From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 267 A Fateful Alliance Fulfilled: Xiao Yao Forms an Alliance of Glory

The cold smile on Ziyang Zhenjun's lips was like a thorn piercing my eye.

Did he think victory was assured?

I took a deep breath and suppressed my surging anger.

The air around me seemed to freeze. I could feel the gazes from all sides—inquisitive, curious, even gloating—like an invisible net tightly enveloping me.

“Your Excellency is mistaken,” I said calmly, yet with a hidden edge. “Although the alliance is a done deal, it is not entirely up to either side. Mo Yun has been eliminated, but the threat of the Demon Clan remains. If we weaken the alliance due to internal differences, wouldn’t that be a greater loss than a gain?” My gaze swept over everyone present, finally settling on True Lord Ziyang and Fairy Feiyu. “Both of you are highly respected figures; I’m sure you wouldn’t make such a short-sighted move.”

A flash of contempt crossed Ziyang Zhenjun's eyes. "Fairy Xiao Yao, are you threatening us?" His tone was icy, and spiritual energy surged around him, sending a powerful pressure crashing down on me.

I remained unmoved, looking directly into his eyes without flinching.

Fairy Feiyu gently waved her feather fan, trying to smooth things over, saying, "True Lord, please calm down. Fairy Xiaoyao is only considering the bigger picture. However, this spirit stone mine is also crucial to us..." She paused, her eyes flickering, "How about this, we each take a step back. Fairy Xiaoyao, would you give up another ten percent?"

I sneered inwardly, "Shall we each take a step back?"

They clearly want me to make further concessions!

I hesitated for a moment, then feigned difficulty and said, "Fairy Feiyu, this spirit stone vein is crucial to our disciples' cultivation resources, and it is truly difficult to part with it..."

“Fairy Xiao Yao,” True Lord Ziyang said firmly, “don’t push your luck! Do you really want to tear off all pretenses?”

A chill ran through me. Should I tear off the mask of politeness?

That's exactly what I want to avoid.

I am well aware that if the negotiations break down, the consequences will be unimaginable.

I tried to stay calm and came up with several new allocation plans, attempting to find a balance.

However, True Lord Ziyang and Fairy Feiyu refused to budge, and every one of my suggestions was rejected by them.

I felt like I was hitting an invisible wall, and a wave of frustration washed over me, making the air around me feel increasingly stuffy.

I looked around, and everyone was silent; the atmosphere was extremely oppressive.

"Since that's the case..." I began slowly, a hint of chill in my voice, "Then..."

I felt like I was hitting an invisible wall, and a wave of frustration washed over me, making the air around me feel increasingly stuffy.

I looked around, and everyone was silent; the atmosphere was extremely oppressive.

Ziyang Zhenjun's eyes flashed with mockery, as if waiting for me to admit defeat; Feiyu Xianzi, on the other hand, looked helpless, gently waving her feather fan, a hint of hesitation in her eyes.

Mo Yun's death did not deter their greed; instead, it made them more vigilant and unwilling to back down easily.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment, and every second felt like an eternity.

I felt cold sweat break out on my forehead, and the liquid slid down my cheeks, soaking my collar.

A feeling of oppression loomed over my chest like a dark cloud, and the pressure around me felt like a mountain pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe.

I took a deep breath and tried to make my voice sound more firm, but I couldn't hide the anxiety in my heart.

"Since that's the case..." I spoke slowly, a hint of chill in my voice, my gaze sweeping over True Monarch Ziyang and Fairy Feiyu like a blade, "Then..."

Ziyang Zhenjun snorted coldly, his spiritual energy fluctuating slightly, as if it was about to erupt at any moment.

Fairy Feiyu also put away her feather fan, staring at me coldly with a hint of provocation in her eyes.

Qingfeng and Lingxin stood to the side, looking nervous, as if they were also worried for me.

“Fairy Xiao Yao, do you really think…” Before True Lord Ziyang could finish speaking, I suddenly interrupted him, “Since that’s the case…” I slowly opened my mouth, my tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible coldness, my gaze sweeping over True Lord Ziyang and Fairy Feiyu like a blade.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze, and every second felt like an eternity.

The mockery of True Lord Ziyang, the helplessness of Fairy Feiyu, and the tension of Qingfeng and Lingxin—everything froze at that moment.

Suddenly, a completely new plan popped into my mind, like a lightning bolt piercing the darkness.

I took a deep breath, suppressing my excitement, and slowly said, "Seniors, if things continue like this, I'm afraid we'll only end up hurting each other. Why don't we try to look at this problem from a different perspective?"

“I have a brand new plan,” I continued, my voice firm and powerful. “We can jointly develop this spirit stone mine, but on the condition that each of us contributes one-third of the investment and manages it together. The spirit stones produced will be distributed proportionally, but 20% of them will be used to establish a joint cultivation fund to fight against the demons.” As soon as I finished speaking, the room fell silent, and everyone’s eyes were fixed on me.

