157: Chapter 116 Departure! Alliance Established

Nanming Port is located in the extreme south.

Morning arrives later here than at the Liuyang Sword Sect.

Although most of the miasma has dissipated, the cloud layer remains thick, and sunlight won't pierce through the gaps until the hour of Chen.

Chen Xuan stands on the pier, looking at the flying boats moored in the harbor.

There are three times as many as there were three months ago.

Dozens of boats, large and small, pack the pier tightly.

More and more Cultivators are coming from the north—Loose Cultivators, members of Family clans, scouts from Chambers of Commerce, and spies sent by The Three Sects.

They heard the miasma in the Southern Border had dissipated, heard there were treasures in the volcano, and heard there were Opportunities here.

So they came.

Like sharks smelling blood, they swarmed in from all directions.

Liu Lili walks to his side and hands him a spiritual fruit.

"Junior Brother, three more flying boats arrived at the port today. I heard they came from Bihai Immortal City, carrying over fifty Cultivators."

Chen Xuan takes the spiritual fruit and takes a bite.

"Are they all here to hunt for treasure?"

"Not all of them." Liu Lili leans against him. "A few are from the Qingyuan Chamber of Commerce, here to collect spiritual materials. There are also a few Disciples from the Fusheng Sect, who say they are here for training. The rest are all Loose Cultivators, hoping to try their luck."

Chen Xuan nods.

Although the miasma has dissipated, it hasn't disappeared.

Its concentration has just dropped to a level that Foundation Establishment Cultivators can withstand.

Qi Refining Cultivators still need Miasma-Avoidance Pills to enter.

Those Loose Cultivators don't know that.

Or rather, they know, but they don't care.

For the sake of an Opportunity, they would even risk their lives.

What is a single Miasma-Avoidance Pill worth?

Senior Sister Wen Yao walks out of the shop, her twin swords hanging at her waist, her long hair tied into a ponytail.

"Junior Brother, there are people handing out flyers at the pier. They say an Exploration Assembly will be held in the port's meeting hall tomorrow, and all Foundation Establishment Cultivators are invited to attend."

Chen Xuan raises an eyebrow.

"An Exploration Assembly?"

"Mm." Senior Sister Wen Yao nods. "I heard Zhou Yuan is leading it, uniting several Foundation Establishment bigwigs in Nanming Port to discuss how to organize personnel to enter the volcano. They say there are ancient Formations, Golden Core Yao Beasts, and remnants of the White Lotus Sect deep within the volcano; going in alone is suicide. They need to form teams and Alliances to have a plan."

Liu Lili looks at Chen Xuan.

"Junior Brother, are you going?"

"I am."

Chen Xuan tosses the spiritual fruit pit into the sea.

"It's a good Opportunity to gather information."

The next day, at the port's meeting hall.

The meeting hall is small, rebuilt after the volcanic eruption, with blue stone walls, black tile roofing, and two stone pillars standing in front of the door.

The hall is already full of people.

There are at least fifty or sixty Foundation Establishment Cultivators, men and women, old and young, wearing various Daoist robes and carrying all sorts of Magical Artifacts at their waists.

Zhou Yuan stands at the very front, his Middle Stage Foundation Establishment aura steady and consummate.

He wears a gray Daoist robe, his face is thin, and his eyes are sharp.

Before the volcanic eruption, he was the Clan Chief of a small Family in the Southern Border, and now he is the most prestigious Loose Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment level in Nanming Port.

"Everyone, quiet."

Zhou Yuan speaks, his voice not loud, but it clearly reaches everyone's ears.

"I invited you all here today to discuss the matter of exploring the volcano."

"The miasma has dissipated, and the volcano can now be entered. But does everyone know what lies deep within the volcano?"

The hall goes quiet for a moment.

Someone speaks up.

"There are ancient Formations, Golden Core Yao Beasts, and remnants of the White Lotus Sect."

The person speaking is the Loose Cultivator with the surname Meng.

He has returned from the volcano's periphery once, bringing back many fire-attribute spiritual materials and a lot of information.

Zhou Yuan nods.

"Fellow Daoist Meng is right. There is great terror deep within the volcano, but also great Opportunity. If one person goes in, there is certain death. If a group goes in, there is a glimmer of hope."

He looks at everyone in the hall.

"Therefore, I propose forming an Exploration Alliance. All Cultivators entering the volcano must join the Alliance and submit to the Alliance's unified command. Discovered spiritual items will be distributed according to contribution. If danger is encountered, we will support each other."

People in the hall begin to whisper to each other.

Some support it, some oppose it, and some are just watching.

An elderly man at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment stands up and bows.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you make it sound easy. How will the Alliance be managed? How will spiritual items be distributed? Who makes the decisions when danger is encountered? If these aren't made clear, who would dare follow you into the volcano?"

