bullyxtreme V.4.271.
V.4.271.
The six Peak Lords exchange silent glances with one another, their expressions tightening slightly before all of them turn their attention toward Great Elder Baecius, as if instinctively deferring the moment to him.Merin follows their gaze calmly, his violet eyes settling upon the old man whose outward appearance seems ordinary, yet whose presence carries a depth that cannot be concealed.
From that man, Merin clearly perceives the aura of a Soul Enlightenment cultivator, vast and contained, like a quiet ocean hiding immeasurable power beneath its surface.
Within his mind, a thought forms with certainty.
“The man must be a Great Elder of the Totem Palace.”
Merin’s understanding of the Totem Palace hierarchy unfolds naturally in his thoughts, structured and precise like a system he has already analysed thoroughly.
Below the Soul Awakening Stage, the shamans are divided into servants, disciples, and priests, each rank determined by both their innate aptitude and their cultivation progress.
Once a cultivator steps into the Soul Awakening Stage, they are acknowledged as Elders, and among them, the strongest rise further to become the Peak Lords who govern the six mountain peaks.
Beyond them stand the Soul Enlightenment cultivators, all holding the title of Great Elders, each one a pillar supporting the foundation of the Totem Palace.
To ascend to the position of Elder or Great Elder, one must comprehend and master the core inheritance of the Totem Palace—the Totem Body—without which advancement to those ranks is impossible.
And above all of them stand the Soul Transformation cultivators, revered as Supreme Elders, beings who represent the ultimate authority and longevity of the Totem Palace.
Merin continues to observe Baecius without interruption, his gaze steady and unreadable as he waits patiently for the old man to speak first.
Baecius meets his gaze and finally breaks the silence.
“Lord Merin…”
“The Supreme Elders wish to meet you.”
Merin’s eyebrows lift slightly, a subtle reaction that does not disturb the calm composure on his face.
“The Supreme Elders… wish to meet me?”
The words settle into the air with quiet weight.
At once, the six Peak Lords react, their expressions shifting as surprise flickers across their faces, and they turn toward Baecius again as if confirming that what they heard was indeed true.
Confusion settles deeply within them, because they had come here with a completely different purpose, expecting to discuss an alliance with Merin and determine how to respond to the rapidly escalating actions of the Star Singer Tower.
They had already obtained crucial information that the Star Singer Tower was not only advancing westward to strike the Eastern Ocean, but was simultaneously pushing eastward, launching a full assault on the forces scattered across the Great Lake.
From their understanding, no power within the Great Lake possesses the strength to resist such an advance, and it is only a matter of time before that entire region collapses under the overwhelming force of the Star Singer Tower.
Once the Great Lake falls, the path will open toward the Golden Desert Region to the west, and beyond that, the Great Prairie in the northwest will stand as the final natural barrier before the Magoon Mountains.
However, the situation there offers little comfort, because the numerous forces within the Desert Region are no different from those of the Great Lake—fragmented, uncoordinated, and utterly incapable of matching the Star Singer Tower’s unified strength.
Only the Moon Empire in the Great Prairie holds the potential to resist, but even that power can at best delay the inevitable, buying time rather than securing victory.
This is why the Totem Palace feels the pressure so clearly, because while they are not lacking in lower and middle-tier cultivators, their true weakness lies in the scarcity of high-level combat power capable of standing against peak forces.
They still possess three Supreme Elders, but all three are nearing the end of their lifespans, their remaining time limited and their ability to sustain prolonged conflict uncertain.
For that reason, their intention had been simple yet critical—to form an alliance with Merin, not merely for the present war, but for the future, where he could grow into a pillar of high-level strength capable of supporting them when their current foundation inevitably fades.
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And for the first time since entering this hall—
Uncertainty settles in their hearts, quiet yet heavy, as the direction of events begins to slip beyond their expectations.
Great Elder Baecius finally speaks, his voice calm and steady, yet carrying a weight that presses upon everyone present.
“Yes…”
“The Supreme Elders want you to become the new Totem Lord of the Totem Palace.”
The words fall like thunder in a silent sky.
The six Peak Lords freeze completely, their composure breaking as shock spreads across their faces, mouths opening wide while one of them cannot hold back and exclaims aloud, “What?”
Merin’s eyes flash at that moment, a sharp light passing through them as his heart stirs, not with hesitation but with rising calculation and opportunity.
If he becomes the Totem Lord, then his first great objective—bringing the Magoon Mountains under his control—will already be accomplished without resistance.
He does not ask why.
He does not question their intention.
Instead, he moves forward directly.
“Then…”
“When can I meet them?”
Baecius observes him for a brief moment before replying, his tone remaining unchanged.
