Chapter 152: Chapter 149: Young Alliance Leader, Wei Tianchen’s Coercion
Mrs. Yan’s brow furrowed, her gaze sharp, revealing a domineering personality.
Her overbearing nature had been a major reason for her separation from Yan Shuangying’s father back then.
And over the many years that had passed, her forceful personality hadn’t changed; if anything, she had become even stricter.
As for the Ning Jiang that Yan Shuangying was always mentioning, she had long been displeased with him. She was especially infuriated that Yan Shuangying had just rejected Ji Hai to his face.
She had exhausted herself and pulled countless strings to set the two of them up. If Yan Shuangying could be with Ji Hai, it would be of immense benefit to her family.
As for that Ning Jiang, she simply didn’t believe he was as amazing as Yan Shuangying claimed.
’Killing an Innate Limit expert with a single punch?’ In her eyes, these were just unrealistic lies Yan Shuangying told for the sake of defying her.
Yan Shuangying, feeling indignant, was about to retort when Wei Tianchen’s voice rang out:
"Everyone, I just overheard you discussing the matter of an Alchemy Alliance. Since you’ve all heard the rumors, I won’t hide it any longer. We, Pill King Valley, are indeed going to establish an Alchemy Alliance!"
Wei Tianchen stood there, full of youthful vigor and commanding presence, speaking with absolute authority.
"What!"
A massive uproar erupted as everyone present was thrown into a complete commotion.
Before, they had only heard whispers and weren’t sure if it was true. Now, it was confirmed!
Countless people were dumbfounded.
The many Alchemy Masters present had always been independent and free-spirited individuals.
And now, Pill King Valley actually wanted to consolidate all alchemists and form an Alchemy Alliance. One must remember, this gathering included nearly every Alchemy Master in the entire Cyan Cloud Country!
"Forming an Alchemy Alliance... this is a major undertaking. We must consider it carefully," one Alchemy Master said cautiously.
"Heh, if Pill King Valley is forming an Alchemy Alliance, my Ji Family will be the first to join."
Just then, Ji Hai spoke loudly, stepping out to stand behind Wei Tianchen.
"My Shi Family is also willing to join."
"And my Zhang Family."
"My Zheng Family agrees as well."
In an instant, members of four great families stepped forward, positioning themselves behind Wei Tianchen.
Seeing this, countless people gasped.
This was especially true for the alchemists from Dan City who understood its power structure.
They knew that these four families were all First-Class Noble Houses in Dan City!
The Ji Family, in particular, had even produced an Alchemy Grandmaster whose fame shook the Cyan Cloud Country!
Now that members of these four families had all declared their stance, although they were only of the younger generation, everyone understood they must have already received their families’ approval.
’With the four great families joining, Pill King Valley now has Dan City firmly in its grasp. This Alchemy Alliance was probably a pre-arranged plot from the very beginning!’
A sharp-witted Alchemy Master said, his voice trembling.
"With the four great families of Dan City taking the lead, combined with Pill King Valley’s might, this Alchemy Alliance is already gaining unstoppable momentum!"
"But the most important thing is still the attitude of the Alchemy Grandmasters. Pill King Lu Changsheng invited them for a meeting... I wonder what they’re thinking?"
In the end, the four great families were just a power in Dan City. Their influence was limited and not enough to make all the Alchemy Masters in the country join.
What was truly crucial was the attitude of those few Alchemy Grandmasters!
Each of those Alchemy Grandmasters was a figure as mighty as a dragon.
"If those Alchemy Grandmasters are also willing to join the Alchemy Alliance, then its formation will be completely unopposed."
"There are a total of seven Alchemy Grandmasters in the country. Grandmaster Tan Jinglin has yet to arrive."
Wei Tianchen stood there, a smile gracing his lips as he listened to the crowd’s discussion.
Pill King Valley had been plotting the formation of this Alchemy Alliance for a long time—planning for over a decade, in fact.
