"There was one last matter. As for the Elder's Court seats, the Imperial Family, Mittel Family, Nalan Household, Mu Clan, Alchemist Association, and Spirit Medicine Hall would each occupy one seat. The remaining six seats would be reserved for factions that rendered great service to the Xiao Alliance in the future."
Xiao Yao paused and lightly tapped the tabletop with a fingertip. "The Elder's Court will convene on the first day of every month. It may raise objections to the Xiao Alliance's decisions, but final authority rests with the Alliance Leader or Deputy Alliance Leader."
Everyone present had already understood this, so none of them found it surprising.
At that moment, Xiao Yao slowly rose to his feet. His gaze swept over the room, his eyes narrowing slightly as his tone grew solemn. "Since you are all willing to join the alliance, as Alliance Leader, I have only one request. If the Xiao Clan faces an external enemy, no matter how powerful that enemy may be, I hope you will remember this: the Xiao Clan and the Xiao Alliance have always been one."
Xiao Yao's voice was not loud, yet it was like a boulder crashing into still water, stirring layer after layer of ripples in everyone's heart.
His eyes were sharp as torches as he slowly swept his gaze across the crowd, taking in Hai Bo Dong's understanding, Jia Xing Tian's gravity, and Nalan Jie's vigilance.
"I, Xiao Yao, have never forced others to make sacrifices. But the Xiao Alliance is the Xiao Alliance because it began with the Xiao Clan."
Xiao Yao lightly paused his fingertip against the tabletop, producing a dull thud. "I'll make this clear today—if the Xiao Clan is ever attacked and any member of the Xiao Alliance stands by and does nothing, don't blame