Chapter 2605: Chapter 2605
Zhou Ning voiced his stance, agreeing to seize this opportunity for a complete merger. He even proposed forming an alliance with the coalition forces to jointly resist the invasion of the foreign tribes.
The other attendees also agreed to unify, electing a wise leader to put an end to the long-standing conflict between the two tribes and unite their strength against the common enemy.
Once consensus was reached, they began discussing the finer details, including identifying and removing those who had been detrimental to their cause.
Meanwhile, Ye Liuyun used his doppelgänger and the teleportation black tower to bring three million coalition troops and elders like Lie Du to the meeting.
Ye Liuyun himself had no intention of controlling the coalition. He believed their cooperative structure and open-minded approach were already effective, and he merely joined as one of its members, leaving governance in the coalition’s hands.
Yet the coalition recognized Ye Liuyun’s indispensable role. Even if all other factions combined their strength, his influence could not be overlooked. In terms of combat prowess, none could rival him.
The coalition had repeatedly offered him the position of alliance leader, but Ye Liuyun declined every time. He refused even a seat among the elders, unwilling to be tied down by administrative duties.
Thus, the collaboration between the coalition and Ye Liuyun proceeded smoothly, with both sides understanding their respective roles.
Once the coalition’s representatives arrived, Ye Liuyun stepped back, leaving subsequent matters to them. As for warriors like Zhou Ning and Dian Qing, he temporarily lent them to Ling Xiao to assist in overthrowing Zhou Qiang’s rule.
With the overwhelming presence of three million coalition troops, Zhou Qiang immediately lost his defiance and hastily prepared to send envoys for peace talks.
However, the major factions that had once stood by him, sensing his impending downfall, swiftly turned against him, surrendering to Ling Xiao instead.
Ling Xiao remained composed, allowing them to atone for their past actions by aiding his cause. These factions then dismantled their tribal defenses, enabling Ling Xiao and his warriors to storm the Zhou clan’s territory and capture Zhou Qiang alive.
Zhou Qiang never expected that those who had once flattered him would be the first to betray him in his hour of need.
Ling Xiao publicly declared Zhou Qiang’s crimes, executed him before the masses, and confiscated his resources. The people lined the streets, cheering in approval.
Subsequently, Ling Xiao led the purge of other oppressive factions that had plagued the populace, earning widespread praise and support. Naturally, he became the undisputed leader of the newly unified tribe.
What followed was Ling Xiao proclaiming the establishment of a new unified tribe. Seeking guidance from the alliance, he founded the Zhoujin Dynasty, with himself as its first Sacred King.
After the dynasty’s founding, a period of stabilization and transition was necessary. The alliance elders provided Ling Xiao with substantial assistance, offering numerous sound suggestions that helped solidify the Zhoujin Dynasty’s foundation.
Ling Xiao also contributed one million troops to the alliance. With this addition, the alliance’s forces swelled to four million, now preparing to march against the alien races.
Meng Qingyin was appointed commander of five hundred thousand soldiers, once again throwing herself into rigorous military training.
Yet her spirits had been low lately. She had recently encountered the women by Ye Liuyun’s side—those who had fought alongside him through countless battles, even participating in the extermination of the alien races.
Only then did Meng Qingyin realize Ye Liuyun already had so many women in his life, leaving her with a bitter taste in her heart. Before anything could even begin between them, the opportunity had already slipped away.
Liang Xue, Wu Qingcheng, and the others were perceptive. They cautiously probed Ye Liuyun for his thoughts. Terrified they might try to matchmake again, he immediately clarified that he had no romantic interest in Meng Qingyin and urged them not to meddle.
He promptly whisked them all into his spatial world, ordering them to focus on cultivation. Too afraid to face Meng Qingyin again, he used the excuse of preparing for war through training to avoid her entirely.
Left with no choice, Meng Qingyin threw herself into military drills, hoping time would gradually dull the weight Ye Liuyun held in her heart.
Meanwhile, Ye Liuyun brought Luan Ping and his grandfather back. He believed that prolonged isolation from other martial cultivators would only make Luan Ping more withdrawn in the future.
True progress in cultivation, he reasoned, came from constant comparison and competition among martial peers—only then could one find the drive to improve.
Yet he never disclosed Luan Ping’s status as his disciple to anyone, ensuring the boy received no special treatment. After providing sufficient resources, he left Luan Ping to cultivate step by step on his own.
Though Luan Ping trained diligently, Ye Liuyun had him cultivate dual core elixirs, making his path far more arduous than most. But this also guaranteed his near-invincibility within the same realm.
That didn’t mean Ye Liuyun neglected him. Through the Slaving Seal, he frequently monitored Luan Ping’s thoughts, offering guidance on conduct and character. Whenever cultivation obstacles arose, Ye Liuyun was always ready with advice.
Soon after, the four alliance dynasties—east, west, north, and south—initiated a second wave of reinforcements, expanding their forces to eight million. Only after thorough reorganization and equipment standardization did they finally set out on their campaign.
Eight million troops boarded five colossal warships, setting off toward the alien stronghold amidst the jubilant farewells of the common folk.
Ye Liuyun, however, chose not to accompany the army. Instead, he remained behind, altering his appearance once more. When the time was right, he could simply teleport directly to the battlefield using the Dark Tower.
In the meantime, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to cultivation. Warriors like Zhou Ning, Dian Qing, and Hong Guang served as perfect sparring partners to hone his skills.
Beyond the inhabited regions of the Zhoujin Dynasty lay vast, uncharted territories—untouched wilderness where few dared to venture.
Whenever his training grew monotonous, Ye Liuyun would take Luan Ping out on expeditions, allowing A Xing and the others to sharpen their abilities as well. Through these journeys, he discovered that the land was actually rich in resources—only vastly underutilized, primarily due to the scarcity of human martial cultivators.
Ye Liuyun urged Luan Ping to train diligently and swiftly elevate his strength so he could later explore these lands independently in search of his own resources.
"The resources here are truly abundant," he remarked. "Once you break through to the Immortal Realm, you should venture out and gain experience. Don’t just bury yourself in secluded cultivation."
"Yes, Master!" Luan Ping replied eagerly. He had always been drawn to adventure, preferring to earn his own resources rather than rely on Ye Liuyun’s generosity.
Ye Liuyun also imparted valuable survival wisdom, teaching Luan Ping that expeditions were meant for gathering resources—not reckless life-or-death struggles—and emphasizing the importance of staying safe while exploring.
Half a year later, as the allied forces neared the alien stronghold, Ye Liuyun escorted Luan Ping back to the Zhoujin Dynasty and bid him farewell.
Using the Dark Tower, he rejoined the army. His doppelgänger had already retrieved the scattered forces of the Death Corps—except for the Blade Regiment, whose soldiers had dispersed too widely, with some still missing from the rally point.
Unfazed, Ye Liuyun deployed the million troops he had reclaimed, assigning them to smaller vessels to escort the allied fleet. Along the way, whenever they encountered alien forces, his soldiers swiftly eliminated them and seized their resources.
