589: Three Corpses

"This world respects strength above all. In my opinion, let's let our strength do the talking this time."

A figure on a throne spoke, a faint smile playing on his lips.

His name was Li Qi, the Pavilion Master of the Prisoner Heart Pavilion among the Ten Sects.

"Oh, Pavilion Master Li, it seems you are quite confident in your own strength. However, what you say makes sense. We might as well compare our strength."

As soon as Li Qi spoke, someone quickly responded.

The figure speaking was named Jian Fan, the Hall Master of the Hellish Nether Hall among the Ten Sects.

Following this suggestion, more and more figures joined in, and a clamor immediately broke out.

The Ten Sects were all integrated from a period of chaotic warfare and division. When it came to actual fighting, no one feared anyone else.

Proposing to decide the position of the Alliance Leader through fighting suited their desires perfectly, in a sense.

"Ahem."

While they were arguing incessantly, a cough suddenly rang out in the hall.

At their level of cultivation, how could they possibly fall ill? It was clearly meant to attract their attention.

But this sound carried a very peculiar power, making every one of them dazed for a moment upon hearing it.

After snapping out of it, they all looked toward the source of the sound.

A figure on a throne had been sitting there since the beginning, not participating in the dispute.

"Sect Master Xie, that was you just now, wasn't it?"

Xie Feng, the Sect Master of the Nine Absolute Sword Sect among the Ten Sects, was also the previous Alliance Leader of the Ten Sects Alliance.

"What, do you still want to be the Alliance Leader this time?" Li Qi immediately spoke up upon seeing it was Xie Feng.

Xie Feng smiled. "Our alliance has no rule stating that someone who has been the Alliance Leader before cannot participate in this election."

Xu You, the Hall Master of the Return Heart Hall of the Ten Sects, said, "Of course. If Sect Master Xie wants to participate, then go ahead."

"Very well."

Xie Feng nodded. "I see that everyone is quite enthusiastic about the method of testing strength. Why don't we go with that? According to the old rules, let's vote."

After saying that, he raised his own hand.

So confident?

Such a thought emerged in the minds of the other nine people.

But if Xie Feng had confidence, did they lack it?

So, the group also began to vote one after another.

The final result was seven votes in favor and three against.

Therefore, the selection method for the Alliance Leader this time would be based on their respective strengths.

"Good. Then let's set a schedule for when and where the competition will take place."

This time, the speaker was Xuan Ni, the Hall Master of the Douyuan Hall. Their sect was the most bellicose among the Ten Sects, so choosing this method suited his heart perfectly.

"There's no need for such trouble."

Unexpectedly, Xie Feng spoke up again.

Ci Bing, the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Ice Pavilion of the Ten Sects, said with a smile, "Why, Sect Master Xie, do you perhaps have a better idea?"

She was one of the only two female leaders among the Ten Sects and had also expressed opposition to deciding the Alliance Leader through the previous competition proposal.

Xie Feng said, "Naturally."

"In that case, why don't you tell us, Sect Master Xie?" Ci Bing replied.

"Haha, it's very simple, everyone."

Xie Feng laughed heartily. "The position of Alliance Leader this time will naturally still be mine."

As soon as these words came out, everyone fell silent once more.

Ci Bing felt a bit awkward for a moment and couldn't help but chuckle dryly. "Sect Master Xie, are you joking?"

"Joking?" Xie Feng repeated, then shook his head. "No, no, no, I'm not joking. Didn't we just agree to decide based on the strength of those present?"

"So from now on, I am the Alliance Leader of the Ten Sects of the Sacred Ring!"

"Arrogant!"

"Outrageous!"

"Conceited!"

...As expected, after Xie Feng finished speaking, he immediately drew a series of objections.

You want to be the Alliance Leader without even competing once? Why don't you just ascend to heaven?

Even if your strength has improved greatly over the years, they didn't believe it could reach a level where no competition was needed. They hadn't been idling around all these years either.

Xie Feng had long anticipated these objections. He stood up from his seat. "I'll say it one more time: I am the Alliance Leader this time. As for next time, whoever has the ability can take it from my hands."

"I've finished speaking. Who agrees, and who objects?"

After saying that, he cast his gaze upon the nine people still sitting there.

"I object!"

Xuan Ni slapped the armrest of his throne and was about to stand up to refute.

Unexpectedly, Xie Feng moved even faster than him, slapping him across the face before he could fully stand up.

Xuan Ni didn't even have time to defend himself before being struck by this slap from across the air.

All the automatic defensive measures on his body also failed to activate in time.

Then, his entire body was slapped back into his seat, instantly crushing the throne to pieces as he lay flat on the ground.

Xuan Ni was slapped so hard he began to doubt his life. When did this Xie Feng become so strong that he didn't even have the power to fight back?

The eight people still sitting there were equally horrified. They knew Xie Feng dared to act this way today because he definitely had some confidence.

But they never expected that Xie Feng would actually be this strong now.

Striking a fellow at their level felt as easy as blowing away dust.

Clearly, everyone had agreed to slack off together; why are you so outstanding?

Secretly working hard on your own is what I hate most.

Xuan Ni, still lying on the ground, didn't choose to get up but seemed to think of something.

Suddenly, his eyes sparkled, and he sat up abruptly, looking at Xie Feng in astonishment. "You've severed the Three Corpses?"

Xie Feng smiled, indicating his silent admission.

He looked at Xuan Ni on the ground. "So, do you still object?"

Xuan Ni hurriedly shook his head. "Strength is respected. You've severed the Three Corpses; even if everyone else here combined their forces, they wouldn't be your match. There really is no need to compete, Lord Alliance Leader."

He knew very well that Xie Feng had held back with that slap just now. He only looked wretched, but in reality, he hadn't suffered any injuries at all.

The gap in strength between the two sides was too large; there was simply no comparison.

Xie Feng nodded and looked at the others sitting there. "And you?"

The remaining people were also quite cooperative, standing up one after another and saying, "Greetings, Alliance Leader."

Just as Xuan Ni said, with Xie Feng having severed the Three Corpses, they wouldn't be his match even if they combined their forces.

In that case, what was the point of the so-called competition?

Moreover, it was likely that not only would Xie Feng be the Alliance Leader this time, but he might also be the leader next time, the time after that, and even into the future.

In this way, the Ten Sects of the Sacred Ring were likely to gradually reintegrate.

Just like countless years ago, when a single power ruled the entire territory of the Sacred Ring Domain... On the other side, after a long and arduous journey, Chen De finally arrived at his destination—the Sacred Ring Domain!

However, he was in no hurry to take action. As a newcomer, he first needed to understand the local customs and environment.

After all, the information from the Tianyou Pavilion Master was old news from who knows how many years ago.

But as Chen De went deeper, the situation here seemed to deviate quite a bit from what he knew.

Suddenly, he felt a bit like going to the Tianzhao Strange Domain instead.