Andrea's tone turned sharp as she continued the story.
"And then began the Three-Decade War. The sects and the remnants of the gangs bled each other dry. Sects lost their masters. Clans fell. We were separated. Many of us were dead, and some went missing. And the Federation…?"
She smiled coldly.
"They just watched. Letting both sides destroy each other… while they gained power."
Wil sat in stunned silence.
Andrea's voice fell silent for a few seconds, letting Wil digest the fact.
"In the end…" she continued again, her gaze distant, metallic fingers clasped together on her lap, "only three sects remained—Xu, Lan, and Nanyin."
Wil narrowed his eyes. "That's why you recognized Luoyang. The Xu Sect heiress."
Andrea nodded. "Yes. After thirty years of bloodshed, we knew it had to end. Too much had been lost. So, we extended a hand, offered a truce. But the Xu elders were too proud, too wrapped in their ancient ways to accept peace. Especially the elders running that sect."
