The Covenant Is Set, Xiao Sect Sets Sail

Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan returned far sooner than Queen Medusa had anticipated.

When the two brothers appeared soundlessly in the Xiao Sect council hall like ghosts, Queen Medusa, who was conducting a third round of detailed negotiations with Xiao Zhan, abruptly narrowed her violet snake eyes. Her jade fingers tightened slightly around her teacup.

Her gaze first fell upon Xiao Yan. Sensing that his aura had stabilized at the peak of a one-star Dou Emperor, along with the strange fiery power that made even her soul tremble slightly, undisguised shock flashed through her eyes.

How many days had it been? This boy had truly succeeded in devouring the Fallen Heart Flame and broken through to the Dou Emperor realm in one leap?! Such cultivation speed was simply horrifying!

Then, her gaze involuntarily turned toward Xiao Chen. He was still dressed in that blue robe, calm and detached, as though he had merely returned from a leisurely outing. Yet Queen Medusa could clearly sense that, compared to their meeting at the Snake People Race Divine Temple several days ago, this man's aura had become even deeper and more unfathomable. Clearly, helping his younger brother devour a Heavenly Flame had been no strenuous task for him.

"Chen'er, Yan'er, you're back!" Seeing his two sons, especially after sensing Xiao Yan's powerful Dou Emperor aura, Xiao Zhan was overjoyed and hurriedly rose to his feet.

"Father." Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan bowed together.

Xiao Chen turned his gaze toward Queen Medusa and gave a slight nod. "Your Majesty, thank you for waiting."

Queen Medusa suppressed the turmoil in her heart, set down her teacup, and slowly stood. Her cool voice carried a trace of barely perceptible solemnity. "Your Excellency Xiao Chen, congratulations on Your Younger Brother's great advance in strength."

"Just luck." Xiao Chen smiled faintly, walked to the seat of honor, and sat down. His gaze swept over the map and documents spread across the table. "It seems Your Majesty and my father had a pleasant discussion."

Xiao Zhan promptly gave a brief report on the progress of their negotiations. The core terms were to exchange Qing Ling Valley and its surrounding territories for the Snake People Race's alliance and military support.

After listening, Xiao Chen nodded. "There is no issue with the overall framework. Does Your Majesty have any remaining concerns regarding the details?"

Queen Medusa pondered for a moment, her violet eyes meeting Xiao Chen's directly. "This King has only one question. Xiao Sect's future enemies will likely not be limited to the Jia Ma Empire itself. If the day comes when it must face... an existence such as Soul Hall, does Xiao Sect—or rather, does Your Excellency—have the resolve and ability to deal with it? My Snake People Race can take risks, but we cannot throw our lives away."

This question struck at the heart of the matter and revealed Queen Medusa's courage and foresight. What she was gambling was her entire race's future.

Xiao Chen's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes instantly sharpened. An invisible majesty naturally spread through the hall, causing the atmosphere to freeze.

"Soul Hall is nothing but withered bones in a grave." His voice was calm, yet it carried an unshakable confidence and killing intent. "If they dare extend their claws, I will dare chop them off. If one comes, I kill one; if a group comes, I slaughter the whole group. If their headquarters dares to come in full force..."

Xiao Chen paused, and a cold curve lifted at the corner of his lips. "Then I will go to the Central Plains, overturn their Soul Hall, and destroy their foundations!"

Overbearing! Incomparably overbearing!

Had these words come from anyone else, they would have sounded arrogant and ignorant. Yet spoken by a twenty-four-year-old Seven Star Dou Venerate, a powerhouse who had personally slain a Soul Hall Protector and possessed a Heavenly Soul Realm soul and the mysterious Chaos Flame, they carried a power that compelled belief!

Queen Medusa looked into Xiao Chen's deep, resolute eyes, and the last trace of doubt in her heart finally vanished. What she needed was precisely such an ally, one who possessed absolute strength and decisiveness!

"Good!" Queen Medusa no longer hesitated. With a wave of her jade hand, a seven-colored streak of light shot toward the alliance document on the table, leaving a unique serpent-shaped rune at its end—the supreme pledge of the Snake People Queen. "From this day forth, the Snake People Race and Xiao Sect shall form an alliance of mutual offense and defense, sharing honor and disgrace!"

Seeing this, Xiao Chen flicked his finger as well. A burst of energy containing his Soul Mark and Dou Zun aura landed upon the covenant.

The covenant was sealed!

The atmosphere in the hall immediately eased. Xiao Zhan and several elders all wore excited smiles. With the Snake People Race, this powerful fresh force, joining them, Xiao Sect's strength and influence would soar once again!

"A pleasure working with you, Your Majesty." Xiao Chen raised his teacup, using tea in place of wine.

Queen Medusa also lifted her teacup and gave a slight gesture. Their gazes met, and both saw recognition and expectations for the future in each other's eyes.

"Since the covenant has been set, the Snake People Race's migration should be undertaken without delay." Xiao Chen set down his teacup and said to Xiao Zhan, "Father, immediately begin making arrangements. Take over Qing Ling Valley and assist our Snake People Race allies with their migration and settlement. Ensure the entire process proceeds smoothly and that resources are supplied in abundance."

"Don't worry. I will oversee it personally!" Xiao Zhan answered solemnly.

"Also," Xiao Chen said, sweeping his gaze across the room as his voice rose several degrees, "send out the order. Three days from now, at Wutan City Plaza, Xiao Sect will hold its founding ceremony! Send invitations far and wide, inviting the leaders of every notable faction in the Jia Ma Empire to attend as witnesses!"

A founding ceremony!

Everyone's spirits soared at those words! This was a declaration to the entire empire that Xiao Sect had officially been established—a display of strength to establish its supreme authority!

It was easy to foresee that Wutan City, three days from now, would become the center of attention, with all powers converging there!

As Queen Medusa looked at the high-spirited Xiao Chen and the resolute-eyed Xiao Yan behind him, she thought to herself, From this day onward, the sky of the Jia Ma Empire truly belongs to the Xiao family. And the Snake People Race and I have finally found a solid bulwark to rely upon amid these changing tides.

Under Xiao Chen's guidance at the helm, the great vessel of Xiao Sect officially set sail, bound for a far broader world!