It was only recently, after he became an Alchemy Grandmaster and earned the title "Little Pill King," that Pill King Valley’s prestige reached its absolute peak. It was for this reason that his master, Lu Changsheng, decided to finally implement the plan that had been more than ten years in the making.
"Young Master Wei, are you confident about the grandmasters?"
A young man from the Shi Family, standing behind Wei Tianchen, asked.
These members of Dan City’s younger generation all looked to Wei Tianchen as their leader and were on good terms with him.
Wei Tianchen didn’t answer. Ji Hai interjected, "Since Young Master Wei dared to announce this matter publicly at this time, it proves he’s completely confident. Is there even a need to ask?"
"Ji Hai is the smart one."
Wei Tianchen gave Ji Hai an appreciative glance.
"Thank you for the praise, Young Master Wei."
Ji Hai was both surprised and flattered. Although he came from a First-Class Noble House, he was leagues below Wei Tianchen.
Latching onto a powerful figure like Wei Tianchen was his own little scheme; with Wei Tianchen looking out for him in the future, the benefits would be limitless.
"The six Grandmasters are coming out!"
Suddenly, a shocked voice rang out.
In an instant, the gazes of all the Alchemy Masters present shifted.
Six figures emerged, each with an extraordinary bearing and a solemn, dignified air. Their combined presence exuded a pressure that many could feel.
’Have they reached a conclusion?’
Everyone stared at the six Alchemy Grandmasters. Their stance was of the utmost importance.
Just then, one of them spoke, his voice clear and resonant. "Everyone, I’m sure you have all heard about the Alchemy Alliance. To make a long story short, the six of us all agree that establishing the Alchemy Alliance is a good thing!"
BOOM!
As if a meteor had crashed down, the announcement instantly caused a massive uproar.
The hearts of countless Alchemy Masters trembled. With these Alchemy Grandmasters joining, the establishment of the Alchemy Alliance would be unstoppable.
"Congratulations, you six Elders."
Wei Tianchen cupped his fist towards the six, as if he had known the outcome all along.
"Tianchen, you are an Alchemy Grandmaster yourself now. And since your master is the Alliance Leader, that makes you the Young Alliance Leader. There’s no need for pleasantries with old fossils like us."
The Alchemy Grandmaster from the Ji Family chuckled as he stroked his beard.
’So that’s how it is. That’s how it is.’
Amidst the crowd, an old man sighed. "If the Pill King is the leader of the Alchemy Alliance, and they are the six Grand Elders, then the six of them will be second only to one man and above all others. With such power, it’s no wonder they were willing to join. Besides that, I’m sure Pill King Valley also offered them many other benefits."
Within Pill King Valley, there were some Treasure Medicines and Pill Formulas that could tempt even an Alchemy Grandmaster.
If the six great Alchemy Grandmasters became Elders of the alliance, they would be able to command more people in the future. It was all pros and no cons for them.
"But isn’t Grandmaster Tan Jinglin still not here?"
"Heh, since Pill King Valley was able to get six Alchemy Grandmasters to agree, they can surely make an offer Tan Jinglin can’t refuse. Besides, even if Tan Jinglin does refuse, what can one person do against such an overwhelming tide?"
Many felt pessimistic. The big shots would benefit from the establishment of the Alchemy Alliance, but the lower and middle-ranking members would be the ones at their mercy.
"Congratulations, Young Master Wei." The young men beside Wei Tianchen were already offering their felicitations.
"You should be calling him Young Alliance Leader now. What’s this ’Young Master Wei’ nonsense? Have some decorum," Ji Hai shot the person a glare.
"Hehe, right, right. I should be saying Young Alliance Leader," the young man said, quickly correcting himself with a fawning tone.
"Young Alliance Leader, I, Ji Hai, have an audacious request."
"What is it? Feel free to speak."
Wei Tianchen gave Ji Hai a satisfied look. ’This Ji Hai fellow is quite sensible. I can groom him to be a trusted subordinate in the future.’
