as they halted their attacks.
In the next instant, Erica shot through the air from atop Elchris, her staff already raised and pointed directly at the descending Mortal Lord. The man froze mid flight, startled to see her stand against him.
"L Lady Er, what are you doing?!" he growled, his voice breaking slightly as white flames erupted from his Ki. He hesitated, unsure whether to attack or retreat.
But Erica didn't hesitate.
—5th Bright Brilliance Sword: Radiant Fang Spiral of White Lightning—
Her stance shifted elegantly into the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect's 5th Brilliance Sword stance. Holding her staff like a sword, she unleashed a brilliant beam of white lightning infused with corrosive flames. The blast tore through the sky like a roaring dragon of light.
The Mortal Lord's face twisted in terror as he hadn't expected her to truly strike. Instinct screamed danger, but it was already too late.
He barely managed to defend, yet the sheer power sent him crashing backward from atop his flaming bird. White lightning scattered throughout the skies, creating a profound sight.
"Gwaaah!" he cried, tumbling through the air as his robes burned and his body was scorched. The flames clung stubbornly, eating away at his essence energy until another Soloman Mortal Lord caught him mid fall, desperately trying to extinguish the corrosive white fire.
Both men trembled, realizing the terrifying potency of the attack.
Inside the main Soloman Clan aircraft, a woman watched with intrigued delight, while others stood in stunned disbelief.
"If he hadn't hesitated, things wouldn't have gone that badly," one of the men muttered grimly. "But it's official. Lady Erica can no longer be dismissed. For someone her age to fight evenly against a Mortal Lord…"
He stopped mid sentence, his eyes shifting toward Elton.
The woman smiled faintly, eyes narrowing with amusement.
"Lady Erica is certainly special," she said, "but that boy… he's the real monster. Hehehe. How could the fools of our clan ever allow such an excellent clansman to slip through our grasp? Unless he's killed, we can't afford to oppose him directly."
Her gaze shifted toward a man sitting quietly in the back, Sir Donovan Soloman.
"This is what you wanted to see, isn't it, Sir Donovan?"
Donovan's expression didn't change. He merely folded his arms and closed his eyes in silence.
The woman chuckled softly. "Then it's decided."
Moments later, her voice boomed from the Soloman fleet above, carried by magic and echoing across the battlefield with noble arrogance.
"Ara, ara… how splendid that was. We, the Soloman Clan, hereby recognize the legitimacy of the White Star Radiance Sect.
Furthermore, we wish to discuss formal negotiations, especially regarding our own, the White Corrosive Flame Empress."
Her words crashed through the skies like thunder.
Shock spread across the field. She had just used Erica's name as diplomatic leverage, acknowledging the sect while subtly asserting their stake in her.
Even the Aka Boshi no Tengan Clan and other nearby factions were stunned by the sudden turn.
Elton and Erica both froze, equally surprised by how smoothly things had just shifted.
Erica descended back onto Elchris, uncertainty clouding her gaze.
Shayleaf, unable to contain herself, spun joyfully in the air with a cheer.
The others could only smile wryly at the absurdity of it all.
"No way… I can't believe it," Ramiro muttered with doubt. "Those arrogant, stubborn bastards actually gave in that fast?"