Zhou Yuan looks at him.

"That is why I invited everyone here today, to discuss these very matters."

He takes a Jade Slip from his Storage Pouch and places it on the table.

"This is the Alliance Charter I have drafted, with twelve articles in total. Everyone, take a look. If you have any objections, raise them; if you don't, sign it."

The Jade Slip is passed around the hall.

Chen Xuan sits in a corner, takes the Jade Slip, and probes it with his Divine Sense.

The charter is written in great detail.

The Alliance will have one Alliance Leader and three Deputy Alliance Leaders, elected by all Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Thirty percent of all spiritual items found during the exploration will be handed over to the public fund, and seventy percent will be distributed based on contribution.

When encountering danger, one must obey the unified command of the Alliance Leader; those who flee in the face of battle will be expelled from the Alliance, and all their gains will be confiscated.

After reading, Chen Xuan hands the Jade Slip to Liu Lili.

Liu Lili also reads it through and lowers her voice.

"Junior Brother, what do you think?"

"The rules are well-defined." Chen Xuan's tone is indifferent. "But they will be hard to enforce. Loose Cultivators are used to being free; they aren't accustomed to being managed."

Liu Lili nods.

"Then should we join?"

"Let's wait and see."

Chen Xuan's gaze sweeps across the hall.

He is assessing the people.

Seeing who can be cooperated with, who cannot be deeply associated with, and who needs to be guarded against.

Zhou Yuan, Middle Stage Foundation Establishment, former Clan Chief, has management experience, can be cooperated with.

The Loose Cultivator surnamed Meng, Early Stage Foundation Establishment, has been to the volcano's periphery, familiar with the terrain, can be cooperated with.

That elderly man who raised objections, Middle Stage Foundation Establishment, speaks with thorns, difficult to get along with, must be guarded against.

There are also a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators who haven't spoken since they entered, sitting in the corner, with gloomy eyes, wearing tokens with the character "Tian" at their waists.

People from the Buddhist Sect of the Central Province.

Chen Xuan's pupils constrict slightly.

They really came.

Spies sent by Immortal Master Kumu to gather information, collect intelligence, and prepare for subsequent actions.

Zhou Yuan also notices those few people.

His gaze lingers on them for a moment, then shifts away.

"Everyone, you have read the charter. Do you have any objections?"

That elderly man speaks up again.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, I ask you, who will be the Alliance Leader?"

Zhou Yuan looks at him.

"We will vote. Everyone present gets one vote."

The elderly man laughs.

"Vote? There are fifty or sixty people here, half of whom are your friends; you are guaranteed to win the vote. You call this fair?"

Zhou Yuan's expression sinks.

"Then what do you suggest?"

The elderly man stands up and walks to the center of the hall.

"I propose that the Alliance Leader be the one with the greatest strength. In the world of Cultivation, might makes right. Whoever is the strongest becomes the Alliance Leader. If anyone disagrees, we can fight it out."

The hall erupts again.

Some support it, some oppose it, some are watching the spectacle.

Chen Xuan leans back in his chair, watching this scene.

He sneers inwardly.

This is what Loose Cultivators are like.

No rules, no order, no trust.

Might makes right.

Whoever is strong makes the decisions.

But no matter how strong one's fist is, can it be stronger than a Golden Core?

Can it be stronger than Immortal Master Kumu?

Can it be stronger than a Nascent Soul from the Central Province?

The world of Cultivation is not just about fighting and killing; it is about human relationships and social sophistication.

Relying only on fists won't get you far.

Zhou Yuan is silent for a long time.

Then he nods.

"Fine. We will do as you say. The strongest person will be the Alliance Leader."

He looks at everyone in the hall.

"Whoever thinks they are the strongest, step forward."

The hall goes quiet for a moment.

Then the elderly man steps out.

"I will."

His aura surges violently, and his Middle Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation erupts with full force.

"Who else?"

The Loose Cultivator surnamed Meng stands up and walks to the center of the hall.

"I'll give it a try too."

The two look at each other and strike at the same time.

Spells collide, spiritual light radiates.

Tables and chairs in the hall are blown away, and the runes on the walls light up, blocking the aftermath.

Chen Xuan sits in the corner, watching their exchange.

The elderly man excels in fire-type Spells, his attacks ruthless and lethal.

The Loose Cultivator surnamed Meng excels in close combat, with flexible movement and refined Magical Artifacts.

The two fight for over thirty rounds, with no clear winner.

The elderly man stops and returns to his seat.

"Not bad. You are qualified."

The Loose Cultivator surnamed Meng also stops and returns to his seat.

"You are not bad either."

The hall is quiet again.

