rán ér hēi xióng wáng tīng le ， què shì bó rán dà nù ， kāi kǒu páo xiāo qǐ lái le ：“ shén me ， shén hún shì yuē ， lín xiǎo zi ， nǐ bú yào tài guò fèn le ， shā rén bù guò tóu diǎn dì ， xióng mǒu níng sǐ wù rǔ ！”
然而黑熊王听了，却是勃然大怒，开口咆哮起来了：“什么，神魂誓约，林小子，你不要太过分了，杀人不过头点地，熊某宁死勿辱！”
However, when the Black Bear King heard this, he was instantly furious and roared: "What, a divine soul pact? Lin Xiao, don't overstep your bounds. A man is killed with one blow to the head. The Black Bear swears not to disgrace himself even if I must die!"
yě nán guài tā fǎn yìng rú cǐ lí pǔ 。
也难怪他反应如此离谱。
It's no wonder his reaction was so extreme.
shén hún shì yuē ， nǎi shì shēn rù sān hún qī pò ， lián dù jié hòu qī de cún zài yě wú fǎ zhèng tuō shù fù ， rú guǒ zì jǐ zhēn zhè me zuò ， qǐ bù shì zài wú jìn de suì yuè lǐ ， dōu jiāng chéng wéi lín xuān de nú pú 。
神魂誓约，乃是深入三魂七魄，连渡劫后期的存在也无法挣脱束缚，如果自己真这么做，岂不是在无尽的岁月里，都将成为林轩的奴仆。
A divine soul pact delves deep into the three souls and seven spirits; even those who have passed through late-stage tribulation cannot escape its constraints. If he were to truly do this, wouldn't he become Lin Xuan's servant for eternity?
zuò wèi yī fāng bà zhǔ ， zhè shì wú lùn rú hé ， tā yě bù néng jiē shòu de 。
做为一方霸主，这是无论如何，他也不能接受的。
As a dominant ruler, he couldn't accept such terms under any circumstances.
níng sǐ wù rǔ ！
宁死勿辱！
Better to die with dignity!
zhè jué bú shì zuǐ shàng shuō shuō ， rú guǒ lín xuān yí dìng jiān chí zhè me zuò ， tā qíng yuàn tóng duì fāng lái gè yú sǐ wǎng pò 。
这绝不是嘴上说说，如果林轩一定坚持这么做，他情愿同对方来个鱼死网破。
This wasn't just empty talk. If Lin Xuan insisted on doing so, he would rather fight to the death.
“ dào yǒu xiān bié zháo jí ， lín mǒu bú shì bù jiǎng dào lǐ ， zhè shén hún shì yuē ， jǐn yǐ yī wàn nián wéi qī ， ér qiě lín mǒu chéng nuò ， jué bù mìng lìng dào yǒu zuò néng lì yǐ wài de shì 。”
“道友先别着急，林某不是不讲道理，这神魂誓约，仅以一万年为期，而且林某承诺，绝不命令道友做能力以外的事。”
"Friend, don't be in such a rush. I'm not unreasonable. This divine soul pact is only for ten thousand years, and I promise that I will never command you to do anything beyond your abilities."
“ zhè yàng me ……”
“这样么……”
"Is that so..."
tīng lín xuān zhè yàng shuō ， hēi xióng wáng de liǎn sè ， dùn shí hǎo le xǔ duō 。
听林轩这样说，黑熊王的脸色，顿时好了许多。
Hearing Lin Xuan's words, the Black Bear King's expression softened considerably.
yī wàn nián ， tīng shàng qù bù duǎn ， dàn duì tā men zhè zhǒng děng jí de cún zài lái shuō ， bù guò dàn zhǐ yī huī jiān 。
一万年，听上去不短，但对他们这种等级的存在来说，不过弹指一挥间。
Ten thousand years might seem long, but for beings of their level, it was merely a blink of an eye. Moreover, Lin Xuan's promise ensured he wouldn't be used as cannon fodder; as long as his life was safe, such conditions were acceptable.
