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Chapter 78 - Aftermath and the Martial Alliance Leader

The grasslands' massive invasion finally came to an end with Prince Yong's overwhelming victory.

When the news spread, it shook the entire realm.

Had the steppe clans succeeded in breaching Yongzhou, the heartlands of Great Wei would have been left defenseless. The nation was already rotting from within, its people weary and starving. They could hardly endure another calamity. None wished to see that grim future unfold.

Well, almost none.

Bang!

A thunderous crash echoed through the imperial palace as Emperor Wei slammed his palm down, shattering the table before him into splinters.

"Late-stage Qi Refining... a yellow-grade spiritual armor... and a damn alchemist. That brat Yong has four cultivators in the Qi Refining stage! Four!"

That, more than anything, sent the emperor into a blind rage. Qi Refining cultivators were not common soldiers raised through forbidden techniques; they were genuine. Each one was a treasure even the emperor himself desired. And Prince Yong had four under his command.

"Calm yourself," came a silken, teasing voice from the shadows. It belonged to the Demon Queen. "They're just Qi Refining cultivators, nothing to fear. And according to our intelligence, that woman has already left Prince Yong's estate. It was likely a temporary alliance. Now that their deal's complete, she's probably gone into seclusion again."

She laughed softly, her voice a blend of poison and honey. "Unless we can locate her retreat, there's nothing we can do."

The emperor's jaw clenched. "How long until you can move freely again?" he asked darkly.

The Demon Queen smirked. "Still a while yet. But, Your Majesty… are you sure you want me roaming about already? Your cultivation still hasn't reached the required level."

At that, the emperor fell silent. He knew well how many enemies lurked in the shadows, waiting for his downfall, and he knew the countless atrocities he had committed. There were certainly those capable of bypassing the protection of imperial fate to strike him down.

The Demon Queen practiced a unique form of dual cultivation, an extreme variation of the Hehuan path. Her former power had been terrifying, nearly unmatched. But that same strength made self-sealing impossible. The hibernation technique used by the two Elders of Flame and Earth was useless to her.

To survive, she had crippled her own cultivation, even severing half her foundation. Recovery now required two rare and dreadful conditions. First, she had to constantly absorb the fresh blood of young maidens. Second, she needed over a century of dual cultivation with someone who bore imperial qi.

During that period, the two of them could not be apart for long, or the progress would collapse completely. As for Emperor Wei, his aged body was already failing. Even with her help, and having just broken into the Body Refining stage through their cultivation together, the damage left by age and illness remained severe and difficult to mend.

"Humph."

The emperor frowned deeply. In the end, he could only grit his teeth and swallow his fury. He understood perfectly why the alchemist woman would never side with him. It all stemmed from his reckless attempt to seize that innate spiritual treasure. Not only had his forces failed, but they had also offended her beyond measure with their crude methods. She had yet to oppose him openly, and that, in itself, was already mercy.

"A pity for that Yong brat… Let him enjoy his victory while it lasts."

His voice turned cold, filled with murderous intent. Prince Yong's prestige was soaring, and the emperor dared not make a move just yet, especially with three Qi Refining cultivators at his side, one of whom was his own son. The true source of this threat, however, was Su Min's alchemy. She had not even declared herself an enemy, and already her casual actions had forced him into a corner. If she ever stood against him openly, the consequences would be catastrophic.

While politics churned within the palace, the Jianghu erupted with rumors. Su Min's reputation had spread like wildfire.

"One woman repelling an army of hundreds of thousands" became a legend. The image of her standing alone and scattering nearly a million soldiers defied imagination. Her combat prowess was terrifying. Even Mo Zhangmen, the revered leader hailed as the strongest figure in the martial world, had been completely outclassed.

"A shame," people whispered across tea houses and sect halls, "had she remained, the title of Martial Alliance Leader would've been hers, no question."

"That position, so many would kill for it, fight tooth and nail, yet she walked away without a second thought."

"Hah, one of her pills is enough to drive an entire sect mad with greed. Why would she care for a hollow title?"

"Tch…"

The gossip spread everywhere, mingling admiration with regret. The Great Martial Tournament was approaching. Every sect would send their strongest disciples to compete for the title of Martial Alliance Leader, the one who could command the entire Jianghu. But if Su Min had so much as nodded her head, that seat would have been hers instantly.

Instead, she vanished.

And so, the title would likely fall to Mo Zhangmen. His strength and fame were undeniable. Qi Refining cultivators were unmatched within the martial world. He had even played a major role in the recent war, working with Su Min to test the limits of the two ancient monsters now spoken of only in whispers. Yet, compared to her, he still fell short, both in power and prestige. Every great sect had something they wanted from her. Their futures were tied to her alchemy.

"Humph."

Of course, not everyone was pleased. Mo Zhangmen himself was well aware of the rumors. He knew, without question, that Su Min was more suited to lead the martial world than he.

But what could he say?

His cultivation, his spiritual weapon, his most prized possessions… all were gifts from her hand. Speaking ill of her was unthinkable. She stood so far above him that he dared not even imagine opposing her. The title might be ceremonial in his hands, but she could have truly commanded the Jianghu's forces.

Elsewhere, on a remote mountain peak, a lone figure sat cross-legged beneath the stars. He gazed into the infinite night sky.

"The dragon rises from the west… is it Prince Yong?" The monk who'd parted ways with Su Min gazed upward. "My Buddhist friend's vision aligns with mine."

He slowly rose to his feet, his tattered robe rippling in the wind. "The world has suffered too long. It is time to move."

For countless nights, he had watched the stars and read the patterns of fate. Now, a subtle shift had occurred, faint yet unmistakable. He was certain of it. Su Min's alliance with Prince Yong was no secret to him.

"As expected of a true spiritual friend. Her insight is flawless. Very well. I shall go and meet this so-called prince. Let us see if he is worthy of shouldering the Mandate of Heaven."

With that, his figure faded like mist, and silence once again embraced the lonely peak.

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