Alliance Formed

Fifteen days passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside the quiet guest hall, Lin Hai slowly opened his eyes. Six crystal-clear jade slips floated before him, their interiors shimmering with light and containing incredibly profound, complex energy patterns and streams of information. They were perfect imprints of the Great Thousand Creation Palm and the Mysterious Underworld Heaven-Covering Seal.

Three copies of each spirit technique had been made, just enough for the Ancient, Flame, and Thunder Clans to divide among themselves.

The instant he completed the final step of the imprinting process, a gentle yet authoritative voice sounded in his ear. "Lord Lin Hai, Yan Jin, the Flame Clan's patriarch, and Lei Ying, the Thunder Clan's patriarch, have arrived at the council hall. Might you come and join us?"

It was Gu Yuan's voice.

"Perfect." Lin Hai swept up the jade slips with a wave of his sleeve and rose to his feet.

When he arrived at the magnificent council hall with his four seven-star Spirit Saint attendants, the atmosphere inside was clearly more solemn than it had been half a month ago. At the same time, it was filled with a barely suppressed fervor and anticipation.

Gu Yuan sat calmly in the seat of honor.

To his lower left sat a middle-aged man in crimson robes. His features were resolute, and his eyebrows seemed to flicker like dancing flames. The temperature around him rose without notice. He was none other than Yan Jin, patriarch of the Flame Clan!

His strength had also reached the late stage of the eight-star Spirit Saint realm, making him incredibly formidable.

To Gu Yuan's lower right sat a burly old man, towering like an iron pagoda. His beard and hair bristled, and faint arcs of lightning flickered around him. Each breath seemed to rumble like distant thunder. He was Lei Ying, patriarch of the Thunder Clan! His strength, too, was at the late stage of the eight-star Spirit Saint realm.

The Three Immortals of the Gu Clan sat farther down, their expressions solemn.

Lin Hai's arrival immediately drew everyone's attention.

Yan Jin and Lei Ying first looked over Lin Hai himself. Sensing his unfathomable aura, both showed a flicker of wariness in their eyes. Then their gazes were drawn, almost involuntarily, to the four silent attendants behind him.

Four seven-star Spirit Saints!

Yan Jin and Lei Ying's pupils contracted slightly.

As patriarchs, they naturally had seven-star Spirit Saint elders within their clans. But seeing four unfamiliar seven-star Spirit Saints appear as attendants all at once was a tremendous shock, both visually and psychologically.

It gave them a far more direct and profound understanding of the "mysterious powerhouse" and the "bargaining chips" Gu Yuan had mentioned in his earlier message. The scales in their minds tilted further in Lin Hai's favor.

"Lord Lin Hai, you've arrived." Gu Yuan rose with a smile to welcome him, his manner even warmer than before. "Allow me to introduce you. This is Yan Jin, patriarch of the Flame Clan. And this is Lei Ying, patriarch of the Thunder Clan."

Yan Jin and Lei Ying stood as well and cupped their hands slightly toward Lin Hai. "We've long heard of you, Lord Lin Hai." Their voices carried the respect due to a powerhouse, along with a hint of appraisal.

Lin Hai returned their greeting with calm composure. "Patriarchs, my respects."

Everyone took their seats again. As host and mediator, Gu Yuan went straight to the point. "Patriarchs, the half-month period for consideration has come to an end. What are your thoughts on forming an alliance against the Soul Clan, and on the terms Lord Lin Hai proposed?"

Yan Jin and Lei Ying exchanged a glance, each seeing the other's resolve.

No ancient clan could refuse the allure of a high-grade Heaven-rank spirit technique. What was more, the Gu Clan had promised to contribute two Ninth-Grade Profound Pills as alliance resources. Their sincerity and generosity were enough to convince them to make up their minds.

Yan Jin spoke first, his voice like earthfire surging. "The Soul Clan is a pack of wolves with wild ambitions. We've long been on guard against them. The Flame Clan agrees to the alliance! As long as the spirit technique and pills are delivered, I'll sign the soul contract!"

Lei Ying's voice boomed like thunder as he chimed in. "The Thunder Clan has no objections either! Instead of waiting for the Soul Clan to pick us off one by one, we might as well join forces and tear into them! We accept the terms!"

"Excellent!" Gu Yuan laughed, clapping his hands. "In that case, we'll proceed as discussed. To prevent the spirit techniques from leaking, I ask all three patriarchs to swear a soul oath and sign a contract. The spirit techniques you receive may only be studied by you personally and must never be taught to anyone else in your clans. Otherwise, you'll suffer soul backlash and see your cultivation completely destroyed!"

Yan Jin and Lei Ying nodded solemnly.

They understood the importance of high-grade Heaven-rank spirit techniques. Although the condition was strict, the long-term benefits made it well worth accepting.

And by placing them in the patriarchs' hands alone, the alliance could ensure the greatest possible improvement to its core combat strength while keeping its secrets safe.

"I, Yan Jin—" "I, Lei Ying—" "I, Gu Yuan—" "swear by my soul..."

The three patriarchs immediately and without hesitation swore the strictest oaths upon their Soul Origins. Three invisible soul-contract runes sank into their brows, and the binding took effect.

Seeing this, Gu Yuan no longer hesitated. With a flip of his hand, he first took out the two Ninth-Grade Profound Pills belonging to the Flame and Thunder Clans. Their fragrance instantly filled the hall, refreshing everyone's spirit.

He handed the pills to the two patriarchs. "Patriarchs, these are the two Ninth-Grade Profound Pills we agreed upon, to serve as alliance resources."

The two accepted them solemnly and placed them in their Storage Rings.

Next, Lin Hai took out four Soul Jade Slips. Two flew toward Yan Jin and Lei Ying.

"Patriarch Yan, this is the Mysterious Underworld Heaven-Covering Seal."

"Patriarch Lei, this is the Great Thousand Creation Palm."

Yan Jin and Lei Ying almost held their breath as they carefully caught the jade slips flying toward them. They tentatively probed them with their soul power. The boundless, ocean-deep information, profound beyond measure, sent a tremor through their minds, and delight surged across their faces!

It was real! And a complete, flawless high-grade Heaven-rank spirit technique!

Lin Hai handed the last two jade slips to Gu Yuan. "Patriarch Gu Yuan, these are the imprints of the two spirit techniques promised to the Gu Clan."

Gu Yuan accepted them, his heart surging with excitement. The Gu Clan's foundations would be strengthened yet again!

Finally, Gu Yuan took out a Ninth-Grade Profound Pill and offered it back to Lin Hai. "Lord Lin Hai, you've made such a tremendous contribution to the alliance. This Ninth-Grade Profound Pill rightfully belongs to you."

Lin Hai glanced at it and accepted it without declining, casually putting it away. It was what he deserved.

With that, the most crucial step in forming the alliance was complete.

The atmosphere in the hall finally eased. Smiles appeared on the faces of the four patriarchs, and they began discussing the alliance's specific arrangements and when to launch a campaign against the Soul Clan.

Lin Hai sat quietly to one side, listening to their discussion, his gaze deep and thoughtful.