"What are your names?"
Disregarding their plea, Evelynn first asked their names. She didn't even know them yet they were already asking for her help, which she found to be rude but also quite suspicious. However, she doubted everything while here.
"Syriss Xylusc, Third Leg."
"Tarina Xylusc. Fourth Leg."
"Callira Xylusc, Eighth Leg."
"Faziel Xylusc, Fifth Leg."
The four of them reported their names and their status. It seemed like they each carried a branch that could be called a bandit group, operating within the spatial zones near the edges of the Azure Tree Lower Realm.
Evelynn scanned them with her gaze. They all possessed distinct purple hair similar to that of Empress Hexena Xylusc. More than anything, their bloodline was much more pure than Vaizel's since the four spider bones stretching out from their bodies were not hideous to look at, sharp and curved like sickles instead of jagged shapes.
It seemed like they were royals without a doubt, but it still made her doubt their intentions in coming here.
"Are you all the winners of the past competition between princes and princesses of each generation?"
"…"
The four of them went silent as they looked at each other.
In the end, Syriss Xylusc, the Third Leg, possibly the most powerful of the four here, opened her mouth.
"Yes, we could not become the Matriarch since the clan has not revived to its full glory. Instead, we become one of the eight legs, the eight pillars of a spider that supports its existence."
Evelynn nodded, "What happened to the rest of the royals who failed to win?"
"For all we know…" She hesitated for a moment, "Their blood and soul essence is used up for something we are not aware of. They could die but also live if their Wills are strong enough. However, they wouldn't be as powerful as before."
"So Fahzi, the boy I brought here- were his parents also subjected to this treatment? They died here?"
"This… we don't know…"
Syriss Xylusc shook her head and lowered it. She did not dare meet Evelynn's gaze like everyone else since they could feel the imperial blood reminding them peasants to stay humble.
Evelynn thought for a moment before she nodded.
"What does your group need me to do?"
"As long as you could convince the two Ancestors to stay their hands, it would be of extreme help. Taking revenge now would be like putting the cart in front of the ox. They're blinded by rage and long years of depression. As soon as they saw your majesty return, they were emboldened, thinking that by taking action and pulling you into the fray, they could even get the terrifying Divine Emperor of Death to participate in their cause."
"…"
Evelynn's brows narrowed, and her purple eyes turned cold.
The sudden chill that permeated the chamber made the four pillars look as though they were caught by the throat, unable to breathe.
Abruptly, the chill faded, and a melodious voice echoed.
"It is good that the remnants of the Three-Eyed Chromatic Hex Arachnid Clan recognize my husband's greatness."
Evelynn smiled, "But no one- absolutely no one should think of trying to use him- especially through me. Lead the way. I'll put an end to their madness if they don't want to listen."
"This way, please~"
The four pillars trembled. They rose and bowed before gesturing for her to follow them.
Evelynn and the others followed them out.
They crossed long winding tunnels. They were not exactly narrow but spacious. However, the ones they took were too narrow, as though only two people could fit at a time. It seems like this was a secret passageway to wherever it was they were taking her.
Myria and Evelynn exchanged soul transmissions during the whole time.
They were pretty sure that there was a massive hex formation to where they were being led since Myria could feel the unearthly spiritual undulations that affected the thin heaven and earth energy, throwing them into disarray.
Finally, they appeared out of a cave in the upper part of a wide chamber within the asteroid. It was big enough to cover nearly ten percent of the entire asteroid's mass.
The vast chamber was dimly illuminated by floating orbs of violet and green light, each pulsing faintly like the heartbeat of some ancient entity. The rocky walls were embedded with crystalline veins that shimmered in eerie hues, casting shifting shadows across the uneven surface as though powering up something.
At the very center of the chamber, a massive hex formation was inscribed into the ground, its complex, interwoven patterns glowing with an ominous luster. Over eight lines were connected to the center from eight edges, and each of those edges was filled with people who appeared to be young.
Fahzi was also there, his expression listless, and his veins cut off at the wrist, causing blood to flow ceaselessly towards the center.
Myria's gaze sharpened as she observed the minute, nearly imperceptible distortions in space around the formation. This was no simple formation. It was a convergence of spatial and hex runes, layered so intricately that even she had to admit its craftsmanship was beyond most formations she had encountered.
She could instantly tell it was capable of extreme destruction, hex a huge number of people.
At the far end of the chamber stood two figures, their ancient and withered yet formidable auras pressing down like an invisible weight upon their entrance.
They were none other than the two Ancestors of the Three-Eyed Chromatic Hex Arachnid Clan.
Right now, they were clad in multi-layered ceremonial robes. Red, blue, and green colors, the symbols of collapse, poison, and sealing runes, shifted on the robes like oil and water. Their third eyes shone with a never-before-seen violet light while their expression was of raw conviction and unrelenting rage.
Ancestor Alissara stepped forward, "Our Empress has returned… but she is not herself."
"Our beloved Empress sacrificed herself when her life is far more important than ours. We cannot accept such a sacrifice. We cannot accept such diligence. We must repay it with our own lives and take revenge upon the myriad of realms that sought to destroy us!"
The other Ancestor threw her head up and let out a guttural howl at the end.
Their auras were tumultuous, filling the space and causing the entire asteroid to tremble. It certainly wasn't able to handle the two of their pressure. Countless cracks appeared outside, and even the empty space started to crumble.
"That's enough."
At this moment, a calm voice echoed throughout the chamber.
In that instant, the oppressive aura of the two Ancestors shattered like brittle glass. The chamber trembled as an unseen force weighed upon them, and their knees buckled ever so slightly. The hex formation at the center them quivered, struggling against her sheer dominance.
Her purple eyes, but more importantly, her third eye, now glowing with an eerie amethyst radiance, bore into them.
Even though Evelynn's cultivation base and prowess weren't enough to overcome the two Ancestors, her aura was like that of an empress demanding absolute respect and imposing her command. It was extremely difficult for those who possessed the blood of the Three-Eyed Chromatic Hex Arachnid to go against it.
There was not a single King-Tier existence within this clan. Therefore, one could see that their future wasn't very bright.
Evelynn directly usurped their connection with the formation as her third eye seemed far more connected with the formation than theirs. She stepped out and flew towards Fahzi, her brows furrowing as she couldn't believe they would dare to do this to a young man who was still a teenager.
"Why are you two stupid enough to sacrifice the geniuses with a bright future? For revenge?"
The two Ancestors seemed strangely calm, not looking offended.
"Empress Evelynn, with all due respect, you don't know us enough and can't sympathize with our plight."
"Since you reject our vengeance, we reject you."
Abruptly, the massive hex formation no longer glowed. Instead, a small formation that was on the ceiling activated. It was hidden and out of Myria's sight, completely eluding her senses. She was shocked by the activation of this sudden formation.
Moreover, the eight pillars all surrounded Evelynn. Even the ones who came to plead were pointing their spears at her.
They wouldn't go as far as to kill Evelynn, would they?
She was about to make a move, but Evelynn raised her hand to stop her.
"What is the meaning of this?" Evelynn asked as she stared at the two Ancestors.
It was now obvious to her that from earlier this day to now, all had been a ploy to get her under this particular formation. Sensing the strange aura trying to erupt from her soul, she calmly worded.
"Do you all want to revive Empress Hexena Xylusc by inducing the true soul essence within me that carries the species technique of an Empress-Tier Three-Eyed Chromatic Hex Arachnid to activate?"
"…!"