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  "Taking over the Misty Cloud Sect?!!!" Xiao Ding was so shocked that his jaw nearly dropped.

  Rock Desert City was not too far from the Misty Cloud Sect, just the distance of a few cities apart. It was not as remote as from the Bck-er Region to Jia Ma Sacred City, but even a Dou King would o fly for a day and a night to reach it.

  Therefore, the test news Xiao Ding and Xiao Li had heard was that Yun Shan had broken through to the Dou Aor realm. In Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's minds, the Misty Cloud Sect was still the stro se the Jia Ma Empire, at the peak of its power.

  Now, they suddenly received a letter from their third brother, asking them t their father, the elders, high-ranking members, and promising disciples of the Xiao to the Misty Cloud Sect.

  Xiao Ding snatched the letter from Xiao Li's hand and quickly read through it.

  The letter was simple. It mentiohat the Xiao was f an alliah the Misty Cloud Sect, with the Xiao taking the lead. The Xiao was officially entering the Misty Cloud Sect!

  He wahe two brothers to go to Wu Tan City t their father to the Misty Cloud Sect.

  Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exged gnces, both seeing the sho each other's eyes.

  "What is Third Brother pnning?"

  "I don't know, but it definitely isn't something simple."

  …

  At this moment, Princess Yao Ye had set up a ba in the imperial pace of the Jia Ma Empire, and invited Xiao Yan, Yun Yun, and Nan Yanran to the pace.

  "Elder Jia, Princess Yao Ye, long time no see. May I ask the purpose of today's invitation?" Xiao Yan smiled and asked after finishing his meal and wiping his mouth.

  Xiao Yan was feigning ignorance.

  Jia Xing Tian chuckled and said, "Naturally, it's to gratute you."

  "Oh? Elder Jia, why do you say that? gratute me on what?" Xiao Yan blinked, putting on an i face.

  Princess Yao Ye rolled her eyes at Xiao Yan. This guy just loved to py dumb and a. She said, "Grandmaster Xiao Yan, I won't beat around the bush. As a representative of the Jia Ma Empire's imperial family, I wish to know the future development pns of the 'Yan Alliance' formed by your Xiao d the Misty Cloud Sect."

  After all, Xiao Yan had signifit ties with Medusa. They were afraid of another Misty Cloud Sect arising!

  Xiao Yan smiled and said, "Princess Yao Ye has misuood. Although the Yan Alliance is named after me, the retionship among its members is equal. No one is above anyone else. We are not a nation or an anization, and there is no so-called future development pn."

  "Not an anization? What do you mean, Grandmaster Xiao Yan?" Yao Ye asked, puzzled.

  Xiao Yan smiled, cleared his throat, and stood up slowly, gazing around the room. He said, "Our Yan Alliance is a free alliance based on mutual treaties. In a mahat does not harm peace, security, and justice, we aim to peacefully resolve any disputes that may involve the Yan Alliance, so that alliance members avoid threats among the various anizations and nations in the North-Western Region."

  "Our Yan Alliance follows a model of collective defense."

  "If any anization or individual unches an atta any one member of our Yan Allia will be sidered an atta all members. If su attack occurs, all alliance members will collectively defend and take severe and forceful retaliatory as and other necessary measures against the attacker."

  ⊙▽⊙???

  Hearing Xiao Yan's impassioned speed the specific terms of the Yan Allianot only were Princess Yao Ye and Jia Xing Tia stunned with their mouths agape, but even Yun Yun and Nan Yanran tilted their heads in fusion, question marks all over their faces.

  You didn't mention any of this before?!?

  "Uh... so, in other words..." Jia Xing Tian's mind was a bit muddled.

  "In other words," Xiao Yan's eyes sharpened as he said, "the Yan Alliance is different from other alliances. We do not interfere in each other's internal affairs, nor will we have any political or eic ties among our respective fas. Everything remains as it is. However, if any alliance member is attacked by aernal fa, all alliance members have the responsibility to step in to proted collectively retaliate."

  Princess Yao Ye frowned. She had initially thought that Xiao Yan inteo take over the Misty Cloud Sect for himself, but now it seemed that was not the case.

  A glint fshed in her eyes as she asked, "Grandmaster Xiao Yan, are you saying that your Yan Alliaruly will not interfere iernal affairs of its members?"

  Xiao Yan revealed a smile and said, "Our Yan Alliance is simply a free alliance of a collective defeure, established solely to resist external hostile fas."

  "Princess Yao Ye, you also know that the Misty Cloud Sect suffered a catastrophic camity due to a mysterious fa, bringing it to the brink of destru. This is to prevent su event from happening again."

