Everyone was utterly stunned!
Perhaps no one had anticipated just how formidable Longying truly was!
He hadn't even given Xiang Tian a chance to counterattack!
After a long pause, a wave of incredulous shouts erupted!
And Sui Feng and Long Xin couldn't help but cheer loudly!
Though defeated, Xiang Tian remained spirited, raising the Dragon Spear in his hand toward the crowd! He then stated solemnly, "I, Xiang Tian, am completely convinced by this defeat. But one day, I will challenge the Prince again and reclaim the honor of being the strongest general."
"I look forward to that day," I replied in a deep voice.
"Indeed." A flicker of fierce determination crossed Xiang Tian's eyes: "I, as the foremost warrior and Great Chieftain of the Mist Tribe, make this solemn vow! Starting today, the Prince is the most respected friend of my Mist Tribe. In the future, for any task, as long as it does not violate righteousness or involve defiance, every member of the Mist Tribe will pledge their lives to serve!"
I was momentarily taken aback by the swiftness of Xiang Tian's change in attitude, yet I was grateful. "Great Chieftain, I will engrave your profound generosity upon my heart. Here, in my capacity as the King of Qin of the Demonic Dragon Empire, I formally propose establishing an alliance with the Mist Tribe. I wonder if the Great Chieftain would be willing to accept us as a member of my Snow Dragon Alliance."
"Hahahaha," Xiang Tian laughed heartily. "We couldn't ask for anything better."
The surrounding crowd raised their weapons and cheered loudly.
I was overjoyed. Gaining the Mist Tribe as a powerful ally greatly increased the chances of success for our future missions on the Snow Domain Continent.
I hadn't expected that this trip to the Mists Forest would result in acquiring another formidable ally.
The elders seated in the viewing stands also looked over here, their expressions agitated!
They seemed greatly pleased by my invitation!
"The specific matters of the alliance will be discussed in detail between the tribal elders and Your Highness," Xiang Tian said. "Let's rest first, then deliberate on the details."
"En," I nodded quickly!
As we spoke, several elders and Long Xin and her group had already gathered around!
And the Heavenly Physician was already eagerly examining the injured Crimson Flame Dragon King and the big fellow!
I was quite practiced in the art of seeking allies. Although the establishment of the Black Banner Army and now the Snow Dragon Alliance involved a degree of luck, I wasn't entirely surprised by this sudden acquisition of an ally!
In fact, this was the fundamental reason I had come here!
What I hadn't anticipated was that this alliance would present me with another stubborn problem!
Elder Yunze, whose long beard was streaked with white and whose eyes were sharp and profound, now wore a look of deep gravity. "My Mist Tribe has one condition. Only if Your Highness agrees can we become true allies."
"Elder, please speak."
"The Snow Dragon Alliance is the name adopted by the Demonic Dragon Empire and the Snow Plain Tribe Alliance. If my Mist Tribe joins and we retain this name, it will not sufficiently highlight the importance of my entire tribe. Therefore, on behalf of the whole tribe, I suggest that the new alliance must have a new name. This is a matter concerning the reputation and dignity of my people."
"Yes, the new alliance must have a new name, and at the very least, it must include the name of our Mist Tribe," several other elders chimed in unison!
It seemed this matter of 'face' could not be easily glossed over!
I glanced somewhat helplessly toward Sui Feng!
"The Elder speaks correctly," Sui Feng said seriously. "The Mist Tribe is renowned across the continent as a brave and battle-hardened people. If the new alliance does not bear the name of the Mist Tribe within it, it is indeed a great insult. I, as the young chieftain of the Snow Plain Tribes, earnestly request Your Highness to reconsider the name of the new alliance to show respect to the Mist Tribe."
Since Sui Feng had stated his position, the issue seemed settled!
But the truly headache-inducing problem immediately followed: what should the new alliance actually be called!
Snow Dragon Mist Alliance! Mist Snow Dragon Alliance! Dragon Snow Mist Alliance—no matter how I said them, they sounded awkward!
Yet, besides these, I genuinely could not conjure any other names!
Clearly, Sui Feng, Long Xin, Xiang Tian, and the elders had also realized this issue!
They were all racking their brains, deep in thought!
Unfortunately, after much agonizing, no suitable name emerged.
This left everyone utterly stumped!
