Chapter 358: Unifying the Northwest Continent
The many leaders present found Lüxin's decision appealing. The rise of the Sky Alliance was unstoppable, and it was better to join willingly than be forcibly subdued later. Especially now, as a group of defeated soldiers, they were very tempted, particularly their disciples, who were already loyal to Xiao Ze. Many of them likely wanted to leave their original sects and join the Sky Alliance.
"Haha, if the Heavenly Snake Mansion is willing to join the Sky Alliance, we will certainly welcome you with open arms!" Xiao Ze said, satisfied with Lüxin's cooperation. Lüxin had already agreed to join the Sky Alliance on behalf of the Heavenly Snake Mansion; it just hadn't been made public due to Xiao Ze's considerations. Now was the perfect time to formalize their inclusion, which might encourage other factions to join as well. After all, the remaining factions were those unwilling to collude with the Lion Ming Sect and should still hold some sense of righteousness.
"To be honest, Alliance Leader Xiao, I share the same thoughts as Leader Lüxin and also wish to join the Sky Alliance," said an elderly man in black, bowing to Xiao Ze. "The Northwest Continent is vast, but its forces are scattered, unable to form a top-tier power. Even a disaster like the Lion Ming Sect is enough to wipe us out completely."
Lei Qiao also spoke, her recent experience leaving a deep impression. "Joining the Sky Alliance could help us consolidate our power and resist top-tier threats, eliminating dangers like the Yunlan Sect and the Lion Ming Sect."
The leaders continued discussing the benefits of joining the Sky Alliance, reaching a consensus without Xiao Ze having to persuade them. "Alliance Leader Xiao, will you accept us, these remnants of defeated soldiers?" Lei Qiao asked with a self-deprecating smile.
"There's no need to belittle yourselves. I welcome you all to the Sky Alliance. The forces in the Northwest Continent are too scattered, making them vulnerable to groups like the Yunlan Sect and the Lion Ming Sect. If we unite, we can crush them as soon as they emerge," Xiao Ze said.
The leaders nodded in agreement. "I suppose we should start calling you Alliance Leader now," Lei Qiao said with a smile. The other leaders also bowed, respectfully saying, "Greetings, Alliance Leader!"
"No need for formalities. We're all members of the Sky Alliance; let's interact normally," Xiao Ze said.
After concluding their discussion, the remaining members of the Lion Ming Sect were also eliminated. The coalition members, ignoring the bloody ground, lay down laughing, relishing their vengeance against the cannibalistic monsters for their fallen comrades and loved ones.
The leaders exchanged glances, then one by one spoke up. "All disciples, listen! After discussing with the Sky Alliance Leader, we have made a significant decision!" Upon hearing their leaders, the coalition members quickly stood up, attentively awaiting orders. The leaders then turned to Xiao Ze. "Alliance Leader, please announce the news," Lüxin said with a smile.
"Very well," Xiao Ze said, stepping forward. "I have discussed with your leaders the possibility of you all joining the Sky Alliance. What do you think?"
The coalition members were stunned, hardly believing their ears. They had often wished during the battle that Xiao Ze were their leader. The azure sea domain surrounding them provided immense security, making them feel under Xiao Ze's protection. "We are willing!!!" they shouted, their excitement and enthusiasm palpable. "Greetings, Alliance Leader!"
...
When Little Doctor Immortal, Queen Medusa, and Qing Lin arrived, they were puzzled to see so many Sky Alliance members. After learning what had happened, they smiled with delight. This was Xiao Ze's creation, and they were glad to see the Sky Alliance thriving.
Knowing these were new members, Medusa and the others merged them with the existing Sky Alliance forces and set off for the central region of the Northwest Continent. However, their journey revealed scenes that saddened the original Sky Alliance members: miles of scorched earth and countless bones. The once-prosperous central region was now desolate, and it would take years, if not decades, to recover fully.
Due to the destruction wrought by the Lion Ming Sect, the Sky Alliance expanded rapidly, encompassing most of the Northwest Continent in less than six months. Even the remaining areas sent messages of submission, uniting the entire continent under the Sky Alliance's control.
Back at the Sky Alliance headquarters, Xiao Ze gazed at a large map of the Northwest Continent on the wall, showing the alliance's reach over nine regions. "Now we just need to manage this well and guard against interference from the Soul Hall to maintain peace," he said.
Qing Lin approached, handing him a cup of tea. "Young Master Xiao, Sister Medusa and Little Doctor Immortal will be back soon."
"Thank you. You've all worked hard," Xiao Ze said, taking a sip of tea. The three women had helped manage the alliance's affairs, lightening his load. Medusa handled external matters while Little Doctor Immortal and Qing Lin managed internal affairs.
"Otherwise, I'd be overwhelmed," he said, patting Qing Lin's head. She smiled. "It's my duty to help you, Young Master Xiao."
She then handed him a scroll. "Young Master Xiao, the Pill Tower sent a message. The three elders seem to want you to return."
Xiao Ze was taken aback. "It's been a while since I left the Pill Tower. No wonder they're calling me back," he said with a hint of guilt.
(End of chapter)
Chapter 359: The Peak of Nine-Star Dou Zun
Xiao Ze slowly unrolled the scroll Qinglin had given him. The words on the scroll, written with soul power, were faint and unclear. This was a method of secrecy used by the Pill Tower, and it required a special way of using soul power to read the information. Xiao Ze's fingertips glowed with soul power as he lightly brushed the scroll, causing deep blue ripples to spread like water waves.
Gradually, deep blue characters appeared, surrounded by soul power, giving them a mysterious look. As Xiao Ze's soul power penetrated the scroll, all the information written on it flowed into his mind, similar to how he read alchemical formulas.
