Chapter 1717: Scorned
Inside the Divine Dominion City, the various young Gods had gathered their forces. They were all busy procuring the necessary supplies for their coming foray into the outside domain.
For Gods, a period of 100 years wasn't long. However, if that period was spent in constant battle, it would inevitably feel long. Thus, they had to be fully prepared before leaving the dominion.
Prior to his departure, Xiang Shaoyun encountered someone unexpected, Song Tiandao. Song Tiandao had also entered the God Realm and had even reached the third stage. He was one of the many young Gods in the city. Just as Xiang Shaoyun was about to approach Song Tiandao to have a chat, Song Tiandao rushed away as though he had something urgent to deal with.
"If I can obtain his help, things will be much easier for me," muttered Xiang Shaoyun to himself.
Over the years, he had encountered many opponents. Among all of them, Song Tiandao had left a deep impression on him. Song Tiandao was someone born to wield a saber. His combat strength was incredible, and his talent in cultivation was impressive.
Apart from Song Tiandao, Ximen Xue had also left a deep impression in Xiang Shaoyun's mind. In fact, Xiang Shaoyun was confident that just obtaining their help would guarantee him the young guild master position.
However, these young Gods were all lofty geniuses who would not easily submit to anyone. Thus, he had never tried to force them to submit. He would just let everything happen naturally. Timing and chance played a massive role when it came to the recruitment of such powerful followers.
Before long, a month passed. Both Devouring Ghost and Scarlet Flame Monarch had procured a decent amount of supply. However, they still weren't happy with what they had because everyone in the city was buying frenetically, forcing them to pay a far higher price to get the supplies they needed. In fact, there were some things that they failed to buy even after offering a high price.
After placating them, Xiang Shaoyun brought his group to the gathering spot in the city. At the same time, countless young Gods were heading toward the same location. Some were traveling in their unique war chariots and carriages, and some were mounted on powerful mounts. Everyone looked high-spirited, displaying their extraordinary temperament and confidence for the coming battle.
The moment Xiang Shaoyun's group arrived, the crowd reduced them to a laughing stock.
The Celestial War King was the one to start the sneering as he said, "With such a small group, you're thinking of fighting the aliens? Are you fearless or simply naive?"
Most of the young Gods had arrived in groups of at least 5,000 members, with none of the cultivators present being weaker than the Saint Realm. Someone like the Celestial War King had nearly 10,000 cultivators by his side. As for the likes of Qin Jiu and Gongsun Sanyang, they had over 20,000 cultivators in their respective groups.
"Perhaps they are confident that the aliens are weak. Therefore, a small group like this is enough for them."
"Haha, in my opinion, he probably has no people. Well, what do you expect from a bumpkin?"
"He's better off submitting to me. With the few people he has, I suppose he can slightly reinforce my numbers."
...
Ling Ziruo, who was also among the crowd, couldn't keep watching. She felt that Xiang Shaoyun was treating the coming battle too lightly. After all, they were heading to the outside domain. How could Xiang Shaoyun underestimate the aliens so much?
"Young Master Xiang, is this all you have?" asked Ling Ziruo.
She had 15,000 people by her side, including over 200 Gods. They were the Guangling Palace's elites, forming a force powerful enough to destroy many organizations. She had agreed to an alliance with Xiang Shaoyun, but the difference between their numbers was too big. Thus, even if she wanted to ally herself with Xiang Shaoyun, her people would not agree to it.
Xiang Shaoyun smiled. "Yes, these are all the people I have."
It wasn't that he did not want to bring more people, but he had already brought all the forces he had accumulated over the years. After all, he wasn't even 50 yet, and he did not have the backing of any superpower. Thus, it was already rather impressive of him to gather such a force.
"If that is the case, why don't you shift your focus to supporting me instead?" offered Ling Ziruo.
"Looks like Lady Ling also looks down upon us," said Xiang Shaoyun with a sigh.
"In the war against the aliens, individual strength won't be enough. Act as you see fit," was all Ling Ziruo had to say before ending the conversation.
The only thing Xiang Shaoyun did was smile helplessly. He did not say anything else either. It was pointless for him to say anything. The only thing he could do was prove himself with his strength.
Next, the Celestial War King came over to look for trouble.
"Xiang Shaoyun, I give you one chance to submit to me. I am willing to forget the past. Or else, things might not be too good for you after leaving the dominion," threatened the Celestial War King as though Xiang Shaoyun was already a lamb waiting for slaughter.
"If you wish to have a battle with me before our departure, I welcome it," replied Xiang Shaoyun unyieldingly.
The Celestial War King smiled. "I know you're decently strong, but so what? If you refuse to submit, you will die after leaving the dominion. If you submit, I might consider making you my second in command. Think about it."
He then left, giving Xiang Shaoyun some time to think about his offer. With his lead, some other young Gods also sent their people over to recruit Xiang Shaoyun, each of them promising to make him their second in command.
Xiang Yangzhan and Purple Lightning Marquis were losing their patience. They wanted to stand up for Xiang Shaoyun, but Xiang Shaoyun stopped them and said, "They are merely some ignorant fools. Don't waste your time on them."
Sure, the larger the army one had, the better it would be. However, they had all neglected the fact that Xiang Shaoyun alone was equivalent to an army of 10,000 people.
At this time, Song Tiandao walked over. With two sabers hanging on his back, he emanated a sharp aura as though he was a blade that had left its sheath. He seemed to be in high spirits. Xiang Shaoyun naturally knew that Song Tiandao had more than two sabers. His third, hidden saber, was the scariest of his sabers.
"Are you here to recruit me as well?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.
Song Tiandao shook his head. "I'm not that capable. If possible, I wish to form an alliance with you."
His words stunned all the people present. Song Tiandao's group wasn't too big, but he still had about 5,000 people, forming a group that was much larger than Xiang Shaoyun's. Someone like him had to be extremely stupid to make such an offer to Xiang Shaoyun.
"Are you sure? These are all the people I have," said Xiang Shaoyun with a smile.
"The man who had beaten Blood Spirit back is not a person who can be compared to any other person," said Song Tiandao with a smile.
Others might not understand how terrifying Xiang Shaoyun was, but Song Tiandao knew Xiang Shaoyun well. That was why he had offered to form an alliance with Xiang Shaoyun.
"Very well. Let us form an alliance," agreed Xiang Shaoyun with a smile.
It was quite a pleasant surprise that Song Tiandao would be willing to swallow his ego and come to him for an alliance.
Right that moment, a group rushed over and roared, "Baili Yixiao and his clan are here to lend the overlord a hand."
Right after, a feminine voice rang out, "The Sacred Deer Academy is willing to lend the overlord our support."
"We are also willing to lend the overlord our support!"
...