“Whenever you wish.”
He pauses slightly, then adds,
“But it would be best for all of us if it happens sooner rather than later.”
Merin nods once, accepting the urgency without hesitation.
“Then we leave in two days.”
His gaze shifts toward Yu Diexin and Song Xingli, lingering just long enough to make his intention clear.
“I have some matters to attend to with my wives.”
Baecius inclines his head lightly in acknowledgement.
“Understood.”
At the same moment, Merin’s will spreads silently through the throne room, reaching beyond visible movement as it summons a response.
A servant waiting below at the staircase immediately reacts, climbing up quickly before stopping at the proper distance and bowing deeply toward the throne.
Merin speaks without raising his voice.
“Arrange the best accommodations for my guests.”
The servant lowers his head further.
“Yes, City Lord.”
Merin turns his gaze back to the six Peak Lords and Baecius.
“You may follow him.”
The six exchange brief glances, still unsettled, then nod in agreement before turning and walking toward the staircase, their figures gradually disappearing as they descend from the throne room.
Silence slowly returns once more, settling across the vast throne room as the echoes of footsteps fade and only the quiet presence of Merin and his two wives remains.
Merin turns his head toward them, his gaze calm and deliberate, and gives a subtle look to Ziqi without speaking a single word.
Ziqi immediately understands, turning without hesitation as he steps back onto the flying boat and departs, his figure disappearing swiftly into the distance.
Merin rises from the throne with unhurried composure, then descends the steps one by one before walking steadily toward the two women standing before him.
He stops at a close distance, his attention settling first on Yu Diexin as his voice breaks the silence.
“How have you been?”
Diexin looks at him, and within her eyes, emotions surface that she does not attempt to hide, her voice carrying both relief and lingering concern.
“I have been better… but where is Biyun?”
Merin’s spirit spreads outward silently, sweeping across the city with ease before locating his son without difficulty.
“He is roaming the market with Yueqing.”
Diexin exhales softly, the tension in her expression easing as she nods.
“I will go to meet Biyun.”
Merin inclines his head slightly, his tone calm yet certain.
“Yes, you should meet him… he has been missing you.”
Diexin turns and begins to walk away without hesitation, her steps quickening slightly as her thoughts move toward her child.
“Diexin.”
Merin calls out again, and she pauses mid-step, her body stilling as she hears him use her real name.
A brief thought crosses her mind, but she does not turn immediately, understanding that with his power, nothing about her can remain hidden.
“I will visit you tonight.”
She remains silent for a moment, then continues walking forward without objection, knowing that now she has returned, there are things she must accept and fulfil.
Merin’s gaze shifts then to Song Xingli, his expression unchanged as he speaks directly.
“Are you staying… or leaving?”
Xingli’s eyes widen slightly, clearly caught off guard by the question as her expectations are overturned in an instant.
She had believed that he would never allow her to leave, especially now that her master is gone and no longer capable of offering protection or influence.
Even if her master were still alive, she knows it would make no difference now, as Merin has already surpassed that level entirely.
Her voice rises slightly, betraying her surprise.
“I… can leave?”
Merin tilts his head slightly, as if the answer is obvious to him.
“I married you so that the Song Family and the Three Lotus Sects would not trouble me.”
He pauses briefly before continuing in the same calm tone.
“But now… I am no longer afraid of them.”
Xingli steadies herself, her breathing evening out as she regains composure and processes his words.
“So… you want to cancel the marriage?”
Merin shakes his head lightly, his answer direct and without hesitation.
“I will not cancel the marriage… but if you wish to, you can.”
Silence settles again as Xingli lowers her gaze slightly, her thoughts turning inward as she considers what this truly means for her.
Merin does not press her, allowing her the space to decide.
“You can take your time to think.”
“I heard your seventh brother is in the city… You should visit him.”
Xingli looks at him again, and something in her expression softens as a new understanding forms quietly within her.
This man standing before her is not the cold, detached figure Diexin once described back at the sect, but someone far more restrained and measured.
She nods slowly, then turns and walks away, her steps calm but thoughtful.
Merin watches her leave for a brief moment before lifting into the air, his body surrounded by invisible magic power as he moves silently toward the Dragon Totem.
He remains there for several hours, continuing his cultivation as the totem responds faintly to his presence.
When he returns, night has already settled.
He enters Diexin’s room without hesitation and lies down beside her, the quiet of the night passing undisturbed.
Hours slip away.
Then dawn arrives.
The first light of the sun spreads gently across the room as Diexin rests within his arms, her breathing calm and steady.
Merin closes his eyes, and for the first time in a long while, he allows himself to fall into sleep.