Ling Tian Sword God

Xu Ruoyan’s departure did make Ling Chen worry, but now that she had left, Ling Chen did not have the time to look for her.

Moreover, Ling Chen believed that the misunderstanding had been resolved, and it was only a matter of time before Xu Ruoyan untangled her emotional knot.

When she was needed, she would appear.

However, the establishment of an Alliance with Righteous Path sects such as the Myriad Dao Sect was not going so smoothly.

In the grand hall of Green Cloud Mountain, many high-ranking figures from the Cyan Robe Association and the Black Market gathered to discuss the Alliance.

Ling Chen held a letter in his hand and looked at the people in the hall, saying, ”This is a message from Senior Sister Feiyue from the Myriad Dao Sect. The Myriad Dao Sect has no objections to the Alliance, but they disagree with me being the Alliance Leader. Not only them, but three of the Four Great Hidden Clans also oppose me being the Alliance Leader, except for the Dragon Hidden Clan.”

”According to them, they want an elder of high moral standing and prestige from the Martial World to be the Alliance Leader. What do you think?”

Ling Chen wasn’t very surprised by the Myriad Dao Sect’s reaction. After all, his personal background was complicated, involving the Righteous Path, Demon Way, and even the underworld. The Myriad Dao Sect would likely not accept his leadership. However, this also gave Ling Chen a headache. It troubled him that these people were so stubborn; it seemed they hadn’t yet seen the seriousness of the current crisis. They were thinking about seizing power and profits, even in the face of the enemy, to gain benefits for their own forces.

After all, the position of Alliance Leader held considerable power, equivalent to that of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader. If someone from their own side could take up this position, the benefits would be tremendous, allowing them to gain many advantages for their own Families and Sects.

”High moral standing and prestige? We are choosing an Alliance Leader, and naturally, we need a strong person whose reputation fits the position. What’s the use of high moral standing and prestige?” an Elder from the Black Market sneered.

”If this so-called elder with high moral standing and prestige is truly unbiased and selfless, that would be fine. I fear they only bear the title of high moral standing and prestige in vain. What’s scarier is someone like Shentu Yan, a hypocrite. Didn’t those in the Righteous Martial World also consider him a paragon of high moral standing and prestige before?”

Not far away, Lin Ya sipped her tea, a mocking smile on her bright red lips.

With Ling Chen’s support, Lin Ya had become the master of the Black Market. The other two young masters, Chi Kong Young Master and Heartless Young Master Qi Hongyan, had also been entrusted with important tasks. Now they had completely taken control of the Black Market’s power.

”Lin Ya is right. Sect Leader, this Alliance Leader position must not be conceded! As for some person of high moral standing and prestige, we only acknowledge you. We won’t even consider anyone else for Alliance Leader!”

From the Cyan Robe Association, Duan Qingxu, Mo Shangke, and other Cyan Robe Association Experts also expressed their positions one after another.

”Exactly! The Myriad Dao Sect and the Four Great Aristocratic Families are a bunch of stubborn old fools, about to be obliterated by Shentu Yan, like dogs who’ve lost their homes! We’re doing them a favor by allying with them. They should be scrambling to join us like fawning dogs, yet they dare to make conditions? Sheer folly!”

”I say we just ignore them and let Shentu Yan wipe them all out! Let those idiots learn the consequences of not allying with us!”

”We can’t do that! You all know about the evil cultivation technique Shentu Yan practices. He can absorb others’ cultivation and make it his own. If he eradicates the Myriad Dao Sect and the Four Great Aristocratic Families, his power will inevitably skyrocket. Who among us could withstand even a single blow from him then?”

”Then we should strike first! Wipe out the Myriad Dao Sect and the Four Great Aristocratic Families, and let our Sect Leader absorb all their cultivation! That way, the Sect Leader’s strength will be greatly enhanced, and he might even be able to defeat Shentu Yan!”

”That... seems a bit inappropriate, doesn’t it? After all, we’re not part of the Demon Way.”

The high-ranking officials discussed animatedly.

Both the Cyan Robe Association and the Black Market were accustomed to their freedom. Although they were now under Ling Chen’s authority, he imposed few restrictions on them. Moreover, Ling Chen had earned his current position through his own strength. None of them would agree to an outsider commanding them.

Someone even suggested launching a preemptive attack to eradicate the Myriad Dao Sect and the Four Great Hidden Clans, allowing Ling Chen to absorb the cultivation of all their top Experts. This suggestion sounded utterly insane to Ling Chen. If he were to do such a thing, he would truly be committing demonic acts, violating the path of righteousness and chivalry, and would surely be condemned for eternity.

”Alright, I’ve heard all your opinions.”

Seeing that everyone was essentially in agreement, Ling Chen waved his hand for silence. ”The Alliance is imperative. Since Senior Sister Feiyue couldn’t reach an agreement with them, it seems I’ll have to go myself.”

If the Alliance fell through now, it would be a great pity. After all, everyone agrees on forming an Alliance; the only point of contention is the choice of Alliance Leader. Perhaps if I personally visit the Myriad Dao Sect and let those Righteous Path individuals see what kind of person I truly am, it might change things. If the Alliance couldn’t be formed, the ultimate beneficiary would be Shentu Yan.

”If the Sect Leader is going, he must take a large contingent of Experts. That will intimidate those Righteous Path individuals and make them bow their heads in submission!” an Elder from the Black Market suggested.

”That won’t be necessary.”

Ling Chen shook his head. ”In the Righteous Path, there’s a common saying: ’Persuade through virtue.’ If we bring a large number of Experts, it will only arouse suspicion. For this trip, I will only take Master Duan. The rest of you, guard Green Cloud Mountain well. I’m concerned Shentu Yan might launch a sneak attack.”

”You may rest assured, Sect Leader.”

Duan Qingxu cupped his fist towards Ling Chen. ”Green Cloud Mountain is protected by the Bagua Mysterious Extreme Sword Formation, established by the Cyan-robed Guest. Even if Shentu Yan is powerful, he won’t be able to break the formation in under a month or so.”

”Oh?”

Ling Chen hadn’t expected the Cyan-robed Guest to have left such a safeguard. With this Bagua Mysterious Extreme Sword Formation, he felt much more at ease. He had initially been worried about Ling Yin, who was still on Green Cloud Mountain refining Sky Apex Puppets. If Shentu Yan were to launch a sudden attack, Ling Yin would be in danger. Now that Duan Qingxu said the Bagua Mysterious Extreme Sword Formation was so sturdy, a month or so would be more than enough time for him to make several round trips to the Myriad Dao Sect and back.

If the Cyan-robed Guest were still here, Shentu Yan would be no threat at all. Ling Chen couldn’t help but sigh internally. Although Shentu Yan was quite strong now, there was still a significant gap compared to the Cyan-robed Guest. Back then, the Cyan-robed Guest had effortlessly repelled Liu Feng, a warrior at the Eighth Layer of the Sky Apex Realm. That kind of strength was simply unfathomable. If his mother, Liu Xiling, were still around, or even Senior Qing Luo, Shentu Yan wouldn’t be able to act so wantonly. But none of them were here now; they had either left or disappeared. The tremendous pressure from Shentu Yan now rested entirely on his shoulders.