Chapter 788 Heaven and Earth Alliance

As Xiao Ling finished speaking, everyone on the chairman's table subtly changed their expressions, their brows furrowed in various ways, clearly weighing the weight behind this alliance proposal.

Among them, Jia Xingtian, the representative of the Jia Ma royal family, looked the most unpleasant. His hands, hidden beneath his black robe, clenched tightly, and a hint of deep concentration flashed across his eyes.

He is the guardian of the Gama royal family and one of the holders of imperial power. Xiao Ling's proposal to form an alliance, with the alliance leader holding the power to mobilize various forces in times of crisis, is tantamount to erecting an invisible shackle on the imperial power, which has already shaken the royal family's long-standing supreme status.

If any less powerful person dared to make such a suggestion, Jia Xingtian would probably refute it immediately, even at the cost of a complete falling out.

However, it was Xiao Ling who brought up this matter. He was no longer the boy who was content with his small corner of Jiama. His vision and strength had long surpassed those of the people of this Northwest Continent, and he also had the powerful influence of the Central State as his backing.

Even Jia Xingtian, as a guardian of the royal family, dared not easily provoke such a person. He could only suppress his displeasure and fear, and for a moment he found it difficult to accept this sudden change. His expression became increasingly solemn.

Before anyone could weigh the matter carefully, Xiao Ling spoke again, his voice still steady, but with a touch more decisiveness.

"What I just said only represents my personal views and opinions. I was born and raised in Gama, so naturally I hope that this homeland can become stronger and stronger, and that it can gain a foothold in the Northwest Continent and even further into the world. That is why I had the idea of ​​forming an alliance."

As soon as he finished speaking, his gaze swept across the room with sharp intensity, taking in the subtle changes in everyone's expressions. Then he said in a loud voice, "Now that we have reached this point, I'm sure you all have your own considerations. Who agrees, and who disagrees?"

This question, though uttered without anger, carried a subtle but imposing aura that instantly silenced the remaining whispers at the table.

Xiao Zhan, who had already discussed the matter with Xiao Ling beforehand, suddenly stood up. Dressed in a brocade robe, his posture upright, he swept his gaze over the assembled guests and spoke in a businesslike tone,

"Your Excellency Xiao Ling is now undoubtedly the strongest in the Jia Ma Empire, and this proposal is made for the long-term development of our Jia Ma Empire. I, Xiao Zhan, as the current patriarch of the Xiao family, hereby represent the Xiao family to fully support Your Excellency Xiao Ling's proposal!"

As soon as Xiao Zhan said this, no one at the table believed that it was a spur-of-the-moment decision. It was clear that the uncle and nephew had conspired beforehand to firmly establish the framework of this alliance proposal.

Now that the matter has been made clear, and Xiao Zhan, as the head of the Xiao family, has taken the lead in expressing his opinion, there is no possibility that this topic will end easily.

Those with sharp minds in the room had already weighed the pros and cons of this alliance proposal against their own power several times over, and each had made their own decision.

Sure enough, as soon as Xiao Zhan sat down, the sound of clothes rustling could be heard again.

Hai Bodong, dressed in an ice-blue robe, stood up, his posture as upright as a pine tree, and a shrewd glint flashed in his usually indifferent eyes.

He raised his hand, picked up the glass cup on the table, and offered a respectful toast towards Xiao Ling, saying loudly...
"Master Xiao Ling's return this time shows that his vision has long since transcended this corner of the Northwest Continent, and what he is planning is by no means ordinary."

"This alliance, though seemingly a change of course, is actually aimed at securing a foothold for the Gama Empire in this turbulent northwest region, preventing it from being coveted by other countries. I, Hai Bodong, representing the Mittel family, wholeheartedly support it!"

Hai Bodong's words were like throwing a boulder into an already turbulent atmosphere, pushing the topic of the alliance to the forefront with no room for maneuver.

Seeing this, many people in the room were immediately eager to make a move. It was clear to everyone that the matter of the Gama Alliance was probably a done deal. Rather than hesitating and watching, it was better to express their opinion sooner rather than later.

After all, gaining some favor with Xiao Ling, a powerful figure who now wields immense influence, would be a tremendous boost to one's own future and the power behind them.

Just as Hai Bodong finished speaking and before he could even sit down, a clear, cold female voice suddenly rang out.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Yun Yun, dressed in a simple white dress, slowly rise. Her figure was as elegant as a lotus, and although there was still a hint of aloofness in her eyes, her tone was exceptionally firm.

