Chapter 424: Chapter 411: Grace and Might Applied, Goal Achieved

Feng Buping heard Shen Lang’s Divine Thought transmission and was so shocked that he fumbled, dropping the Jade Scroll from his hand!

Fortunately, his cultivation was formidable. He hastily reached out and snatched the Jade Scroll back into his hand.

"It’s... it’s actually..."

Despite his great age, Feng Buping had completely lost his composure, left stammering and unable to speak.

The legendary North Netherworld Extreme Heaven Sect!

A powerful sect that had vanished without a trace ten thousand years ago, and a top-tier existence even among Legendary Sects!

’Even an ordinary Legendary Power would likely have an Emperor Level Technique as its foundation...’

’A cultivation technique of this level... Feng Buping had only ever heard of such things. He’d never even seen one!’

’Let alone holding one in his hands.’

’Shen Lang said he was giving this technique to the Profound Dao Sect. Doesn’t that mean we’ll be able to cultivate an Emperor Level Technique in the future?’

’No, wait. It might be even more powerful than Emperor Level.’

’This is a Legendary Power we’re talking about!’

’Back when the North Netherworld Extreme Heaven Sect dominated the world, the founders of the Profound Dao Sect were probably still playing in the mud!’

’Just thinking about it feels like a dream...’

The Third Ancestor beside them remained silent, but the Fourth Ancestor, Dongfang Jian, couldn’t hold back any longer. "Argh, this is infuriating! What kind of riddle are you two talking about? It’s driving me crazy! Can’t you just spit it out?"

Shen Lang had sent his Divine Thought transmission to both Jiang Haitian and Feng Buping, so Dongfang Jian was still completely in the dark.

"Say no more!" Jiang Haitian declared with a wave of his hand. "Xiaolang, just tell us what you need us to do. The four of us, and the entire Profound Dao Sect, are at your disposal!"

"Very good." Shen Lang nodded. "Since I have joined the Profound Dao Sect, I hope that as I grow stronger, the sect will grow stronger with me. I’ve always believed in the power of a group and not just the blind pursuit of individual strength."

"Give me the Thunder Guard. I need them to swear an oath of fealty to me. I will forge them into the most powerful and terrifying fighting force in this world! But I can guarantee that this force will never betray the Profound Dao Sect; they will protect it always!"

The Thunder Guard was the Profound Dao Sect’s most powerful force.

It was comprised of the most talented disciples in the entire Profound Dao Sect.

Every single disciple who managed to enter the Thunder Guard had been handpicked, having endured countless hardships to distinguish themselves from the thousands of their peers.

The weakest member of the Thunder Guard had to be at least at the Xuanwu Realm Third Heaven!

Without a moment’s hesitation, Jiang Haitian waved his hand and said, "No problem at all. From now on, the two hundred-plus members of the Thunder Guard will answer to you alone!"

Just then, Mei Yingxue, who was standing behind them, spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. "My Xiu Hua Sect can also hand over our entire Flower God Guard to you!"

The moment she spoke, all eyes immediately fell upon Mei Yingxue.

All four Elder Ancestors turned to face her.

Mei Yingxue was socially graceful and exceptionally shrewd. It could be said she had a knack for reading people and discerning their thoughts.

In this respect, the other Sect Leaders were probably no match for her.

The Blood Ancestor Tomb has emerged.

The Blood Ancestor is still alive, and great chaos is imminent.

Shen Lang carried the Lifebound Emperor Artifacts from the Elder Ancestors of three major Spirit Copper Level Influences in the Purple Chu Country, and he also had a special relationship with the Xue Family, a Dark Gold Level Influence from the Piaomiao Domain.

He even knew people from the War God Hall!

He was a master of Artifact Refining and Alchemy, capable of forging even Celestial Artifacts.

He could casually hand out Emperor Level Techniques, and the Jade Scroll he had tossed to the Profound Dao Sect’s four ancestors contained a technique that very likely surpassed even the Emperor Level!

...

All of this, one thing after another, had shattered every defense in her heart.

World-shocking secrets, an indescribable temptation...

The other two had yet to fully process everything, but Mei Yingxue was the first to grasp the hidden implications!

’All of this is far too astonishing. Shen Lang should have discussed these matters with the Profound Dao Sect in private.’