ér lín xuān suǒ zuò chū de chéng nuò ， gèng kě yǐ bǎo zhèng zì jǐ bú huì bèi dàng chéng pào huī ， zhǐ yào xìng mìng wú yōu ， zhè yàng de tiáo jiàn ， yě jiù bú shì bù kě yǐ jiē shòu 。
而林轩所做出的承诺，更可以保证自己不会被当成炮灰，只要性命无忧，这样的条件，也就不是不可以接受。
When one is under someone else's roof, one must bow down!
rén zài wū yán xià ， bù dé bù dī tóu ！
人在屋檐下，不得不低头！
"Very well, I accept your terms."
“ hǎo ba ， dào yǒu de tiáo jiàn ， xióng mǒu yīng xià le 。”
“好吧，道友的条件，熊某应下了。”
"Since that's the case, let's sign this contract here!"
“ jì rán rú cǐ ， wǒ men jiù zài zhè lǐ ， jiāng qì yuē qiān dìng le ba ！”
“既然如此，我们就在这里，将契约签订了吧！”
Lin Xuan's face showed a hint of satisfaction. As they say, better to be cautious; it was time to hammer out an agreement.
lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī mǎn yì zhī sè ， suǒ wèi yè cháng mèng duō ， dǎ tiě dāng rán yào chèn rè 。
林轩脸上露出一丝满意之色，所谓夜长梦多，打铁当然要趁热。
"Agreed!"
“ hǎo ！”
“好！”
Given the situation, the Black Bear King had no choice but to obediently release a thread of his soul and sign the pact with Lin Xuan.
shì yǐ zhì cǐ ， hēi xióng wáng yě méi yǒu xuǎn zé de yú dì ， zhǐ hǎo guāi guāi de jiāng yī lǚ jīng hún fàng chū ， yǔ lín xuān jiāng shì yuē qiān dìng le 。
事已至此，黑熊王也没有选择的余地，只好乖乖的将一缕精魂放出，与林轩将誓约签订了。
From now on, he would obey Lin Xuan's commands for the next ten thousand years.
rú cǐ yī lái ， wèi lái de wàn nián shí jiān ， tā dōu jiāng tīng lín xuān qū cè 。
如此一来，未来的万年时间，他都将听林轩驱策。
For Lin Xuan, having one less enemy and gaining an ally was undoubtedly beneficial.
duì lín xuān lái shuō ， shǎo yí gè chóu dí ， duō yí gè bāng shǒu ， zì rán shì yǒu wú jǐn de hǎo chù 。
对林轩来说，少一个仇敌，多一个帮手，自然是有无尽的好处。
...
……
……
This scene fell upon the eyes of many cultivators. Their hearts were filled with a myriad of emotions—envy, jealousy, fear, and sympathy.
zhè yí mù luò zài zhòng xiū shì de yǎn lǐ 。 xīn zhōng zé shì wǔ wèi chén zá yǐ jí 。
这一幕落在众修士的眼里。心中则是五味陈杂以极。
While they couldn't help but envy and feel jealous, some also showed signs of cowardice and fear. Many felt empathy for the Black Bear King's predicament; no one wanted to end up like him, having lost more than gained.
xiàn mù jí dù bù tí ， yě yǒu xiū shì liú lù chū dǎn qiè wèi jù ， tóng yàng tù sǐ hú bēi yě yǒu bù shǎo dì 。
羡慕嫉妒不提，也有修士流露出胆怯畏惧，同样兔死狐悲也有不少地。
Their gaze towards Lin Xuan was now devoid of any previous contempt, replaced by profound respect.
bì jìng shuí yě bù xiǎng rú hēi xióng wáng yì bān ， tōu jī bù chéng shí bǎ mǐ 。
毕竟谁也不想如黑熊王一般，偷鸡不成蚀把米。
In the cultivation world, strength was supreme.
ér zhè xiē rén zài kàn xiàng lín xuān de mù guāng 。 zì rán zài wú fēn háo xiān qián de qīng shì ， qǔ ér dài zhī de shì jìng wèi yǐ jí 。
而这些人再看向林轩的目光。自然再无分毫先前的轻视，取而代之的是敬畏以极。
Many had heard stories about Lin Xuan before but few had witnessed his true power. Now they finally got a chance to see it, and realized that his abilities far exceeded what was rumored.
xiū xiān jiè bì jìng shì qiáng zhě wèi zūn dì 。
修仙界毕竟是强者为尊地。
Perhaps he was already on par with Great Sage Daliang.
