When everyone was watching the battle taking place in the arena, they already knew who would win. Everyone was waiting for Xie Shandian, the Scorpion Clan leader, to stop the fight, but as Xie Fangsu was hit one attack after another, Xie Shandian stubbornly refused to throw in the towel, prioritizing pride over his child's life.
Xiao Huli turned to Xie Shandian. "Stop the fight immediately!" he urged. "Your daughter and son will die!"
"If they died, they would die honorably," Xie Shandian said stubbornly, his face grim.
Xiang Huaban, the Flower Clan leader, frowned, disgusted. "How honored is it to see your children split in half?"
Chao Tiaowen, the Snake Clan leader, urged, "Everyone already knows the outcome of the battle, who is the winner. Why can't you see it?"
"We will forfeit," Lang Lirun, the Wolf Clan leader, declared, throwing in his white towel, a gesture of surrender. "I don't want to see my son burned to death or split to death."
Xiao Huli urged Xie Shandian again, "Surrender, please."
"No!" Xie Shandian shouted, defiant.
Xiao Huli frowned, exasperated. "You old fool. Surrender!"
On the fighting arena, Zhao Renshu sent a single icicle, precisely hitting Xie Fangsu's right shoulder, but Xie Fangsu, driven by her father's stubborn pride, kept standing up, refusing to yield.
Zhao Renshu shook his head, a grim expression on his face. "Stay down. If you stand up, you will die."
Xie Fangsu groaned in pain, collapsing to her knees. "I can't. My father won't forgive me..." She coughed and vomited a mouthful of blood, her body broken.
Zhao Renshu raised his sword, "I'm sorry," he muttered, preparing for the final, fatal blow.
Just as Zhao Renshu was about to unleash his attack on the weak, defenseless Xie Fangsu, Guo Baiyu held his right wrist, stopping him. Zhao Renshu looked at Guo Baiyu, a question in his eyes.
"She will die if you strike," Guo Baiyu said, his voice calm but firm.
Zhao Renshu shook his head and sighed, a sound of frustration. "Dammit." Zhao Renshu sheathed his sword back into the scabbard on his back. Zhao Renshu already knew from the expression on Guo Baiyu's face that Guo Baiyu was effectively forfeiting the fight, choosing mercy over victory.
Guo Baiyu walked towards the injured Xie Fangsu, who was kneeling on the ground. He reached inside his inner robe and took out two small bottles. He poured a pill from each bottle: one red pill and one brown pill.
Guo Baiyu gave the two pills to Xie Fangsu and said, "One is to help stop the bleeding, and the other one is to help relieve pain."
Zhao Renshu and Fang Yaoting stood silently behind Guo Baiyu, watching.
"Should we continue to fight?" Fang Yaoting asked, confused by the sudden turn of events.
"Nah... Baiyu forfeited," Zhao Renshu frowned, understanding the implications.
Guo Baiyu reached out his hand, and his magic string loosened from the tied scorpion's feet, the strings that had been hovering around Guo Baiyu's left wrist, then vanished into his skin. The three friends turned and walked out of the arena, ending their participation.
The elder senior announced loudly, his voice echoing through the stunned crowd, "The victor and leader of all clans will be the leader of the Scorpion Clan!"
When the three men walked to Xiao Huli, everyone remained silent, sensing the tension.
"I apologize deeply," Guo Baiyu said to Xiao Huli, expressing regret for not securing the victory as promised.
Xiao Huli smiled proudly and said, "No need to apologize. If I stood there, I would do the same thing. I have never seen such people like the three of you before." Xiao Huli put his right hand on his left chest and bowed to the three friends, a gesture of profound respect. Then the other members of the Fox Clan did the same, bowing in reverence.
Xie Shandian, gloating, walked up to Xiao Huli. "In the end, we are the winner. As the grand leader of all clans, I will take over Fox Mountain. Members of the Fox Clan are welcome to stay, or they can move to other places."
"We all know who the grand leader of all the clans is," Chao Tiaowen said indifferently, cutting off Xie Shandian. He walked over to the three friends and knelt with one knee, placing his right hand across his chest. "I am Chao Tiaowen, Leader of the Snake Clan, and I am willing to serve you."
Xiao Huli, Zu Fengmi, Lang Lirun, Fei Weifeng, Xiang Huaban, and the rest of the other small clans who participated but lost, and those who did not participate, all knelt down with one knee, with their right hand across their chest. "We will be willing to serve under you," they declared in unison, ignoring Xie Shandian's victory.
"Outrageous!" Xie Shandian exploded. "The rules are very clear! The person who wins the competition will be the grand leader of all the clans!"
