Xiao Se used thunderous means to easily slay the six-star Dou Zong, Protector Wu, without exerting much effort. On the plaza, the gazes everyone directed toward Xiao Se were once again filled with awe.
However, when they saw how intimate Xiao Se and Yun Yun were, their minds suddenly struggled to process it. These two had only met a few times at the Alchemist Convention; when exactly did they get together?
"Brother Xiao Huohuo, you and Sect Master Yun..." Jia Xingtian asked with a respectful tone and a face full of confusion.
"Heh, Yun'er is my woman now. Also, Xiao Huohuo is just my alias; my real name is Xiao Se. I had to hide my identity before for certain reasons." Xiao Se smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping calmly over everyone before he removed his Golden Silkworm Mask to reveal his true face.
Since he planned to create the Sea Alliance, there was no need to continue hiding his identity. Furthermore, none of the people present could pose a threat to him.
Seeing this, everyone except for Yun Yun, Hai Bodong, Yun Shan, Nalan Yanran, and Fama, who already knew Xiao Se's identity, was shocked. Although it was an open secret that Xiao Huohuo might have been using a disguise, they still couldn't help but be startled when they saw Xiao Se's true face.
His clear, pitch-black pupils were deep and bottomless. His long black hair draped over his shoulders, yet it didn't feel out of place. With a near-perfect face, he seemed like the embodiment of the world's finest essence, gathering handsomeness, nobility, and elegance into one.
Xiao Se was simply too young—excessively so. He was about the same age as Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan, who had just finished their three-year agreement; he was at most seventeen, and certainly no older than eighteen.
"You are the Xiao Se that everyone outside is talking about?" Standing beside Nalan Yanran, Nalan Jie felt terrified, his face full of disbelief. Xiao Se was from the Xiao Family, and he had been the one to approve Nalan Yanran's annulment of the marriage. Did that mean—? Thinking of this, a drop of cold sweat dripped from Nalan Jie's forehead.
Xiao Se glanced at Nalan Jie and nodded faintly in response.
Seeing that Xiao Se didn't seem very fond of him, a trace of embarrassment and helplessness appeared on Nalan Jie's old face.
Seeing this, Nalan Yanran naturally knew that Xiao Se disliked her grandfather, Nalan Jie. She immediately leaned over and whispered a few words into Nalan Jie's ear. Hearing this, the terror and unease in the latter's heart finally eased slightly.
"Heh, GrandmasterXiao Se truly has a boundless future." Fama couldn't help but praise.
"Guild Leader Fama, you flatter me. Last time, I had to thank you for helping me hide my identity." Xiao Se smiled.
Fama hadn't expected to form a good connection with Xiao Se because of such a small matter. He immediately laughed heartily and said, "It was a small matter. Besides, GrandmasterXiao Se did not violate the convention's rules at the time."
Watching Fama appear so familiar with Xiao Se, and seeing that Hai Bodong didn't show the slightest surprise, Jia Xingtian couldn't help but ask, "Old Man Fama, Old Man Hai, you knew about this long ago?"
Hearing this, Hai Bodong and Fama exchanged a smile and nodded lightly.
Seeing this situation, a strong sense of crisis welled up in Jia Xingtian's heart. As the guardian of the Gama Royal Family, he had always taken it upon himself to maintain the Gama Royal Family's rule over the Jia Ma Empire. For this reason, he had always been wary of the colossal Cloud Mist Sect and kept a close watch on major powers like the Alchemist Guild and the Mittel Family.
Now that Xiao Se had emerged and Yun Shan had broken through to Dou Zong, the balance had been broken. With his current strength at Dou Huang Peak, he was no longer capable of protecting the Gama Royal Family.
The Gama Royal Family could face the crisis of being replaced or even destroyed at any moment.
The Mittel Family had Ya Fei, and the Cloud Mist Sect had Yun Yun.
Should he... should he learn from those two old fellows, Yun Shan and Hai Bodong?
Xiao Se didn't know what Jia Xingtian was thinking, and even if he did, he wouldn't care. A mere Dou Huang Peak was nothing; even if he broke through to Dou Zong, he was an expendable existence.
Without further pleasantries, Xiao Se directly stated his purpose: "Everyone, after the incident with Protector Wu, I believe you all clearly realize the danger posed by the Hall of Souls. They can coerce and induce you to act as a Puppet, and in the end, like they schemed against SeniorYun Shan, they plant a secret technique within you to devour your Soul—the same one that the Soul Hall Protector used before he died. Fortunately, I discovered it early and took preventive measures; otherwise, SeniorYun Shan might have truly died under Protector Wu's Ten Thousand Ghosts Soul Devouring Technique."
After speaking, Xiao Se discreetly gave Hai Bodong a look.
Hai Bodong understood instantly and began to play along with Xiao Se, taking turns playing the bad cop and the good cop. He replied, "What should we do then? The Hall of Souls is mysterious and unpredictable; it's impossible to defend against."