"I previously accompanied Master Xiao Ling to Zhongzhou and personally witnessed his vision and abilities, as well as his power to decide the fate of the world with a wave of his hand. The alliance proposal he put forward was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a genuine consideration for the long-term future of the Jia Ma Empire. The Northwest Continent is currently in turmoil, with various countries eyeing it covetously. Only by uniting the strength of all forces can we gain a foothold. My Yunlan Sect supports Master Xiao Ling's proposal."

As Hai Bodong and Yun Yun echoed each other's stances, Jia Xingtian's face stiffened to the point of being almost ashen. His hands, hidden beneath his black robe, clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white, with a faint bluish-white tinge at the joints. In the end, however, he helplessly loosened his grip, suppressing the resentment and helplessness surging between his brows deep within his eyes.

At this moment, all the guests' eyes were focused on the leaders of the various factions who were rising one after another. Who had the mind to notice the gloom and frustration of this royal guardian?
Fama from the Alchemist Guild was the first to rise, stroking his white beard. His cloudy eyes were filled with fervor as he declared loudly, "Master Xiao Ling's proposal is truly a monumental act that will benefit Gama for generations to come! Our Alchemist Guild wholeheartedly supports it!"

Before he could finish speaking, Nalan Jie of the Nalan family stood up and bowed slightly to Xiao Ling, speaking respectfully: "Master Xiao Ling, you have a visionary mind. The establishment of this alliance will surely protect the prosperity of our Jiama family! The Nalan family is willing to follow in your footsteps!"

Not to be outdone, the head of the Mu family stood up and laughed heartily in agreement: "The Northwest Continent is in turmoil; only by banding together can we survive! My Mu family fully supports you!"

In an instant, the heads of various powerful forces at the banquet rose to their feet in response, and waves of approval swept through the courtyard, pushing the atmosphere of the grand feast to its peak.

After the last person on the chairman's seat finished expressing his agreement and took his seat again, only Jia Xingtian remained in the large courtyard, having not uttered a single word.

Seeing this, Xiao Ling first nodded slightly, then glanced at the crowd of people who had readily agreed, and said loudly,
"I have fully accepted your agreement. I am deeply grateful for your trust, and I, Xiao Ling, hereby swear that when the alliance is established, I will not disappoint you and will ensure the safety and stability of the Gama Empire!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned his head and his gaze landed precisely on Jia Xingtian directly opposite him. His eyes narrowed slightly and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

"Everyone has already expressed their opinions; it was quite lively," Xiao Ling said casually, yet with an undeniable weight, each word clearly reaching Jia Xingtian's ears.

"I just don't know, Elder Jia, what do you think? After all, you represent the attitude of the Jia Ma royal family. If this matter is not supported by the royal family, even if we have all the forces at our disposal, it will be difficult to truly push it forward. At that time, the situation will be difficult to resolve." Jia Xingtian felt a tightness in his back and even his breathing became a little sluggish under the gaze of everyone present. He was truly caught in a dilemma.

He knew perfectly well that once this alliance was established, the royal family's absolute dominance over Gama would be completely shattered, and its long-standing prestige and influence would be greatly diminished. For both reason and emotion, he should stand up and oppose it.

But the current situation leaves him no room for acting impulsively.

All the leaders of the various factions expressed their agreement, and even top forces such as the Yunlan Sect and the Mittel family echoed their sentiments. Although the royal family nominally held power in Gama, in terms of true strength, they had long lost the confidence to suppress the entire empire.

Moreover, the Xiao family now has two powerful figures, Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan, who are far beyond his reach. The existence of these two is an insurmountable barrier that makes the royal family feel suffocated. Even if he is unwilling, he would never dare to confront them rashly in this situation.

Jia Xingtian felt his mind churning with turmoil, and he was filled with regret. If he had known things would turn out this way, he should have taken the initiative to propose the alliance and handed over the position of alliance leader to Xiao Ling. In that way, he could have won the favor of this powerful figure, and the royal family would not have ended up in such an awkward and difficult situation.

Currently, all the major powers have expressed their support, but the royal family he represents is still hesitant. It is clear to everyone that the royal family has already missed the best opportunity to surrender.

Even if they agree to join the alliance now, their influence within the alliance will likely be less than that of other forces, and their treatment will certainly not be much better.

But now that things have come to this, what choice does he have left?
Jia Xingtian took a deep breath, meeting the intense gazes of the room, and then Xiao Ling's ambiguous smile. He forced a smile that was more like a grimace, his voice dry but each word clear.
"Master Xiao Ling's vision is truly remarkable. Every suggestion he makes is for the long-term prosperity of the Jia Ma Empire. As the rulers of the Jia Ma Empire, the Royal Family naturally prioritizes the safety of the empire and the well-being of its people. The Royal Family... agrees to this alliance!"

