CHAPTER 574: CHAPTER 284: THE DEMON EMPEROR’S RESOLVE, TONGMING’S TRUST (PART 3)

...

The usually aloof Zhang’s face now seemed speechless, as if she could imagine the scene at that time, and she even had a hint of sympathy in her gaze towards Tongming Master.

Since it was already out in the open, Tongming Master straightforwardly said:

"If there was still unity, I actually would like to reorganize the Hundred Immortals Alliance."

"But now..."

After listening, Zheng Fa wondered, looking at Tongming Master—could this person be so magnanimous?

"I have a request."

"Hmm?"

"Do not change the name of the Hundred Immortals Alliance."

Zheng Fa looked puzzled, while Zhang suddenly realized, "I heard back in the day, that Hundred Immortals Alliance ranked sixth among Xuanwei..."

"That was my boast." Tongming Master’s face rarely showed a flush.

Understood.

Exaggeration master.

Even got himself fooled!

At this point, Zheng Fa also understood that Tongming Master probably still had many attachments to the Hundred Immortals Alliance, but the current state of affairs and people’s hearts didn’t allow for his sentiments.

"Handing it over to others, I still wouldn’t be at ease."

"Perhaps only the Jiushan Realm might let the Hundred Immortals Alliance survive a bit longer."

Tongming Master sincerely said to Zheng Fa before leaving.

...

Because of Tongming Master’s entrustment, Zheng Fa invited over his Master and others.

"So, if we agree, we become the leader of the Hundred Immortals Alliance?"

Master Pang was the first to jump up, his tone quite excited.

Even Elder Yuan and Junior Master Huang’s faces were full of joy.

Zheng Fa could understand these two’s thoughts; although the Jiushan Realm had always developed rapidly, the Hundred Immortals Alliance was indeed different—

Back in the day, the Jiushan Sect had suffered grievances within the Hundred Immortals Alliance.

Now returning, and becoming the leader, was different.

After all, Jiushan Sect was originally a sect within the Hundred Immortals Alliance, and these three elders had many old friends in the alliance, similar to returning in glory.

Previously, even when seeing alumni chat in the group, Zheng Fa was secretly pleased...

Quite understandable.

However, Zhang didn’t speak, just looked at Zheng Fa, seeming to wait for his decision.

Zheng Fa thought long and hard, then nodded:

"Taking over the Hundred Immortals Alliance, while risky, has greater benefits."

"One is strength." Zheng Fa slowly analyzed, "Although the Hundred Immortals Alliance lacks Divinity Transformation, it still has many Nascent Souls, and forming an Immortal Formation is quite powerful."

"Another is resources. Although we can refine spiritual materials, many things are naturally cheaper..."

"There are actually many more benefits."

After hearing these two points from Zheng Fa, Elder Yuan and the others also understood his inclination.

Zheng Fa’s meaning was clear, joining something like Supreme Dao Hao Ri Mountain and losing autonomy wouldn’t do.

If we remain the main focus, then it is worth trying.

...

Two days later, in the Heavenly Palace of the Jiushan Realm, Zheng Fa and Tongming Master sat at the top.

The remaining sect leaders and elders of the Hundred Immortals Alliance sat below, eyeing each other nervously.

They naturally coveted the Jiushan Sect’s strength and cultivation techniques.

But on the other hand, the Jiushan Realm’s power being stronger than Tongming Mountain’s also made them worry... about losing authority.

At this point, with a change of leadership imminent, the initial excitement faded, replaced by the anxiety of gains and losses.

They came today to hear what Zheng Fa had to say.

Some even murmured in their hearts that if the Jiushan Sect was too domineering, it might be better to just leave the Hundred Immortals Alliance.

Zheng Fa observed their expressions, understanding what was on their minds.

Frankly, Tongming Master managed the Hundred Immortals Alliance rather loosely, leading to many loopholes but also granting these sects a lot of freedom.

But Zheng Fa would not be like that.

Seeing everyone’s eyes on him, he spoke loudly, "If anyone doesn’t want to follow my Jiushan Sect or has any questions, feel free to speak up."

The group exchanged confused looks, until the Qingmu Sect Leader stood up, cupping his hands toward Zheng Fa:

"Master Zheng, the Jiushan Sect, we naturally admire."

"But if the Jiushan Sect becomes the leader, what will be the future regulations of the Hundred Immortals Alliance?"

"How much tribute must we pay each year?"

"Or... simply merge into the Jiushan Realm?"

The Qingmu Sect Leader’s eyes showed some unease,

since they have disciples in the Jiushan Realm, they could see—Zheng Fa is a person with a strong sense of control, or rather, a very cautious person.

Would he allow these sects to act independently?

Zheng Fa pondered for a moment, then said, "I have two documents here, take a look first."

He tapped his finger on the table, and stacks of documents on the table, like white doves, landed in the hands of the sect leaders.

The Qingmu Sect Leader opened one first:

"’Mutual Watch and Assistance Treaty’"

He quickly understood.

"No mutual killings allowed."

"If there is a dispute, it can be brought to the Jiushan Realm for discussion."

"United against outsiders."

These were the fundamental principles.

There were more detailed provisions, like summoning Nascent Souls to practice Immortal Formations, etc.

This was easy to understand.

Zheng Fa intended to centralize power—in the future, these leaders could no longer stir internal conflicts within the Hundred Immortals Alliance, nor could they simply watch the Jiushan Sect face the Great Freedom Demon Sect alone like before.

Of course, they would also enjoy the protection of the Jiushan Sect.

This fact made the sect leaders hesitate a little.

Although this treaty offered them benefits, it also undoubtedly restricted their freedom more than Tongming Master did.

As they looked at one another, and then back to Tongming Master, nostalgia began to appear in their eyes...

Looking at their expressions, Tongming Master felt a bit proud—realizing my worth now, aren’t you?

But the Qingmu Sect Leader and the others knew that since Zheng Fa offered conditions, he probably wouldn’t change them.

Now they were in a weaker position—in essence, they were seeking the Jiushan Realm’s shelter.

With suppressed feelings, the Qingmu Sect Leader opened the second document: "Customs Union Treaty."

Glancing at it, he suddenly exclaimed:

"Master Zheng, you don’t want tributes?"

"Just joining this Customs Union suffices?"

Zheng Fa chuckled, nodding lightly.

Each Nascent Soul in the hall was astounded, murmuring among themselves, and their expressions brightened considerably.

Power is power, but cultivators care most about cultivation, which is naturally related to resources—knowing that Tongming Mountain’s demands for tribute were actually not small.

Now Zheng Fa was exceedingly generous!

Moreover, this suggested that Zheng Fa had no intent to annex their small sects!

How could this not reassure them?

Seeing this, Zheng Fa also chuckled to himself; to him, the Hundred Immortals Alliance’s sects themselves weren’t that appealing, in fact, initially, he preferred a relatively distant form of communication.

There were many secrets in the Jiushan Realm that couldn’t be disclosed to outsiders.

What attracted him were the resources of these sects and... the market!

He glanced at the Customs Union Treaty beside him and then at the smiling faces of the sect leaders and thought of Zhang’s calculated results...

Who says not taking tributes means you can’t exploit these sects?

The scissors cut between industry and agriculture, so to speak.

...

The Qingmu Sect Leader and others were unaware of the Jiushan Realm’s internal developments or any industry and agriculture, so they were jubilantly signing the treaty.

After signing their names, they looked up again at Tongming Master.

This time, their expressions seemed a bit resentful towards Tongming Master—it was clearly written on their faces:

Oh? You’re still here?