And Long Xin looked at me with frustration, saying helplessly, "It's already this difficult to name it with just three allies' names, what if we gain a few more later? Won't we have to change the name again?"
"Gain a few more?" Xiang Tian and the others looked somewhat surprised!
As for Sui Feng, he looked utterly convinced, clearly aware of my knack for gathering followers!
"It seems Your Highness is very skilled at finding suitable allies," Wu Yin observed with a strange look. "No wonder you agreed so readily to my request."
"Heh heh, well..." I managed an awkward smile, truly unsure how to respond.
"Hahahaha," Xiang Tian roared with laughter. "Your Highness is truly an interesting person. I wonder who will be fortunate enough to become our next ally."
"..." I could only stare foolishly at everyone present!
These people treated forming alliances as if they were dropping pies!
Pies just waiting to be picked up everywhere!
Of course, this small complaint was only muttered inwardly!
"I actually have a suggestion," Wu Feng, who rarely spoke, broke his silence. "Since the new alliance might have new allies joining later, it signifies that our alliance will grow stronger. So, why don't we just call it the Great Alliance?"
"The Great Alliance?" I looked at the young girl before me with a strange expression.
Can that even be considered a name!
Sui Feng and Xiang Tian's eyes, however, lit up!
"The Great Alliance—a good name, grand enough, resounding enough," Xiang Tian rejoiced.
"Although it lacks the names of our former tribes, this simple word 'Great' completely encompasses all of us," Sui Feng offered his own unique interpretation. "This word 'Great' is brilliant!"
"Simple yet grand," Elder Mu Yao and the others nodded repeatedly. "A good name, a good name."
"And even if new allies join later, we won't have to go through the trouble of changing the name again," Long Xin, surprisingly fashion-forward, also voiced strong approval for this non-name. But to my mind, the convenience of never having to change the name again was probably what appealed to her most!
The new alliance was finally established!
As for deliberating the specific details, Long Xin was well-prepared!
It had to be said that Yin Shuang had remarkable foresight, having long ago handed over the alliance documentation to Long Xin!
It seemed she had anticipated my consistent style of gathering allies!
And Long Xin now was almost a perfect replica of Yin Shuang back in Youlan City!
Single-handedly, she negotiated all the details and proposals with the six elders!
Many of the points were things the elders hadn't even conceived of, yet upon careful consideration, they proved incredibly sound!
I was filled with admiration for Long Xin's meticulous thinking, broad perspective, and outstanding grasp of the overall situation!
As for Sui Feng, he was simply dumbfounded!
It wasn't until he saw Long Xin pull out sets of ready-made documents from her spatial pack that he suddenly understood.
"Amazing, truly amazing," Sui Feng muttered quietly. "No wonder Consort Shuang was able to earn Seth's respect back then; you all were prepared long ago."
Sui Feng looked at me now as if a seasoned detective were scrutinizing a long-term veteran criminal!
"Heh heh, well..." I could only offer a dry laugh. "It's always best to be prepared for anything."
Although the alliance was complex, Long Xin, arriving fully prepared, managed everything with flawless organization!
In just half a day, the alliance agreement was concluded!
What followed was the legendary Blood Oath ritual, conducted in the ancient manner of the Mist Tribe!
The blood of several stags was dripped into a very large basin, and then all attendees dipped their fingers in, staining them with blood, before smearing that blood onto their own lips!
Everyone became a smeared, blood-streaked spectacle!
Yet the atmosphere was unexpectedly solemn and grave!
"The new alliance," Elder Jian Kui announced in his deep, sonorous voice, "The Great Alliance, is officially established! Warriors, rejoice!"
"Roar! Great Alliance! Great Alliance! Great Alliance!"
All the Mist Tribe warriors below the viewing stands were beside themselves with joy, raising their arms and shouting!
Tens of thousands roared in unison, a sound that shook the valley and echoed like a raging gale, stirring the blood and surging the heart.
Regardless of the winding path, the Great Alliance had finally been formed!
And strange as it seemed, hearing the unified roar of over fifty thousand Mist Tribe warriors, the three words "Great Alliance" actually sounded quite grand, impressive, and fitting!
And I, too, let out a breath of relief!
One could say that although the progress of events was unexpected, it concluded with a perfectly successful alliance!