"Old Hai's question is exactly what I intended to address. Three days from now, I will publicly refine a Break-Sect Pill at the Imperial Capital Square and establish the Sea Alliance to specifically resist the invasion of the Hall of Souls. Although the Hall of Souls is strong, for certain reasons, they cannot send Dou Zong experts to the Jia Ma Empire. As long as we are united, we can slay them, just like SeniorYun Shan and I did to Protector Wu today." A mysterious smile appeared on Xiao Se's face.
"In that case, the Mittel Family is willing to honor Brother Xiao Se as the Alliance Leader and join the Sea Alliance to resist the invasion of the Hall of Souls together." As previously discussed, Hai Bodong was the first to respond to the call. He knew of Xiao Se's potential; not to mention the Break-Sect Pill three days later, even just Xiao Se's relationship with Ya Fei was enough for him to bet his life and the family's future on Xiao Se.
"Old Hai is truly straightforward. As the first Elder to join my Sea Alliance, that Break-Sect Pill in three days shall belong to you, Old Hai." Xiao Se smiled slightly, having made this bold declaration.
"Ah!" Hearing that Hai Bodong had received the Break-Sect Pill immediately after being the first to agree, Jia Xingtian, Fama, Nalan Jie, Mu Chen, and the others were instantly dumbfounded. Their eyes revealed undisguised envy and greed. This was a Break-Sect Pill, a pill that could increase the chance of a Dou Huang Peak expert breaking through to Dou Zong, and even if it failed, their cultivation Realm wouldn't regress!
With the first, there would naturally be a second. Sure enough, Mu Family Head Mu Chen and Nalan Family patriarch Nalan Jie, having witnessed Xiao Se's power and heard him promise the Break-Sect Pill to Hai Bodong, immediately responded to the call.
"My Mu Family is also willing to join the Sea Alliance and honor Lord Xiao Se as the Alliance Leader."
"My Nalan Family is also willing to join the Sea Alliance and honor Lord Xiao Se as the Alliance Leader."
Nalan Jie and Mu Chen stood up and bowed to Xiao Se.
"Good, I welcome the joining of Family Head Nalan and Family Head Mu. Since that is the case, I, Xiao, will not treat you unfairly. Both of your cultivation levels are stuck around the five-star Dou Wang level. These are two sixth-rank Dou Ling Pills, which can help you quickly break through one star in your cultivation at the Dou Wang level." Xiao Se lightly touched his storage ring, and two jade bottles flew out, hovering before the two men.
Looking at the jade bottles before them, Nalan Jie and Mu Chen were excited and swallowed hard. A Dou Ling Pill—it was actually a Dou Ling Pill! Although it was also a sixth-rank Medicinal Pill, its value was far inferior to the Huangji Pill and the Break-Sect Pill. However, it depended on who was using it. Given their age, they would likely reach the Peak of Dou Wang at best and would never hope to break through to Dou Huang in their lifetime. Therefore, compared to the former two, the Dou Ling Pill clearly suited their needs better. Besides, even if they had the Huangji Pill or the Break-Sect Pill, they wouldn't dare accept them. Facing these two Heaven-Defying pills, who knew when one or two Dou Huang experts might pop out to kill them and steal the treasures?
The two men raised their trembling hands. Just as they were about to grasp the jade bottles, Xiao Se's voice rang in their ears again, "Two Family Heads, accepting my Dou Ling Pills means you have joined the Sea Alliance. I will not interfere with your clan affairs normally, but if any of you dare to do anything that harms the Sea Alliance, I will never show mercy."
It is said that one must combine kindness with severity. Since the kindness had been given, it was time to establish authority. As he spoke, surging Dou Qi flowed around Xiao Se's body, sweeping toward Nalan Jie and Mu Chen. The latter two lost their footing, stumbled, and nearly fell to the ground.
"A Dou Zong expert is truly terrifying." Sighing inwardly, Nalan Jie and Mu Chen wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads and bowed to Xiao Se, "We understand, subordinate."
After Xiao Se nodded, they fearfully put away the Dou Ling Pills.
"Teacher." Yun Yun looked toward Yun Shan.
Xiao Se was Yun Yun's man, so she had no reason not to support him. Moreover, with a powerhouse like Xiao Se, who possessed Dou Zong cultivation and was also a Seventh-Rank Alchemist, joining the Sea Alliance would bring only benefits and no harm to the Cloud Mist Sect. However, before that, she still needed to seek her teacher's permission, as Yun Shan had dedicated his entire life to the Cloud Mist Sect!
"Sigh." Hearing this, Yun Shan sighed softly and slowly said, "You are the Sect Master; the future direction of the Cloud Mist Sect is yours to decide."
Xiao Se's rise was now unstoppable. The Gama Royal Family couldn't stop it, and neither could the Cloud Mist Sect. Furthermore, the Cloud Mist Sect had already offended the Hall of Souls. If another Soul Hall Protector were to attack in the future, he and Yun Yun would be unable to stop them on their own. Additionally, given the relationship between Yun Yun and Xiao Se, Yun Shan had no reason to oppose. Of course, opposition didn't seem to be of much use anyway.
