"Excellent!"
"The Corpse World is wreaking havoc in the Eastern Barrens. It is the enemy of all of us! We should unite to deal with them!"
"Immediately form a coalition army and fight the Corpse World to the death! Restore peace to our Eastern Barrens!"
"Fight to the end!"
...
Having heard Dongfang Bo's words, the forces of all sizes both inside and outside the city let out roars, one after another, stirred with passion.
It was true. During this period in the Eastern Barrens, the mere mention of the Corpse World turned everyone's faces pale. Forming a coalition to resist the Corpse World was indeed the united aspiration of all.
"Very good. It seems everyone approves of forming a coalition army to resist the Corpse World together," Dongfang Bo nodded and said. "Now, please quiet down and listen to me first."
His voice, amplified by spiritual power, rumbled across the heavens and earth, shaking the very sky and land.
Everyone listened to Dongfang Bo's words and quieted down, their gazes turning to him.
"During this period, our Cangyan Sacred Sect has conducted a detailed investigation into the Corpse World and has roughly ascertained their overall strength," Dongfang Bo declared. "In summary, the Corpse World's strength is extremely formidable, far surpassing that of any single faction in our Eastern Barrens. To put it plainly, the Corpse World possesses at least five to six hundred Dao Origin Realm experts."
*Hiss!*
Everyone inhaled sharply with shock upon hearing Dongfang Bo's words.
Five to six hundred Dao Origin Realm experts? That was utterly terrifying.
"Moreover, several major factions in the Eastern Barrens have now defected to the Corpse World. Factoring them in, the Corpse World's overall strength becomes even more fearsome," Dongfang Bo's voice echoed across the realm. "Only by pooling the strength of every faction in the entire Eastern Barrens do we stand a chance of opposing the Corpse World. Otherwise, no single faction, not even our Cangyan Sacred Sect, can resist the Corpse World alone. This is precisely the original intent behind my call for everyone to gather at Tianbai City to form the coalition army."
"However, rest assured, everyone. Although the Corpse World is strong, our Eastern Barrens is not to be bullied easily. I believe that as long as we unite as one, we can definitely defeat the Corpse World," Dongfang Bo added.
"Sect Master Dongfang, since we are forming a coalition army, we must elect a commander-in-chief to avoid the chaos of having many heads but no leader," an elder whose body flickered with dazzling sword-light spoke up. This elder was Sword Palace's Elder Ximen.
"What need is there to ask? The commander of the coalition should naturally be Sect Master Dongfang," someone in the crowd shouted as soon as Elder Ximen's words fell. "The Cangyan Sacred Sect is one of the strongest factions in our Eastern Barrens. This proposal to form the coalition was issued personally by Sect Master Dongfang. Let Sect Master Dongfang be the commander!"
"Agreed! I approve of Sect Master Dongfang serving as the coalition's commander!"
"I agree as well!"
...
Many immediately voiced their support.
In truth, everyone could see that those clamoring for Dongfang Bo to be commander were all members of forces subordinate to the Cangyan Sacred Sect.
The representatives of the other major factions all remained silent.
Although the Cangyan Sacred Sect was one of the strongest factions in the Eastern Barrens, the other major factions were not far behind. Naturally, no one wanted to take orders from the Cangyan Sacred Sect.
"Esteemed colleagues, I have a proposal," the Left Minister of the Heavenly Dragon Ancient Kingdom suddenly spoke up. "After forming the coalition, let us elect five esteemed and prestigious individuals to jointly serve as the coalition's leaders. All matters of the coalition shall be decided by these five leaders through consultation."
"I agree," Elder Ximen of the Sword Palace nodded.
"I also agree," other high-ranking members from the other major factions voiced their assent one after another.
"Since that is the case, let us proceed as the Left Minister suggests," Dongfang Bo said, seeing that the representatives of the major factions had already stated their position. He knew it would be impossible for him to serve as the sole commander, so he had no choice but to agree.
"I believe the first selection should unquestionably be Sect Master Dongfang," Cangyan Sacred Sect's Elder Tan Feng declared in a clear, loud voice. "Given our Cangyan Sacred Sect's strength and Sect Master Dongfang's influence, I trust no one has any objections."
"I agree," Elder Ximen of Sword Palace nodded.
Subsequently, the other high-ranking representatives from the major factions also expressed their agreement.
After all, the proposal to form this coalition had been issued by Dongfang Bo himself. Having him serve as one of the leaders was only right and proper.
"As for the second selection, I believe it should be our Heavenly Dragon Ancient Kingdom's Left Minister," a senior official from the Heavenly Dragon Ancient Kingdom announced loudly. "The Left Minister is here representing our imperial household."
"Agreed."
Everyone voiced their approval.
After all, the Heavenly Dragon Ancient Kingdom was the most powerful ancient kingdom in the Eastern Barrens, with deep foundations and a long, distant lineage.
"The third selection should go to our Sword Palace's Elder Ximen," a senior member of Sword Palace said.
Everyone indicated their agreement. After all, Sword Palace was also one of the most powerful forces in the Eastern Barrens. Moreover, Sword Palace consisted entirely of swordsmen, and among warriors of the same realm, swordsmen possessed the strongest combat power! No one dared to look down on a sword cultivator.
"The fourth selection should be the Chief Executive of our Four Directions Trading House," a senior figure from the Four Directions Trading House declared loudly.
Everyone's gaze turned to look outside the city walls.
Many had personally witnessed the cold reception Ye Yunfei and Lü Yugang received upon their arrival at Tianbai City. So now, hearing someone from the Four Directions Trading House speak, everyone revealed odd smiles.
It could be said that the representatives of every major faction in the Eastern Barrens who came to Tianbai City received a warm welcome from the Cangyan Sacred Sect… except for those of the Four Directions Trading House.
"Indeed! The fourth selection should be Chief Executive Lü!" Many factions affiliated with the Four Directions Trading House immediately spoke up in support.
"I object!"
Right at this moment, a Cangyan Sacred Sect elder suddenly stepped forward and spoke.
Hearing this elder's words, everyone was taken aback.
Although the Cangyan Sacred Sect was strong, the Four Directions Trading House was also a major faction in the Eastern Barrens, not inferior by much. For a Cangyan Sacred Sect elder to openly object now could be seen as a provocation.
"What is the meaning of this?" a high-ranking official from the Four Directions Trading House furiously questioned, his voice raised. "If Sect Master Dongfang can be a leader, why can't our Four Directions Trading House's Chief Executive Lü?"
"Your Four Directions Trading House was certainly one of the most powerful factions in the Eastern Barrens in the past," the Cangyan Sacred Sect elder sneered. "However, from what I know, at least two-fifths of your Dao Origin Realm experts followed Feng Wei when he left, and later, they all joined the Zhao Family. Now, the Zhao Family is a subordinate force of the Corpse World. This means a portion of your Four Directions Trading House's Dao Origin Realm experts are now members of the Corpse World."
"Consequently," he continued coldly, "the overall strength of your Four Directions Trading House has been greatly weakened. It is debatable whether you still qualify as a major faction in the Eastern Barrens. Moreover, we are not comfortable with letting someone from the Four Directions Trading House serve as a leader of the coalition. Who knows if your Four Directions Trading House has any connections with the Corpse World? After all, so many of your members have already joined them."