The Blue Clan Patriarch spoke forcefully, leaving no room for negotiation.
The Blue Clan has offended quite a few people, but these loose cultivators, sects, and families are nothing in their eyes. What truly worries the Patriarch is the Demon Sect, so no matter what, he will force the Demon Sect to join in resisting the enemy, rather than letting the Blue Clan shoulder the burden alone.
Those who don't know better might think the Blue Clan is being generous, joining forces with the Demon Sect for the continent's future despite their past rivalry.
Even the Blue Clan is making such statements, so what objections could others possibly have? If any issues arise in the future, just take them up with the Blue Clan.
So the person who spoke earlier shut their mouth and stepped aside.
Seeing that no one else spoke up, the Blue Clan Patriarch's expression finally eased a bit. He then addressed the crowd, "Tonight, we're holding an alliance election here. Everyone will choose a capable leader to serve as Alliance Master and lead the fight against those monstrous insects."
Many people already knew about this, but hearing it directly from the Blue Clan still felt different. Some wondered why the Blue Clan didn't just take the Alliance Master position themselves, while others were tempted—until they remembered who stood behind the Blue Clan, and realized they had no qualifications to give orders.
Everyone had their own thoughts, and the hall became lively again, shifting the discussion from the Demon Sect to tonight's election.
The Blue Clan Patriarch gave the Demon Sect Patriarch a slight smile, then glanced at Joel Qiao and said, "This should be one of the Thirteen Demon Cults’ followers from years ago, right?"
"The Thirteen Demon Cults have already disappeared. There's no need for the Blue Clan to bring it up again." Before the Demon Sect Patriarch could respond, Joel Qiao spoke up, his lips barely parted.
So this is a follower of the Thirteen Demon Cults? The lively discussion shifted back to this person. It seemed many knew the legend of the Thirteen Demon Cults—back before the Blue Clan produced their genius, they were just an ordinary family, while most of Central Province was dominated by the Thirteen Demon Cults.
But in the end, the Thirteen Demon Cults couldn't withstand the assault from the whole continent and broke apart. Some escaped, and later it was rumored that the Thirteen Demon Cults clashed with the Shadowhand Guild, all the way up to the present day.
The Blue Clan Patriarch nodded slightly and was about to turn away, but Joel Qiao spoke up, "How will this election be conducted? And why hasn't your Blue Clan’s top expert shown up?"
"This is something we can handle ourselves. As for the election, it will consider multiple factors—not just strength, but also reputation, and of course everyone's opinion," the Blue Clan Patriarch replied with a smile.
"So, does the Demon Sect have any chance?" Joel Qiao asked casually.
"The Demon Sect?" The Blue Clan Patriarch twitched, cursing inwardly—if the Demon Sect became Alliance Master, chaos would erupt. The surrounding people were stunned. If the Demon Sect were to lead, they'd rather kill themselves, so someone immediately objected.
This gave the Blue Clan Patriarch an excuse to smile and say, "You see—even if the Demon Sect has strength, without everyone's approval, it won't work."
"Oh? Then I'd like to see who doesn't approve!" Joel Qiao suddenly opened his eyes and swept his gaze around. That look, and the aura he radiated, made the person who first objected feel a crushing pressure.
Seeing this, the Blue Clan Patriarch quickly intervened, "As I said earlier, everyone must follow the rules here, so I ask the Demon Sect to do the same."
"And what if I refuse?" Joel Qiao, used to being above everyone else, found it hard to yield to these juniors—especially since he was already itching to teach these ignorant fools a lesson.
The Blue Clan Patriarch was frustrated—aside from a handful of people on the continent, no one here could really restrain this powerhouse.
Just then, a voice rang out: "You Demon Sect people are getting way too arrogant."
A moment later, someone walked in from outside. Those who recognized him were shocked: "That's Connor Hawke."
Even those who didn't know him understood when they heard the name: Connor Hawke, the second strongest on the continent.
Joel Qiao withdrew his aura and locked his gaze on Connor Hawke.
Connor Hawke, this avatar, walked over with a smile. "How about we test ourselves against each other? There's no point bullying them."
Are these two about to fight? That's what everyone thought, and of course they sided with Connor Hawke—he was righteous, not from the Demon Sect.
Joel Qiao stared at Connor Hawke, then smiled. "So many talents have emerged. I didn't expect so many powerful experts after all these years."
"I've always wanted to witness the strength of the Thirteen Demon Cults. Maybe we can spar sometime?" Connor Hawke said with a smile.
"We'll have a chance in the future." Joel Qiao replied, smiling but not giving a direct answer.
Joel Qiao ignored Connor Hawke after that. Seeing Joel Qiao so calm, Connor Hawke withdrew his aura. Everyone then stepped forward to greet the continent's second strongest.
"Senior Connor, I didn't expect you'd come too," the Blue Clan Patriarch said with a smile, stepping forward.
