126 Prelude.

Zhi Rui looked form the window, the sun slowly made himself clear in the sky.

The come of age rite, the royal siblings will go through today is a blessing rite. It needs offering and people must paint themselves with yellow and white.

it was a whole day of travel to the neutral city.

Zhi Rui looked at her empty bed. Sandworm andBlue-amethyst invited themselves on the night before but Zhi Rui rejected them, even Han Lee who she had a small crush on offered to sleep with her instead. But Zhi Rui rejected him too.

The rejection of her own desires birthed a heart desire to sleep with him.

Zhi Rui remembered thinking more than twenty reasons she should just do it with him and they were all reasonable and correct. But even after completely convincing herself and truly believing her own reason. She didn't move from her bed.

Her mind was unstable, and although Hilda's warning was more of a personal gut feeling, the fact that she took it upon herself to stand up and give a warning at the risk of being reprimanded, was enough reason for Zhi Rui to think twice about her every action.

Zhi Rui chose to stay alone and put everything away. Food, wine, blankets, etc..Everything that could trigger pleasure.

The thing working on her subconscious is subtle but strong.If she let herself go for one simply ip of wine, then a whole bottle won't be a problem, and while that it' true, her mind would be clouded by the feeling of it rather then her critical matters. 'It must be related to the lust method...'

But she couldn't do anything about it, for now. She barely calmed herself. And sat cross-legged on her bed.

The coming of age rite is most urgent.

Rather than what the enemy can do, They were all body cultivators, Zhi Rui had the people's good opinion and the royal siblings slaves. They wouldn't openly attack her or try to use politics to execute her.

The most they could do was an assassination attempt and blame it on the rising number of foreign cultivator coming for the underworld portal.

hi Rui is the biggest tribe on their side now, and her people's favor was with her, she could even make them start a rebellion on the biggest tribe.

There are also the siblings, that now had seen the true colors of their leaders and are listening with a more open mind to her words they'd often enter in a discussion about where to direct the barbarian people.

lastly, Han Lee came to her mind.He was an heir from the neutral tribe who was hiding their strength he himself was a level fourth while the other two leaders are at the third level.

And his interest, physically and materialistic are both on her, even if he didn't fight for her, he could hold back enemies and protect her from many against one tactic.

Hearing the sound of the people preparing themselves Zhi Rui sighed, she did everything she could in her state.If what the siblings say i at least half-truth than Zhi Rui would attain some unique cultivation manual, the kind that transforms the body, with it Zhi Rui might discover what's messing with her head.

Only then she can go on with her first plan and start forcefully putting a nation against the other.

As Zhi Rui thought, a presence appeared suddenly in front of her.

feeling the familiar smell, Zhi Rui slowly opened her eyes to see the stern-faced kitten.

Zhi Rui's beautiful hair cascaded freely on her shoulder, and her green eyes calmly looked directly at Hilda waiting for her words.

"My skill, the ethereal phoenix doesn't work on a fixed interval. it depends on the energy used. since I was branded my inner energy became red according to my own mood or yours, using all of my own energy on a calm day, I can last five seconds in that state but if the energy is dense, in a deep shade of red, ten seconds become possible.I tried before, I can turn other thing etheral too. but it needs more energy."

Zhi Rui didn't say anything.

Hilda felt compelled to speak by the gaze.

"If you die, so do I, because of the slave brand. I want you to have all the information on me, in case something happens."

Zhi Rui looked at her yellow eyes and simply nodded.

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The day started, The sun shined on the painted tribe member's bodies.

On the top of the big carriage, Crystal and rubble stood wearing only golden adornments exposing their skin to the sun.

Part of the ceremony was to open yourself to the sun.

Zhi Rui drove the carriage, Han Lee sat beside her with some stupid question and never left. Making Zhi Rui smile.

Beside the carriage, Sandworm andBlue-amethyst led the tribesmen elder and children together with other small tribes where included. They numbered in the thousands all carrying some kind of flower and an offering. All carrying a flower and an offering.

They traveled for half a day. Zhi Rui felt impulses to flirt and drink along with her talk with Han Lee. the idea of making some roast lizards share with the people kept popping on her head. but to remain a clear head Zhi Rui kept on guarded and alert.

One hour later. a big entourage with two enormous carriages stationed right in front of her way. elite mounted warrior encircled them. When Zhi Rui approached,a group of three broke formation and galloped to Zhi Rui carriage one stood behind and the other two on the sides.

Zhi Rui squinted her eyes but didn't act.

Soon enough, they were in front of the other.

"The slut is perceptive. She didn't flip out."

Fire-heart heard from a hope rock on his carriage.

"Of course not, I sent them there, to give her reason to keep her guard up. It' more believable if we do this underhanded tricks, this way she used these small things to guess the plan. " Answered Fire-heart

"Keeping her mind busy?"

"Yes," Fire-heart nodded to no one "She's intelligent but proud. She'll doubt others, but not herself. All we did was use that, she believes her cards in her hand don't allow for us to publicly attack her let her believe that and keep on guessing where the attempt to her life will come from."

"So I only have to wait until we arrive at the library?" Silver asked

Although his tone was calm, Fire-heart felt the underlying delight within.

"Yes, once we are there,our seniors of envy and our level three elite mounted warriors will be already prepared. There simply isn't a way out for her."

Hearing no answer, He just smiled and got up from his eating. walked all the way to his door, prepared his brightest smile and shoved it open.

"Oh, younger sister Zhi Rui!I'm so glad to see you again. How did you pass the time?"

"Obviously eating and drinking well. look a how glossy her skin is." Another door opened and Silver walked out speaking.

Zhi Rui squinted and started laughing, she got up and made a pugilistic gesture. I treat time as luxury and trained well, Thank you for asking.

"But tribe leaders, How come I became the little sister"

Fire-heart slapped his belly and laughed "HaHa, Look silver, she doesn't know!"

Silver nodded and smiled at her with warmth.

"Girl!" Fire-heart laughed "As the mentors of the royal siblings, and the one to finally help that side of the barbarian people. you're granted the title and status of the fourth leader tribe. as the fourth to come, how can you not be our little sister!?" He laughed an yelled

Zhi Rui heard it.

She thought it was strange. but she figured it was a way to justify her relationship with the siblings.

She laughed and bowed "Thank you older brother!"

Fire-heart nodded"Yes, Yes form now on we're brother and sister, now let's go, the royal siblings are anxious for their little party!

His carriage started off, silver followed.

After a minute or so. Zhi Rui followed.