hěn duō rén ， yǐ qián dōu tīng guò yǔ lín xuān yǒu guān de chuán shuō ， dàn céng jīng qīn yǎn mù dǔ de què méi yǒu jǐ gè 。
很多人，以前都听过与林轩有关的传说，但曾经亲眼目睹的却没有几个。
Who would dare compete against him?
rú jīn zhōng yú yǒu jī huì yī dǔ ， yuán lái lín xuān de shí lì hái yào shèng guò chuán yán xǔ duō 。
如今终于有机会一睹，原来林轩的实力还要胜过传言许多。
The leader of the Heavenly Dao Alliance seemed destined to belong to Lin Xuan.
huò xǔ ， yǐ dào le néng yǔ nài lóng zhēn rén xiāng pì měi de dì bù 。
或许，已到了能与鼐龙真人相媲美的地步。
All the cultivators present thought this way. The young man with the Dragon surname was particularly elated.
rú cǐ yī lái ， shuí gǎn yǔ tā zhēng duó ？
如此一来，谁敢与他争夺？
How impressive!
tiān dào méng méng zhǔ ， sì hū yǐ jīng yǒu le guī shǔ 。
天道盟盟主，似乎已经有了归属。
Lin Xiao had mentioned that his current abilities almost rivaled those of a scattered immortal or demon king, and he had always suspected it might be an exaggeration. Now, it seemed he hadn't been lying at all.
zài chǎng de xiū shì ， jiē rú cǐ sī suǒ 。
在场的修士，皆如此思索。
He could only admire Lin Xuan even more. Discovering him and bringing him to the Cloud Concealment Sect was undoubtedly one of the wisest decisions they ever made in their lives.
lóng xìng shào nián ， gèng shì xǐ dòng yán sè 。
龙姓少年，更是喜动颜色。
With his mind racing, the young man with the Dragon surname flashed past and stood beside Lin Xuan.
tài lì hài le ！
太厉害了！
A light cough followed by a smile echoed across the square: "This Celestial Alliance Conference is meant to elect its leader. I won't waste any more words. The leader should be one who can truly lead us against the域外天魔."
lín shī dì céng shuō 。 tā rú jīn de shén tōng ， jī hū dào le pì měi sàn xiān yāo wáng de dì bù ， zì jǐ hái yǐ wéi kuā dà qí cí 。
林师弟曾说。他如今的神通，几乎到了媲美散仙妖王的地步，自己还以为夸大其词。
"Lin Xiao's talents and virtues are beyond reproach; he has the support of many. Let him serve as the leader of the Heavenly Dao Alliance. Who among you would disagree?"
rú jīn kàn lái ， jìng shì yì diǎn dōu méi yǒu luàn shuō 。
如今看来，竟是一点都没有乱说。
The young man with the Dragon surname looked particularly spirited at this moment.
chú le pèi fú hái shì pèi fú ， zì jǐ yǔ shī jiě zhè bèi zi zuò dé zuì zhèng què de shì qíng 。 jiù shì fā xiàn lín shī dì ， bìng qiě lā lǒng tā jiā rù dào yún yǐn zōng lǐ 。
除了佩服还是佩服，自己与师姐这辈子做得最正确的事情。就是发现林师弟，并且拉拢他加入到云隐宗里。
He wasn't just showing off his power; he was genuinely happy.
nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou zhuǎn guò ， lóng xìng shào nián shēn xíng yī shǎn ， yǐ lái dào lín xuān de shēn biān 。
脑海中念头转过，龙姓少年身形一闪，已来到林轩的身边。
Given the current situation, Lin Xuan's ascension to the leadership position seemed almost certain.
yī shēng qīng ké ， wēi xiào de shēng yīn zài guǎng chǎng shàng yuǎn yuǎn chuán kāi le ：“ zhè cì xiān méng dà huì ， mù dì biàn shì tuī jǔ méng zhǔ ， fèi huà lóng mǒu yě bù xiǎng duō shuō 。 suǒ wèi méng zhǔ ， néng zhě jū zhī ， wéi yǒu zhēn zhèng de dà néng ， cái néng dài lǐng wǒ men nài lóng jiè gè zú ， duì kàng yù wài tiān mó 。”
一声轻咳，微笑的声音在广场上远远传开了：“这次仙盟大会，目的便是推举盟主，废话龙某也不想多说。所谓盟主，能者居之，唯有真正的大能，才能带领我们鼐龙界各族，对抗域外天魔。”
And once he became the leader, it would be immensely beneficial for the Cloud Concealment Sect.
