Chapter 664: Chapter 660: Final Battle – Alliance of the Auspicious Cloud Valley

“Those of us who have gathered here today are actually the losers of this disaster.”

“Take the Tang Clan, for instance. Their millennial establishment in Xiling is destroyed, the territory in North Mountain is breached, the clansmen are forced to disperse, and now they are pursued by the strongest mystical bird guards of Longzhou. I myself am unsure about how many could survive.”

People in the hall looked at each other, not understanding why the opening was so heavy. They couldn’t understand why Tang Zhi would openly disclose these facts to everyone.

Thinking about the post-war ruins of North Mountain, they couldn’t help but remember their own pasts.

Just like Tang Zhi said, everyone here is a failure of this disaster. They once lived carefree lives across various cities and regions, every single one of them were chiefs respected by their communities.

But now, they can only displace their clansmen to the wilderness, even securing food to fill their stomachs has become a frequent issue.

Will the future be better? At this moment, no one could offer a sure answer. Even though the flood had passed, the entire Longzhou West landscape had changed. Many aristocratic families turned to banditry due to desperation, and many strong individuals struggled to seize this opportunity to rise in status.

The formerly peaceful Longzhou West had become a playground for the ambitious and bandits. There are no rules here, only power.

Who can confidently claim they can ensure their family’s survival in such a tumultuous situation?

When we were young, everyone thought of themselves as potential kings of the world. It’s only when we carry the weight of the world on our shoulders that we understand the effort needed just to take care of those around us. We’re left with no energy to think of anything else.

Watching the Tang Clan, despite its strength, fall into such a fragmented state, the previously cheerful Martial Hall fell silent. Many clan chiefs see the future of their families in the Tang Clan. It feels as if an invisible hand is strangling them, causing the suffocating feeling to grow stronger, evident in their somber faces.

“So, just because we’re the losers of this disaster, we should just stand by and watch our clans fall?” Tang Zhi scanned the hall and decisively said, “No, I will find everyone willing to ride out the storm with the Tang Clan. Over these three thousand miles of water, we will rebuild a new city!”

“Since the ancestors of the Tang Clan could turn Xiling into the brightest pearl of Lingjiang, we still can! So now, I extend an invitation to all of you, is anyone willing to join this alliance?”

Everyone was surprised at Tang Zhi’s words, but only a few were moved.

Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a bull. Though they are unhappy with the current situation of their clans, they have no interest in becoming vassals to another.

After all, the choice of course is most reassuring when it’s in one’s own hands. Many people in the room were already considering leaving.

However, there are always those interested in the alliance, like the Cui Family of Lanshan City.

Lanshan City is a mountain city itself. Aran Mountain is the number one sacred mountain in Longzhou West. The city built around Aran Mountain was naturally unaffected by the flood. However, the Cui family wanted to take advantage of this situation and rise to power, but ended up being expelled by several major clans in Lanshan City. They then sought refuge with Tang Zuo.

There are many clans like the Cuis. If the usual noble families come to North Mountain for a few mouths of food, they have larger ambitions from the beginning.

To put it bluntly, while the Tang Clan wants to use them, they also want to use the Tang Clan.

Therefore, when Tang Zhi proposed the alliance, Cui Ying from Lanshan City promptly asked, “Clan Chief Tang, since I, Cui, am here today, I do recognize the benevolence of the Tang Clan. However, I have some questions about this sudden proposal of an alliance. I wonder what nature this alliance holds, what obligations do the clans that join the alliance have? Since it’s a clan alliance, there certainly is a lead and secondary role. Who will hold the position of the leader of the alliance and what would be their authority?”

Compared to the general reluctance to form an alliance, Cui Ying clearly wants to understand these issues before deciding whether to join. After all, the Cui Family of Lanshan City is still in a state of exile. If they can have a stable place to stay, it would be a good thing for them.

Tang Zhi looked deeply at Cui Ying before lightly laughing, “The questions Brother Cui asked are precisely what I was about to discuss.”

“This alliance is not for the private benefits of the Tang Clan, but to unite all the clans who lost their homes in the disaster. Together, we can resist the drastic changes that will come to Longzhou in the future. Like Brother Cui said, an alliance should have a leader. Naturally, the position of the first alliance leader should be held by the Tang Clan.”

All previous humility seemed like a facade, no one expected Tang Zhi to outright declare that the first alliance leader belongs to the Tang Clan before everyone. This ruthlessly domineering statement left many clan chiefs in the hall frowning, looking at the man on the high platform.

“On what basis?” Cui Ying immediately asked aloud, “Is it because the Tang Clan is the strongest? Does that mean we allied clans will always be limited by you and what’s the difference between this and becoming a vassal of the Tang Clan?”

His words stirred up a commotion in the hall. Everyone felt the Tang Clan’s ambition revealed and everyone felt threatened.

But Tang Zhi remained calm, waiting until the commotion subsided before declaring, “Of course there is a difference. When I say the alliance is not for one clan’s private benefit, I do mean it. Firstly, every clan that joins the alliance can nominate a representative. Although the leader of the alliance has the greatest power, all decisions of the alliance have to be decided by a council vote. Few obey the many. I believe everyone present can accept this, right?”

“Oh?” Cui Ying raised an eyebrow, “You mean, Clan Chief Tang, every family that joins the alliance can nominate a representative, not taking into account power and status?”

“Of course, but joining the alliance is not without its requirements.” Tang Zhi nodded, “Only clans that have at least three members from the Fierce Realm are recognized and are eligible to send a representative. But even for a clan with the strength of the Cui Family of Lanshan City, they still only have one representative.”

All the families present were carefully selected by the Wind Media Department. There are dozens of clans from various cities and regions, each clan has at least a hundred years of history and at least three members that are from the Fierce Realm. So faced with Tang Zhi’s requirements, everyone felt it was reasonable.

If everyone was initially resistant, now they were interested, curious about what Tang Zhi would say next.

Only Cui Ying remained skeptical, “May I ask, Clan Chief Tang, since the alliance is a council system, why must the first alliance leader be from the Tang family of Xiling?”

“Because serving as the alliance leader is not only about honor, but also about bringing tangible benefits to the alliance.” Tang Zhi continues with the same unruffled grin, responding confidently.