"Miss Lü, are you saying that your Four Directions Trading House intends to form an alliance with our Ziwei Sect?" Sect Leader Liu couldn't help but ask.
"Yes. What does the Sect Leader think?" Lü Dandan nodded.
"Su Fei..." Sect Leader Liu's gaze turned toward Ye Yunfei, unsure how to answer. He knew the Four Directions Trading House wasn't doing this for the Ziwei Sect's sake, but for Ye Yunfei's.
"I agree," Ye Yunfei thought for a moment, then nodded.
The Four Directions Trading House was one of the major powers in the Eastern Barrens, its business extensive and its wealth abundant. An alliance with them would bring great benefits to the Ziwei Sect's future development.
The key point was that Ye Yunfei was quite familiar with Lü Dandan and the Four Directions Trading House. He understood the characters of Lü Dandan and her father. Forming an alliance carried little risk, so he chose to agree.
"Very well. From this moment on, our Four Directions Trading House and the Ziwei Sect are allies. Elder Fang, you and the Sect Leader can discuss the specifics of cooperation," Lü Dandan said.
"Understood," Elder Fang nodded.
Next, Elder Fang began negotiating various matters related to the alliance between the two forces with Sect Leader Liu.
Sect Leader Liu felt as if he were dreaming, never imagining that the famous Four Directions Trading House would take the initiative to ally with the Ziwei Sect.
"Miss Lü, please convey my thanks to your father for his gracious offer," Ye Yunfei said to Lü Dandan.
With the Ziwei Sect now surrounded by enemies from all sides at such a desperate time, the Four Directions Trading House's sudden request to ally was clearly intended to lend a hand—delivering charcoal in snowy weather.
"There's no need for formalities, Young Master Su. Your help to my father and me was far greater," Lü Dandan replied with a smile.
"Sect Leader, there's a group of monks outside asking to see Su Fei," a steward hurriedly entered the reception hall at that moment.
"A group of monks?" Sect Leader Liu was taken aback.
"It must be the monks from the Great Thunderclap Monastery," Lü Dandan said with a smile.
"I'll go out and see," Ye Yunfei stood up.
A moment later, Ye Yunfei arrived outside the mountain gate. A group of monks stood waiting there.
Their leader was none other than Heavenly Thunder Chan Master!
Heavenly Thunder Chan Master was a renowned expert in the Eastern Barrens. For him to personally come to the Ziwei Sect showed considerable intent.
"Young Master Su, we meet again," Heavenly Thunder Chan Master laughed heartily as soon as he saw Ye Yunfei.
"Heavenly Thunder Chan Master and distinguished Masters, I'm sorry for not welcoming you properly after your long journey," Ye Yunfei welcomed them warmly.
After that, Ye Yunfei ushered these monks of the Great Thunderclap Monastery into the reception hall. Sect Leader Liu and the other high-ranking members of the Ziwei Sect greeted them with a mixture of shock and delight, offering them warm hospitality.
Even Lü Dandan and Elder Fang stood up to welcome Heavenly Thunder Chan Master and the other monks.
Heavenly Thunder Chan Master was a senior figure within the Great Thunderclap Monastery, wielding significant influence across the Eastern Barrens.
"Good heavens! What on earth is happening today? Miss Lü of the Four Directions Trading House has arrived, and now Heavenly Thunder Chan Master of the Great Thunderclap Monastery is here too! These are major figures, rarely seen under normal circumstances, yet they've come to our Ziwei Sect simultaneously!" The Ziwei Sect elders secretly communicated via sound transmission while directing disciples to serve various spirit teas and spirit fruits, utterly astonished.
"Young Master Su, my main purpose in coming today is to discuss an alliance between our Great Thunderclap Monastery and the Ziwei Sect. From now on, the Great Thunderclap Monastery and the Ziwei Sect shall be allied. Does Young Master Su find this agreeable?" Heavenly Thunder Chan Master suddenly spoke up.
"What? Heavenly Thunder Chan Master is also here to ally with our Ziwei Sect?" Sect Leader Liu and the other high-ups were collectively stunned, looking at Heavenly Thunder Chan Master with incredulous eyes.