As Jia Xingtian finished speaking, it was as if the last bit of strength in his spine had been suddenly pulled away. His originally upright figure became visibly hunched over, and the fabric of his black robe hung down, making his brows look even more dejected.

Xiao Ling ignored his distraught appearance, the curve of her lips deepening instead, a knowing glint in her eyes, and she praised him loudly.
"Old Jia truly deserves to be called a pillar of the royal family. He always puts the safety and well-being of the Jia Ma Empire first. His profound sense of righteousness is truly admirable!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand in a gesture of suppression, and the murmurs among the guests instantly ceased. Xiao Ling's gaze, sharp as torches, swept over the tense crowd, and he spoke in a clear voice,
"Since everyone agrees with my proposal, and given today's auspicious day and the presence of distinguished guests, I propose that we establish an alliance that integrates all the top powers of the Gama Empire! This alliance shall be called the Heaven and Earth Alliance!"

"Heaven and Earth Alliance! What a great name!"

"With this alliance, the Gama Empire will surely be able to gain a firm foothold on this northwestern continent and become even stronger!"

As Xiao Ling finished speaking, the leaders of all the various factions present immediately echoed his sentiments.
"The founding of the Heaven and Earth Alliance today was initiated by Master Xiao Ling."

At this moment, an old yet loud voice suddenly rang out, breaking the noise at the table.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Yunshan, who had been sitting silently, slowly rise up. His white robe brushed against the table, creating a gentle breeze.

He first glanced around, his gaze sweeping over the assembled leaders with their varied expressions, then turned to Xiao Ling, offering a slight bow in a respectful yet dignified manner, and said in a clear voice,
"Now that the Heaven and Earth Alliance has just been established, everything is in need of rebuilding. It needs a person with both virtue and talent, and outstanding strength to take charge. In my opinion, the position of leader of the Heaven and Earth Alliance belongs to Master Xiao Ling!"

Seeing that Yunshan had taken the lead in the election for the position of leader, everyone at the table cast strange glances at him, secretly thinking that this old fox was really shrewd. He had kept quiet when he made his statement earlier, but now he had seized the opportunity to take the initiative. He really knew how to curry favor.

The moment the idea came to mind, everyone, fearing they would be left behind, stood up in agreement, and voices of approval rose and fell.

Even Jia Xingtian, whose expression was still somewhat dejected, took a deep breath and expressed his absolute agreement with the matter.

Seeing that everyone present was so sensible, Xiao Ling's smile deepened. He slowly stood up, his black robes fluttering with the movement, and the subtle pressure emanating from him instantly quieted the room.

"Since you all are so kind to me, I will accept the position of leader of the Heaven and Earth Alliance without hesitation."

Xiao Ling's voice was steady and powerful, echoing in every corner of the courtyard, "From now on, all of you here are elders of the Heaven and Earth Alliance. The affairs of the alliance will require your concerted efforts and guidance."

As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of enthusiastic responses erupted from the room.

"Alliance Leader Xiao Ling, you're too kind!"

"It is our honor to follow the Alliance Leader!"

After the murmurs of agreement from the crowd subsided, Xiao Ling spoke again, his voice still carrying an undeniable composure.
"The establishment of the Heaven and Earth Alliance today, with its rules and regulations taking initial shape and the general outlines of the roles of each party, is already a considerable achievement."

He changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over everyone at the table, finally settling precisely on Jia Xingtian, and said with a smile,
"However, since the Heaven and Earth Alliance is a union of various forces, it needs a proper base. In my opinion, the Alliance headquarters should be located in the center of the Gama Empire to demonstrate the Alliance's prestige and facilitate communication and discussions among the various forces."

"However, the selection and construction of this central location is not something that can be accomplished overnight. I wonder if the royal family would be willing to lend a hand in assisting the Heaven and Earth Alliance with its construction?"

Upon hearing these words, Jia Xingtian felt a sudden jolt in his heart, as if someone had gripped his hand tightly, and he almost lost his composure.

He suppressed the bitterness in his heart, slowly stood up, and cupped his hands to Xiao Ling, saying, "The Heaven and Earth Alliance is the shield of the Jia Ma Empire. As a member of the alliance, my royal family should naturally stand together against the enemy and do our best to help."

"After the banquet, I will immediately return to the royal family to negotiate the allocation of that area in the center of Gama Holy City specifically for the construction of the Heaven and Earth Alliance headquarters." (End of Chapter)