Su Ming took the roster and casually flipped through it.
There were even more people than he had expected.
"Accept them all."
"Assign them all to the recruit camp. Train them for half a month, then formally admit them into the ranks once they pass the assessment."
"Explain the rules and the military merit system to them beforehand."
Feng Xuanzi bowed in acknowledgment.
"Understood."
He paused, then spoke again.
"It's just that... with more people joining us, we'll need to readjust our resources and organization."
"In particular, several affiliated sects have always felt that their heritage and foundations entitle them to more. They're unwilling to have resources allocated by the same standards as rogue cultivators."
Su Ming closed the roster.
His gaze was calm.
"I'll handle this."
"In three days, hold a combat assessment on the training grounds."
"Whether they're sect disciples or rogue cultivators, let strength speak. Let battle merits speak."
"The capable rise; the mediocre fall."
Feng Xuanzi's heart tightened.
He knew.
The Alliance Leader intended to ride the momentum of their great victory and firmly establish the internal rules once and for all.
"As you command."
Su Ming waved a hand.
"Go make the arrangements."
"I'm heading to the secluded chamber."
Feng Xuanzi bowed and withdrew.
Su Ming turned and headed toward the secluded chamber on the Back Mountain.
He closed the door.
He took two altar fragments out of his Storage Ring.
The two gray fragments hovered quietly in midair.
A faint glow shimmered along the ancient patterns on their surfaces.
Su Ming studied the two fragments.
His gaze was unfathomable.
Early the following morning.
Inside the Council Hall.
All the Alliance's core leaders had gathered.
The two sides of the hall were as sharply divided as two distinct rivers.
On one side stood the