Chapter 272: The Establishment of the Alliance

Staring at the boy riding the ox before him, Xiao Han's eyes flickered, and he said respectfully, "This junior greets the Ancestor!"

That's right, the boy who could be treated with such courtesy by Xiao Han was naturally that legendary Dan Ta Lao Zu who had always been traveling the world. Xiao Han had once had a brief encounter with him and had also accepted a favor from him.

In front of Dan Ta Lao Zu, although Xiao Han's strength was greater, it was not appropriate for him to put on the airs of a powerhouse.

Regarding Xiao Han's greeting, Dan Ta Lao Zu gave a hearty laugh. His face was youthful, but his voice was extremely aged. He looked at Xiao Han with deep meaning: "The little fellow from back then is now truly limitless!"

For some reason, Xiao Han felt as if he had been seen through. He had never dared to show off in front of this Dan Ta old monster, whose seniority was unknown to him.

Although his strength was superior to the other's, when it came to playing mind games, Xiao Han really didn't think he was a match for an old-timer like Dan Ta Lao Zu.

Just like this time, Xiao Han still didn't know how Dan Ta Lao Zu had learned of his whereabouts and managed to wait here ahead of time to intercept him.

Xiao Han played dumb, acting as if he knew nothing, and asked curiously, "I wonder what instructions the Ancestor has for waiting for this junior here?"

Hearing Xiao Han's words, Dan Ta Lao Zu seemed to sigh: "The Ancestor is old, and I can't handle the tossing and turning of you little fellows anymore!"

"Hehe~" Xiao Han remained unchanged, "The Ancestor is still young; living for another few thousand years would be easy!"

"The matters of us young people need not trouble the Ancestor!"

"Alright then!" Dan Ta Lao Zu looked deeply at Xiao Han, "I hope you, little fellow, can help look after the Dan Ta."

"The Ancestor worries too much," Xiao Han said as a matter of course, "The current Dan Ta is not something just anyone can manipulate."

"Oh?" Dan Ta Lao Zu smiled slightly, "Then this old ancestor can rest easy!"

"Goodbye, little fellow!" Saying this, Dan Ta Lao Zu rode the green ox beneath him and gradually drifted away, leaving Xiao Han standing there in deep thought.

"As expected..." Xiao Han thought with some realization, "These old seniors are all cunning foxes!"

Even if that Dan Ta Lao Zu didn't manage affairs, he was not entirely ignorant of certain things. Not taking action was likely because he didn't want to be bothered by these matters, right?

There was nothing major about the alliance between Dan Ta and Starfall Pavilion and other forces; the Soul Hall wouldn't fear such a small thing. In terms of endurance, the Soul Hall, backed by the Soul Clan, could be said to look down upon the masses.

However, this time Yao Lao really intended to deal a heavy blow to the Soul Hall. A year ago, Xiao Wuye had just assassinated the Second Heavenly Venerable, Guyou Shengzhe, and the Soul Hall had almost turned the Central Plains upside down; the limelight had still not passed.

If they were to kill the remaining eight Heavenly Venerables who represented the face of the Soul Hall this time, and even destroy a Ren Dian, the Soul Hall would likely be unable to hold back.

Langya Pavilion could not be tied too closely to other forces for now. Xiao Han could at most ensure that the Soul Hall followed the original rules; this was also the reason why Xiao Han had not dispatched any Langya Pavilion powerhouses to support Yao Lao this time.

Even so, the remaining Soul Hall forces and the potentially appearing Soul Clan powerhouses would be enough to give the Dan Ta and the other top-tier alliances on the surface of the Central Plains a hard time.

Fortunately, this temporarily formed alliance was not as short-sighted as in the past, and it would not easily fall apart under heavy pressure.

And having experienced the test of the Soul Hall, the newly born alliance would truly stand firm on the land of the Central Plains. The future landscape might present a tripartite balance of power. As for deeper-level confrontations, it would be understood without being spoken; there was no need to explain it to ordinary people.

Killing intent flickered in Xiao Han's eyes, "It's a pity, now is not the time to provoke the Soul Clan."

"That guy Hun Miesheng is also quite good at hiding; there's no way to deal with him!"

"What a pity!" Xiao Han smacked his lips, shaking his head and sighing.

Although Xiao Han had taught that group of powerhouses from the other Ancient Races a miserable lesson back then, he also had a scale in his heart.

As long as no one died, everything was manageable. If Hun Miesheng, a Six-Star Dou Sheng powerhouse who was extremely rare even within the Soul Clan, were really killed...

The Soul Clan, whose plans had only just begun, might target Langya Pavilion, an uncertain variable, first. By then, everything would not be so comfortable.

Langya Pavilion only needed to maintain the status quo and occasionally strike back at the Soul Hall to create an appearance.

While Xiao Han was calculating his future strategy, the alliance temporarily formed by Yao Lao and the others was also conducting its final round of consultation before the operation.

