“The Dragon Society is willing to submit.”
The moment those words were said, the Dragon Society’s morale dropped to rock-bottom. The Dragon Monarch had existed for nearly 10,000 years. They had lived through five society masters, with the current society master being the one they were the most optimistic about. But before absolute strength, they were completely helpless. If they remained stubborn, they would probably suffer the fate of being erased from the map.
Xiang Shaoyun looked at Long Jun and said, “Don’t act all disheartened just because you have submitted to me. In the future, I will lead the Ziling Sect into becoming a tier-9 organization or even a tier-10 organization, the highest rank in existence. By then, you will feel pride over your decision today.”
Shrouded in a curtain of primal inception energy, Xiang Shaoyun was akin to a heavenly child. The nine-colored radiance surrounding him was mesmerizing, making his words even more believable.
A tier-9 organization could be considered a superpower. As for a tier-10 organization, it was viewed as an organization that would last for an eternity, such as the Immortal Road Chamber, Guangling Palace, and Celestial Alliance. Upon hearing those words, the Dragon Society members had a longing look in their eyes. If that day truly came, they would indeed benefit from their decision today.
“What are you waiting for, Long Jun? Invite the overlord over to your Dragon Society,” said Despair.
“Members of the Dragon Society, lead the way and welcome the overlord to the Dragon Society,” commanded Long Jun.
Next, the 3,000 Dragon Society members led the way and guided them to the Dragon Society. Xiang Shaoyun was not afraid that Long Jun would play any tricks. Flanked by Green Ghost and Despair, Xiang Shaoyun followed behind Long Jun with the Ziling Sect members.
The deputy society master, Long Qianqiu, was the first to return to the Dragon Society. There, he arranged for a proper welcoming ceremony, not daring to slight Xiang Shaoyun and his entourage.
Xiang Shaoyun told Long Jun not to make too big of a deal out of their submission. For now, it was better to let fewer people know about it. It wouldn’t be too late to make the official announcement when the Ziling Sect was about to advance into a tier-8 organization. Long Jun naturally did not go against Xiang Shaoyun’s wishes and nodded in agreement. He was rather unwilling to make the announcement anyway.
Long Jun, Long Qianqiu, Jin Junyi, and the higher-ups escorted Xiang Shaoyun and his entourage into the Dragon Society. Those with considerable status in the society were naturally aware of what had happened. As for those with lower status, they were still completely clueless. Most of them only knew that they were now a subordinate organization under the Ziling Sect when all the dust had settled.
After entering the Dragon Society’s main hall, Xiang Shaoyun took Long Jun’s main seat unhesitatingly. With the aura his pseudo-god body was emanating, nobody dared to say anything about it.
“From today onward, the Dragon Society will become a subsidiary organization under the Ziling Sect. In accordance with our rules, you will be required to offer a third of your income yearly to the Ziling Sect as tribute. I will have a teleportation formation constructed to connect the Ziling Sect and the Dragon Society. The Ziling Sect will provide help when the Dragon Society encounters any danger in the future. Of course, the Dragon Society is also required to provide help when required,” said Xiang Shaoyun. He continued on to tell them what was required of them as a subsidiary organization.
The Dragon Society members knew very well what was to be expected of a subsidiary organization, so none of them dared to voice any objection.
After both sides reached an agreement, Tian Ji took out a contract and had the Dragon Society stamp their seal on it. The contract would be the proof of the Dragon Society’s submission. With this contract, the Dragon Society would not be able to deny all that had happened today. It was also a piece of proof they had to submit to the Guardians Guild during their application for their advancement.
Long Jun had no choice but to stamp his seal on the contract. The moment the contract was completed, it flickered with a certain radiance. The incorporeal aura of the Ziling Sect grew even thicker, while the Dragon Society’s incorporeal aura became thinner.
This was how the relationship between a subordinate organization and a master organization worked. The master organization was able to take a portion of the subsidiary organization’s aura. On the other hand, the subsidiary organization had no way of taking in the master organization’s aura.
Not only could the incorporeal aura reinforce the ruler’s strength, but it could also deepen the unity of the master organization’s members. Everyone in the master organization would enjoy the benefits of the incorporeal aura. For example, their cultivation speed and comprehension speed would increase. There were also many other concealed benefits that were very hard to describe with words alone.
Next, Long Jun handed over a third of the Dragon Society’s income to Xiang Shaoyun. It was a massive amount of wealth and could be considered as the Ziling Sect’s spoils of war.
With a rough glance, Xiang Shaoyun could see that there were 50 cubes of saint crystals; 1,000 cubes of spirit crystals; countless saint-grade, sovereign-grade, and emperor-grade herbs; ancient scrolls; battle techniques; and so on. Anyone would be overjoyed upon obtaining such wealth, but this wealth couldn’t evoke any change in Xiang Shaoyun’s emotions.
He knew that what he had just accepted was less than a tenth of the Dragon Society’s total wealth. After all, the Dragon Society had existed for too many years. If they were really so poor, they wouldn’t have lasted so long.
However, Xiang Shaoyun did not expose them. It was pointless to be overly attached to such a trivial matter. It was only a matter of them before the Dragon Society willingly offered what they should as tribute.
“Long Jun, I need one person from your side,” said Xiang Shaoyun.
“Who is it?” asked Long Jun in a somewhat worried manner.
He was afraid that Xiang Shaoyun would ask for someone close to him and take them hostage. It would be extremely hard for him to accept.
“I want Chen Zilong,” said Xiang Shaoyun.
“Chen Zilong?” Long Jun blanked out slightly. He started recalling who that person was. After all, the name sounded rather familiar.
“Long Jun, it’s the disciple with qilin arms. He had offended Yugang and was being tortured in the Baleful Dragon Cave,” said Long Qianqiu.
“Oh, it’s him? Bring him here,” said Long Jun with a look of realization.
Xiang Shaoyun thought inwardly, Looks like Chen Zilong isn’t doing too well here.
Chen Zilong was someone he had met through battle. Back then, Chen Zilong was a genius disciple of both the Cloud Margin Pavilion and the Chen Clan. He eventually joined the Dragon Society and rapidly entered the Dragon Ascension Realm. Xiang Shaoyun had even attempted to recruit Chen Zilong, but Chen Zilong had refused because he was afraid that his decision would harm his clan. It was truly unexpected that he would end up being targeted and suppressed by the Dragon Society.
Before long, Chen Zilong was brought to the Dragon Society’s main hall. At present, his entire body was covered by a layer of baleful energy. His hair was messy, and his presence was extremely weak, as though he was going to drop down and die at any moment. But at the same time, his unyielding willpower was sustaining his life force, keeping him alive.
“Long Yugang, kill me if you have the guts!” roared Chen Zilong with a hoarse voice. He was currently delirious and unaware of his surroundings.
Xiang Shaoyun got off the main seat and stepped forth. A strand of life force spread out from his body and wrapped around Chen Ziling’s body. Instantly, the baleful energy around Chen Zilong dispersed. A life force of high purity covered his body, and the wounds on his body started healing rapidly.
Finally, Chen Zilong was able to see the person standing before him. With an expression of pleasant surprise, he said, “Xiang Shaoyun?”
