The warm smile on the Alliance Head''s face faded away into a frown, his eyes turning cold at the same time. It was a look rarely seen on the Alliance Head''s face, who was known to be very friendly almost all the time.


    The Vice-n Leader felt a shiver crawl up his spine for a brief moment as he saw the expression, but ignored it and remained firm in his words and stance.


    "To think someone like you has the gall toe to my Alliance and demand such a thing. Either you''ve gone mad with age, or the Starforge n is getting bolder these days," the Alliance Head replied, no warmth or friendliness in his voice at all.


    "Blood demands blood. Your Prime Disciple moved against my daughter, and so retaliation is only natural," the Vice-n Leader replied firmly, standing his ground.


    "Blood demands blood?" the Alliance Head repeated. "In that case…why don''t we talk about the actions of your young master within the Jade Dragon Empire realm. Kadin, if I recall his name correctly."


    The Alliance Head had received a full briefing from many who had entered the realm, and knew about Kadin''s siding with the enemy powers. They knew Adam had let him go, but did not know the true reason, and most assumed it was that he was too timid to outright kill the future leader of the Starforge n.


    While the Alliance Head did not know the truth, he was smart enough to figure out what John and Adam were up to, and had as such not demanded justice from the Starforge n, and instead had left it to John and Adam to clean up as they saw fit.


    Naturally, the Starforge n itself sent Kadin to the Jade Dragon Empire realm to leech opportunities, but also make alliances with the young masters of the enemy powers as well. They saw the shifting winds approaching, and had silently decided to ally themselves with those powers, although they had not outright dered it.


    The Vice-n Leader''s face scrunched up as he heard this, and he became lost for words as he tried to think of how to reply.


    "I believe your young master killed dozens, if not more of my Honorable Alliance Disciples. If blood demands blood, then it''s only reasonable that your young master pays his blood debt in full as well," the Alliance Head replied.


    A grimace appeared on the Vice-n Leaders face for a moment as he heard this. Kadin was the future of the Starforge n, and no harm could be allowed to fall on him, even at the cost of his own daughter.


    "Alliance Head…there arerger matters at hand here. While our Starforge n has many options to align ourselves with, can the same be said for the Honorable Alliance? Your list of allies grows thin, and in the department of trade and formations…can you truly afford to lose us?" the Vice-n Leader said, threatening ceasing trade with them as a consequence.


    Just as he threatened with ceasing trade, another figure materialized next to the Alliance Head. The Vice-n Leader inspected the neer, and frowned as he saw who it was.


    "Daoist Starde.." the neer greeted, although there was no friendliness in their greeting. "You''ve be quite bold to threaten the Honorable Alliance Head himself."


    "Trade Master…what are you doing here?" the Vice-n Leader spat out, his animosity with the Trade Master of the Mystic Trade Hall clear.


    The Mystic Trade Hall dabbled in many more areas of trade than the Starforge n, but also dealt in formation crafting and trade. While they were not as good as the Starforge n, they were stillparable in quality. Combined with the fact that the Mystic Trade Hall also dealt in other trade ventures, they were both more powerful and wealthy than the Starforge n when it came to influence on the continent.


    As such, the two powers saw each other as rivals, and staunch ones at that.


    "What am I doing here?" the Trade Master repeated with amusement, as if he found it funny that the Vice-Sect Leader felt himself of equal status, and worthy of asking of his intentions.


    "Normally I wouldn''t reveal such things, but since you just mentioned ceasing trade with the Honorable Alliance, I might as well tell you," the Trade Master replied as he nced at the Alliance Head, who nodded in approval to reveal their dealings. His gaze shifted back to the Vice-Sect Leader.


    "To be honest, I was just leaving when you arrived," the Trade Master continued. "You see, I''ve recentlye to find the Honorable Alliance quite pleasing to deal with, and as such, have struck up an exclusive trade agreement with them. From this day on, the Honorable Alliance shall be our foremost trade partner in all ventures, formations and otherwise."<novelnext></novelnext>


    "What?" the Vice-Sect Leader of the Starforge n eximed in both shock and anger. The Mystic Trade Hall had been a neutral trading power for tens of thousands of years, and had never brokered such an agreement, or alliance, with another power.


    "Have you gone mad?" the Vice-Sect Leader spat out angrily.


    "It seems you are the one who has gone mad, Daoist Starde," the Trade Master replied calmly. "You came here to the Honorable Alliance demanding the head of their Prime Disciple, even after the recent actions of your n''s young master. The boldness of the Starforge n had grown out of control as ofte it appears."


    The Vice-Sect Leader grit his teeth, frustrated at the unexpected turn of events. His gaze shifted back to the Alliance Head, who had remained silent for a short while.


    "Our Prime Disciple is quite a reasonable young man, and would never harm someone without being targeted first. So if he did indeed take action against your daughter, I have no doubt that whatever happened, your daughter deserved it without question," the Alliance Head said, his words causing the Vice-Sect Leader to open his mouth to protest.


    However, a chilling aura softly emanated from the Alliance Head as he narrowed his eyes at the man.


    "I''ll hear no more of this issue. John is our Prime Disciple, and is untouchable by the likes of your n. Think of your daughter''s fate as payment for your young master''s actions. Now leave, before my hospitality runs out," the Alliance Head concluded, his threat firm and sincere.


    The Vice-n Leader gritted his teeth in anger and frustration, and stared at the two for a moment before summoning his flying ship once more. He turned and boarded it, and nced over his shoulder onest time.


    "I hope you two don''t regret this decision of yours," he growled threateningly, entered his ship, and sped off into the distance.


    The two powerful cultivators watched the ship leave, and then nced at each other with conflicted expressions.


    Sigh! The Alliance Head sighed.


    "If even the Starforge n is getting so bold, then it seems that they have already made their secret alliances," he mused.


    "Indeed. It appears the shifting winds will soon lead to all out war, much sooner than anticipated," the Trade Master agreed. "No power will remain neutral in such arge conflict."


    "And so you''ve decided to align yourself with us?" the Alliance Head asked with a curious smile. "ording tomon knowledge, the Forbidden Alliance, Monster Race, and Barbarian Race are seen as the most powerful force in the war toe, and will most likely reign supreme at the end."


    "Heh, we both know that may have been true previously, but the shifting winds have brought in an unknown variable…one with the potential to change the course of the uing war single-handedly," the Trade Master replied, while the Alliance Head smiled, as it was clear who they were talking about, and was also the single reason the Trade Master chose to ally with the Honorable Alliance despite the apparent odds.


    "You said you met him recently. What was your opinion of him?" the Alliance Head asked curiously.


    The Trade Master remained quiet for some time as he thought back to the auction.


    "Monstrous! The oue of the war will be determined by one thing alone. His cultivation level when the warmences!"