  "However, once joined, one ot withdraw at will. After all, if everyone scatters like monkeys when a tree falls upon entering a strong enemy, then this alliance would be meaningless."

  Princess Yao Ye couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

  There was a hidden message in his words!

  Seeing that he had said enough, Xiao Yan picked up the napkin from the table, wiped his mouth, and smiled, "Thank you, Princess Yao Ye, for the splendid ba. I won't disturb you any longer. Sect Leader Yun Yun and I still have matters to handle regarding the Yan Alliance, so we'll return to the Misty Cloud Sect."

  Princess Yao Ye gazed deeply at Xiao Yan's departing figure. Only after he and Yun Yu did she speak, "I say with certainty that although Yun Yun is still the Sect Leader, the internal decisions of the Misty Cloud Sect are now primarily made by Xiao Yan."

  "I think so too. Just now, the surprised expression on Yun Yun's face said it all. She didn't utter a word during the meal," Jia Xing Tian agreed. Although he knew Yun Yun was naturally reserved and not fond of talking, the se just now seemed more like Xiao Yan was in charge.

  "Great-grandfather, what do you think of this Yan Alliance?" Princess Yao Ye's eyes sharpened as she asked in a deep voice.

  Jia Xing Tian sighed bitterly and shook his head, "No matter what, it's impossible to pletely disband the Misty Cloud Seow."

  Due to Yun Shan's death and most of the elders dying in battle, eveh-tier alchemist Gu He had left. With the news of the Misty Cloud Sect sacrifig ordinary people spreading, most of their disciples had run away, and their reputation had plummeted.

  This had given the Jia Ma Empire an opportunity to deploy troops to disband the Misty Cloud Sect.

  But now, Xiao Yan's intervention had caused the situation within the empire to bee somewhat strange.

  In the past, the undisputed hegemon of the Jia Ma Empire was the Misty Cloud Seow that it had fallen, the Qi Methods, Dou Teiques, and resources it possessed, and even the Misty ountain itself, which was a treasured nd for cultivation, had attracted the greed and covetous desire of many fas.

  Among them, the Jia Ma Imperial Family was naturally the most eager. They had larded the Misty Cloud Sect as a thorn in their side. The empire's iron cavalry had even vaguely shown signs of surrounding Misty ountain.

  Princess Yao Ye had even heard that some sects in the North-Western Region were pnning to join forces to rob the Misty Cloud Sect.

  Yet! Shortly after Yun Shan's death, the Little Leader of the Xiao , Xiao Yan, publicly annouhat the Xiao was f an alliah the Misty Cloud Sect!

  This directly stuhe Jia Ma Imperial Family and the fas that wao make a move on the Misty Cloud Sect. For a moment, they didn't know what Xiao Yan nning.

  Therefore, Princess Yao Ye had urgently invited Xiao Yan and Yun Yun to a bao iigate the situation.

  "Moreover, if I'm not mistaken, Xiao Yan expined so much to us not only to make us stop all as against the Misty Cloud Sect but also to have our Jia Ma Imperial Family join this Yan Alliance." Yao Ye rubbed her forehead. She had been closely monit the every move of the Misty Cloud Sect these days. For this behemoth located he imperial capital, the imperial family had been worried and apprehensive for who knew how many years. Now that there portunity to topple it, naturally, they wouldn't give it any ce to reverse the situation.

  "Xiao Yan is giving us a guarahat we don't have to worry about his Xiao rising and overthrowing the rule of the Jia Ma Imperial Family."

  Xiao Yan's rise was iable, which also posed a threat to the Jia Ma Imperial Family. Now that Xiao Yan had proposed this Yan Alliareaty, it meant that as long as the Jia Ma Imperial Family was also a member, whether it was the Misty Cloud Sect or the Xiao , they would always aowledge the Jia Ma Imperial Family as the ruler of the Jia Ma Empire and not interfere with each other.

  This was extremely important for the Jia Ma Imperial Family.

  "You mean, we should join this Yan Alliance of his?" Jia Xing Tian was taken aback.

  "Other than that, there's no other way. Xiao Yan is not just about his strong potential as an alchemist anymore. His methods are equally brilliant, and most terrifyingly, his cultivation talent is in no way inferior to his alchemy talent."

  "The help our Jia Ma Imperial Family has given Xiao Yan is more like a transa. Uhe Miteer . we haven't bestowed any signifit favors upon him. If Xiao Yan truly bees powerful enough, even if he doesn't io overthrow our rule, his might not think the same way." Yao Ye nodded helplessly. Although there was some trickery back then, the fact remaihat Xiao Yan had frohe Misty Cloud Sect even when Yun Shan resent.

