Chapter 445: Forming a Faction
"Oh… relocate from North Mystic…"
When Qingtan announced the punishment from the Dark Tribunal, the leaders of the Southriver factions were stunned. As they processed the news, their expressions quickly shifted through relief, shock, unease, and even fear, as if flipping through a vivid comic strip of emotions.
Their relief came from realizing they had avoided the Tribunal's harshest punishment: total eradication, like what had befallen Firecloud Sect. Yet, the decree to relocate from North Mystic was difficult for the Southriver leaders to accept, even sparking resistance. After decades of hard work building their foundations in Southriver, relocating to a new area—whether East Mystic, West Mystic, or the distant South Mystic—would bring unknown challenges and likely even the risk of total collapse along the way.
Despite the Tribunal's clemency, the Southriver faction leaders couldn't help but look disturbed.
"Lady Qingtan, we've rooted ourselves in Southriver for so long and remained loyal to the Dark Hall. Couldn't we be granted a pardon?" a yellow-robed elder pleaded, clasping his hands together.
"It's true," someone else agreed immediately. "Master Mo speaks wisely! Lady Qingtan, please show mercy! We swear we had no part in Firecloud Sect's rebellion."
"Lady Qingtan, please reconsider…"
Voices pleading for mercy filled the hall. Their cries for leniency might not have been voiced otherwise, but here they saw Qingtan as a young woman, kind-hearted and new to the Tribunal. Surely, if they appealed to her softer nature, she might sway, giving them a second chance.
In the midst of the chaotic pleas, Qingtan's expression grew cold, and she shouted, "Enough! The Tribunal is here to announce your punishment, not to negotiate terms. Refuse to relocate, and you will be judged as Firecloud Sect's accomplices and wiped out immediately!"
Her words, carrying the authority of the Tribunal, cast a chilling silence over the hall. Although only at the Lesser Saint level, her piercing gaze and resolve struck fear into the Southriver leaders, who began to realize they had seriously underestimated her. As Bo Xuan's chosen disciple and potential successor, she clearly had no room for soft-hearted leniency.
Lin Langtian, standing at her side, gave Qingtan a long look, his lips set in a slight smile. She had adapted swiftly to the unforgiving ways of the Dark Tribunal, knowing mercy could quickly become a fatal weakness. If things continued this way, Qingtan might indeed follow her path as she had in the original timeline—rising through the Tribunal to lead it and eventually claiming the Hall Master position after Bo Xuan's passing.
"So," Qingtan's voice cut through the silence, her gaze icy and unwavering, "What will it be? Leave, or stay?"
The leaders exchanged uneasy glances, realizing there was no room left for negotiation. Left with only two options, the choice was clear.
"We… We agree to relocate from North Mystic," they answered in unison, their voices heavy with resignation. To stay meant facing the fate of Firecloud Sect, while relocating, though risky, offered at least a slim chance of survival. They knew there was no other choice.
"My Ironfist Sect has stood in Southriver for over thirty years… Who would've thought we'd have to uproot like this?"
"Indeed. That Tang Lie has caused us no end of suffering. Without him, we'd never have been dragged into this mess…"
"No use in complaining. We should just focus on where we'll go once we leave North Mystic."
"East Mystic is closest. West Mystic is too far, and South Mystic is too isolated."
"East Mystic? That could work, but I can only imagine the rejection we'll face from local powers once we get there…"
The hall buzzed with anxious murmurs. Although they had been exiled from North Mystic, none dared speak ill of the Dark Hall. They knew the Tribunal had shown mercy; the Hall's power could easily have annihilated them all.
Lin Langtian, watching their worried expressions, waited until the murmur quieted slightly, then spoke up, his voice clear and resonant. "I understand your concerns about relocating and facing rejection in unfamiliar regions. I have a suggestion, if you'd care to hear it."
"Oh? What suggestion?" someone asked, curiosity piqued.
They knew Lin Langtian's reputation and strength firsthand, and even the most skeptical among them was keen to hear his idea.
With a small smile, Lin Langtian continued, "Each of you is a leader of your respective factions. You know better than most that foreign powers are often unwelcome. Unless you can afford to sacrifice some of your interests or have a force strong enough to defend yourselves, it's almost inevitable that you'll encounter constant pressure and opposition from local factions."
Heads nodded in agreement. Only the most desolate areas were free of factional resistance. Resources in any populated area were limited, and no established faction would welcome outsiders to share them.
"In such a situation, you have two choices," Lin Langtian said. "The first is to build a force strong enough to stand alone and overcome any opposition. The second is to attach yourself to a powerful local faction, choosing security at the cost of autonomy."
"So, Young Master Lin, are you suggesting we find a powerful faction in East Mystic to pledge our allegiance to for protection?" one of the leaders asked, his tone cautious.
