1080 - I Became a Villainess and Was Pestered by Beautiful Girls

The last time the White-Haired Witch graced the Void Realm with her presence, she caused quite a stir. Elders, who had been drained of their bloodline power at the Sea of Endless Death, returned to their clans only to report the incident immediately. Though her "devouring" ability, akin to the primal bloodline, was noted, her own cultivation level was not excessively high, limiting her impact on the continent's balance of power. Furthermore, her subsequent disappearance from the Void Realm left uncertain whether she would ever return, limiting interest in her to a certain extent. Yet now, with her reappearance, she annihilated one of the ten great families—such a development could no longer just be met with mere interest but warranted true fear and trepidation. With the Tianling family in ruins, who could ensure they weren't next? Even families like the Gu Spirit Clan and the Empty Spirit Clan, which had previously interacted with Senior Xue, found themselves exercising greater caution. The danger she posed prompted even rival clans to temporarily set aside their grievances and form a coalition, demanding an explanation. Wave after wave arrived at the Beast Wild Plains, each faction bearing their distinct crest. These powerful figures were key players in the Void Realm, making such a gathering an extraordinary event. The allies of the Xue Clan, having never witnessed such an assembly, were on the verge of panic, nearly surrendering in fear. "Are we really being besieged by the nine great families?" "Do you think surrender might spare us half the losses?" "I doubt it." "Why?" "Because the clan leader is standing right behind you..." Despite traveling countless miles from their lands to the Tianling family, and then to the Beast Wild Plains, these powerful family representatives did not encounter the White-Haired Witch immediately. "Please wait, the Ancestor is attending to important matters." This—this was outrageous! Not only was there no proper greeting, but she was also putting on airs! "Is this how you treat us...?" "The Ancestor advises that if you are unwilling to wait, you are free to leave, assuming all consequences yourselves." "It's fine—just waiting a bit won't kill us..." While many from the great families were present, not a single contemporary clan leader was there. The fact that the White-Haired Witch had disposed of the Tianling family head had everyone on edge—what if she decided to eradicate all of them at once? While such an outcome seemed improbable, any risk was unacceptable. After keeping them waiting for two days, Senior Xue appeared, composed and serene. Clan representatives gathered in the makeshift plaza, the White-Haired Witch perched high above, resting her cheek on one hand, looking down with a hint of boredom. "So, what brings you to me?" she said. The representative of the Dark Spirit Clan was the first to stand. "Clan Leader Xue," he began, "without a word, you annexed the Tianling family, which is quite contrary to the Void Realm's customs..." "And what are these customs?" the White-Haired Witch interjected. "The Xue Clan should have publicly declared its intentions, allowing peers to bear witness, and offer the opposing family a..." "I mean," she interrupted, "what are customs? If I wish to eliminate someone, must I seek your permission?" The atmosphere plummeted to an icy stillness. No one had anticipated Clan Leader Xue's downright defiance. Was she intoxicated by her power? Even if she were formidable, standing alone against the nine great families of the Void Realm seemed futile. Not even the legendary primal bloodline remained unchallengeable in ancient times—a collective effort had vanquished it. "I shall do as I please," the White-Haired Witch declared indifferently. "If you're here to hold me accountable, then make no mistake—you ought not to expect to leave here unscathed." Several seasoned warriors seemed visibly unsettled, their faces tense, lips quivering, wary of voicing dissent. Though they didn't know the precise details of how the Tianling family head was dealt with, her confidence unnerved them. Was she truly daring enough to speak this way against a hundred mighty opponents here? The representative of the Ancient Spirit Clan stood, attempting to diffuse the tension. "Clan Leader Xue, we have no desire to meddle with your feud with the Tianling family. Wars are not uncommon in the Void Realm; no family can claim eternal dominance." This elder, once an acquaintance of Senior Xue in the Sea of Endless Death, dressed in a slitted gown revealing purple silk stockings, hoped to rekindle a sense of familiarity. "We are here merely to inquire—what do you intend to do next?" The White-Haired Witch had arrived at a most critical juncture. The continental-scale war incited by the Blood Sovereign Hall and other factions had only just subsided, and the super families had yet to recover fully. In such circumstances, no one desired another conflict on the same scale. Ultimately, wars between factions were dictated by interests. Prolonging conflict could lead to the depletion of family members, rendering even the vastest resources useless. Naturally, if the woman before them aimed to wipe out every clan to dominate the Void Realm, no matter the cost, they would resist her fiercely. Faced with the Ancient Spirit Clan's query, the White-Haired Witch paused, surveying the gathered elites from her elevated position with an expressionless yet imposing countenance. After a moment, she pointed skywards. "In the void," she began slowly, "an unprecedented war is underway. A faction known as the Blood Sovereign Hall may have gained possession of power capable of destroying countless realms." "The scale, the dimensions, the brutality of this war—far beyond your imaginations. Even your so-called level-seven experts are but mere specks in that arena." "If the Blood Sovereign Hall secures control, I assure you, the fate awaiting you Void Realm denizens will be nothing short of disastrous—similar to the fate of beings in other realms and worlds." "You ask what I plan to do," she addressed the assembly directly. "I plan to prevent this outcome. Despite my strong ties to the Void Realm, fundamentally, I hail from the Nine Provinces and grew up there. I hold no interest in the Void Realm." "Sooner or later, I will return...return to those by my side." The gathered elites listened intently as the White-Haired Witch explained. They knew of the Blood Sovereign Hall, once present in their realm, with whispers of discord in the void. Yet they had no idea how dire the situation had become. What shocked them most was her lineage—the most powerful, enigmatic, terrifying primal bloodline in the Void Realm's history—and that she declared herself an outsider, a cultivator from the Nine Provinces. "For me," the White-Haired Witch's voice was as soft as the morning breeze, "home is not a fixed location but where they are."