"Huh? This..." Seeing Xiao Ze read the information, Qinglin's face showed obvious surprise. Curious, she asked, "Young Master Xiao Ze, is there some urgent matter?"
"It's not a crisis. It's just that the once-every-thirty-years Pill Meeting is about to take place, and the three presidents want me to go back."
"I almost forgot about the Pill Meeting," Qinglin realized. "The champion of the Pill Meeting has the qualifications to become a president of the Pill Tower."
"Haha, that has nothing to do with me. With my current alchemy skills, participating in the Pill Meeting would be unfair to the other alchemists," Xiao Ze said with a laugh, shaking his head. He had been back in the Northwest Continent for quite a while now. Although he was busy initially and often traveling, leaving little time to study alchemy, since the Heavenly Alliance stabilized, he had plenty of time and resources to refine his alchemy skills.
Thanks to the vast resources of the Heavenly Alliance, Xiao Ze could practice alchemy without any concerns. His alchemy skills had now reached the peak of an eight-rank alchemist master. His soul realm had long since reached the heavenly realm, with boundless soul power.
Xiao Ze didn't have much interest in the Pill Meeting itself. As an elder of the Pill Tower, he could obtain any rewards the champion would get. He had even already secured the position of a Pill Tower president candidate long ago. The identity of a president candidate could not only be obtained through the Pill Meeting. Since the Pill Meeting was held every thirty years, relying solely on it to select a Pill Tower president would take three meetings to gather enough candidates!
If there were any unexpected events or if the candidates didn't want to compete for the president position, like how Yao Chen, a previous champion, neither intended to become president nor survived an assassination attempt by the Hall of Souls, the selection would be further delayed.
"Then why do the three presidents want you to go back?" Qinglin couldn't understand. If it wasn't to participate in the Pill Meeting, there seemed to be no need to go back for now.
"They want me to host the Pill Meeting."
"What?!" Qinglin was stunned. She had been with Xiao Ze at the Pill Tower for some time and had some knowledge. The Pill Meeting, one of the grandest events in Zhongzhou, attracted numerous top forces from the continent and many alchemists from all over the Dou Qi continent. Such a grand event was usually hosted by the Pill Tower president himself. But now, the three presidents wanted Young Master Xiao Ze to host it.
"Although I'm surprised too, the scroll indeed says so, and the soul fluctuation of the writer is definitely President Xuankongzi," Xiao Ze explained to Qinglin, with a hint of surprise in his tone. The actions of the three presidents were almost like announcing to the entire Zhongzhou continent that Xiao Ze was the future president of the Pill Tower.
"That's great! In that case, let's arrange the Heavenly Alliance's matters and then head to Zhongzhou," Qinglin said joyfully. She understood the significance of Xiao Ze hosting the Pill Meeting and fully supported it.
Xiao Ze nodded with a smile. "There's no need to worry much about the Heavenly Alliance. Now, most of the Dou Zun experts in the Northwest Continent have joined the Heavenly Alliance, making it a very powerful force. Nothing major should happen."
After discussing with Qinglin, Xiao Ze asked her to arrange the Heavenly Alliance's matters. Once Medusa and Little Doctor Immortal returned, they could head to Zhongzhou.
Xiao Ze focused on the scroll, muttering to himself, "Time flies. The Pill Meeting is only a little over a year away now."
Thanks to the Heavenly Alliance's supply of medicinal materials, his alchemy skills had advanced rapidly. If it weren't for his fear of the black demon lightning summoned by refining nine-rank pills, Xiao Ze might have attempted it already. Although he was confident in refining nine-rank pills, without a way to guard against the black demon lightning, it would be pointless.
Xiao Ze sensed the Tree of Origin within his void space. The tree was now almost 100,000 meters tall, representing his current Dou Qi realm, which had reached the peak of Nine-Star Dou Zun. Though he was just a step away from 100,000 meters, this step felt like a chasm.
Xiao Ze now faced the challenge of reaching sainthood. The gap between Dou Zun and Dou Sheng had stopped countless peak Dou Zuns from entering the saint realm. His previous breakthroughs in major realms, even without various encounters or pills, could be achieved with some secluded cultivation. But now, facing the threshold of Dou Sheng, Xiao Ze had no confidence that mere secluded cultivation would allow him to break through.
He had tried the Nine-Turn Saint Method, but its essence was refining and compressing. However, this didn't work much for Xiao Ze, as his Dou Qi was nearly infinite. Trying to compress this endless Dou Qi was almost wishful thinking.
Xiao Ze even thought of using the Bodhi Heart of the Ancient Bodhi Tree to instantly reach sainthood. But when his Tree of Origin couldn't grow any taller, he naturally chose to widen its diameter. When the diameter of the Tree of Origin reached 200 meters, he felt a strange sensation, as if he was closer to becoming a Dou Sheng.
It was then that Xiao Ze realized this was his Nine-Turn Saint Method! As long as he continued to widen the diameter of the Tree of Origin, he could eventually reach sainthood. If 200 meters wasn't enough, he'd go for 400 meters, and if that wasn't enough, then 1,000 meters! As long as he kept progressing towards the saint realm's threshold, he would one day cross it.
Xiao Ze sensed the Tree of Origin in his void space, its diameter slowly expanding, and a smile appeared on his face. As long as he continued to widen it, he would one day reach the threshold of Dou Sheng, and breaking through would be a natural result.
"Although I don't know how wide the diameter needs to be to reach sainthood, as long as I keep widening it, I will eventually bridge this chasm!" Xiao Ze touched his storage ring, took out a pill emitting strong energy waves, and put it in his mouth, saying with some regret, "If I had known the diameter of the Tree of Origin was so important, I would have focused more on widening it earlier. But it's not too late now."
(End of chapter)
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