"Yes, I wanted to see for myself—especially those insects, they're not simple. Even I find them difficult to deal with." Connor Hawke nodded and smiled. He'd encountered the insects before; while he could easily defeat them, there were simply too many, and they avoided direct confrontation. Alone, he couldn't wipe them all out.
"You flatter me, Senior. With your strength, those insects are no threat. If you join us, wiping them out would be effortless," the Blue Clan Patriarch said, smiling.
"Your words sound nice, but the reality is much harder—these insects are cunning, and it's possible they're being controlled by someone. Otherwise, they wouldn't know the continent so well." Connor Hawke had come to secure some leverage for his clan.
The Blue Clan knew well—a peak Spirit-Wandering expert should be cultivating, not stirring up trouble here. As for the insects, their strongest were late-stage Spirit-Wandering, and against Connor Hawke, they'd be wiped out.
"Then please wait in the hall, Senior. Tonight we'll elect the Alliance Master and discuss how to deal with those insects together," the Blue Clan Patriarch said with a smile.
This chapter isn't finished yet~.~ Please click next page to continue reading!
"Alright, you go ahead," Connor Hawke nodded.
Just as the Blue Clan Patriarch left, Xin Jiang walked over. Connor Hawke didn't know her, so when he saw a strange woman approaching, he looked at her curiously.
"Excuse me, are you Senior Connor Hawke?" Xin Jiang asked.
Her question drew everyone's attention—after all, the Shadowhand Guild, Demon Sect, and Connor Hawke were hot topics. When two of them met, it was bound to attract a crowd.
"That's me. And you are?" Connor Hawke asked curiously.
"I'm from the Shadowhand Guild," Xin Jiang replied.
"Oh? The Shadowhand Guild? Are there still members left?" Connor Hawke had heard that the Blue Clan and some Spirit-Wandering experts had broken the last barrier, and believed no one remained inside. Seeing a Shadowhand Guild member now, he was curious.
"Of course there are, and everyone in the Hawke Clan knows it." Xin Jiang had once been chased by the Hawke Clan, and even the person who betrayed the Shadowhand Guild had tipped off the Hawke Clan.
Connor Hawke wasn't familiar with the inner workings of his clan. Hearing this for the first time, he looked at Xin Jiang with curiosity. "Is there something you need? Or is there a dispute between the Hawke Clan and the Shadowhand Guild?"
"There is a dispute, but that's not the main point. I have something I want to confirm with you," Xin Jiang said, suppressing her anger.
"What is it?" Connor Hawke asked, studying Xin Jiang with curiosity.
"Did you really send Evan Yang into the spatial crack all those years ago?" Xin Jiang asked.
Hearing this, everyone finally understood why the Shadowhand Guild sought out Connor Hawke—it was because of Evan Yang. Many here knew Evan Yang's story; he was once considered another outstanding genius of the continent, but later they heard he'd been sent into the spatial crack by Connor Hawke.
"Him? He fell in ten years ago." Connor Hawke hadn't expected the Shadowhand Guild to ask him this, but he wasn't worried—they couldn't do anything to him. He answered with a smile.
Xin Jiang suppressed her anger and said, "Thank you, Senior," then turned and left.
Unbeknownst to them, Benson Blue was watching the scene from the shadows, pondering the situation. As everyone discussed various matters, Benson Blue stepped out and approached Connor Hawke. "Senior Connor, how are you?"
"I'm well," Connor Hawke nodded, though he wondered why so many people were seeking him out today.
"I have something I'd like to ask you, Senior," Benson Blue said with a smile.
"What is it?"
"That beggar—did he really die? Because I swear I saw him just a few days ago." Benson Blue knew Evan Yang wasn't dead, but he deliberately spoke strangely and loudly.
Everyone's attention shifted to Benson Blue once again.
When Evan Yang fell into the spatial crack years ago, it triggered many deaths. Now, hearing that Evan Yang might not be dead, everyone looked at Benson Blue curiously, waiting for what he'd say next.
Connor Hawke's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible. I sent him in myself!"
"Senior, I really saw him. If you don't believe me, ask our Blue Clan people in the Death Crystal Field," Benson Blue insisted.
His tone made everyone speculate, and Xin Jiang, hearing the news, felt as if she'd received the best news possible. She kept repeating in her heart, "He's really alive! Alive!"
Joel Qiao opened his eyes again, looked suspiciously at Benson Blue, repeated what he'd heard, and wondered, "Could he really be alive?"
Not only Joel Qiao, but everyone around showed incredulous expressions. Was this genius really alive?
On the other side, the Free Alliance members, upon hearing the news, also showed strange expressions.
"Deputy Alliance Master, is this news reliable?" White Wolf was beside the deputy, excitedly asking after hearing the news.
"I don't know either. Let's see what they say next." The deputy was also excited—he'd once placed great hopes in Evan Yang, and even left seclusion for him, mobilizing the Free Alliance against the Blue Clan.
Seeing Benson Blue so certain, Connor Hawke looked odd and finally stood up to ask, "How did you see him?"