Ziyang Zhenjun's eyes flickered, clearly surprised by the plan.

A hint of doubt and interest flashed in Fairy Feiyu's eyes.

I continued, "This will not only safeguard the interests of all three parties but also strengthen our forces against the demons. Seniors, time is of the essence. The demons are already stirring, and we cannot afford to waste any more time on internal strife."

A slight wavering appeared on Ziyang Zhenjun's face. He slowly nodded, but did not speak.

Fairy Feiyu gently waved her feather fan, pondered for a moment, and then said, "This plan is indeed worth considering. Joint management and shared benefits, along with a 20% share of the cultivation fund, can certainly enhance our strength."

Seeing that they were softening their stance, I was secretly pleased and spoke with even greater conviction: "Seniors, this plan not only balances the interests of all parties but also aligns with the overall situation. If we can unite as one, the demon race is nothing to fear."

Ziyang Zhenjun and Feiyu Xianzi exchanged a glance and finally nodded in agreement.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly eased, and everyone's gaze shifted from doubt to surprise. I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment welling up inside me.

The tense atmosphere in the entire venue instantly dissipated, replaced by deep gratitude and respect.

I stood in the center of the alliance ceremony, receiving cheers and praise from the crowd.

An atmosphere of glory permeated the entire venue, and everyone's face was filled with joyful smiles.

Qingfeng and Lingxin walked excitedly towards me, and the three of them embraced tightly. At that moment...

"Sister Yao, you're amazing!" Qingfeng exclaimed excitedly, and Lingxin nodded in agreement, her eyes full of admiration.

I smiled slightly, my heart filled with warmth and strength, but suddenly, an unfamiliar voice came from the crowd, breaking the tranquility of the moment.

Qingfeng and Lingxin ran excitedly toward me. Qingfeng was wearing his signature blue robe, which fluttered as if bringing a refreshing mountain breeze. Lingxin, on the other hand, wore a light purple gauze dress, which was light and graceful, like a forest sprite.

The joy in their eyes was brighter than the sun and more dazzling than the stars.

"Sister Yao, you're amazing!" Qingfeng hugged me tightly, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, and I could feel his heart pounding with excitement.

Lingxin hugged me tightly, her soft gauze skirt brushing against my cheek, bringing a faint fragrance.

"I knew you could do it!" Lingxin whispered in my ear, her voice full of pride and trust.

A warm feeling welled up in my heart, and I hugged them back, feeling this sincere friendship.

This warm embrace dispelled the fatigue and stress of days of negotiations, and an unprecedented sense of ease and joy spread through my heart.

The brilliant lights in the hall shone on us, as if gilding us with a golden glow. Glory and joy intertwined at this moment, creating a beautiful picture.

Just as we were basking in this joy, a strange voice suddenly came from the crowd, breaking the warm atmosphere.

"Fairy Xiao Yao is indeed skilled; even True Lord Ziyang and Fairy Feiyu have been persuaded by you."

The voice was sharp and piercing, with a clear hint of mockery. I looked in the direction of the sound and saw a man in a black robe with a sinister face standing at the edge of the crowd, staring at me with cold eyes.

He exuded an unsettling aura, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, waiting for its chance to strike.

Who is it? A chill ran through me, and an ominous premonition washed over me.

"Who are you?" I asked coldly, my tone tinged with wariness.

The man sneered and slowly stepped forward. "I am Nangong Lie from the Heavenly Fiend Sect."

Tianshamen?

My heart skipped a beat. I was familiar with this name. It was a notorious demonic sect, known for its cruelty and ruthlessness.

How come they are here?

What is Nangong Lie's purpose?

"What are you doing here?" I asked in a deep voice, my eyes fixed on him, not daring to relax for a moment.

Nangong Lie's lips curled into a sinister smile, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light. "Of course, I'm here to congratulate Fairy Xiao Yao, but..." He paused, his tone suddenly turning icy, "and let me also remind you that there are some people you can't afford to mess with."

After he finished speaking, he turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving behind only a cold, gloomy back view and a meaningful sentence that echoed in my ears.

My heart sank, and a chill ran from the soles of my feet straight to the top of my head.

Nangong Lie's appearance was undoubtedly a dangerous sign, and the warning in his words made me even more uneasy.

The alliance was successful, but perhaps the bigger challenges have only just begun...

I took a deep breath, suppressing my unease, and turned to look at Qingfeng and Lingxin. "Let's go back."

Upon returning to the Immortal Sect, new challenges awaited me.

In my room, there sits a letter from the sect leader. The bright red seal on the envelope stands out starkly in the dim light…