  He had no she of powerful people around him. If they were to anger him and he directly dispatched Medusa, how mae experts in this imperial city could tend with her?

  Since force wasn't an option, aside from adopting a ciliatory approach, what else could they do?

  Jia Xing Tian frowned, lightly tapping his finger oable. After a moment, he sighed and said, "Alright, let's try it your way. I hope this kid truly means it, that this is just a collective defense alliao resist other fas."

  Yao Ye smiled faintly when she saw Jia Xing Tian nod. After p for a while, she suddenly said, "Actually, the dee of the Misty Cloud Sect is a signifit drawback for our Jia Ma Empire. Without the Misty Cloud Sect, our Jia Ma Empire won't even have the qualifications to participate iure North-Western Region's Great Meeting of Fas. In that case, the Chu Yun Empire might unch a full-scale atta us."

  Internal troubles aernal threats—losing the Misty Cloud Sect wasirely a good thing.

  Sects and empires stood like a forest throughout the North-Western Region. Every five years, a Great Meeting of Fas was held by some of the stro fas in the region.

  Their purpose wasn't anything good; it was just some ambitious fellows wanting to unify all the fas in the North-Western Region and bee aehat could rival the top fas on the ti.

  "inally, with Yun Shan being a Dou Aor, the Misty Cloud Sect should have been able to rank among the first-rate fas at the Great Meeting of Fas, standing on equal footing with the Chu Yun Empire. Now, we only hope that Xiao Yan's reputation deter the Chu Yun Empire. Otherwise, I'm afraid war will break out." Yao Ye massaged her temples. Running an empire was too difficult; there were so many things to sider.

  Jia Xing Tian frowned and said, "Retly, those two Dou Emperors eared in Yan City were found to be from the Sky Serpent Mansion. The Sky Serpent Nation is located in the ter of the North-Western Region. Back then, the Mansion Leader of the Sky Serpent Mansion nearly defeated all the sect leaders at the Great Meeting of Fas and became the overlord of the region, but was intercepted by the Thunderbolt Sect. Plus, there's the current rising power called the Sky Heart Empire. Joining this Yan Alliance might not be a bad decision after all."

  "Mm, if our Jia Ma Empire ot produce a strong fa and powerful experts to make a good showing, I'm afraid our position in the North-Western Region will bee increasingly insignifit. If we attract the attention of other empires, then it will be troublesome," Yao Ye sighed.

  Jia Xing Tian nodded slightly, his eyes flickering for a moment before he said in a deep voice, "Looks like we'll have to rely on Xiao Yan. Alright, let's trust this kid this time!"

  "Great-grandfather won't be disappointed," Yao Ye smiled.

  "Oh, you have such fiden him?" Jia Xing Tian looked at Yao Ye with a strange expression. Sing over her pretty face, he suddenly ughed, "Yao Ye, could it be that you've taken a liking to that kid?"

  "Great-grandfather, what nonsense are you talking!" Yao Ye's face immediately turned flushed red upon hearing Jia Xing Tian's words as she spoke in a pampered manner.

  "That kid's talent is the most terrifying I've seen in all these years. His looks aren't bad either, and his cold but resolute personality makes him an excellent choice. If you really like him, Great-grandfather help you propose. If our two families form a marriage alliance, I also be pletely at ease." Jia Xing Tian stroked his beard and said with a smile, as if he hadn't noticed Yao Ye's blushing cheeks.

  "Don't even think about it. That guy already has beauties like Medusa by his side—women who bring down nations with their looks. Even if you want to marry Yao Ye off, he might not necessarily want me." Yao Ye rolled her eyes at Jia Xing Tian and shook her head helplessly.

  Jia Xing Tian furrowed his brow upon hearing this. Xiao Yan's luck with women was indeed a bit exaggerated. He casually ted on his fingers and almost couldn't keep track.

  …

  At this moment, back at the Misty Cloud Sect, Xiao Yan was unaware of Yao Ye and Jia Xing Tian's musings. He was currently trying to persuade Medusa.

  "You want my Snake-People Tribe to join your Yan Alliance?" Medusa's enting snake-like eyes gnced sideways at Xiao Yan not far away, the ers of her mouth curling up into a cold smile.

  This man was being more and more fanciful.

  Xiao Yan chuckled, rubbed his nose, and nodded, "Our Yan Alliance won't interfere with the internal operations of the Snake-People Tribe."

  Medusa stood up slowly, her figure as alluring as ever. She revealed a tempting smile and said, "If the Misty Cloud Sect were still the Misty Cloud Sect of old, then I might have sidered it. But now, your so-called collective defense of the Yan Alliao put it bluntly, isn't it just relying on me alone?"

