Ethan, noticing Donna's new trait for the first ti, was speechless.
He rembered when Donna was a wild child, running with rogue cultivators, her temper rivaling even Julian's.
It seed the only way to curb her impulsiveness was to pair her with soone even more volatile.
Chuck was an amusing contradiction – fearless before Blackwood, even in the presence of two Basic Mastery masters, yet terrified of his own apprentice.
Ethan and the rest of the Blackwood clan, however, found Chuck's outburst relatable.
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 reclaim Cedar County.
It was a stark contrast to when they'd brought Walker back to Cloudview County.
Back then, Blackwood had proceeded with caution, aware of the potential pitfalls of sharing power.
Jon, to his credit, had been surprisingly compliant, 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 their lands before, and they were incredibly hospitable. I never imagined that after Blackwood 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 Blackwood's lead. Now Bryce cos along with his power grab. Even a fool can see this will lead to trouble."
"Human nature is a complex thing," Nathan, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke, sighing.
"It's easier to find companionship in hardship than in victory. But perhaps it's for the best. Phillips has revealed their true colors early on, giving us ti to prepare."
Chuck's eyes lit up, and he slamd 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 place!"
"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 glared at his apprentice.
"There are Blackwood elders present, Donna! Who's the master here?"
The Blackwood elders exchanged amused glances 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 ti 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 agreents. 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 sa, 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, co to . 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 stord off to confront Phillips directly.
Once Donna had ushered Chuck away, Nathan spoke, his voice laced with displeasure.
"It seems both Bryce and Phillips have grand ambitions."
The Blackwood elders exchanged grim looks.
Edward slapped 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 ho."
"Don't bla yourselves," Daniel said, stopping Edward from another round of self-flagellation.
"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 exclaid, about to launch into a tirade, but he bit his tongue, rembering 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 place.
Still, Daniel's nonchalance irked him.
"They're on our turf, claiming dominion! How is that a good thing?"
"You idiot!" Alia interjected, kicking Julian's shin.
As her brother crumpled to the ground, clutching his leg, she continued, "Let explain sothing. 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 mories flooded its consciousness, eclipsing its earlier amusent at Julian's expense.
"Exactly," Daniel said, grinning.
"Aunt Alia understands. Phillips sees our success 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 ti for Blackwood 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 Blackwood."
"That will give us ti to focus on our own affairs."
Daniel's expression turned serious.
"Phillips better not disappoint us. Otherwise..."
Ethan, observing the family eting, smiled.
The people of Cloudview County might not recognize the ancient god royal decree, but they would answer Blackwood'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 Blackwood's most valuable assets.
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