Chapter 369: Chapter 369: Negotiation
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I’m sure you already know the reason I invited you all here today."
Xiao Yan’s voice was calm and steady as it rang out in the grand hall.
"Within the empire, only by possessing a truly powerful force can a nation’s position be elevated. Now that the Yun Lan Sect has been destroyed, we intend to build a force even stronger than them—one that can deter those petty powers from surrounding empires."
His tone grew firm: "And today, for those of you willing to join this alliance—I, Xiao Yan, can promise you this: your future status and gains will be far beyond what you currently enjoy!"
As his words fell, the hall grew momentarily quiet.
But soon, Mu Chen, head of the Mu Clan, raised a question: "May I ask—if we were to join this alliance, what position would our respective forces occupy within it?"
The moment Mu Chen spoke, apart from Hai Bodong, Ya Fei, Fa Ma, and Qie Mi Er of the Alchemist Association, the rest of the clan representatives all nodded slightly in agreement.
The alliance did indeed sound promising, but what mattered more to them was what benefits they would actually receive. This needed to be made clear before the alliance was officially formed.
"Hehe, regarding that—allow me to explain," said Xiao Ding, taking over smoothly.
"Since this is called an alliance, it means we are all parts of a united whole, each of us an irreplaceable cornerstone."
"This alliance will have the duty to protect all its members. We rise together, and we fall together."
"To put it bluntly—even though your clans hold some sway within the Jia Ma Empire, you have no real influence in the broader northwestern region."
"But once this alliance is formed, all of you will grow stronger than ever before."
"The alliance isn’t just for the benefit of the Xiao Clan," Xiao Ding said with a smile. "Everyone here stands to gain opportunities that were previously impossible."
Upon hearing this, several heads nodded in thought.
Xiao Ding glanced at Xiao Yan and Wei Yang before continuing.
"Once the alliance is established, we’ll create a specialized training institution dedicated to nurturing strong individuals. This institute will become one of the most crucial pillars of the alliance—constantly supplying fresh blood and power."
"As members of the alliance, you’ll all be able to recommend the most talented individuals from your clans for training, allowing them to enjoy the alliance’s resources."
"There, they will receive the most comprehensive training."
"The cultivation techniques, Dou Techniques, pills, and other resources offered there will far surpass anything your clans could ever provide. And their future accomplishments will likely exceed even your greatest expectations."
These words caused the eyes of Mu Chen, Nalan Jie, and others to light up.
Now this—this was the benefit that truly made them waver.
Say what you want, but with Wei Yang alone backing the alliance, even if he just leaked a bit of his resources, it would be enough to make them all green with envy.
Take, for example, the Mighty Huang Pill that Wei Yang had refined three days ago at the Alchemist Association, right in front of the public. That one pill alone had left countless people salivating.
And according to some whispers coming from inside the association, that pill had been specially made by Wei Yang to celebrate the alliance’s founding.
Naturally, that pill would eventually be stored in the treasury of the alliance, and become one of its strategic assets.
"Hehe... then, if we were to join the alliance, what would we be required to give in return?" Nalan Jie asked with a smile, keeping his tone respectful.
Xiao Ding replied plainly, "Anyone who joins the alliance must no longer consider themselves solely as a clan, but instead must view the alliance as their new family—and act to protect all its interests."
His words may have sounded simple, but everyone present understood the deeper meaning.
To truly follow through with that would require great sacrifice—and abandonment of much.
As a result, Mu Chen and the others looked momentarily stunned, hesitation flashing across their faces.
If they joined, their individual clan identities would effectively cease to exist.
From then on, they would serve the alliance as their core, and dedicate everything to it.
"Everyone," Xiao Ding added, "This alliance doesn’t belong to any one person. It belongs to all of us."
"We will establish an Elder Council—the highest decision-making body of the alliance. Even the Alliance Leader will be subject to its rulings."
"Since we are founding the alliance now, all present clans will have a seat on the council. But in the future, that level of privilege will not be so easy to come by."
He said this with a calm smile.
These words caused some of the hesitation on Nalan Jie and the others’ faces to fade—but even so, none of them could make a decision right away.