  Xiao Yan was not embarrassed to have his scheme exposed by Queen Medusa in a single sentence. He tinued, "You 't say it like that. Think about it; I'm at least a high-grade 5th-tier alchemist now and bound to bee a Dou Aor or Dou Vee iure. F an allianow is a guaranteed profit with no loss. Besides, even a broken ship still has three pounds of nails. Yun Yun is a 4-star Dou Emperor, and there's Nan Yanran who received Yun Po Tian's iance. Moreover, Old Hai's Miteer has close ties with me."

  "Although it's not firmed yet, I believe the Jia Ma Imperial Family will be willing to join the Yan Alliance."

  "In that case, no one will dare to attack your Snake-People Tribe anymore, and it bring about peace."

  Queen Medusa g Xiao Yan and thought for a moment before saying, "Heh, my Snake-People Tribe has been at war with you humans feions, and an indelible blood feud has long been imprinted. Even if I agree, the other sribes won't be willing."

  Seeing that Medusa was starting to waver, Xiao Yan took out a map without another word, poio the Snake-People Tribe's territory, and said, "As far as I know, there are four empires b the Snake-People Tribe. Besides the Jia Ma Empire, there are the Chu Yun Empire, the Mu Lan Empire, and the Luo Yan Empire. These three empires are the ohat most frequently attack your Snake-People Tribe, aren't they?"

  The reason was very simple. Among the four empires, the weakest was the Jia Ma Empire. Back then, the Jia Ma Empire didn't even have a Dou Aor. If it weren't for the Snake-People Tribe iween, these three empires would have swallowed the Jia Ma Empire long ago.

  "What are y to say?"

  "By joining the Yan Alliance, your Snake-People Tribe will not only have one less enemy but also gain three allies. If these three empires attack your Snake-People Tribe again, we would have the responsibility to assist you and could even help you terattack them. At that time, you settle the scores however you want." Xiao Yan dropped a heavy bombshell.

  Medusa's brows furrowed. It was undeniable that Xiao Yan's words were very tempting.

  She naturally khe enormous predit the Snake-People Tribe was currently fag as their queen. Otherwise, she wouldn't have taken the risk to evolve.

  Xiao Yan saw that Queen Medusa was somewhat moved. He poio the location of the Misty Cloud Sect, drew a circle with his finger, and said, "To show our siy, I've discussed with Sect Leader Yun Yun. If you, Queen Medusa, are willing to have your Snake-People Tribe join the Yan Alliahen this area within the Misty ountain Range be given to you."

  ! ! ! ? ? ?

  Medusa's beautiful eyes tracted as she looked at the vast mountain ralined by Xiao Yan's finger.

  "I know your Snake-People only live in the desert out of y. Although this mountain range isn't very rge, it still aodate nearly half a tribe of Snake-People. As the queen, there's no reason you wouldn't know the value of this treasured nd of the Misty Cloud Sect." Xiao Yan's smile was like that of a devil.

  For a moment, it was hard to tell who was truly the natural charmer. Xiao Yan's words made Medusa's breathing qui, her heart pounding.

  Snake-People were cold-blooded. They preferred dark, damp, secluded pces with lush vegetation. Although there were some snake species that liked dry deserts, they were very few.

  The Snake-People were forced to establish their tribe in the desert. Back when Xiao Yao the Snake People Pace, it was an oasis, and Medusa's bedchamber was filled with pnts.

  When Medusa saw the grandeur of the Misty Cloud Sect, the envy in her eyes was unmistakable, and Xiao Yan had keenly noticed it.

  He guessed that Medusa greatly desired a forested wetnd.

  And now, he just happeo have such a dition in his hands.

  "Are you truly willing to give me this mountain forest a my people live here?" Medusa's beautiful eyes looked seriously at Xiao Yan as she asked solemnly.

  These words had a sed yer of meaning. There were, after all, i issues between the Snake-People and humans. Allowing the Snake-People to enter was akin to inviting a wolf into the house. While the wolf might not necessarily be bad, there was a ce it could be.

  Xiao Yan said calmly, "As long as you, Queen Medusa, manage your people well, this mountain forest is yours."

  The Misty Cloud Sect was a big piece of fat meat. This wasn't just about the Dou Teiques, Qi Methods, and resources accumuted by the Misty Cloud Sect; the nd itself was equally valuable.

  And now that the Misty Cloud Sect was emptied of people, it gave Xiao Yan an opportunity to maneuver.

  There was no way he would let go of this fat pieeat that was the Misty Cloud Sect. If the Xiao wao rise, the Misty Cloud Sect erfectly suited for that purpose.