“ lín shī dì cái dé jiē lìng rén jìng fú ， zhòng wàng suǒ guī 。 biàn yóu tā dān rèn xiān dào méng méng zhǔ ， yǒu shuí bù fú ？”
“林师弟才德皆令人敬服，众望所归。便由他担任仙道盟盟主，有谁不服？”
His voice carried far and wide. The square fell silent.
lóng xìng shào nián cǐ kè de biǎo qíng ， shuō yì qì fēng fā yě méi yǒu cuò 。
龙姓少年此刻的表情，说意气风发也没有错。
After a few moments, someone responded: "The Black Bear supports Lin Daoist as the alliance leader."
dào bú shì tā hú jiǎ hǔ wēi ， ér shì xīn zhōng què rán huān xǐ 。
倒不是他狐假虎威，而是心中确然欢喜。
It was the Black Bear King!
jiù mù qián de qíng kuàng lái shuō ， lín shī dì wèn dǐng méng zhǔ 。 jī hū shì bǎn shàng dìng dīng de 。
就目前的情况来说，林师弟问鼎盟主。几乎是板上钉钉的。
Although he hated Lin Xuan to the core, because of the divine soul pact, he had no choice but to obey him now. Naturally, he would have to declare his support.
ér tā yí dàn chéng wéi méng zhǔ ， duì yún yǐn zōng lái shuō ， zì rán yě jiù yǒu mò dà de hǎo chù 。
而他一旦成为盟主，对云隐宗来说，自然也就有莫大的好处。
Everyone understood this logic, but the Beast Sect was indeed a major power in the Daliang Realm. Regardless of whether the Black Bear King's support for Lin Xuan was genuine or not, having his backing significantly increased Lin Xuan's chances of becoming the leader.
shēng yīn yuǎn yuǎn chuán kāi 。
声音远远传开。
This boy is too cunning.
guǎng chǎng shàng què shì jìng mò yī piàn 。
广场上却是静默一片。
No wonder he had to sign a pact with the Black Bear King; it seemed he had already calculated this far.
guò le shí jǐ xī de gōng fu ， cái yǒu rén yìng hè ：“ xióng mǒu zhī chí lín dào yǒu zuò zhè méng zhǔ 。”
过了十几息的功夫，才有人应和：“熊某支持林道友做这盟主。”
The cultivators were more wary and respectful of Lin Xuan.
hēi xióng wáng ！
黑熊王！
Before their thoughts could fully form, a spiritual light appeared before them.
tā nèi xīn shēn chù ， suī rán hèn lín xuān rù gǔ ， dàn yīn wèi shén hún shì yuē de yuán gù ， què bù dé bù wèi qí qū cè ， cǐ shí cǐ kè ， dāng rán yě yào biǎo míng tài dù 。
他内心深处，虽然恨林轩入骨，但因为神魂誓约的缘故，却不得不为其驱策，此时此刻，当然也要表明态度。
After a moment, the light faded, revealing a graceful woman who knelt before Lin Xuan: "My name is Yun Ruo Yan. On behalf of the Yun family, I pledge to serve Lin Senior as the leader of the Celestial Alliance."
zhè dào lǐ ， zhòng xiū shì xīn zhōng qīng chǔ ， dàn wàn yāo zōng ， què rán shì nài lóng jiè de yī dà shì lì ， bù guǎn hēi xióng wáng duì yú lín xuān de zhī chí ， shì bú shì zhēn xīn shí yì ， dé tā xiāng zhù ， lín xuān wèn dǐng méng zhǔ de jī lǜ ， dōu dà le xǔ duō 。
这道理，众修士心中清楚，但万妖宗，确然是鼐龙界的一大势力，不管黑熊王对于林轩的支持，是不是真心实意，得他相助，林轩问鼎盟主的几率，都大了许多。
"Yun Family, the Cloud Garden County Yun family?"
zhè xiǎo zi ， tài jiǎo huá le 。
这小子，太狡猾了。
"This girl's words mean that the Yun family also wishes to join the Heavenly Dao Alliance."