’Why did he say it all so openly, right in front of the other Sect Leaders?’

’Logically, if word of any of this were to get out, it could bring utter annihilation upon the Profound Dao Sect.’

’This young man’s mind is so meticulous. How could he possibly do something so reckless?’

’That means he laid out so many secrets and benefits before them for a very specific reason!’

’First, he revealed all this in front of us intentionally!’

’He is supremely skilled and thus fearless. He has trump cards up his sleeve and special relationships with Spirit Copper Level and Dark Gold Level Influences, and even the War God Hall. He isn’t afraid of this information leaking out.’

’Second, he’s giving our sects an opportunity—especially my Xiu Hua Sect, which wasn’t even part of the original alliance!’

For the Xiu Hua Sect, and for Mei Yingxue herself, what Shen Lang offered was simply impossible to refuse...

Armor and other powerful Magical Treasure Secret Artifacts around Profound Level Fifth Grade...

And Emperor Level or even higher cultivation techniques!

No sect would be foolish enough to refuse such a temptation.

Even if someone were that foolish, if Shen Lang didn’t want these secrets getting out, would he really let them leave here alive?

Even if he let Mei Yingxue and the others go, with his connections to the Imperial Dragon Sect and other major powers, could the Xiu Hua Sect and the White Rainbow Sect truly escape his reach?

A tremendous opportunity lay before them.

But so did the threat of his thunderous wrath.

Accept, and the Xiu Hua Sect would likely reap immense benefits; it wouldn’t even be out of the question for it to become a Spirit Copper Level Sect in the years to come.

Refuse, and the Xiu Hua Sect would likely face annihilation!

Mei Yingxue was not stupid.

Far from it, she was exceptionally shrewd.

So, understanding the stakes, she immediately made her position clear.

Seeing all eyes on her, Mei Yingxue declared in a clear voice, "The Xiu Hua Sect will not only hand over the Flower God Guard, but we can also swear a great Heart Demon Oath to pledge our undying loyalty to Shen Lang and form an alliance with the Profound Dao Sect, to stand or fall together!"

Her words were powerful and resonant, stunning everyone. Not only were Ye Xiangmo and Shi Yanbin taken aback, but even Su Wenxuan was shocked speechless.

At this, Shen Lang spoke calmly, "I believe your words, Sect Leader Mei. But a Sect Leader doesn’t necessarily have the final say for the entire Xiu Hua Sect, do they?"

Mei Yingxue rose to her feet, her expression grave. "On a matter like this, a Sect Leader’s authority is indeed limited. However, I am familiar with the temperaments of our sect’s Elder Ancestors, and I know they would absolutely never refuse you. I can swear a solemn oath right here and now that I will not reveal any of the secrets you have shared to anyone until I have persuaded them."

"I will use a discreet method to inform our Elder Ancestors and persuade them to come to the Profound Dao Sect."

Shen Lang gave Mei Yingxue an indifferent glance, then broke into a smile. "The Xiu Hua Sect doesn’t need to swear fealty to me, and I don’t need the Xiu Hua Sect."

"This..." A look of confusion appeared on Mei Yingxue’s face, and she once again lost her composure.

At this very moment, she was terrified that Shen Lang would actually reject the Xiu Hua Sect—and reject her.

Regardless, this was absolutely the greatest opportunity the Xiu Hua Sect had encountered in thousands of years!

An opportunity that could not be missed!

Just as her heart was pounding in her chest, Shen Lang spoke again. "I can accept the Flower God Guard. However, I don’t need your entire sect to pledge fealty; that’s unnecessary. The reason I require the loyalty of the Profound Dao Sect’s Thunder Guard and your Flower God Guard is that such a force is too dangerous. It must be under my personal control. Only when I control it myself can I pour my heart and soul into building it up."

"This fealty is a guarantee. I cannot permit any of them to betray me and leak my plans, my techniques, or my secrets."

"That’s all."

"If I simply wanted to build my own power base, I could have gone to the Imperial Dragon Sect and the Li Hen Sect. I doubt they would have dared to refuse me."

Mei Yingxue, Ye Xiangmo, and the others broke out in a cold sweat.

To be so arrogant, yet make it feel completely natural... The feeling was truly bizarre.