In a hidden place, a group of old-generation powerhouses who had almost been forgotten by the Central Plains were currently seated.

And the moderator at the head of the table was naturally the organizer of this alliance—Medicine Saint Yao Chen!

"I will not repeat the purpose of everyone's arrival here!"

"And since the friends from Dan Ta are not convenient to appear, they have authorized me to represent them with full authority."

Yao Lao scanned the crowd, his tone serious, and went straight to the point.

"Now, if you have any questions, feel free to raise them. I will certainly tell you everything I know!"

As soon as the words fell, a loud and fiery voice rang out: "Yao Chen! Since that's the case, then this ancestor will not be polite."

Following the sound, the speaker had red hair and red eyebrows, looking every bit like someone with an extremely fiery temper. It was none other than Huo Yun Lao Zu from the Burning Flame Valley, whose strength was at the mid-stage of a One-Star Dou Sheng. When Yao Lao helped treat his hidden ailment, he had promised to assist the former in giving the Soul Hall a heavy blow.

Huo Yun Lao Zu looked around at everyone, then said in a deep voice: "I have no objection to dealing with the Soul Hall; I have long found that bunch of things an eyesore."

"It's just..." Huo Yun Lao Zu changed the subject: "Shouldn't you, old fellow, also lay your cards on the table with us? What exactly is the trump card you told us old fellows about back then?"

At this point, the others also shifted their gazes to Yao Lao. This sentence from Huo Yun Lao Zu undoubtedly asked what was in everyone's hearts.

Aside from the two rogue Half-Saints invited by Yao Lao, almost no one present was a lone wolf. The forces behind them could not allow them to risk their lives with Yao Lao; personal favors could almost be ignored in the grand plan of sect inheritance.

The reason they could be persuaded by Yao Lao was not only because of their friendship, but also because of the solemn guarantee Yao Lao had made back then—that he had enough trump cards to deal with the Soul Hall's subsequent retaliation. This was the fundamental reason they were willing to take risks with him.

Taking risks was fine; there was no such thing in the world that didn't require taking risks. But risking their lives was not; they could fight the Soul Hall to the death on their own, but they could not drag their entire sect to their deaths. Once things went wrong, they would have no face to meet their ancestors below!

Regarding this question, Yao Lao was clearly well-prepared. He confidently slapped a golden token onto the table.

"This is..." After seeing it clearly, everyone stood up in shock, and Huo Yun Lao Zu even blurted out: "Holy crap!"

Then he said in astonishment: "The Golden Dragon Token from the Langya Order, how could you, old fellow, have this?"

Such a rare item had actually been obtained by an old fellow like Yao Chen without a sound. Huo Yun Lao Zu could only say: "I admire you!"

"I just helped Langya Pavilion with a small favor!" Yao Lao brushed it off lightly.

As for what favor it was, the others did not delve into it, but their hearts were suddenly at ease.

"This Golden Dragon Token is enough to make Langya Pavilion help our newly formed alliance hold back powerhouses at the level of the Soul Hall Hall Master and Vice Hall Master."

"As for those below them..." Yao Lao gave a cold laugh, "I have two more outside helpers here!"

"Please, both of you, appear and meet everyone."

As soon as the words fell, two figures exuding terrifying auras slowly walked out from the back. Huo Yun Lao Zu looked at the two with a solemn expression:

"Peak One-Star!?"

The others in the room naturally heard Huo Yun Lao Zu's exclamation and looked at Yao Lao in surprise. Even for a One-Star Dou Sheng, inviting two at once was not something an ordinary person could do!

Yao Lao smiled and introduced: "These are powerhouses introduced by a friend of mine."

He then introduced the identities of Xiao Tie and Xiao Ya to everyone. After exchanging greetings, the two took their seats directly.

"This old man knows that our current strength is not enough to stand on equal footing with the Soul Hall." Following this, Yao Lao poured another bucket of cold water over everyone's heads.

"But we already have the qualifications to cross swords with the Soul Hall, don't we?" At this moment, a cold, clear voice suddenly rang out in the venue.

The Supreme Great Elder of the Flower Sect had a cold expression, "It is impossible for the Soul Hall to commit all of its forces to deal with us, and this is our opportunity."

The former's words won the unanimous agreement of everyone present; with their current strength, they were already capable of wrestling with the Soul Hall, so why should they be hesitant and overcautious?

Huo Yun Lao Zu laughed heartily and said, "This Ancestor still wants to try what it feels like to kill a Dou Sheng powerhouse of the Soul Hall!"

This remark drew laughter from the crowd; wasn't this exactly the purpose for which they had gathered together?

Finally, with the announcement from Yao Lao, an alliance encompassing several major factions of the Central Plains was declared established, named the Heavenly Mansion!

And the debut of the Heavenly Mansion would be this battle to annihilate the Ren Dian, one of the Heavenly Dipper Halls of the Soul Hall!