guài bù dé yào yǔ hēi xióng wáng qiān dìng shì yuē ， yuán lái yǐ suàn jì dào zhè děng dì bù 。
怪不得要与黑熊王签订誓约，原来已算计到这等地步。
...
zhòng xiū shì duì lín xuān gèng wéi jì dàn pèi fú 。
众修士对林轩更为忌惮佩服。
Instantly, murmurs filled the air again. The Cloud Garden County Yun family might not match the Beast Sect in power but was still a significant force in the Daliang Realm.
zhè ge niàn tou shàng wèi zhuǎn guò ， xiāng fēng yì rán ， yī dào líng guāng zài yǎn qián chū xiàn 。
这个念头尚未转过，香风亦然，一道灵光在眼前出现。
With her support, Lin Xuan's chances of becoming leader were even greater.
shǎo qǐng líng máng shǎn kāi ， yī wèi fēng zī zhuó yuè de měi nǚ chōng zhe lín xuān yíng yíng xià bài ：“ qiè shēn yún ruò yán ， dài biǎo yún jiā yuàn fèng lín qián bèi wèi xiān méng zhī zhǔ 。”
少顷灵芒闪开，一位风姿卓越的美女冲着林轩盈盈下拜：“妾身云若颜，代表云家愿奉林前辈为仙盟之主。”
However, this wasn't the end of it.
“ yún jiā ， fēng yuàn jùn yún jiā ？”
“云家，枫苑郡云家？”
A solemn voice entered their ears: "Lin Daoist is both talented and virtuous. His appointment as leader is something I can wholeheartedly agree with."
“ cǐ nǚ zhè me shuō ， dài biǎo yún jiā yě yuàn yì jiā rù xiān dào méng le 。”
“此女这么说，代表云家也愿意加入仙道盟了。”
Though soft-spoken, everyone could hear clearly.
……
……
Everyone turned to look and was surprised to find that the speaker was none other than the Emperor of Dongyu and his consort.
yī shí jiān ， yì lùn shēng yòu shì cǐ qǐ bǐ fú ， fēng yuàn jùn yún jiā suī rán méi yǒu bàn fǎ pì měi wàn yāo zōng ， dàn zài nài lóng jiè pái míng yì bù suàn dī ， kě yǐ shuō shì shēng míng xiǎn hè de dà shì lì 。
一时间，议论声又是此起彼伏，枫苑郡云家虽然没有办法媲美万妖宗，但在鼐龙界排名亦不算低，可以说是声名显赫的大势力。
Everyone was stunned.
dé dào tā de zhī chí ， lín xuān jiù rèn méng zhǔ ， xiǎn rán yòu duō le jǐ fēn bǎ wò 。
得到她的支持，林轩就任盟主，显然又多了几分把握。
Even he had been convinced by Lin Xuan.
rán ér shì qíng dào zhè lǐ bìng wèi jié shù 。
然而事情到这里并未结束。
It was well-known that the Emperor of Dongyu, though reclusive, was a long-lived monster from ancient times with incomprehensible power. The Dongyu nation also boasted many powerful figures, their strength not inferior to any of the top powers in the Daliang Realm.
yī wēi yán de shēng yīn shì shí chuán rù ěr duǒ ：“ lín dào yǒu cái dé jiān bèi ， yóu tā zuò zhè méng zhǔ ， běn huáng yì shì xīn fú kǒu fú 。”
一威严的声音适时传入耳朵：“林道友才德兼备，由他做这盟主，本皇亦是心服口服。”
The Emperor of Dongyu's presence here meant he intended to contest for leadership.
shēng yīn bù dà ， rán ér měi gè rén dōu tīng dé qīng qīng chǔ chǔ 。
声音不大，然而每个人都听得清清楚楚。
And it couldn't be denied that he was a strong contender.
zhòng rén jiāng mù guāng zhuǎn guò ， jīng yà de fā xiàn shuō huà zhī rén jìng rán shì dōng yù xiān huáng fū fù 。
众人将目光转过，惊讶的发现说话之人竟然是东裕仙皇夫妇。
No one expected him to suddenly support Lin Xuan now.