"As far as I can see, the only winner are the Guozhao Hunters of the Fox Clan," Fei Weifeng countered calmly, fanning himself.
Chao Tiaowen added, "If they didn't show mercy, do you think your seriously injured daughter has a chance to compete with them?"
"I would like to speak," Fang Yaoting said, clearing his throat. "I don't want to be any clan leader. I am very happy to be able to provide help to those in need." Fang Yaoting walked towards Lee Dachin, who was still sitting in the audience, and smiled at him, a soft, intimate gesture.
Lee Dachin took out his handkerchief and gently wiped Fang Yaoting's face, acknowledging the shared moment.
"We represent the Fox Clan," Guo Baiyu said, addressing the kneeling clan leaders. "Then let the Fox Clan leader become the grand leader of all the clans."
"Guozhao Hunters, please accept the title 'grand leader'," Xiao Huli pleaded, understanding the precarious situation. "If you give me the title, then everyone will be at each other's throats once more, fighting for power."
"As I said, except for the three of you, I don't accept anyone as the grand leader of all the clans," Lang Lirun stated firmly.
"You two promised me to bring peace to the fairy clans?" Xiao Hui asked, appealing to their honor.
"Does everyone listen to the grand leader of all the clans?" Guo Baiyu asked the assembled leaders.
All of the clan leaders, in unison, replied, "Yes."
"Then we will accept it," Guo Baiyu announced, making the decision.
"Baiyu, are you crazy?" Zhao Renshu whispered, stunned by the unexpected turn.
"Be quiet," Guo Baiyu whispered back, then cleared his throat. "As the first grand leader of all clans, I will give my first order. My first order will be that all of you should forget about the immortal pills and Magic book. There is no such item in the world. Goddess Jiutian Xuannü personally confirmed this. My second order is that I hope everyone will unite and stop killing each other."
Everyone nodded in agreement, the wisdom of his words settling over them.
"Everyone should always remember why Nuwa created the twelve clans in the first place," Guo Baiyu continued. "Nuwa created the twelve clans to keep harmony among living things. We promised Goddess Jiutian Xuannü that we will catch some criminals for her, so we can't be the leaders who will stay here with everyone. I will appoint, Fox Clan leader to be the ruler on the North, Wolf Clan leader to be the ruler on the West, Snake Clan leader to be the ruler on the East, and Flower Clan leader to be the ruler on the South. The four of you have responsibilities to keep peace among all clans who live within your region."
"We will not be part of your unified clan. We will remain single!" Xie Shandian said madly, refusing to submit. He looked at the gathered clans. "We will leave now!" Xie Shandian and his disciples left the arena; their faces contorted with rage and defiance.
"It cannot be forced," Guo Baiyu said calmly. "If anyone feels the same way as the leader of the Scorpion Clan, you are welcome to leave."
A moment passed, but no one moved. All the remaining clans stayed.
"Bee Clan leader," Guo Baiyu continued, addressing Zu Fengmi, "if you notice that any of the four clans has abused their power, you have the right to investigate and revoke their title. Xiao Hui and Xiao Dan, if you two notice the Bee Clan leader is abusing her power, you know what to do."
Xiao Hui and Xiao Dan smiled, understanding their new role as checks and balances. "Yes."
"Let's hold a grand celebration tonight!" Xiao Huli exclaimed, delighted by the unification. "This is the first time in a thousand years that the twelve clans finally unified!"
Everyone started to return to their camps, the mood shifting from tension to jubilation. Guo Baiyu stopped Zu Fengmi before she left.
"Leader Zu, can I talk to you?" Guo Baiyu asked.
"Yes, Grand Leader Guo," Zu Fengmi replied, respectfully.
"I'm sorry for what Renshu did in the arena," Guo Baiyu said, offering a private apology.
"This is a fighting competition," Zu Fengmi replied, a serene smile on her face. "There are no hard feelings. Also, I can't blame Grand Leader Zhao."
"You probably know that Renshu and Qingge have some misunderstanding," Guo Baiyu hinted.
"I noticed it since she ran away," Zu Fengmi acknowledged. "I will remind her. I will not side with those who've done wrong."
"Thank you for your understanding," Guo Baiyu said, grateful for her mature response.
The next morning, the group of friends stood on a dirt road with all the newly unified clan leaders. They bid farewell.
"Grand leaders," Lang Lirun said, bowing respectfully, "please let us know if you need help. Our clan will be there. When I return, I will strengthen the new rules for the disciples."
"Thank you," Guo Baiyu replied.
When the morning sun rose upon the horizon, they drove their carriage away, leaving the united fairy clan leaders behind at the foot of Fox Mountain, a new era dawning.