But she was a decisive person. She knew that forcing the issue would not only fail to achieve her goal but might also push the Xuanjia Sect and even the wavering Qixia Manor completely toward the Wutai Sect. This could cause the alliance to fracture, a loss that would far outweigh any potential gain.

With a cold snort, she fell silent. Though she didn’t explicitly agree, she no longer voiced any opposition, which amounted to a tacit acceptance of the proposal.

He Yuzhou gave He Yueting a deep look.

He knew this was likely the best way to save face for everyone. It would preserve the overall alliance without letting Cold Jade Valley get what they wanted.

As long as the position of Alliance Leader remained vacant, the Wutai Sect still had time and opportunity.

He immediately nodded, his voice booming. "Second Master He is absolutely right. His proposal is prudent, far-sighted, and considers the greater good. With the Demon Sect upon us, we truly should not be consumed by internal conflict. Let us follow Second Master He’s suggestion. For now, we will not appoint an Alliance Leader. The four sects will act as equals, deliberating together to resist the demonic threat!"

Shi Kaishan was naturally pleased to see this outcome, as it best served the interests of the Xuanjia Sect. He clapped his hands and laughed. "Excellent! This is the most stable and fair proposal. The Xuanjia Sect has no objections."

With that, he turned to Leng Qianqiu. "Sect Leader Leng, what are your thoughts?"

Leng Qianqiu took a deep breath, her expression unreadable. "Since none of you have any objections, and I am not an unreasonable person, let it be so."

"Good!"

He Yuzhou’s voice rang out like a great bell. "In that case, I ask you all to bear witness! The Four Cloud Forest Sects hereby swear a blood oath! From this day forward, we are a single alliance. We will watch over and aid one another, and together, we shall exterminate the scourge of the demons!"

Then, under the watchful eyes of numerous Jianghu heroes and representatives from various factions, the Four Sect Leaders held a simple yet solemn alliance ceremony in the plaza before the Wutai Sect’s main gate.

Chen Qing, along with a group of other disciples and Elders, was also present to watch the ceremony.

The moment the ceremony concluded, Leng Qianqiu, unwilling to linger for even a second longer, gave a curt nod to He Yuzhou and Shi Kaishan. She then turned and led the members of Cold Jade Valley away, the first to depart.

Ye Qingyi glanced at Chen Qing before following the others from Cold Jade Valley.

He Yueting also approached He Yuzhou and Shi Kaishan, clasping his hands to bid them farewell. "Sect Leader He, Sect Leader Shi, now that the pact has been formed, I must return to the manor at once to report to the Great Manor Master and make the necessary arrangements."

He Yuzhou smiled. "What’s the hurry? Aren’t you going to see Lan Xin?"

He Yueting gave a wry smile. "This matter is of great importance. I hope Sect Leader He can forgive me."

He Yuzhou did not press him to stay.

He Yueting then departed with the members of Qixia Manor.

He Yuzhou watched He Yueting’s departing figure, his eyes narrowing slightly, but he said nothing.

Shi Kaishan let out a hearty laugh and stepped forward to take his leave. "Sect Leader He, this grand event has allowed me to witness both the profound heritage of the Wutai Sect and the brilliance of its young talents. I am even more delighted that our alliance has been successfully formed. We have imposed on you for quite some time; I should be taking these juniors home now."

He Yuzhou collected his thoughts and returned the salute with a solemn, cupped-fist gesture. "Sect Leader Shi, I and the entire Wutai Sect will remember the favor you have shown us today. Should you ever need assistance in the future, the Wutai Sect will certainly do everything in its power to help."

"Sect Leader He, you are too kind. We are one alliance now; this is how it should be."

Shi Kaishan smiled and exchanged a few more pleasantries before calling for the members of the Xuanjia Sect to prepare for their departure.

Just then, Chang Xing stepped out from the crowd and walked briskly over to Chen Qing.

Her eyes danced as she spoke with natural grace. "Brother Chen, your performance in the battle today was truly admirable. Now that the Xuanjia Sect and the Wutai Sect are allies, we should visit each other more often. If you have the time, you must come to the Xuanjia Sect as a guest. Allow your Junior Sister to be a proper host. And about our promise on the boat... you won’t go back on your word, will you?"

With that, she gave a radiant smile, her shining eyes fixed on Chen Qing.

Chen Qing was slightly taken aback, but he quickly nodded, his expression calm yet earnest. "Junior Sister Chang, I accept your invitation. If the opportunity arises, I will certainly pay a visit."

’I definitely have to visit the Xuanjia Sect,’ he thought. ’I still haven’t learned Du Lingchuan’s Mountain-Splitting Thunder Shock Spear.’

"Then it’s settled!"

Chang Xing’s smile grew even sweeter. She gave Chen Qing a graceful curtsy, then nodded in acknowledgment to Li Wang and Nie Shanshan who were standing nearby. Only then did she turn elegantly and rejoin the Xuanjia Sect’s ranks.

Shi Ziyi smiled and gave Chen Qing a cupped-fist salute, while Fang Rui just managed a few forced laughs.

Shi Kaishan took in this scene, merely stroking his beard with a faint smile. Without a word, he led the Xuanjia Sect away.

With the main players having departed, the representatives from the other visiting factions came forward one by one to bid farewell to He Yuzhou. They then dispersed like a receding tide, eager to spread the news of the alliance pact made that day.

The once-bustling plaza quickly became empty and quiet, leaving only the Wutai Sect disciples behind, still murmuring amongst themselves.

Elder Sang Yanping walked to He Yuzhou’s side. Gazing in the direction the crowds had dispersed, particularly toward the path taken by Qixia Manor, he couldn’t help but whisper, "Sect Leader, today... we were so close. If not for Qixia Manor backing out at the critical moment..."

He Yuzhou raised a hand, cutting him off, his gaze still steady. "Ultimately, matters in the Jianghu are decided by strength. Even if He Yueting had voted for me, given Leng Qianqiu’s personality, she never would have conceded so easily. She would have eventually demanded we settle things with a fight. I just didn’t expect..."

He paused, his voice dropping even lower. "...that Leng Qianqiu’s cultivation had progressed so much. The power of her fused True Astral forces was ferocious. If I hadn’t spent all these years painstakingly refining my own True Astral with the Earth Core Milk, making its purity just a fraction better than hers, I’m afraid I would have suffered a major defeat today."

Hearing this, Sang Yanping’s expression turned grim, and he nodded slowly.

Duels between those who wield Astral Force were exceptionally dangerous. The slightest difference could determine not just victory and defeat, but life and death.

He Yuzhou slowly exhaled, releasing his tension. He turned his gaze toward Chen Qing, who was currently surrounded by disciples from the Cyan Wood Institute, and instructed, "Go and tell Chen Qing to come to the Quiet Chamber in the back mountains. I want to see him."

Sang Yanping understood immediately and replied with solemn gravity, "Yes! I’ll go at once."

He understood that after this battle, Chen Qing’s importance in the Sect Leader’s eyes had become completely different.

The Wutai Sect had managed to save face today, and even seize a slight initiative in the future alliance, and this young man deserved the highest credit for it!

For the Sect Leader to summon him at this moment was incredibly significant.

.....