suǒ yǒu rén jīng dāi le 。
所有人惊呆了。
What did this mean? Anyone with a bit of sense understood.
lián tā yì bèi lín xuān zhé fú 。
连他亦被林轩折服。
Was the大局 already decided?
zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī ， dōng yù xiān huáng suī shēn jū qiǎn chū ， dàn què shì cóng shàng gǔ yì zhí huó dào rú jīn de lǎo guài wù ， yī shēn shí lì shēn bù kě cè 。
众所周知，东裕仙皇虽深居浅出，但却是从上古一直活到如今的老怪物，一身实力深不可测。
Many people pondered this in their minds. Given the current momentum, there seemed to be no one left who could challenge the rising star that was Lin Xuan.
zhì yú dōng yù guó ， tóng yàng gāo shǒu shèn duō ， dǐ yùn yì diǎn bù bǐ nài lóng jiè pái míng qián jǐ de dà shì lì xùn sè 。
至于东裕国，同样高手甚多，底蕴一点不比鼐龙界排名前几的大势力逊色。
"Junior Vast Sword Sect's sect master Xiao Song represents our sect and expresses willingness to join the alliance and support Lin Senior as its leader."
dōng yù xiān huáng jì rán jià lín cǐ chù ， mù dì dāng rán shì xiǎng yào zhēng duó méng zhǔ 。
东裕仙皇既然驾临此处，目的当然是想要争夺盟主。
A hearty voice echoed, spoken by an elderly man with a beard.
ér qiě bù kě fǒu rèn ， tā yì shì zuì wèi rè mén de rén xuǎn 。
而且不可否认，他亦是最为热门的人选。
The other cultivators couldn't help but feel tempted. They had come here ostensibly to observe, but were also waiting for the right moment to join the alliance. After all, facing the powerful域外天魔, not joining the Heavenly Dao Alliance meant certain defeat.
méi xiǎng dào rú jīn què gǎi kǒu zhī chí lín xuān 。
没想到如今却改口支持林轩。
Thus, they were willing to support whoever became leader in hopes that their sect would be favored once they joined.
However, when the Black Bear King heard this, he was instantly furious and roared: "What, a divine soul pact? Lin Xiao, don't overstep your bounds. A man is killed with one blow to the head. The Black Bear swears not to disgrace himself even if I must die!"
It's no wonder his reaction was so extreme.
A divine soul pact delves deep into the three souls and seven spirits; even those who have passed through late-stage tribulation cannot escape its constraints. If he were to truly do this, wouldn't he become Lin Xuan's servant for eternity?
As a dominant ruler, he couldn't accept such terms under any circumstances.
Better to die with dignity!
This wasn't just empty talk. If Lin Xuan insisted on doing so, he would rather fight to the death.
"Friend, don't be in such a rush. I'm not unreasonable. This divine soul pact is only for ten thousand years, and I promise that I will never command you to do anything beyond your abilities."
"Is that so..."
Hearing Lin Xuan's words, the Black Bear King's expression softened considerably.
Ten thousand years might seem long, but for beings of their level, it was merely a blink of an eye. Moreover, Lin Xuan's promise ensured he wouldn't be used as cannon fodder; as long as his life was safe, such conditions were acceptable.
When one is under someone else's roof, one must bow down!
"Very well, I accept your terms."
"Since that's the case, let's sign this contract here!"
Lin Xuan's face showed a hint of satisfaction. As they say, better to be cautious; it was time to hammer out an agreement.
"Agreed!"
Given the situation, the Black Bear King had no choice but to obediently release a thread of his soul and sign the pact with Lin Xuan.
From now on, he would obey Lin Xuan's commands for the next ten thousand years.
For Lin Xuan, having one less enemy and gaining an ally was undoubtedly beneficial.
...
This scene fell upon the eyes of many cultivators. Their hearts were filled with a myriad of emotions—envy, jealousy, fear, and sympathy.
While they couldn't help but envy and feel jealous, some also showed signs of cowardice and fear. Many felt empathy for the Black Bear King's predicament; no one wanted to end up like him, having lost more than gained.
Their gaze towards Lin Xuan was now devoid of any previous contempt, replaced by profound respect.
In the cultivation world, strength was supreme.
Many had heard stories about Lin Xuan before but few had witnessed his true power. Now they finally got a chance to see it, and realized that his abilities far exceeded what was rumored.