After all, what they were being asked to give up—was nothing less than everything their clans had built.
At this moment, Wei Yang furrowed his brows and spoke, his voice slow but cold: "Your so-called clan interests... in my eyes, they’re hardly worth mentioning. As for the things you possess, I’ve never even placed them in my sights. What I care about—is only your attitude."
"If you cannot treat the alliance as your core and are unwilling to give everything for it—then tell me, what use do I have for you?"
Upon hearing this, Nalan Jie and the others instantly froze, awkward smiles spreading across their faces. None of them dared to speak.
Wei Yang’s words were harsh—but when one thought it over, they weren’t wrong.
From his level of power and perspective, the meager strength of these clan forces really was nothing worth coveting. What he truly cared about... was their sincerity and loyalty.
"Hehe, my Mittel Clan has no objections. In that case, allow me to be the first Elder of this alliance’s Elder Council." Hai Bodong stood up, laughing loudly as he voiced his support.
Hearing this, the others couldn’t help but twitch their faces slightly, secretly curling their lips.
Everyone here was a seasoned old fox. Don’t be fooled by all this talk about unity and shared vision—that kind of thing only held up in times of true crisis.
In private, of course there would still be favoritism, selfish motives, alliances and backroom dealings. That was just human nature.
And the Mittel Clan, having already climbed into bed with the Xiao Clan, had nothing to lose.
With Xiao Yan as the alliance leader, how could they possibly suffer any losses?
Jia Xingtian, Yao Ye, Mu Chen, and Nalan Jie exchanged looks.
Then, with a clench of his teeth, Mu Chen stood up and declared: "In that case, my Mu Clan will also join the alliance. I only hope that in the future, Mister Wei Yang and Mister Xiao Yan will treat our Mu Clan kindly."
Wei Yang nodded slightly, a flicker of approval in his eyes.
"Joining the alliance means we are one family. If anyone dares to lay a finger on the Mu Clan—they’ll have to get past me first," Xiao Yan said in a deep, steady voice.
With the Mu Clan agreeing, Nalan Jie could only let out a bitter laugh.
At this point, if he dared to oppose, the consequences would be disastrous.
Xiao Yan had already been less than fond of the Nalan Clan to begin with. If the clan were now excluded from the alliance, the result would be all too obvious...
Thus: "The Nalan Clan also agrees to join the alliance."
With three major clans now onboard, the atmosphere in the grand hall relaxed considerably. The tension lifted, replaced by a lighter, more amicable air.
Xiao Yan shifted his gaze from Nalan Jie and the others, and turned it toward the seemingly half-asleep Fa Ma, who sat in leisure like an old Buddha.
Smiling faintly, Xiao Yan said: "President Fa Ma, I wonder if you have any thoughts to share?"
Fa Ma slowly opened his eyes and spoke in an unhurried tone: "Our Alchemist Association will also join the alliance. However, unlike clans, we are a professional organization. The Association does not have strict control or binding authority over our members."
"Many alchemists in the Association are free agents. Even I cannot dictate their choices. I hope you understand that, little friend Xiao Yan."
"I understand," Xiao Yan nodded calmly.
The Alchemist Association had always been a relatively loose organization. Xiao Yan had long been aware that Fa Ma couldn’t represent all the alchemists’ wills.
But what Xiao Yan wanted—was not total control, only Fa Ma’s public endorsement.
Titles and affiliations sometimes carry tremendous weight.
As long as the Alchemist Association was nominally part of the alliance, that was enough.
That alone made it a subsidiary faction of the alliance in name.
And once this status was established, would the alliance ever need to worry about a lack of pills? Or a shortage of alchemists?
With this symbolic inclusion, the alliance’s strength was destined to soar.
"I agree to let the Alchemist Association join the alliance," Vice President Qie Mi Er chimed in.
"But this only represents the Association as an entity. As for the many alchemists inside—whether they choose to collaborate with or join the alliance is up to them. We cannot force their hands."
"No problem!"
Xiao Yan beamed, agreeing without hesitation.
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