Some look at the few Buddhist Sect Cultivators in the corner.

They still do not speak, just sitting there like statues.

Zhou Yuan looks at everyone.

"Does anyone else want to step forward?"

No one answers.

"Since that is the case, the Alliance Leader shall be..."

"Wait."

Chen Xuan stands up.

Everyone's gaze in the hall falls on him.

He walks to the center of the hall, his expression calm.

"I'll give it a try too."

The elderly man looks at him with scrutiny.

"Who are you?"

"Liuyang Sword Sect, Yun Qi."

The hall erupts again.

"Someone from the Liuyang Sword Sect?"

"Is that the Yun Qi who killed a Golden Core Yao Beast?"

"The one with Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment?"

Chen Xuan ignores the discussions.

He looks at the elderly man and bows.

"Please."

The elderly man's expression changes.

He has heard of Yun Qi's name and knows this person is not someone he can handle.

But he does not retreat.

A Loose Cultivator's face is more important than their life.

He raises his hand, and a fire snake flies from his palm, heading straight for Chen Xuan's chest.

Chen Xuan does not draw his sword.

He just raises his hand and points with a sword finger.

A Sword Qi flies from his fingertip, slicing the fire snake in two.

The Sword Qi does not lose momentum, stopping three inches from the elderly man's forehead.

The elderly man's face turns pale.

Sweat beads on his forehead, and his lips tremble.

"I lost."

Chen Xuan retracts his sword finger and turns to look at everyone in the hall.

"Does anyone else want to try?"

No one answers.

The few Buddhist Sect Cultivators look at him, a trace of wariness flashing in their eyes.

Zhou Yuan walks over and bows.

"Master Yun, the Alliance Leader position is yours."

Chen Xuan shakes his head.

"I will not be the Alliance Leader."

Zhou Yuan is stunned for a moment.

"Why?"

"I don't have the time." Chen Xuan's tone is indifferent. "I didn't come to the Southern Border to hunt for treasure; I came to find someone. Once I find them, I will leave. You can decide the Alliance matters yourselves."

Zhou Yuan is silent for a moment, then nods.

"Since that is the case, the Alliance Leader position will be rotated between myself and Fellow Daoist Meng. Master Yun can be our Guest Elder; you don't need to contribute effort or share in the spoils, but at critical moments, we hope Master Yun can offer assistance."

Chen Xuan looks at him for a long time.

Then he nods.

"That is acceptable."

Zhou Yuan smiles.

He turns to look at everyone.

"The matter of the Alliance is settled. We depart in three days to go deep into the volcano. Those willing to go, come to me tomorrow to sign up. Those who don't want to go, I will not force."

The crowd in the hall disperses one after another.

Chen Xuan walks out of the meeting hall, with Liu Lili following behind him.

"Junior Brother, why didn't you accept the Alliance Leader position?"

"If I accepted, I wouldn't be able to leave."

Chen Xuan walks along the pier toward the east side.

"We need to find Xiao Muting and the Gold-Attribute Imagery; we don't have time to manage the lives of those Loose Cultivators."

Liu Lili nods.

"Then are you going to help them?"

"I will help if I can." Chen Xuan's tone is indifferent. "But I cannot get myself dragged into it."

Senior Sister Wen Yao is waiting at the entrance of the shop.

Seeing them return, she stands up.

"Junior Brother, did you find out anything?"

Chen Xuan sits on a stone stool.

"Three things."

"First, there is an ancient Formation deep within the volcano, which may be part of a teleportation array. People from the White Lotus Sect are repairing it."

"Second, there are Golden Core Yao Beasts entrenched in the core area of the volcano, more than one. Someone has seen a Fire Dragon, and there are also Fire Lizards."

"Third, Xiao Muting's location may be in the deepest part of the volcano, near the magma lake. There is the aura of a Fire Phoenix spirit there, which ordinary Cultivators cannot approach."

Senior Sister Wen Yao's brows knit together.

"Fire Dragon? Golden Core Yao Beasts?"

"Mm." Chen Xuan nods. "So we cannot force our way in. We must wait for an Opportunity, wait for the miasma to dissipate further, and wait for the Fire Dragon to hibernate."

Liu Lili brings out three bowls of soup from the shop, one for each.

"Drink the soup first, then talk."

Chen Xuan takes the bowl and takes a sip.

The soup is very hot, but the taste is very good.

"Senior Sister, there is one more thing."

"What is it?"

"A few people from the Buddhist Sect have come to Nanming Port. Middle Stage Foundation Establishment, wearing tokens with the 'Tian' character at their waists. They are gathering information and may be working for Immortal Master Kumu."

Senior Sister Wen Yao's hand pauses.

"Should we deal with them?"