Yun Yun nodded heavily and said solemnly to Xiao Se, "Alliance Leader Xiao, my Cloud Mist Sect is also willing to join the Sea Alliance."
Xiao Se smiled and gently stroked Yun Yun's beautiful face, chuckling, "Yun'er, do we need to be so formal between us?"
"I am me, and the Cloud Mist Sect is the Cloud Mist Sect; they cannot be lumped together." Yun Yun's pretty face turned red, and her gaze flickered evasively.
"As you wish." Xiao Se smiled and shook his head. His gaze turned toward the last two, Jia Xingtian and Fama.
After a long while, Fama spoke first, bowing and politely declining, "I apologize, Alliance Leader Xiao. The Alchemist Guild does not belong to me alone; I need to be responsible for all the Alchemists in the entire Jia Ma Empire."
It was true that Fama admired Xiao Se's alchemy skills, but one had to consider the situation. When it came to the Alchemist Guild, he could not decide whether to join based on his personal wishes.
"No matter, Guild Leader Fama doesn't need to rush to answer now." Xiao Se waved his hand, not paying too much attention. The so-called responsibility for all Alchemists in the Jia Ma Empire was just because the benefits weren't significant enough. In the original work, when Xiao Yan produced a remnant Soul cultivation technique, Fama agreed eagerly enough.
"Thank you for your understanding." Fama breathed a sigh of relief. He was truly afraid that Xiao Se would vent his anger on the Alchemist Guild because of this.
Finally, only Jia Xingtian remained. With the Mittel Family, the Nalan Family, the Mu Family, and even the colossal Cloud Mist Sect joining the Sea Alliance, it could be said that the Gama Royal Family had truly become isolated in the Jia Ma Empire.
Although they still controlled the national army, in the eyes of a Dou Zong expert—especially a powerful Dou Zong like Xiao Se who possessed Heavenly Flame—it didn't seem to have any deterrent power. If one million came, one million would die; if he released a wave of Heavenly Flame, the entire army wouldn't even have any ashes left.
The Gama Royal Family had absolutely no room to refuse.
Moreover, Xiao Se's terms were indeed very tempting. Hai Bodong, at Dou Huang Peak, was promised a Break-Sect Pill as soon as he joined. The Dou Wang-level Nalan Jie and Mu Chen each received a precious Dou Ling Pill. Not to mention the Cloud Mist Sect; Yun Yun was already just one step away from Dou Zong, and now as Xiao Se's woman, the benefits she would receive were unimaginable to ordinary people.
And he, Jia Xingtian, was at least a veteran Dou Huang Peak expert. If he joined, the chance of obtaining a Break-Sect Pill was still quite high.
However, for the sake of caution, he couldn't agree immediately; at the very least, he had to preserve the dignity of the Royal Family.
After thinking for a long time, Jia Xingtian bowed, "Alliance Leader Xiao, could you give me three days to consider? After three days, the Gama Royal Family will give you an answer."
"No matter." Xiao Se didn't show the slightest surprise. With the working style of this old fox who was a politician by trade, it would be strange if he agreed easily.
After saying this, Xiao Se began to discuss matters regarding the Sea Alliance with everyone.
After finishing a lot of idle talk, Xiao Se threw out another bombshell: "By the way, the Snake-People Tribe will also join the Sea Alliance."
The Snake-People Tribe? Hearing these three words, the people present were in an uproar.
"Alliance Leader, that is the Snake-People Tribe. It is rumored that the infamous Queen Medusa of the Snake-People Tribe broke through to Dou Zong over a year ago and even married a mysterious Seventh-Rank Alchemist." Yun Shan swallowed hard.
Hearing Yun Shan's words, Yun Yun, who was standing to the side, raised her beautiful eyes and glared fiercely at Xiao Se.
Feeling Yun Yun's gaze, Xiao Se blushed. Paper could not wrap up fire in the end; unsurprisingly, Yun Yun had already guessed his relationship with Medusa.
"Ahem, there's no need to worry about that; Queen Medusa will agree. As for Medusa's husband..." Xiao Se paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd with slight embarrassment, finally resting on Yun Yun's beautiful face, which was filled with resentment. He took a deep breath and said, "Medusa's husband is me. We have already been together since two years ago."
Crack! Everyone's eyes shattered. Their expressions were varied.
Yun Yun's face showed resentment, yet she was helpless.
Nalan Yanran was dumbfounded, her mind blank.
Fama revealed a cunning smile of someone who had been through it all.
As for Hai Bodong, Yun Shan, and the other men, every one of them cast looks of admiration and envy toward Xiao Se, almost giving him a thumbs-up.
This was Queen Medusa, the Queen Medusa who combined infamy and stunning beauty!
To be able to conquer even such a woman, it must be said that Xiao Se is the role model for all men in the world.
(End of Chapter)
[Get +50 Extra Chapters on - P@tr3on "RinBlaze"]
[Every 15 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]