First the Four Directions Trading House wanted to ally with the Ziwei Sect, now the Great Thunderclap Monastery did too. News of this would absolutely shake the entire Eastern Barrens.
"I agree," Ye Yunfei, having long anticipated Heavenly Thunder Chan Master's purpose, agreed directly without much thought.
With the Ziwei Sect currently targeted by major forces like the Cangyan Sacred Sect and the Zhao Family, having these two major powers—the Four Directions Trading House and the Great Thunderclap Monastery—as allies would serve a certain deterrent effect.
Ye Yunfei also understood in his heart that these two forces had likely heard of the Ziwei Sect's current predicament and intentionally came to ally and assist him.
"Haha! Then, from this moment on, our Great Thunderclap Monastery and the Ziwei Sect are allies. High Master Li Mo specifically asked me to relay a message to you, Young Master Su: if you have time, please visit Tianlong Temple more often," Heavenly Thunder Chan Master laughed loudly.
"So that High Master is called Li Mo. Very well, I will surely visit when I have the opportunity," Ye Yunfei nodded.
Ye Yunfei knew the 'High Master Li Mo' mentioned by Heavenly Thunder Chan Master must be that ancient monk unearthed within the Four Directions Trading House's Gambling Stone Field.
"The Vermilion Bird Demon King and the Golden Peng Demon King seek an audience with Young Master Su!"
Just then, a loud cry echoed forth, rolling into the headquarters of the Ziwei Sect. Reverberating echoes filled the entire compound.
"How is this possible?! The Vermilion Bird Demon King and the Golden Peng Demon King have actually come to our Ziwei Sect, and they wish to see Senior Brother!"
All the disciples within the Ziwei Sect headquarters were struck dumb upon hearing this thunderous voice.
These two great Demon Kings had dominated the Eastern Barrens for countless years, their prestige immense. To the disciples of the Ziwei Sect, they were distant, almost mythical figures akin to dragons in the sky, yet they had suddenly come to the Ziwei Sect.
"So it's them. I'll go out to welcome them," Ye Yunfei stood up, moving swiftly with his movement technique. Moments later, he arrived outside the mountain gate.
He saw two Demon Kings leading a group of Demon Race forces standing before the gate.
"Young Master Su!" Vermilion Bird Princess stood beside Vermilion Bird Demon King and cried out joyfully upon seeing Ye Yunfei.
A dozen or so seductive yao spirits stood beside her. These yao spirits were Vermilion Bird Princess's maids.
"Haha... Our sudden visit is a bit presumptuous," Golden Peng Demon King laughed.
"You two Demon Kings are too polite. Welcome!" Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
Next, Ye Yunfei welcomed this group of Demon Race members into the reception hall.
The Four Directions Trading House, the Great Thunderclap Monastery, and the Eastern Wasteland Demon Race—each was a major force of immense strength within the Eastern Barrens. Now representatives from all three had arrived at once!
Sect Leader Liu and the other high-ranking members felt dizzy and as if everything were unreal.
Faced with legendary figures like Miss Lü, Heavenly Thunder Chan Master, and the two Demon Kings, Sect Leader Liu and the elders acted with extreme caution, hardly knowing what to say.
Ye Yunfei, however, remained perfectly composed, chatting and laughing with everyone.
In his previous life as a Heavenly Emperor, countless high-ranking members of ancient great sects and clans had been cautious before him. To Ye Yunfei, this scene was merely a minor occasion.
"Young Master Su, our Eastern Wasteland Demon Race intends to form an alliance with your Ziwei Sect. Does Young Master Su find this agreeable?" Vermilion Bird Demon King suddenly asked.
"I agree," Ye Yunfei, having already anticipated this, nodded directly.
"Haha! Good! From now on, our Demon Race and the Ziwei Sect are allies! Whoever dares bully the Ziwei Sect bullies our Eastern Wasteland Demon Race!" Golden Peng Demon King proclaimed with a hearty laugh.
"Sect Leader! The Four Directions Trading House, the Great Thunderclap Monastery, and the Eastern Wasteland Demon Race are now all allies of our Ziwei Sect! We no longer need fear the Cangyan Sacred Sect and those other major forces!" One elder excitedly transmitted his voice to Sect Leader Liu.