"Gentlemen, in the martial world, two sects sharing a single disciple—such a thing is uncommon, but not without precedent. This boy Jiang Chen possesses extraordinary fortune. He can surely bring great benefit to both our sects. What say you?"
The man in the apricot-yellow robes looked at Patriarch Thousand Leaves and Ye Chonglou with an earnest gaze.
Although Danqian Palace was far more powerful and held an absolute advantage over the Treasure Tree Sect, they could not use force in this matter. You can't force a melon to be sweet by twisting it off the vine.
Moreover, if Danqian Palace did resort to force, the Treasure Tree Sect would inevitably react with resentment—perhaps even defecting directly to the Nine Yang Heavenly Sect.
After all, on paper, while Danqian Palace was nearby, its strength was far inferior to that of the Nine Yang Heavenly Sect. Danqian Palace had its backers, but borrowed power could never be as convincing as power one controlled oneself.
"If that is Danqian Palace's only condition, then our Treasure Tree Sect is willing to form an alliance. Combining the resources of both the Treasure Tree Sect and Danqian Palace to nurture Jiang Chen would be more beneficial for his growth as well."
Patriarch Thousand Leaves nodded. "An alliance—how exactly would it be carried out?"
The man in the apricot-yellow robes broke into a pleased smile upon hearing this. "Good. You are both forthright people. In that case, I will immediately relay the news to Danqian Palace. As for the alliance, our Danqian Palace will make a public announcement across the Myriad Transformations Territory."
Ye Chonglou suddenly spoke up. "Our Treasure Tree Sect has one small request as well. The alliance ceremony should be held at our Treasure Tree Sect."
The man in the apricot-yellow robes fell silent for a moment. On this point, he dared not agree lightly—he needed to consult his superiors.
"I cannot make this decision on my own authority. I must first consult our Palace Master."
The man pinched a hand seal, produced a jade slip for transmitting messages, and fed some information into it.
This kind of long-distance communication could not be achieved through ordinary voice-transmission talismans. More complex techniques were required.
After a moment, the jade slip in the man's hand lit up—he had clearly received a reply.
After reading it, the man laughed heartily. "Our Palace Master seems to place tremendous importance on this alliance. He says that so long as the Treasure Tree Sect agrees to ally, these minor details can be arranged however the Treasure Tree Sect wishes. Our Palace Master says he will begin preparing for the alliance ceremony immediately, and in the name of our Danqian Palace, will invite every major force in the Myriad Transformations Territory to come to the Treasure Tree Sect for the ceremony."
Both Patriarch Thousand Leaves and Ye Chonglou were overjoyed. The Palace Master of Danqian Palace appeared to value Jiang Chen far more than usual—to personally condescend to attend the Treasure Tree Sect for the alliance ceremony.
This was giving the Treasure Tree Sect a tremendous amount of face.
Furthermore, Danqian Palace's reputation across the Myriad Transformations Territory was enormous. It was the absolute pinnacle of power in the territory. Once they issued invitations, which sect in the Myriad Transformations Territory would dare not show respect?
Any force that openly snubbed Danqian Palace was practically nonexistent within the Myriad Transformations Territory.
The reason was that Danqian Palace held a unique advantage in the territory—it stood in an absolutely leading position in the field of alchemy.
Every major sect, so long as they had any need for pills and elixirs, had to give Danqian Palace a measure of deference.
Therefore, once Danqian Palace issued an invitation, unless one intended to completely break relations with Danqian Palace, no one would dare skip this alliance ceremony.
In the end, both sides agreed: in half a month, the alliance ceremony would be held at the Treasure Tree Sect.
The Treasure Tree Sect had only recently hosted the admission ceremony for Ye Chonglou and Jiang Chen, but that ceremony had been disrupted by Zuo Lan and his cohorts, leaving everyone with a sour taste.
This alliance ceremony was clearly far more important, and the Treasure Tree Sect would have to put considerably more effort into its preparations.
Ye Chonglou took charge personally, overseeing every detail himself.
The man in the apricot-yellow robes was an elder of Danqian Palace named Wen Lang—a figure of relatively high standing within the palace.
After both sides settled their terms, Elder Wen Lang requested to meet Jiang Chen. He was informed that Jiang Chen was currently in seclusion, comprehending the Dao beneath the Lingering Radiance Treasure Tree.
"Ha ha, a genius cultivating is no ordinary matter—disturbance is out of the question. Very well, this Wen shall simply wait until he emerges from seclusion."
This Wen Lang understood the art of knowing when to press and when to yield. He did not allow his position of psychological superiority to make him overbearing. Instead, he was agreeable in all matters, which put both Patriarch Thousand Leaves and Ye Chonglou considerably more at ease.
Although the alliance had been agreed upon in principle, as a Seventh-Rank Sect allying with a Fourth-Rank Sect, the disparity in status and strength still left Patriarch Thousand Leaves and Ye Chonglou somewhat uneasy.
Once Danqian Palace received the Treasure Tree Sect's definite answer, it made a territory-wide announcement the very next day, declaring the alliance between Danqian Palace and the Treasure Tree Sect.
The news sent shockwaves across the Myriad Transformations Territory.
All major forces were stunned. Had Danqian Palace gone mad? The Sixteen Kingdoms Alliance was essentially a quagmire right now.
Anyone who waded in risked getting swallowed whole.
And here was Danqian Palace, choosing this precise moment to announce an alliance with the Treasure Tree Sect! What did this mean?
It meant Danqian Palace intended to intervene in the affairs of the Sixteen Kingdoms Alliance.
More profoundly, it meant Danqian Palace was playing with fire, preparing to challenge the authority of the Nine Yang Heavenly Sect. Everyone knew that the people of the Treasure Tree Sect had offended the Nine Yang Heavenly Sect by rejecting its attempt at annexation.
Danqian Palace's move was nothing short of snatching food from under the Nine Yang Heavenly Sect's nose.
And so, for a time, all manner of discussions erupted throughout the Myriad Transformations Territory. Puzzlement, criticism, speculation, and suspicion ran rampant.
However, given Danqian Palace's established style, they were certainly not the type to act foolishly without reason. On the contrary, Danqian Palace had always been steady and calculating—never making a move without certainty of success.
The fact that they were now courting universal controversy by allying with the Treasure Tree Sect meant there had to be some hidden benefit that outsiders simply could not see.
As for what that benefit might be, speculation ran wild.