Shen Lang continued, "Hand the Thunder Guard and Flower God Guard over to me, but they will remain a force that protects your sects. As I’ve said before, I’m not doing this for fame or fortune. Therefore, I will not interfere in the internal affairs of either the Profound Dao Sect or the Xiu Hua Sect. I have no interest in doing so."

"You provide me with resources, and I, in turn, will provide you with things beyond your imagination."

"My coming to the Profound Dao Sect was simply a matter of fate. In other words, if I wanted to build my own power base, I didn’t have to choose you. I could easily have sought out a Spirit Copper Level, Secret Silver Level, or even higher-ranked influence."

"If you trust me, I will provide you with unimaginable benefits and help you surpass sects like the Imperial Dragon Sect in a short time."

"If the Xiu Hua Sect is willing, I can promise to help your Elder Ancestors reach the peak of the Emperor Martial Realm, or perhaps even higher... Exactly how strong they can become will depend on their attitude."

Shen Lang raised his gaze and declared arrogantly, "My friends will prosper; my enemies will all pay the price!"

These words, spoken as if looking down upon the heavens and the earth, sent an irrepressible surge of emotion through the hearts of everyone in the room.

At this, Ye Xiangmo also stood up and asked cautiously, "Then... what exactly do we need to do?"

Shen Lang said calmly, "First, the Profound Dao Sect, Xiu Hua Sect, White Rainbow Sect, Mahayana Sect, and the Evil Wind Valley—these five sects will form a deep alliance. The Elder Ancestors of each sect must swear a Heart Demon Blood Oath to never betray one another for the rest of their lives. The five sects will be united as one but will remain independent entities, sharing resources."

"Second, we will establish two-way Teleportation Gates connecting the sects. If one sect is in trouble, the other four will come to its aid."

"Third, you will hand over the elites of your sects to me. I will personally train them and forge an ultimate fighting force. This force will be loyal only to me, but it will also serve as the guardian of all five sects."

"Alright!" The sect leaders nodded subconsciously.

Where else in the world could they find such a good deal?

Even if it meant their entire sects had to pledge fealty to Shen Lang, as Mei Yingxue had suggested, they would have agreed in their hearts.

They never expected that Shen Lang wouldn’t require their fealty at all and wouldn’t even place any special restrictions on their sects!

If anyone were to refuse such an offer, they would have to be either a fool or a madman.

At this point, Su Wenxuan asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why include the Evil Wind Valley? Our Profound Dao Sect has had a rather poor relationship with them in the past. They’re in cahoots with the Holy Light Sect and have done many things to harm us."

Shen Lang nodded slightly. "If they have wronged the Profound Dao Sect, have them send people over to apologize and provide a batch of valuables as compensation."

Everyone started sweating again.

He was probably the only one who could speak with such casual authority.

"The reason I’m including them," Shen Lang said lightly, "is that, well, my relationship with them isn’t bad. A few months ago, I saved some of their people, and they roped me into becoming an Honored Elder of the Evil Wind Valley. Later, when Yuwen Huaji of the Imperial Dragon Sect was hunting me, the Evil Wind Valley’s people helped me out. So, you could say I owe them a favor."

First Ancestor Jiang Haitian paused, slightly taken aback. "Yuwen Huaji? That junior from the Imperial Dragon Sect who was at the Half-Step King Martial Realm? The scoundrel was that bold?"

Shen Lang waved his hand. "Whether he was bold or not is beside the point. I already killed him, anyway... As for the Evil Wind Valley, I’ll have to trouble you to make a trip, Elder Ancestor. Take this Limb Order, go to Celestial Phoenix City to find Ling Chen, and have him take you there."

"Tell them I’m at the Profound Dao Sect and that their old-timers should come here to negotiate. If they refuse, just use the Limb Order to destroy their Sect Protection Array and teach them a lesson."

"It makes no real difference whether they join or not."

The amount of information packed into those casual yet incomparably arrogant words was staggering.

The four Elder Ancestors and the various sect leaders looked at one another, the shock in their eyes impossible to conceal.

"I’ve said all I have to say. The choice is yours. However, just to be cautious, I’ll have to ask the sect leaders present to first swear a Heart Demon Blood Oath that you will not reveal anything I’ve said here to anyone."