Ethan, noticing Donna''s new trait for the first time, was speechless.


    He remembered when Donna was a wild child, running with rogue cultivators, her temper rivaling even Julian''s.


    It seemed the only way to curb her impulsiveness was to pair her with someone even more vtile.


    Chuck was an amusing contradiction – fearless before ckwood, even in the presence of two Basic Mastery masters, yet terrified of his own apprentice.


    Ethan and the rest of the ckwood n, however, found Chuck''s outburst rtable.


    What Chuck had perceived, most of them had as well, except perhaps Julian and the younger generation.


    Ethan maintained a neutral expression, but inwardly, he felt a twinge of annoyance.


    They hadn''t anticipated Phillips'' ambition when they''d helped them reim Cedar County.


    It was a stark contrast to when they''d brought Walker back to Cloudview County.


    Back then, ckwood had proceeded with caution, aware of the potential pitfalls of sharing power.


    Jon, to his credit, had been surprisinglypliant, easing their worries.


    His obedience had lulled them into a false sense of security.


    "Chuck, you see, rumors can be deceiving," Daniel said with a wry smile.


    "Did you ever expect Phillips to act this way?"


    "Never," Chuck admitted, shaking his head.


    "Legend has it that the Phillips family were once renowned for their peace-loving nature. I''ve been to theirnds before, and they were incredibly hospitable. I never imagined that after ckwood helped them, that Bryce fellow would try to seize control of all three counties!"


    He clenched his fists, his frustration evident.


    "We''ve always worked together, followed ckwood''s lead. Now Brycees along with his power grab. Even a fool can see this will lead to trouble."


    "Human nature is aplex thing," Nathan, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke, sighing.


    "It''s easier to findpanionship in hardship than in victory. But perhaps it''s for the best. Phillips has revealed their true colors early on, giving us time to prepare."


    Chuck''s eyes lit up, and he mmed his fist into his palm.


    "You''re right! I''ll go find Jon. We''ll confront that old Phillips together and remind him of his ce!"


    "Master, not this again!" Donna groaned, leaping up to deliver a swift chop to the back of Chuck''s head.


    Chuck yelped, clutching his head as he red at his apprentice.


    "There are ckwood elders present, Donna! Who''s the master here?"


    The ckwood elders exchanged amused nces at the bizarre master-disciple duo.


    In the distance, Charlie Crackle, who viewed Donna as a surrogate daughter after she''d saved his life, wiped away a tear.


    "They grow up so fast," he mumbled. "She''s got a master now, doesn''t even have time to ride on my back anymore."


    "Thank you, Chuck, but there''s no need for that," Daniel interjected, gently restraining Chuck.


    "We can''t afford to rock the boat now. The three counties have just found a fragile peace. Bryce has fulfilled his promise, renaming Cedar County to Azure Cloud. He hasn''t broken any agreements. He''s ambitious, yes, but who isn''t? Let him be."


    "But..." Chuck began, then caught Donna''s warning look.


    He crossed his arms and grumbled, "Well, my Arcane Society wants nothing to do with him. I''m sure old Walker feels the same, and don''t forget about Martin from Azure Cloud!"


    "Listen, Chuck," Daniel said calmly.


    "From now on, just humor Bryce. If he oversteps his boundaries,e to me. The Phillips family has a Basic Mastery, so they''re bound to have aspirations. As long as they don''t go too far, we''ll let them be."


    Reassured, Chuck finally relented.


    Had Daniel not intervened, the hot-headed cultivator might have stormed off to confront Phillips directly.


    Once Donna had ushered Chuck away, Nathan spoke, his voiceced with displeasure.


    "It seems both Bryce and Phillips have grand ambitions."


    The ckwood elders exchanged grim looks.


    Edward pped himself hard on the cheek.


    "It''s my fault, and Joseph''s. We shouldn''t have orchestrated Phillips'' return to Cedar County. We''ve invited the wolf into our home."


    "Don''t me yourselves," Daniel said, stopping Edward from another round of self-getion.


    "If Phillips wants to rule the three counties, believing it will elevate their status, then let them. It might actually work in our favor."


    "What?" Julian eximed, about tounch into a tirade, but he bit his tongue, remembering Chuck''s earlier scolding.


    At least Donna was the only one who dared to reprimand Chuck.


    Here, he had an entire audience ready to put him in his ce.


    Still, Daniel''s nonchnce irked him.


    "They''re on our turf, iming dominion! How is that a good thing?"


    "You idiot!" Amelia interjected, kicking Julian''s shin.


    As her brother crumpled to the ground, clutching his leg, she continued, "Let me exin something. When I cultivate my spirit herbs, the ones that grow the tallest are always the first to be harvested. Look at that old tree behind you. When it was younger and taller, it bore the brunt of every storm. And you lot, you used to relieve yourselves at its base because it was the most convenient target."


    The Primordial Blood Tree: ...


    Unpleasant memories flooded its consciousness, eclipsing its earlier amusement at Julian''s expense.


    "Exactly," Daniel said, grinning.


    "Aunt Amelia understands. Phillips sees our sess but has no idea how difficult it''s been to maintain control of even one county all these years. We have enemies on all sides, factions eyeing Cloudview County with envy. Now is the time for ckwood to lie low. If Phillips wants to shoulder the burden of leadership, let them."


    "We shouldn''t oppose them. We should encourage them, support them. Instead of confronting every challenge head-on, let''s push Phillips forward, to shield ckwood."


    "That will give us time to focus on our own affairs."


    Daniel''s expression turned serious.


    "Phillips better not disappoint us. Otherwise..."


    Ethan, observing the family meeting, smiled.


    The people of Cloudview County might not recognize the ancient god royal decree, but they would answer ckwood''s call without hesitation.


    That was the foundation they had built over years of shared struggles and triumphs.


    No matter how grand Phillips'' and Bryce''s ambitions were, as long as they remained on Cloudview County soil, their aspirations would only serve to make them ckwood''s most valuable assets.