Because of Wu Shuai's intervention, Ice Crystal Immortal King had no choice but to concede defeat. He had originally believed his plan to ally with the Merfolk had fallen through, yet he never expected that Wu Shuai and he were of the same mind.
In the wager between Ice Crystal Immortal King and the Merfolk Royal Court, the loser had won while the victor had lost.
After the battle, Wu Shuai borrowed the Merfolk Royal Court's grand hall to converse with Ice Crystal Immortal King, their discussion growing ever more animated, while the expressions of the three Merfolk Immortals darkened by the minute.
Upon learning that Ice Crystal Immortal King had already convened the grotto-heaven forces for talks, Wu Shuai immediately volunteered to join and urged Ice Crystal Immortal King to quickly summon all parties for a second meeting.
In Ice Crystal Immortal King's original plan, the second meeting was to be held further in the future, but Wu Shuai pressed him urgently. Ice Crystal Immortal King thought to himself: "With Wu Shuai as a figurehead, this is greatly advantageous to me. There is no harm in moving the meeting date forward."
Ice Crystal Immortal King knew that even if the grotto-heaven forces of the Black and White Heavens united, they still harbored a tremendous internal threat — a minority among them were human factions.
What he wanted was a coalition led primarily by the non-human races, which was why he had been even more actively seeking alliances during this period. Every known non-human faction he had already contacted. He had not even spared the Merfolk Royal Court of the Eastern Sea.
If he knew that ancient races still existed in the depths of the ocean floor, he would surely have sought them out long ago.
"But now that Wu Shuai — this widely known dragonman powerhouse — has arrived, even if the humans recruit more allies, they still can't match his influence, can they?"
Wu Shuai, in his capacity as a dragonman, had launched an assault on Heavenly Court and emerged victorious. That feat had brought him an enormous reputation.
Ice Crystal Immortal King once again convened a second meeting at Ice Crystal Grotto-Heaven. This gathering was even larger in scale.
"Immortal King Golden Fur has arrived!"
"Heavenly Immortal Swift Cloud has arrived!"
"Immortal Mother Great Wisdom has arrived!"
"Great Sage Azure Forest has arrived!"
Many Eighth Transformation non-human powerhouses had come.
Immortal King Golden Fur was a Furman, his entire body covered in thick fur that gleamed with golden light. Heavenly Immortal Swift Cloud was a member of the Winged Folk, appearing as a handsome young man. Immortal Mother Great Wisdom was an elderly woman of the Inkfolk race. Great Sage Azure Forest was one of the Small Folk, his body wreathed in a halo of greenish-blue light.
All four of these non-human Gu Immortals were attending such a meeting for the first time.
As for the human Eighth Transformation Gu Immortals, aside from Night Sky Wolf Lord and Cold Ash Fairy from before, the newcomers included Heaven-Piercing Divine Lord who specialized in the Path of Light, Chen Huaizi who cultivated the Path of Wood, and Colored Stone Immortal Consort, a female immortal of the Path of Earth.
The humans had only five Eighth Transformation cultivators, while the non-humans had nearly ten. Despite Cold Ash Fairy's best efforts to recruit more people, they still could not match the non-human numbers — and the gap was only widening.
After a brief period of discussion, Ice Crystal Immortal King took command of the proceedings: "The reason I have been able to invite all of you Immortal Friends here today is not only to discuss the grand situation of the world, but also because there is a matter of considerable importance. Please allow me to introduce a senior powerhouse!"
All eyes followed the direction of Ice Crystal Immortal King's gesture.
Wu Shuai emerged from behind a screen with measured steps and, under the watchful gaze of every immortal present, took the seat of honor without a moment's hesitation.
"And you are...?" The assembled immortals were startled.
"So it is Immortal Friend Wu Shuai." A non-human Eighth Transformation cultivator close to Ice Crystal Immortal King spoke up with a greeting.
Ice Crystal Immortal King's expression darkened with displeasure. "You should address him as Senior Wu Shuai!"
The non-human cultivator's face flushed with embarrassment. Under Ice Crystal Immortal King's stern gaze, he had no choice but to correct himself: "This junior greets Senior."
With this precedent set, the other immortals had no choice but to follow suit, all addressing Wu Shuai as Senior.
"Good." Wu Shuai nodded with satisfaction. "Seniority must not be confused. However, I would prefer it if you all addressed me as Alliance Leader!"
"Alliance Leader?" The assembled immortals exchanged bewildered glances.
Wu Shuai laughed heartily. "Indeed! Now that the grotto-heavens have been revealed, the Gu Immortals of the Five Regions will inevitably attack. The only reason they have not yet made their move is because they are constrained by the Qi Tide and cannot act freely. To protect ourselves — and more importantly, to grow stronger — we must form an alliance! Only then will we have the capital and the hope to stand against the Five Regions!"
"Since ancient times, the position of Alliance Leader has always belonged to the most capable. I see that none among you here can match me. If anyone disagrees with what I've just said, you are welcome to challenge me and test that claim."
The words had barely left Wu Shuai's mouth before the immortals could even respond when a dragon's roar split the air.
The colossal body of the Evil Dragon Emperor Cangsheng blotted out the sky as it swept overhead.
Then, from within Wu Shuai's Immortal aperture, a Gu Immortal house slowly flew out — small and exquisite, it hovered above Wu Shuai's palm, radiating brilliant light.
It was none other than the Dragon Palace — shrunken down to miniature size.
Wu Shuai glanced at the Dragon Palace in his palm, then swept his gaze across the assembled immortals. The threat in his eyes could not have been more apparent.
Every immortal's face turned grim. One after another they fell silent, seething with anger yet not daring to express it.
Though Wu Shuai was only at the Seventh Transformation, everyone present knew full well the might of the Dragon Palace and the Evil Dragon. Perhaps if all the immortals present joined forces, they might still have some hope of resistance. But the various grotto-heaven factions had very little coordination among themselves. It was nothing like the Five Regions, where the super-factions bordered one another, clashed frequently, and had extensive dealings. The Black and White Heavens were vast and sparsely populated, external dangers kept everyone isolated, factions rarely came into contact, and close exchange was even harder to come by.
"Hahaha!" Seeing that no one opposed him, Wu Shuai burst into booming laughter, which then abruptly ceased. "Will you not come and pay your respects to your Alliance Leader?"
The assembled immortals remained silent. The atmosphere was oppressively heavy.
After a long moment, Ice Crystal Immortal King suddenly stepped forward from the crowd and cupped his fists in a bow toward Wu Shuai. "Ice Crystal Immortal King greets the Alliance Leader!"
"Hahaha, good." Wu Shuai pointed a finger at Ice Crystal Immortal King. "You shall be the Vice Alliance Leader."