152: Chapter 152 Alliance Unity and Common Development

The next morning, as the sun just rose, dew still clung to the stone steps in front of the Chen Family's mountain gate.

People from the Seven Clans entered the meeting platform one after another. Their footsteps on the bluestone slabs sounded different from one another. Some walked with their heads down, some looked around, and some stood to the side in silence.

Chen Wuwang was already waiting there. He didn't sit on a high seat, nor did he use a screen for separation; he stood at the same level as everyone else, with his back to the sun.

His right hand rested on his dagger, while his left held a Jade Slip. He had organized the "Alliance Basic Consensus" last night and was now reviewing it once more.

Several leaders of small clans whispered as they approached.

"I heard we aren't here to seek asylum this time?"

"They say it's a partnership, with benefits distributed according to the work done."

"Is there really such a good deal? The Chen Family is so strong now; what do they need us for?"

Before they could finish, Chen Wuwang looked up at them. Everyone immediately shut their mouths.

He took two steps forward, standing in the center. His voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard him clearly: "I'm not here to look for subordinates; I'm looking for people to walk with."

The crowd stirred slightly.

He raised the Jade Slip in his hand: "These are the seven rules established yesterday—resource sharing, technical exchange, facing dangers together, and sharing achievements. There's a copy of each; everyone will receive one shortly."

With a wave of his hand, seven Jade Slips flew out, landing on the tables in front of everyone.

"You can read them, ask questions, or even suggest changes." He paused. "But to be honest: our Chen Family has already taken the first step on this path. Whether you walk it alone or we walk it together is up to you."

The area fell silent for a few seconds.

A leader of a Loose Cultivator group frowned and asked, "Sounds good. Your Chen Family has mechs and a Spiritual Vein, yet you want to pull us in to share the benefits? I don't believe there's such a thing as a free lunch in this world."

Chen Wuwang didn't get angry, only asking: "What is your name?"

The man was taken aback. "Li Yan, North Ridge Wandering Alliance."

"Good." Chen Wuwang nodded. "Li Yan, you're right; there's no such thing as a free lunch. But is it possible—that what we're eating now isn't even from the same pot?"

He pointed toward the Artifact Refining Workshop: "What you see are mechs and cannon fire, and the power of that sword strike last night. But what I see is a production line that needs management, insufficient energy, and five mechs that can protect ten miles at most."

He looked at everyone: "If the insect tide comes again, I can protect the Chen Family, but can I protect you? Can I protect the entire Eastern Wasteland?"

No one answered.

"So," his voice lowered slightly, "I'm not asking you to share my things. I want to work with you to make this pot bigger."

Once these words were spoken, the atmosphere relaxed slightly.

After a while, the female leader of the West Ridge Mining Alliance stepped forward: "If what you say is true, then the mineral exploration cooperation we applied for earlier... when does it start?"

"Now," Chen Wuwang answered quickly.

He clapped his hands, and three Disciples brought up a sand table. It depicted the terrain and resource distribution.

"This is a preliminary map of the abandoned mines in West Ridge." He pointed to a spot. "There's some Iron Crystal here, and the Spiritual Qi here is off; it might be left over from an old Formation. The engineering team set out this morning, with three mechs for protection."

He looked at the woman: "It's not a takeover; it's a partnership. You send people to participate, data is shared, and of the materials excavated, sixty percent goes to you, while forty percent goes into the Alliance's public storehouse."

"Then how will management fees be calculated?" another person asked.

"Calculated based on actual costs," he said directly. "Spirit Stones, labor, and equipment damage must all be recorded and made public every month. Not a cent more will be taken, and not a cent less will be given."

Quiet discussions began below.

Chen Wuwang was in no hurry and continued: "At the Artifact Refining Workshop, two groups of Loose Cultivators have already signed letters of intent. The data for Medicinal Field breeding is also open for exchange. There is only one condition—whoever produces a result must be credited, and technology cannot be monopolized."

After speaking, he took out three contract scrolls from his robes and placed them on the table: "Those willing to be in the first batch of cooperation, please come up and sign."

The air suddenly went still.

Then, three people stepped out one after another—the female leader of the West Ridge Mining Alliance, the manager of the South Slope Medicine Workshop, and Li Yan of the North Ridge Wandering Alliance.

They walked to the table, each picked up a brush, and wrote their names on the scrolls.

Chen Wuwang reached out and touched the engravings on a stone tablet: "What is to be written on this tablet is the way forward for the Eastern Wasteland."

"The contract is established," he announced loudly.

Someone clapped; the applause wasn't much, but it was genuine.

More people crowded around, flipping through the "Basic Consensus" Jade Slip.

Some nodded, some took notes, and some directly asked about joint patrols and information sharing.

Chen Wuwang answered them one by one, his tone calm but firm: "What's signed today is only the beginning. We will hold meetings every month from now on. Anyone with ideas can propose them, and those that pass will be implemented immediately."

Having finished, he walked toward the center of the plaza.

A black profound iron tablet stood there, its surface smooth and without a single word.

"This tablet was erected last night." He stood before it, his voice carrying across the field. "It hasn't been named yet. But I hope what is carved upon it is more than just names; I hope it is a commitment."

He drew the dagger from his waist, the blade flashing in the sunlight.

The next second, the blade sliced across his palm, and blood dripped onto the base of the tablet.

His Mechanical Prosthetic Eye flashed with blue light, activating a psionic array.

Blood seeped into the patterns at the base of the tablet. The Formation was activated, and the entire tablet vibrated, emitting a low hum.

"In my capacity as the head of the Chen Family, I swear—all who join the Alliance shall share resources, share risks, and share achievements. Whoever violates this agreement shall not be tolerated by the Heavenly Dao."

As his voice fell, the blood-light transformed into runes, deeply imprinting themselves into the stone tablet.

Everyone looked on solemnly.

An old Cultivator asked in a low voice: "If we sign our names and are retaliated against later, can we still withdraw?"

Chen Wuwang looked at him: "No."

He answered very frankly: "Once signed, we are in the same boat. The way out is not behind us, but beneath our feet. Only the path we walk out together is the path to survival."

The old Cultivator was silent for a long time, finally sighing and stepping forward.

He bit his finger and pressed a spiritual seal onto the tablet.

Then, a second person, a third...

Chen Xiaodao also walked out from the crowd.

Without saying a word, he carved the Family emblem into the surface of the tablet.

The Chen Family totem, with its silver edges and black patterns, slowly emerged like an unsheathed sword.

Each of the Seven Clans stepped forward one by one.

Some branded it, some carved runes, and some infused it with spiritual power. Finally, the entire tablet lit up, and four large characters clearly appeared—One Heart, Far Reach.

Children ran out from the corners, clapping and laughing.

In the distance, the mechs took to the sky again, patrolling the air. Their green patterns flashed repeatedly, as if silently guarding.

A messenger walked quickly to Chen Wuwang's side and whispered, "The Seven Clans have agreed to send their Disciples to participate in next month's joint training camp. The first list of names will be delivered tonight."

Chen Wuwang still stood by the tablet, the dagger in his hand not yet put away, his clothes swaying gently in the wind.