Chapter 72: The Great Families Alliance
Outside Qingfeng Valley, the strange figure that had just departed from the Grand Elder’s estate hurried along at great speed.
“Ai. If not for this demonic chaos, I truly would not have wanted to leave the Li Clan.”
A woman’s voice sighed from beneath the black robe.
“Indeed. The Li Clan treated us very well. But sadly, our lives come first.”
a man’s voice replied from under the robe.
“Now that the demonic chaos has arrived, Baihe County is no longer a place where we can remain. Senior Brother, where do we go next?”
“Let us head for the prefectural city first. There are many experts there, and for the moment it is still relatively safe. As for the future, we will judge according to circumstances.”
the male voice decided.
“I will follow Senior Brother in all things.”
But as they spoke, the strange figure suddenly came to a halt.
Not far ahead, a tall man stood there with his hands clasped behind his back, facing away from them.
Slowly, the man turned around, revealing a face the strange figure knew all too well.
“Second Elder, why have you come?”
The man was none other than the Li Clan’s Second Elder, Li Xuanzhong.
Li Xuanzhong gave a faint smile and stroked his beard.
“The two of you have served the Li Clan for quite some time. By order of the Family Head, I have come to send you off personally.”
The expression under the black robe changed at once, though the figure forced a smile.
“The Family Head is too courteous. I—”
Before the sentence could be finished, the strange figure suddenly fled in the opposite direction at top speed.
In the eyes of the strange figure, their speed was already extremely fast. Yet to Li Xuanzhong, it was not even as quick as a tortoise’s crawl.
With a cold laugh, Li Xuanzhong caught up in no more than three breaths. Red light wrapped around his hand as he struck out with a palm. A gigantic blood-red handprint descended from the sky, casting a vast shadow across the ground.
Disaster loomed overhead. The strange figure dropped to its knees with shocking decisiveness and began begging for mercy.
“Second Elder, spare our lives! We know we were wrong! We know we were wrong!”
BOOM!
Li Xuanzhong ignored their pleas completely. The huge crimson handprint crashed down, smashing the earth into four fragments and sending dust and smoke billowing everywhere.
“Only now do you know you were wrong? Too late! You ate the Li Clan’s food, used the Li Clan’s resources, and when the time came for you to risk your lives, you wanted to leave. Where in this world is there such a convenient bargain?”
Li Xuanzhong sneered, then clasped his hands behind his back and walked away.
When the thick dust finally cleared, a massive pit several zhang wide had appeared in the earth.
As for the strange figure, it had already been reduced to a puddle of bloody pulp.
The Heavenly Crippled Twin Elders, who had made no small name for themselves in several surrounding counties, died soundlessly in the wilderness, leaving not the slightest ripple behind.
......
Meanwhile, the Li Clan’s flying hawk letters swiftly delivered the invitation to all the major powers of Baihe County.
The moment the various powers received the invitation, every one of them turned grim. Then, without exception, they all set out for Qingfeng Valley.
Within Qingfeng Valley, squad after squad of Li Clan disciples jogged out in formation. They wore identical black martial attire, with sabers and swords hanging at their waists, and lined up along both sides of the valley road.
One hour later, the closer powers had already begun arriving one after another. There were seven in total, and the strongest among them was only at Perfection in the Physical Body Realm.
Following them came the Li Clan’s vassal powers, the Jiang family and the Hao family. Over the past year, both houses had followed behind the Li Clan and reaped no small amount of benefits, causing their clans to develop rapidly.
Among them, the Jiang family’s Family Head had already reached Half-Step Qi-Blood Realm cultivation, while Hao Zhongli had also advanced to Perfection in the Physical Body Realm. Both families had each added two more cultivators at the Physical Body Realm.
After them came the powers that were farther from Qingfeng Valley. Last of all were the Zheng family and the Shangguan family.
Since there were too many guests today, the guest hall could no longer accommodate them all. Thus, the Li Clan had cleared out its martial training plaza and filled it with tables and chairs.
The crowd took their seats one after another and began speaking with those they knew. Yet one thing was the same on every face: worry lay heavy upon them all.
