Ethereal World: Vicious Cannon Fodder's Immortality Road-Chapter 925: The Five Elders of the Storm Roc Clan

[Scarlet Continent, Forgotten Domain, Northern Region, Ember Dune Desert, Storm Roc Clan’s Territory]

The winds howled across the vast expanse of the Ember Dune Desert, carrying grains of sand that shimmered like embers under the dimming sky. Peng Ruining stood at the edge of the Storm Roc Clan’s territory, his usually carefree expression replaced by a rare solemnity. Beside him, the other Storm Rocs listened intently as Shenlian Yingyue relayed her findings, their sharp eyes reflecting both suspicion and unease.

"If what you’re saying is true, then we are all in grave danger," Peng Ruining finally spoke, his voice low and measured. His fingers tightened around the hilt of the storm-forged blade at his side. "But words alone are not enough. I need proof before I bring this before the Elders."

Shenlian Yingyue had anticipated this. Without hesitation, she raised her hand, her fingers tracing an arc in the air. A luminous screen materialized before them, displaying a series of recordings, hidden underground caverns, ancient ruins, and remote desert outposts, all marked with sinister crimson symbols pulsating with malevolent energy.

The Storm Rocs stiffened, their wings rustling in agitation. The images were unmistakable, the Blood Formation, a forbidden ritual that could unravel the very fabric of their land.

"Here," Shenlian Yingyue said, her voice steady. With a flick of her wrist, the recording condensed into a crystal, which she tossed to Peng Ruining. "This should be enough."

Peng Ruining caught it, his grip firm. His gaze lingered on the desert beyond, as if searching for signs of the encroaching darkness. "I’ll inform the Elders and the other Northern Region forces," he said at last. "But until then, it would be best if you stayed. This matter concerns us all."

"Very well. We’ll remain for now." Shenlian Yingyue exchanged glances with her companions. After a brief silent agreement, she nodded.

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[Sky-Spanning Roc Palace]

The Sky-Spanning Roc Palace stood as a testament to the Storm Roc Clan’s might, its towering spires piercing the storm-laden skies. The grand hall was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, black storm-marble veined with streaks of lightning, jade pillars carved with the likenesses of legendary storm beasts, and a ceiling of ever-shifting heavens that mirrored the clan’s dominion over the winds.

At the far end of the Main Hall, seated upon a throne of thunder-forged iron and phoenix stone, was Peng Ruining. His usual playful demeanor was absent, replaced by the regal bearing of a clan leader. Flanking him were the Five Elders, each seated in their unique stormwood chairs, their presence exuding an aura of ancient power.

"We were told a guest with the stride of the wind and the shadow of the storm would come. Speak, why have you entered our domain?" One of the Elders, a wizened figure with eyes like crackling lightning, was the first to break the silence. His voice rumbled like distant thunder.

Shenlian Yingyue stepped forward, her stance unwavering. "Because a calamity is awakening beneath the sands," she declared. "The Rakshasa have begun their Blood Formation across the Ember Dune Desert. If left unchecked, even the skies above will drown in blood."

A murmur rippled through the Elders.

"You speak of demons and destruction. Yet, words are but wind. Where is your proof?" Another, a stern-faced woman with talon-like rings adorning her fingers, tapped the stormwood table impatiently.

"Patience. Do you truly think we’d come empty-handed?" Xiong Zi Ying chuckled, leaning back with an air of amusement.

Peng Ruining raised the recording crystal, and with a surge of qi, the images Shenlian Yingyue had shown earlier unfolded in the air. The intricate web of blood marks sprawled across the Northern Region’s leylines, their corruption spreading like a festering wound.

The Elders’ expressions darkened.

"If this is true," the eldest elder among them finally spoke, his voice heavy with foreboding, "then your warning may not be early, it may already be too late."

"We only discovered this recently. Do you think we would have waited if we had known sooner?" Bing Xue’s frost-laced voice cut through the tension.

Silence descended upon the hall, thick and suffocating. The weight of their situation pressed upon them all, the Storm Roc Clan, the Northern Region, perhaps even the entire Scarlet Continent, stood on the brink of disaster.

"The Five Storms have spoken." Peng Ruining studied Shenlian Yingyue, and for the first time, a flicker of genuine respect entered his gaze. "You risked much to come here, bringing warnings instead of warriors. That alone commands respect." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"We will send our storms to verify your claims," the First Elder declared, raising a hand. Above them, a massive bronze storm-bell tolled, its deep resonance shaking the very air. "If they return with truth, then the Peng Clan will take action, and we shall not move alone."

"Summon the Rocs from seclusion. If war comes to the skies, then the storm will answer." Peng Ruining’s voice hardened.

It did not take long for their storms to confirm the truth. Hidden beneath the ancestral thunder cliffs, buried deep within the earth, was a sprawling Blood Formation, its sinister markings pulsing with stolen vitality.

"Presumptuous!" One of the elders slammed his palm against the stone table, his face dark with fury. "How did they even find our territory?"

The Peng Clan’s floating cliffs were veiled by ancient formations and perpetual mist, rendering them invisible to outsiders. Yet, beneath their very feet, their enemies had woven a deadly trap. Had those intruders wished it, the Peng Clan could have been slaughtered in their sleep, their bodies left to rot without even a grave to claim.

"They are not from the Immortal Realm," Xiao Li reminded them, his tone light but pointed.

"The fact that they are outsiders yet capable of such deceit proves they hail from the Upper Realm," Peng Ruining said, his voice tight with suppressed rage. "But for such beings to meddle in the affairs of lesser realms, do they think us already dead?"

"Since they dared to act, they clearly have no fear of breaking the heavenly decrees." Zhiyi swirled the spirit tea in his cup, his lips curved in that ever-present, enigmatic smile. Yet his eyes, sharp and calculating, darkened like gathering storm clouds.

A heavy silence fell over the chamber. Peng Ruining and the five elders exchanged uneasy glances.

"What do you propose?" Finally, Peng Ruining turned to Shenlian Yingyue, who had been quietly entertaining her three baby angels, Xiao Yun, Xiao Lan, and Xiao Li, until now.