Everyone rose and bowed in return, not daring to remain seated.
"How dare we, how could we presumptuously thank the Hall Master? If it weren't for the Hall Master's brilliant strategy and his singular effort in killing the enemy, how could we be sitting here discussing matters?"
"Hall Master, we cannot accept your grand gesture. Please rise quickly."
"The Hall Master's merit in this battle is immense, and we are all sincerely convinced."
The crowd spoke one after another, elevating Wan Lei to a very high status. Among those who rose to return the禮 were the three cultivators at the Tribulation Crossing stage from the Fang family.
Wan Lei waved his hand, and everyone sat down again. At this moment, Xi Renjun also entered.
"Reporting to the Hall Master, the casualties of our side and the number of enemies slain in this battle have been tallied."
Wan Lei nodded.
Xi Renjun took out a large ledger and began to read,
"In this battle, our side suffered a total of twenty-three thousand and twelve casualties. The number of enemy soldiers killed: seventy-two thousand five hundred and thirty-two from the demon race, and over fifty thousand from the tripartite allied forces. Some were reduced to ashes, making precise counts impossible."
Wan Lei nodded again and sighed,
"In such a great battle, our losses are heavy. The compensation for the fallen soldiers must be distributed as soon as possible. We cannot let these soldiers who shed their blood and sacrificed their lives feel disheartened."
"The Hall Master's compassion and care for the soldiers are truly the mark of a wise ruler."
"The Hall Master's merits will be rewarded, and the Thunder Emperor Hall will undoubtedly be united, dedicating all its efforts to the Hall Master's grand undertaking."
"With the Hall Master's broad-mindedness, how could the soldiers not fight with all their might..."
Wan Lei waved his hand, indicating that these flattering remarks could cease.
Xi Renjun continued to read,
"In this battle, eleven demon commanders were killed. Ten of them were jointly killed by the Hall Master and his wife, while the remaining one was jointly killed by the wife and the three Tribulation Crossing stage elders."
All eleven demon commanders were killed by the Thunder Emperor Hall.
Upon hearing this, everyone present felt ashamed, especially the three elder ancestors at the Tribulation Crossing stage from the Fang family, who felt even more so.
The three of them had barely managed to hold off Qiong Ku and Qiong Shen, while Wan Lei and Fang Xiaoyu, amidst the battlefield surrounded by enemies, had precisely struck and killed as many as eleven demon commanders, as if plucking chestnuts from a fire. This number was almost equivalent to half the total number of Tribulation Crossing stage cultivators in the entire Lei Feng Realm.
In the past, Tribulation Crossing stage cultivators were revered and rarely fell in battle.
Yet, this year, they first killed one Tribulation Crossing stage cultivator, and then another demon commander. These peak experts of the Lei Feng Realm were being slaughtered like fat pigs with no regard for their lives.
"Oh? So, the greatest merit this time should go to the wife?"
Wan Lei said playfully, looking at Fang Xiaoyu and patting her small hand. However, Madam Wan glared at him, withdrew her hand, and asked,
"Who is your wife?"
At this moment, seeing his Hall Master in a slightly awkward situation, Yunxiao Shangren quickly stood up to smooth things over,
"If the Hall Master hadn't been held back by that powerful demon commander at the end, we could have killed even more demon commanders. Perhaps we could have even killed all of them. In that case, the enemy would not have been able to break through and escape, and we could have annihilated the entire enemy force."
"Alas, what a pity."
"Hall Master Wan possesses vast powers, but it's a shame the enemy still hid a powerful demon commander."
"Hall Master Wan's contributions are truly great."
More flattering words followed.
"Everyone, please be quiet. Earlier, we were discussing the matter of the Alliance Leader, but we were suddenly interrupted by the arrival of the enemy. Now that the battle is over, shouldn't we continue our discussion?"
Wan Lei's face was dirty, but his eyes were bright, and a slightly smug smile played on his lips.
The three from the Fang family exchanged glances and sighed.
They were all ancient beings who had lived for thousands of years and could clearly see through the scheme.
This was a trap deliberately set by Wan Lei.
First, he used the Heavenly Dao aura as bait, then set up an ambush. On the day of the sect's founding, when everyone came to offer congratulations, he and the Fang family patriarch would put on a show, proposing the selection of an Alliance Leader.
They never intended to finalize the Alliance Leader with just a few words. They knew they would object, so they merely introduced the topic, and when they objected, leading to discussions about merit and combat strength...
Alas!
The demon race just happened to attack.
They not only brought merit but also proved their combat strength. Now that the battle was over, the defeat of the enemy was almost entirely due to the Thunder Emperor Hall. Their role was merely to tie down the enemy. In terms of merit, achievements, and combat strength, they were far outmatched by the Thunder Emperor Hall.
After exchanging glances, Fang Fahui stepped forward and spoke,
"Since the Anti-Demon War began, the Thunder Emperor Hall has made the greatest achievements and contributions.
Although there were elements of trickery this time, the killing of demon commanders is real, and the defeat of the enemy is solid.
The strategy and combat strength you have displayed have convinced me. Therefore, on behalf of our family, I declare our support for Hall Master Wan as the Alliance Leader."
After his declaration, the two ancestors from the Yin Yang Sect and the Kui Lian Sect also expressed their support for Hall Master Wan.
With the four major powers of the alliance having decided on the Alliance Leader, other forces naturally could not object. Immediately, the entire Thunder Emperor Hall was filled with sounds of agreement.
At this moment, Old Fang, the best supporting actor, stood up again,
"Everyone, calling this alliance the Anti-Demon Alliance is a bit too casual and lacks momentum.
Furthermore, although our alliance's current mission is to resist the demon race, what happens after the demons are eradicated? Will our alliance be disbanded?
No, our alliance is destined to unify the Lei Feng Realm for eternity, unlike the previous nine great powers which were fragmented, unorganized, and constantly engaged in internal strife.
Therefore, we should choose a more powerful and cohesive name. Let's brainstorm for a suitable name."
At this point, everyone proposed their preferred alliance names.
Some, shamelessly flattering Wan Lei, suggested calling it the Wan Lei Alliance.
Others with grand ambitions suggested the Lei Feng Alliance, meaning the alliance of the Lei Feng Realm.
Supporters of Wan Lei and Fang Xiaoyu proposed the Lei Yu Alliance.
However, more people suggested calling it the Thunder Emperor Alliance, because in the Lei Feng Realm, there was no name more appealing or powerful than "Thunder Emperor."
Finally, a vote was held, and the Thunder Emperor Alliance won by an overwhelming majority.
Thus, the Thunder Emperor Alliance was established, with the Thunder Emperor Hall as its core, the Fang family, Yin Yang Sect, and Kui Lian Sect as its framework, and thousands of smaller forces and lone cultivators as its flesh and blood, embodying the concept of resisting the demon race and protecting the Lei Feng Realm.
In the following days, Wan Lei remained quite busy. With the alliance newly established, there were many matters, big and small, that required his attention, such as the allocation of combat zones among the various factions and resource supply.
"Wan Lei, let's go rescue Xin'er together."
"No, no, that's not appropriate. Wan Lei, I have a condition to discuss with you..."
"No, Wan Lei, Xin'er is our companion. No, they are enemies."
"Wan Lei, I beg you... It's so embarrassing."
One day, outside the mountain gate of the Thunder Emperor Hall, Wan Liuchuan paced back and forth anxiously, unsure of how to begin.