"I, Ji Hai, have taken a liking to a certain young lady, and I would like to ask the Young Alliance Leader to propose marriage on my behalf. If the Young Alliance Leader were to make the proposal, I believe the matter would be settled with ease," Ji Hai said respectfully.
"That’s simple. Which lady is it? I will go and propose on your behalf right now."
Wei Tianchen clasped his hands behind his back, his demeanor overflowing with confidence.
...
"Shuangying, did you see that? Ji Hai even knows a top-tier figure like Wei Tianchen. If you could be with him, it would be your good fortune,"
Mrs. Yan said, quite satisfied with Ji Hai.
Ji Hai was already the most talented of the Ji Family’s younger generation, and now, with connections to someone like Wei Tianchen, she was even more pleased.
"Hmph, isn’t he just acting like someone’s lackey? Look at him bowing and scraping. What’s so great about that? If it were Ning Jiang, he would never bow his head to anyone. Others would be the ones bowing and paying respects to him," Yan Shuangying said with disdain.
"That’s enough! Don’t bring up that Ning Jiang again. He’s just someone you’ve imagined," Mrs. Yan said sternly.
"Mother, everything I said is true! He’s not my fantasy!"
Mrs. Yan’s brow furrowed. Just as she was about to say more, her expression changed slightly. "Huh? Wei Tianchen and Ji Hai are coming this way."
"This must be Miss Yan Shuangying, I presume?"
Wei Tianchen, followed by Ji Hai and a few other young masters, arrived before Yan Shuangying.
"I am."
Yan Shuangying watched Wei Tianchen warily, a bad feeling creeping over her.
"I’ll be blunt. My brother here, Ji Hai, is fond of you, Miss Yan, and has asked me to propose marriage on his behalf. What are your thoughts on the matter, Miss Yan?" Wei Tianchen said with casual confidence.
Mrs. Yan’s eyes lit up, and she was about to accept, but she saw Yan Shuangying shake her head and refuse. "I’m sorry, but I’m already in love with someone."
"Hm?"
Wei Tianchen’s brow twitched. At that moment, a young man behind him snorted coldly and said, "You don’t know what’s good for you. The Young Alliance Leader is proposing on his behalf, and you dare to refuse? You’re from some minor family in Luoyang City. It’s your good fortune that Young Master Ji has taken an interest in you. Don’t be shameless when a favor is being offered."
"That’s right. Marrying Young Master Ji is your chance to climb the social ladder, for a common hen to become a phoenix," another person added with a cold sneer.
"You...!"
Yan Shuangying’s delicate frame trembled with anger. What did they mean this was her chance for a "common hen to become a phoenix"? She couldn’t stand Ji Hai!
Wei Tianchen clasped his hands behind his back and said, "Miss Yan, my brother here is a man of outstanding talent. Together with you, you’d make a perfect couple. I advise you to reconsider."
"And what if I say no?" Yan Shuangying heard the veiled threat in his words.
"My brother’s business is my business. If you insist on being obstinate, don’t blame me for taking action against your Yan Family."
Wei Tianchen spoke with an air of superiority. He was now the Young Alliance Leader of the Alchemy Alliance, wielding great power. If he couldn’t even handle a trivial matter like this for Ji Hai, how could he maintain his reputation?
Ji Hai smirked from the side. ’Yan Shuangying, oh, Yan Shuangying... let’s see you say no now.’
A flash of paleness crossed Yan Shuangying’s face. Faced with Wei Tianchen’s coercion, what could she possibly do?
It wasn’t just her; even the entire Yan Family would be crushed before Wei Tianchen without a fight.
"Miss Yan, make your choice," Wei Tianchen said coldly.
Yan Shuangying clenched her fists, biting her lip as her beautiful eyes filled with shame, anger, and humiliation.
Just then, surprised murmurs arose from the surroundings:
"Hey, Grandmaster Tan has arrived!"
