"Do I really have to educate the Sea Tribe again? It has only been a few hundred years. Have you already forgotten the pain?" Kent Clark, the ancestor of the Clark family uttered with a playful look.
Luka’s expression became increasingly ugly, yet she forcefully suppressed her anger. She knew very well that fighting here would not benefit her tribe. Both Ancestor Long and Ancestor Kent were present, and neither of them was someone she could provoke lightly.
Taking a slow breath, she spoke again with forced calmness. "I am merely asking for justice. Tony Clark’s actions caused enormous losses to my tribe. Either compensate us for those losses... or hand over Tony Clark’s life. Those are my only conditions."
Before she could continue further, Elsa suddenly hurried over and leaned close to Luka’s ear. She whispered only a few words, yet those few words caused Luka’s pupils to contract sharply.
"Master... it wasn’t Tony. The Senior Elder has already confirmed it. The one who received the World Tree inheritance... is Emma Rock."
Luka remained silent. Very slowly her gaze shifted from Tony toward Emma.
At the same time Ancestor Long stepped forward and spoke calmly, "The affairs of the younger generation belong to the younger generation. Tony Clark bullied your disciples. If they feel wronged, they may challenge him fairly in the future. None of us elders will interfere. Victory or defeat shall depend upon their own abilities. That is the proper way."
For a brief moment Luka appeared to consider those words.
Then she slowly smiled. "Don’t end this matter with a few words. My tribe really suffered this time. If not for Tony Clark... then we demand the life of Emma Rock."
Peak Master Natasha’s expression instantly changed.
Emma gripped her crimson spear tightly.
Luka’s smile widened.
"One person must pay as compensation. Otherwise..." she slowly lifted an ancient dark-blue sea conch from her sleeve, "...the Demonic Sea Tribe will not retreat."
Before anyone could react, Luka placed the sea conch against her lips.
WOOOOOOOOM!
A deep ancient horn echoed across the heavens.
The peaceful sea instantly lost its color. The bright blue water rapidly turned pitch black.
Monstrous waves rose toward the sky.
One after another, countless terrifying auras erupted from beneath the ocean as though ancient sea beasts had awakened from endless slumber.
Every Demonic Sea Tribe expert simultaneously released their full cultivation. The surrounding sky darkened.
The human factions immediately drew their weapons.
Countless Demonic Sea Tribe experts stepped forward in perfect formation. Their martial energy intertwined above the sea, creating the phantom image of an enormous sea serpent.
The festive atmosphere surrounding the World Tree had vanished completely, replaced by a battlefield where a single careless word could ignite a war between races.
Ancestor Long slowly planted his staff upon the ground as his aged eyes turned colder than ever before. The surrounding wind suddenly became restless, and even the towering waves seemed to hesitate before his presence.
"Luka," he said in a deep voice that echoed across the coast, "what exactly is the meaning of your actions? Are you declaring war upon us?"
Beside him, the Clark Family Patriarch gripped his spear tightly while Ancestor Kent narrowed his eyes with an amused smile that concealed terrifying killing intent.
Around them, elders from every major human faction slowly drew their weapons, their expressions becoming increasingly grim.
Luka did not answer immediately. Instead, she calmly raised one elegant hand before her chest.
In the next instant, an overwhelming aura erupted from behind her. One... then ten... then dozens of terrifying pressures burst into the sky simultaneously. The sea itself trembled violently beneath their combined cultivation.
Several younger disciples from the human factions immediately turned pale, their breathing becoming difficult under the crushing pressure. Even newly advanced Lord Warriors instinctively took half a step backward. Luka smiled faintly after witnessing their reactions, as though everything was proceeding exactly according to her expectations.
"I believe everyone has misunderstood my intentions," Luka said calmly while surveying every faction present. "The Demonic Sea Tribe has no interest in starting an unnecessary war today. We seek only one person."
Her gaze slowly shifted before stopping upon Emma Stone. "Hand over Emma Stone peacefully, and my tribe shall immediately withdraw. The Clark Family, the Imperial Family, the Nine Lotus Academy, and every other faction may remain uninvolved. We ask only for the life of the inheritor. She is the greatest threat to the Sea Tribe."
The words immediately ignited the gathering.
"You dare!"
Natasha’s furious shout rang throughout the battlefield before anyone else could react. The Peak Master of the Healing Tower stepped directly in front of Emma, her robes fluttering violently as emerald healing energy surrounded her body.
Although known throughout the continent as a healer rather than a frontline fighter, nobody dared underestimate her cultivation.
"Emma Stone is a direct disciple of the Nine Lotus Academy. As long as I remain standing here today, nobody will lay a finger upon her. If the Demonic Sea Tribe wishes to take her life, you may begin by stepping over mine."
Luka merely smiled.
At that very moment another figure slowly walked forward from the rear of the human formation.
The surroundings instantly became quiet.
It was Da Vinci.
The Headmaster of the Nine Lotus Academy had remained silent from the beginning, simply observing every development without expressing his opinion. His hands remained folded behind his back while his calm eyes rested upon Luka. There was no anger upon his face. No excitement. Only deep thought.
Luka’s smile faded slightly.
For the first time since arriving, she looked directly at Da Vinci instead of anyone else.
"So..." Luka spoke softly. "The Nine Lotus Academy truly intends to interfere."
Da Vinci remained silent.
Luka slowly continued. "Headmaster Da Vinci, your academy possesses many talented disciples. Every year countless geniuses enter your gates dreaming of becoming great martial artists. Tell me... can you truly protect every one of them forever?"
Natasha’s expression changed.
Luka’s voice remained calm, yet every word struck like a blade.
"If you insist upon protecting Emma today, then remember this well. The Demonic Sea Tribe will remember your choice. We may fail today. We may retreat today. But the next time your disciples leave the academy... Ask yourself carefully whether one disciple is worth placing every future-disciple of the Nine Lotus Academy upon our list of enemies."
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Tq guys for the power-stones!