In the great hall below the dragon throne, one hundred and eight immortals and gods were arrayed on either side.
These were the "kings, marquises, generals, and ministers" of the Great Li Dynasty!
The Great Li Dynasty controlled the entire Eastern Extreme Domain, and their immortal and divine powerhouses were naturally far more numerous than this.
The Great Li Dynasty had stationed immortal and divine powerhouses to guard various prefectures.
In addition to the powerhouses guarding the prefectures, there were also some immortals and gods who held no official positions.
Although these immortals and gods were not employed by the dynasty, they were bound to obey the orders of the Great Li Dynasty.
"According to our intelligence, the sect leader of Yu Ding and other immortals and gods of the Yu Ding Sect are all at the Flying Immortal Sect," the black-robed Ninth Elder said, stepping forward.
"So, old friends," the King of Great Li sneered, "Prepare yourselves first. I will accompany you to the Flying Immortal Sect then. If they want to be the first to make a move, I will strike them down first."
"Your Majesty is peerlessly invincible; your personal intervention will surely lead to victory."
"The Flying Immortal Sect is courting death by daring to oppose our Great Li Dynasty."
"This humble servant is willing to be a vanguard and lead the charge against the sects of the Demon Cloud Domain."
At the very front on the right side, a middle-aged man spoke respectfully.
The King of Great Li was pleased with the man's performance. He smiled and nodded, "I hereby appoint you as the vanguard marshal. Go and capture the border sects of the Demon Cloud Domain for me."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will surely secure this first victory for the Great Li Dynasty."
...
Three days later, all the powerhouses who had come to attend the summons gathered at the Flying Immortal Sect.
As the host, the Sect Leader of the Flying Immortal Sect naturally had to entertain these immortal and divine powerhouses.
Before each immortal and god, exquisite immortal fruits and fine wines were placed.
"Thank you, fellow Daoists, for accepting the invitation of the Flying Immortal Sect."
"I believe you are all aware of the purpose of today's gathering."
"Since that is the case, I shall waste no further words."
"The invasion of the Great Li Dynasty is imminent. If we do not wish to be annexed, we must rise up and resist."
"A mere alliance of a few sects is no match for the Great Li Dynasty."
"To make the Great Li Dynasty fear us, we must unite as one."
"Only through unity can we have the strength to contend with the Great Li Dynasty."
After everyone was seated, the Sect Leader of the Flying Immortal Sect walked into the center and announced loudly.
"We understand the principle, but a group of dragons cannot be without a leader. Who will be the commander?"
"Although the Flying Immortal Sect is a super sect, it is likely not qualified to be the commander."
Where there are people, there is the martial world, let alone the immortal and divine powerhouses of various sects present.
It was easier for small and medium-sized sects, as they had no choice but to follow the tide.
However, those top sects harbored their own ambitions, each wishing to become the leader of the alliance.
"If the Flying Immortal Sect is not qualified, then who is?"
"Anyone who believes their sect is qualified can step forward."
At this moment, Qin Han Chu's voice came.
Everyone turned to look and saw Qin Han Chu entering hand in hand with Axiang.
"Who are you?" one of the immortals and gods asked displeasantly, looking at Qin Han Chu.
The Sect Leader of the Flying Immortal Sect replied, "This is the true helmsman of our Flying Immortal Sect. I am merely the steward of the Flying Immortal Sect."
"This person is the true master of the Flying Immortal Sect?"
"The Flying Immortal Sect actually has two hidden immortals and gods?"
"Who is this person? Does anyone recognize him?"
Hearing the introduction from the Sect Leader of the Flying Immortal Sect, their eyes showed surprise and confusion.
Only the Sect Leader of Wan Hua remained composed, as he was an old acquaintance of Qin Han Chu.
"What does the Flying Immortal Sect mean? Are you trying to force us to submit through strength?"
As this person pressed, all eyes fell on Qin Han Chu.
"The Great Li Dynasty's attack is already at our doorstep. I don't have time for infighting among you all."
"I propose that all sects jointly form an alliance guild."
"As long as one is a sect leader, they can become a guild councilor."
"On major decisions, all councilors will have one decision vote."
"As the organizer and the sect with the most immortals and gods, our Flying Immortal Sect will serve as the first alliance president."
"Regardless of who is the alliance president, they will possess one final decision vote."
"To put it plainly, one final decision vote is equivalent to five ordinary decision votes."
Qin Han Chu did not shy away and directly requested the position of alliance president.
"What must we offer?" the Sect Leader of Wan Hua asked.
Qin Han Chu replied, "Once we go to war with the Great Li Dynasty, all sects must obey the dispatch of the alliance guild."
"Will you, as the president, show favoritism to the Flying Immortal Sect?" another sect leader asked.
"To be the alliance president, one must naturally lead the charge in all matters!"
"The Flying Immortal Sect will not only not retreat but will stand at the forefront of the battle."
"I am forming this guild not to amass wealth, but solely to preserve the freedom of the Flying Immortal Sect."
Qin Han Chu truly did not wish to be the "king" of the Demon Cloud Domain!
As long as the Flying Immortal Sect could continue to maintain its independence, that would be enough.
"We, the Wan Hua Sect, trust Fellow Daoist Baili's strategy."
"The Wan Hua Sect is willing to join the alliance."
The Sect Leader of Wan Hua spoke first.
"Sect Leader Wan Hua, you know him?" Someone asked with confusion upon hearing the Sect Leader of Wan Hua mention Qin Han Chu's surname.
The Sect Leader of Wan Hua smiled, "Of course, I do. It was Fellow Daoist Baili's strategy that destroyed the Great Luo Sect back then. At that time, Fellow Daoist Baili was only an Immortal Saint, yet he destroyed the Great Luo Sect. We, the Wan Hua Sect, naturally trust such strategy."
"What? The Great Luo Sect was destroyed under his command?"
"An Immortal Saint dared to lead the Flying Immortal Sect in alliance with the Wan Hua Sect to destroy the Great Luo Sect?"
It was not a secret that the Flying Immortal Sect and the Wan Hua Sect had jointly destroyed the Great Luo Sect.
However, everyone was surprised that this matter was spearheaded by Qin Han Chu.
And at that time, Qin Han Chu was merely an Immortal Saint martial artist.
An Immortal Saint daring to take action against a top sect like the Great Luo Sect was a level of boldness not possessed by everyone.
"As long as you can ensure fairness and impartiality, we are willing to join," said the Sect Leader of the Dragon God Sect.
Qin Han Chu replied, "The Great Li Dynasty has already reached our doorstep. I have no time to play mind games with you all. Even if I were to reap benefits from you, it would have to wait until after we have dealt with the Great Li Dynasty."
Axiang also spoke at this time, "At this juncture, everyone should distinguish between what is important and what is trivial. If we are to bicker over trivial matters, our alliance cannot be established in a short period. Once the Great Li Dynasty charges forward, there will be no need to establish this alliance, and everyone will either surrender or find their own way out."
"That is well said. The pressing matter now is to resist the foreign enemy."
"Our Lin Hai Sect joins the alliance."
The Sect Leader of Lin Hai said thoughtfully.
"We will also join, but I think we should sign a Dao Oath contract, lest anyone harbor ulterior motives."
"A Dao Oath contract is essential, as no one wants to be ambushed."
Since the sect leaders of these sects had come, it meant they did not wish to be annexed by the Great Li Dynasty.
Qin Han Chu's alliance format did not threaten the autonomy of their respective sects, which prevented the powerhouses from having too much resistance.