In Southriver, they might have been major figures, but even the combined strength of their factions didn't measure up to Firecloud Sect, making them barely third-rate in North Mystic's hierarchy. If they entered East Mystic, the same would apply; becoming a dominant force seemed unlikely.
The more they considered the suggestion, the grimmer their expressions became. East Mystic was unfamiliar, and without solid backing, they might be swallowed whole by the fierce local factions. The reality of their world was unforgiving—filled with relentless competition, with no room for sentiment.
Seeing their apprehension over this path, Lin Langtian shook his head slightly, a calm smile on his face. "Have none of you considered becoming the dragon yourselves and overcoming any local threats?"
"Become the dragon ourselves?"
Everyone stared at him in surprise before exchanging doubtful glances. "Surely you jest, Young Master Lin. Our strength wouldn't hold up against East Mystic."
As one of the four great regions, East Mystic was vast, filled with powerful factions, and guarded by the eight super sects. For the Southriver factions, who barely registered as third-rate even here, the idea of rising to the top in East Mystic was more than improbable.
"Alone, perhaps not," Lin Langtian replied, his smile growing. "But what if you joined forces? A coalition formed of all Southriver's major powers would have substantial strength, not only protecting its members' interests but creating a powerful, unified front. Together, you'd be like one body—any threat to one of you would be a threat to all of you. With this alliance, you'd be formidable enough to keep East Mystic's native factions from posing too much trouble."
The leaders murmured in astonishment, feeling the weight of Lin Langtian's suggestion. North Mystic was dominated by the Dark Hall, leaving few significant independent factions, while in East Mystic or West Mystic, rival powers constantly clashed. Southriver alone had around thirty factions with Lesser Saint experts. If unified, their combined force would be formidable.
Even within major sects like Yuan Gate or Tao Sect, only certain branch leaders held that level of power. Here, gathered in this hall, were thirty individuals of similar strength.
"An alliance…"
The room fell silent as the leaders absorbed the idea, recalling how Tang Lie of Firecloud Sect had once proposed a similar coalition to escape the Dark Hall's influence. Tang Lie had failed, leaving his ambition shattered by the Tribunal's swift and decisive action.
But now, his idea had reemerged through Lin Langtian.
"The alliance sounds promising," admitted the yellow-robed elder after a moment, "but with so many factions in Southriver, the alliance would lack unity without a strong leader. No one besides—well, besides Tang Lie—could ever bring everyone together."
Several others nodded in agreement. An alliance without a unifying figure would quickly crumble, breaking apart from infighting and competition.
Lin Langtian gave a soft laugh. "As the saying goes, 'the answer lies right before you.' I, Lin Langtian, volunteer myself for the position of alliance leader. What do you think?"
The hall fell silent, the leaders stunned as they stared at Lin Langtian in disbelief. That he would express interest in leading an alliance of Southriver factions was unexpected. After all, Lin Langtian was the shadow guard to Qingtan, a role that could one day elevate him to a powerful status if Qingtan became the Dark Hall's master.
Lin Langtian noticed their confusion and smiled. "I suppose my intentions need some clarification. I'm from East Mystic, not North, and Qingtan is my sister. I'm her shadow guard solely to protect her, not to climb ranks in the Dark Hall. So I have no plans to stay in North Mystic or under the Dark Hall's jurisdiction. If you place your trust in me, I'd gladly lead you and work to turn this alliance into one of East Mystic's strongest."
Lin Langtian's words caught the attention of the faction leaders, many of whom felt their interest grow. He was indeed a fitting candidate—young, powerful enough to defeat a Half-Death Saint-level Blood Puppet, and influential, being Qingtan's brother. His qualifications were undeniable.
The yellow-robed elder cleared his throat and asked respectfully, "What would be required of us if we joined the alliance, then, Young Master Lin?"
Lin Langtian's smile deepened. "Any faction joining the alliance must abandon its individual identity and put the alliance's interests first. It would require full dedication from every member." His tone was calm, but the commitment he asked for was far from trivial.
The elder and others around him exchanged hesitant glances, uncertain of giving up their faction's independence entirely. Yet, they understood that unity and loyalty were essential for the alliance to thrive.
Seeing their hesitation, Lin Langtian maintained his calm gaze. "You'll have to make the decision: join, commit fully to the alliance, or try to go it alone. But know that what I'm proposing isn't merely about survival—it's about building something far greater."
The leaders shared a collective look, each recognizing that Lin Langtian's vision aligned with their own ambitions. If they pooled their resources and talents under a strong leader, they could indeed carve out a powerful place in East Mystic.
After a moment, the yellow-robed elder looked up. "In that case, Young Master Lin, we accept your leadership. We'll unite under the Southriver Alliance."
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1