"No need." Chen Xuan shakes his head. "Just keep an eye on them. If they don't make a move, we won't make a move. If they make a move, we will send them on their way."

Senior Sister Wen Yao nods.

"I will watch them."

She puts down the soup bowl, stands up, and walks out of the shop.

Liu Lili watches her back and says softly.

"Senior Sister Wen Yao is truly reliable."

Chen Xuan nods.

"Mm."

Liu Lili leans on his shoulder.

"Junior Brother, when do you plan to enter the volcano?"

"Wait a little longer."

"Wait for what?"

"Wait for Zhou Yuan and his exploration team to go in first. Wait for them to clear the path and draw out the danger, then we will go in."

Liu Lili lifts her head and looks at him.

"Are you using them as cannon fodder?"

Chen Xuan shakes his head.

"Not cannon fodder. It's pathfinding. They were going to go in anyway; I couldn't stop them. Rather than going in together and dying together, it's better to let them go first, and I will follow behind."

Liu Lili is silent for a moment.

"You are right."

She leans back on his shoulder and says no more.

Days pass one by one.

Three days later, Zhou Yuan's exploration team sets off.

Over thirty Foundation Establishment Cultivators, with five flying boats, fly toward the volcano group in a grand Formation.

Chen Xuan stands on the pier, watching those five flying boats disappear into the horizon.

Liu Lili stands beside him.

"Junior Brother, when are we leaving?"

"Tomorrow."

"Why not today?"

"Because they just went in today, and the path is still dangerous. Once they are further away, the path will be safer."

Liu Lili laughs.

"You really are an old fox."

Chen Xuan turns to look at her.

"Not an old fox, just someone who has lived a long time."

Liu Lili reaches out and flicks his forehead.

"Let's go, back to pack our things."

The two walk back to the shop.

Senior Sister Wen Yao is already packing her luggage.

Her twin swords are hanging at her waist, her Storage Pouch is on her shoulder, and her long hair is tied into a ponytail.

"Junior Brother, everything is ready."

Chen Xuan nods.

He walks into the stone house and takes a few things out of his Storage Pouch.

Ten Third-Grade Miasma-Avoidance Pills.

Thirty Second-Grade Fire Escape Talismans.

Fifty Second-Grade Healing Pills.

The natal sword talisman given by his Revered Master, kept close to his body.

The teleportation array key sent by the Central Province Liu Clan, which needs to be activated by the Heavenly Fire imagery.

He checks these items one by one, then puts them into his Storage Pouch.

Walking out of the stone house, Liu Lili and Senior Sister Wen Yao are already waiting at the door.

Xiao Ye also arrives, carrying his luggage, with that Low Grade Spiritual Artifact sword hanging at his waist.

"Brother Yun, I am going too."

Chen Xuan looks at him.

"Brother Xiao, deep within the volcano is very dangerous."

"I know." Xiao Ye's eyes are very firm. "But Mu Ting is inside. It has been five years; I cannot wait any longer."

Chen Xuan is silent for a moment, then nods.

"Let's go."

The four of them board the flying boat.

The flying boat rises, changes direction, and flies toward the volcano group.

Chen Xuan stands by the ship's rail, watching Nanming Port get smaller and smaller.

On the pier, the female Cultivator with a burn scar on her face is holding her child, watching them.

She waves her hand.

Chen Xuan also waves his hand.

Then he turns and walks into the cabin.

Liu Lili is cooking soup in the cabin, and the clay pot on the small stove is bubbling with heat.

Senior Sister Wen Yao is wiping her swords, the twin swords lying across her knees, her movements slow and careful.

Xiao Ye is closing his eyes in the corner to rest, his hand pressed on the sword hilt.

Chen Xuan sits down on a meditation cushion and takes a Jade Slip out of his Storage Pouch.

That is the volcanic terrain map collected by the Qingyuan Chamber of Commerce.

It marks the known volcanic craters, magma lakes, and Yao Beast nests.

The location where Xiao Muting was last discovered is in the deepest part of the volcano, near the magma lake.

There is the aura of a Fire Phoenix spirit there, which ordinary Cultivators cannot approach.

But Chen Xuan can.

He has the Heavenly Fire imagery, his Revered Master's sword talisman, and the Meteor Divine Ability.

Although the Meteor Divine Ability cannot be fully displayed yet, the prototype is already there.

Chen Xuan puts away the Jade Slip and closes his eyes to look inward.

The five-colored light in his Dantian's Purple Mansion flows.

The four images of City Wall Earth tremble slightly.

The four images of Heavenly Fire flicker with light.

His Foundation Establishment Seventh Stage cultivation is already stable.

He opens his eyes and looks out the window.

The volcano group is getting closer in his field of vision.

Dark red light flickers in the clouds.

This journey has begun.