Perhaps he was already on par with Great Sage Daliang.
Who would dare compete against him?
The leader of the Heavenly Dao Alliance seemed destined to belong to Lin Xuan.
All the cultivators present thought this way. The young man with the Dragon surname was particularly elated.
How impressive!
Lin Xiao had mentioned that his current abilities almost rivaled those of a scattered immortal or demon king, and he had always suspected it might be an exaggeration. Now, it seemed he hadn't been lying at all.
He could only admire Lin Xuan even more. Discovering him and bringing him to the Cloud Concealment Sect was undoubtedly one of the wisest decisions they ever made in their lives.
With his mind racing, the young man with the Dragon surname flashed past and stood beside Lin Xuan.
A light cough followed by a smile echoed across the square: "This Celestial Alliance Conference is meant to elect its leader. I won't waste any more words. The leader should be one who can truly lead us against the域外天魔."
"Lin Xiao's talents and virtues are beyond reproach; he has the support of many. Let him serve as the leader of the Heavenly Dao Alliance. Who among you would disagree?"
The young man with the Dragon surname looked particularly spirited at this moment.
He wasn't just showing off his power; he was genuinely happy.
Given the current situation, Lin Xuan's ascension to the leadership position seemed almost certain.
And once he became the leader, it would be immensely beneficial for the Cloud Concealment Sect.
His voice carried far and wide. The square fell silent.
After a few moments, someone responded: "The Black Bear supports Lin Daoist as the alliance leader."
It was the Black Bear King!
Although he hated Lin Xuan to the core, because of the divine soul pact, he had no choice but to obey him now. Naturally, he would have to declare his support.
Everyone understood this logic, but the Beast Sect was indeed a major power in the Daliang Realm. Regardless of whether the Black Bear King's support for Lin Xuan was genuine or not, having his backing significantly increased Lin Xuan's chances of becoming the leader.
This boy is too cunning.
No wonder he had to sign a pact with the Black Bear King; it seemed he had already calculated this far.
The cultivators were more wary and respectful of Lin Xuan.
Before their thoughts could fully form, a spiritual light appeared before them.
After a moment, the light faded, revealing a graceful woman who knelt before Lin Xuan: "My name is Yun Ruo Yan. On behalf of the Yun family, I pledge to serve Lin Senior as the leader of the Celestial Alliance."
"Yun Family, the Cloud Garden County Yun family?"
"This girl's words mean that the Yun family also wishes to join the Heavenly Dao Alliance."
...
Instantly, murmurs filled the air again. The Cloud Garden County Yun family might not match the Beast Sect in power but was still a significant force in the Daliang Realm.
With her support, Lin Xuan's chances of becoming leader were even greater.
However, this wasn't the end of it.
A solemn voice entered their ears: "Lin Daoist is both talented and virtuous. His appointment as leader is something I can wholeheartedly agree with."
Though soft-spoken, everyone could hear clearly.
Everyone turned to look and was surprised to find that the speaker was none other than the Emperor of Dongyu and his consort.
Everyone was stunned.
Even he had been convinced by Lin Xuan.
It was well-known that the Emperor of Dongyu, though reclusive, was a long-lived monster from ancient times with incomprehensible power. The Dongyu nation also boasted many powerful figures, their strength not inferior to any of the top powers in the Daliang Realm.
The Emperor of Dongyu's presence here meant he intended to contest for leadership.
And it couldn't be denied that he was a strong contender.
No one expected him to suddenly support Lin Xuan now.
What did this mean? Anyone with a bit of sense understood.
Was the大局 already decided?
Many people pondered this in their minds. Given the current momentum, there seemed to be no one left who could challenge the rising star that was Lin Xuan.
"Junior Vast Sword Sect's sect master Xiao Song represents our sect and expresses willingness to join the alliance and support Lin Senior as its leader."
A hearty voice echoed, spoken by an elderly man with a beard.
The other cultivators couldn't help but feel tempted. They had come here ostensibly to observe, but were also waiting for the right moment to join the alliance. After all, facing the powerful域外天魔, not joining the Heavenly Dao Alliance meant certain defeat.
Thus, they were willing to support whoever became leader in hopes that their sect would be favored once they joined.