“Ai. Now that the demonic chaos has come, I fear the decades of my family’s foundation are about to be ruined.”
one small family’s head sighed.
“Who says otherwise? Forget us little households. Even a great and powerful clan like the Qingfeng Li Clan is likely to struggle.”
someone immediately agreed.
“That damned demon race is truly hateful!”
“My wife’s natal family, a Qi-Blood Realm family in the neighboring county, has already been exterminated to the last!”
“If even a Qi-Blood Realm family cannot protect itself, then people like us have no hope at all.”
another said, his tone full of despair.
“Why don’t we just flee? Staying in Baihe County feels like nothing but a road to death.”
“Flee? To where? Right now, aside from the prefectural city, not a single place is safe. And besides, do you really think clans like the Li Clan and Zheng family will let you run? If you flee, where will they find cannon fodder?”
“At least you’re honest about your own worth.”
“Watch your tongue!”
......
“Silence! The Family Head has arrived!”
A thunderous voice rang out, and the entire plaza fell silent at once.
Everyone turned toward the source of the voice. They saw a young man striding forward beneath the escort of the Li Clan’s elders.
Everyone’s heart tightened.
There was no need to ask. This youth could only be the legendary young prodigy, the Family Head of the Qingfeng Li Clan.
Though Li Xingge’s name resounded through Baihe County like thunder, many present had never once laid eyes on him. They simply had not been qualified.
Li Xingge flicked his robes and took his seat at the head position with an expressionless face. His overbearing gaze, as though he looked down upon the world, instantly made everyone’s hearts tense.
All those present rose together, cupped their fists, and spoke respectfully.
“We greet Family Head Li!”
Li Xingge raised one hand.
“Please, sit.”
Then he looked toward the lower seat on the left. Seeing the elderly figure there, surprise flickered across his face.
“Old Senior, you came as well!”
That elderly figure was none other than the Zheng Clan’s Old Ancestor, Zheng Cangfeng.
Zheng Cangfeng gave a hearty laugh.
“When the land and homeland stand upon the brink of destruction, this old man naturally must also do his part.”
At the same time, as he sensed the unfathomable aura coming from Li Xingge, one that even made him faintly smell danger, Zheng Cangfeng’s heart shook.
This young prodigy had most likely taken yet another step forward.
If that was truly so, then in facing the demonic chaos to come, they had one more hope of survival. Li Xingge was a child of fortune. It was said that such beings could turn calamity into blessing. Perhaps the Zheng family really could survive this demon calamity.
“Old Senior is truly righteous and noble.”
Li Xingge replied with cupped fists.
Then Li Xingge also looked toward Chen Shuyao, the Chen family’s head, and the head of the Shangguan family, giving them each a nod.
After exchanging greetings with everyone, Li Xingge finally cleared his throat and spoke.
“Everyone, the reason for gathering you here has already been stated in the invitation. The demonic chaos is about to descend. At this moment of life and death, only by standing united can we hope to weather this disaster. I intend to form the Baihe County Great Families Alliance and choose an Alliance Leader to guide all of us in resisting the demonic chaos!”
The moment Li Xingge’s words fell, Chen Shuyao, the head of the Chen family, stepped out at once.
“Family Head Li is wise and righteous. My Chen family is the first to agree, and my Chen family is willing to honor Family Head Li as Alliance Leader!”
At that, many inwardly cursed him for how shamelessly he sought to curry favor with his master. After all, everyone already knew the Chen family was nothing more than the Li Clan’s dog. The Li Clan’s other vassal families also began voicing their support one after another.
Before long, nearly half the powers present had already declared their support. The eyes of those who remained turned instead toward Zheng Cangfeng.
His stance would decide everything.
The old man slowly rose to his feet beneath everyone’s watchful gaze.
“The Dongjiang Zheng Clan is willing to form this alliance and honor Family Head Li as Alliance Leader!”
With his declaration, the head of the Shangguan family also spoke.
“The Shangguan family is likewise willing to honor Family Head Li as Alliance Leader!”
The attitudes of those two great families announced the official founding of the Baihe County Great Families Alliance. And with it, Li Xingge formally became its Alliance Leader—the true foremost figure of Baihe County.