Huh? Isn't this an adventure kingdom building game?!

Chapter 1395: Chapter 1023: The Gathering Storm (Part 2)

He even felt ruthless in his heart, intending to settle the remaining members and then find a way to lure all the Demon Cultivators of the new alliance to be swallowed by the Power of the Celestial Dao’s Remnant, making it clean!

With a death wish in mind, Du Li once again thanked and bade farewell, asking Jiang Yuan to return the Heart Mirror to Yuan Man, then got up and left.

Jiang Yuan saw this and thought, is this okay? He immediately summoned the contract guard, Qu Luming, briefly explained Du Li’s situation, and told him to keep an eye on him to prevent Du Li from doing something stupid.

Thinking about it again, he was still uneasy, so he simply summoned Old Dog back, asking it to watch over him as well.

"Woof woof, what’s going on? As the saying goes: a centipede dies but never falls, such a big alliance collapsed just like that?" Ling Di was completely baffled, did the Demon Realm Alliance fall apart so quickly?

It’s no wonder Du Li would be so distressed; an enormous organization that had existed for tens of thousands of years and could be said to have dominated the Wilderness World, ended completely in his hands.

As the Vice Alliance Hierarch, he didn’t even have a chance to turn the tide, it’s just too much to bear!

"This matter is a bit... complicated." Jiang Yuan thought, while it’s true that many people were ready to push the wall down, the alliance’s quick collapse was probably mainly due to his own involvement.

Ling Di immediately took the hint and stomped angrily, "Ah! What a loss! Master, think about it, Du Li and Lan Shanying took dozens of shrimps and crabs with them. Apart from the treasury at the Demon Realm Alliance headquarters, what else do they have?

The Spirit Stone Mine must have been taken over by others long ago; the Market’s earnings are in the hands of the workshop chief; other valuable assets were also seized by traitorous subordinates. They’re not only commanders without an army, but penniless as well. Taking over now is too great a loss!

If I had known, I should have had Du Li move all the alliance’s assets to the small courtyard, at least we wouldn’t have dressed the traitors in wedding clothes."

Jiang Yuan: ...

"Let’s just keep this between us. Du Li already has a Heart Demon, and after such a setback, he might not want to live anymore. If you remind him like this again, and he hasn’t recovered any of the alliance’s assets, he’ll die of anger." Jiang Yuan waved his hand and urged, "Quickly go and watch over him, I fear he truly might do something desperate."

"Okay, woof!" Old Dog scratched its ear with its hind leg and chuckled, "Master, rest assured, if he dares to do anything foolish, I’ll drag him back with my mouth if I have to!"

Ling Di bounced off to find Qu Luming; Jiang Yuan looked up at the sky, recalling how, when Lin Yao recommended him to deliver peaches to Qingfeng Hall, Elder Lu mentioned that the current Sect Leader of Cloud Concealment Sect, Cang Rui’s master, Ge Lin, was fond of Lin Yao and didn’t hesitate to burn his lifespan out of obsession to peer into heavenly secrets.

He said that within about three to five years, there would be a great battle in the Wilderness World that would require them to come forth, potentially securing a slim chance of survival for this world.

The Demon Realm Alliance collapsed with extreme speed, and there’s no longer any restraint on the scattered rabble, so they might act even more recklessly.

A storm is brewing!

Sure enough, Hou Ze and Wu Chen soon sent news that the arrays on Trapped Snake Island had been activated layer by layer to soothe the anxious hearts of the people.

There was an overwhelming number of rumors from various channels, even the gossip-loving Miss Hu Jiu couldn’t keep up.

Some said the new alliance was stumbling in its formation, attempting to woo Trapped Snake Island and control this treasure trove; others said the new alliance was recruiting extensively, offering power to anyone with strength; still others said there were Evil Cultivators mixed in the new alliance, and upon learning that Snow Cloud Valley had been breached, they attempted to send troops to seize it...

The earlier rumors were one thing, but when the latter news came, Jiang Yuan immediately teleported to Snow Cloud Valley.

In addition to the existing Valley Protection Array, there was another layer of Trapped Snake Island’s protective array added by Du Li, afraid that Celestial Sword Sect would become a target right after moving here. He meticulously used his System’s Grand Appraisal to ensure there were no flaws.

Then he set up the remaining Teleportation Arrays in Snow Cloud Valley one by one, so that in the event of trouble, Wan Mingchuan could lead the entire Celestial Sword Sect to the small courtyard for refuge.

"Daoist You, why haven’t I heard from you? How have you been lately?" Miling’s message suddenly came in, several in a row, "There are still many Evil Cultivators in Qihan Mountain, hurry over and seize the opportunity!"

"Have you heard the news of the sudden increase in Spiritual Energy in the Extreme North Realm? Recently, things have been unsettled here, with Demon Beasts and Demon Cultivators fighting fiercely over territory."

"I’ve also heard about the many traitors from the Demon Realm Alliance forming a new alliance, and they even tried to recruit me. I don’t want to get caught in this mess, quickly deal with the Evil Cultivators so I can take refuge with you, it’s becoming impossible to stay at Qihan Mountain..."

......

Someone is actually trying to woo Miling?

Jiang Yuan thought, it seems the north is truly in chaos. Right now, without other pressing matters, it’s best to go to Qihan Mountain, wipe out the Evil Cultivators, and then bring Miling back to live in the small courtyard!

The new alliance’s emergence was incredibly rapid, making it hard not to suspect that before Du Li used the Heart Mirror, those in power with desirable positions had already started plotting.

Yet again, a Demon Cultivator brought a heavy gift to visit, standing on a small boat at Qihan Mountain and calling out with cupped fists, "I’ve long heard of Lord Miling’s great reputation, may I know if the Mountain Master is willing to meet?"

"Oh? Where did you hear of my name?" A large black shadow protruded from the towering cave, vast and twisted, with a voice full of mirth, "Who are you? What do you want to see me for?"

"I am Lu Chongde, Left General of the new alliance, here specifically to invite the Mountain Master to join the new alliance and share in the Wilderness World!" The other party proclaimed proudly, raising his voice by two octaves.

As if being the Left General were a very prestigious position.

The shadow on the cliff shifted unpredictably; oars cutting through the water made a deep sound, and the skeleton boatman with a straw hat remained silent, with echoes of whispers faintly heard from within the cave.

Lu Chongde held his breath, concentrating hard to listen carefully, but was only greeted with more rustling noises, unable to discern if they were voices or water sounds.

"Please proceed to the flower hall for a discussion." Miling’s voice was ethereal and distant, and a waterway just wide enough for a small boat appeared silently on the mountain body, clearly leading a few meters to a bright hall filled with blooming flowers of various colors.

"Thank you for the hospitality, Mountain Master!" Lu Chongde quietly breathed a sigh of relief, being dispatched to woo the Mountain Master meant venturing deep into the other’s territory; it would’ve been a lie to claim he wasn’t nervous.

Especially having heard tales of this Mountain Master, supposedly the reincarnation of the Gambling God Miling, having had conflicts with many sects, and even the Demon Realm Alliance intervening, branding him as an Evil Cultivator for his supposed indiscriminate killings.

However, conflict was one thing, but the sects and alliance, claiming righteousness, hadn’t gained any advantage against him.

After some struggle, both sides took a step back.

Miling occupied the remote Qihan Mountain, becoming its Mountain Master without troubling others, and the alliance along with the sects since then turned a blind eye.

Both sides could’ve gone on without crossing paths, but alas, the sudden surge of Spiritual Energy in the Extreme North Realm turned the once-neglected Qihan Mountain, with its advantageous location, into a coveted feng shui spot.

The new alliance, having separated from the Demon Realm Alliance, was in chaos internally. They had to seize the opportunity to establish a foothold in the Wilderness World, simultaneously expanding and attracting more aspirants to fend off the potential counterattacks from the disgruntled Du Li and Lan Shanying.

Lu Chongde’s foundation wasn’t deep, so he leveraged his influence and status from when he was in the Law Enforcement Hall to snatch a Left General’s position. To secure himself, he had to take risks, achieve merit, and recruit powerful Demon Cultivators to tie them to his cause.

After much thought, he decided to personally negotiate, lest someone else beat him to it.

He’d heard that Qihan Mountain welcomed all, whether Evil Cultivator or fugitive, and anyone could find a spot here. And Mountain Master Miling was quite laid-back, demanding only that they not cause trouble, suggesting he had a good temper; even if negotiations failed, there wouldn’t be any mortal danger.

Upon seeing the courteous reception, Lu Chongde began contemplating how to win him over.

"No need to be so formal, General." Miling chuckled softly, as the shadow on the cliff swayed restlessly.

The water trickled gently, and as the small boat barely docked to let the guy disembark, it quietly slid out again, erasing the waterway on the wall without a trace.

Miling turned holding the Communication Stone, eagerly sending the latest news, "Daoist You, hurry over! A big fish took the bait! A Left General of the new alliance, how about that? This rank should reveal plenty of information. I’ve already imprisoned him in a secret chamber, quickly come!"

Almost receiving an instant reply, Miling’s shadow moved around Qihan Mountain, inspecting thoroughly and feeling quite satisfied.