Chapter 682: Chapter 678: Final Battle (36)

To most people, happiness means feasting on a meat bun when you are starving.

The attitude of the different tribes within the newly formed, unequal alliance towards the threat posed by the Mi Clan was not uniform, with some smaller clans panicking, while larger and medium-sized families and power blocs born from alliances of small families dismissed the threat and even scoffed at it.

In their view, it was absurd to think that a couple of wild beasts, along with the celestial bird feather guards, could pose a real threat to their tribes.

Even Cui Ying, who initially panicked, calmed down after seeing Mi Chuyang and Mi Zongqiang.

After all, the Cui Family had once been a major family in Lanshan City. Although they were now cast out, the proverb “A skinny camel is still bigger than a horse” was true, and a couple of celestial bird feather guards couldn’t really harm them.

But those who were confident were in the minority, so after Mi Chuyang’s departure, nearly half of the three hundred members of the Fierce Realm alliance left haphazardly, with many family heads leaving without even bidding farewell.

However, some prudent chieftains did make sure to inform Tang Zhi of their intentions before leaving, and they tried to return the armor, elixirs, and Xuanji Jade, which they had received from the Tang Clan for the war, believing their departure warranted the return of the resources.

Each chieftain who came to say goodbye to the alliance was filled with guilt. They empathized with Tang Zhi, imagining the anger they would feel if they were in his shoes and faced with fickle allies.

But with the innocent inhabitants of their lands facing the threat of the most elite family army in Longzhou, they felt they had no choice but to return to their lands, needing to see it with their own eyes to be reassured.

Each chieftain who landed on the deck of the ship to say goodbye to Tang Zhi was so ashamed they could hardly lift their heads. They were eager to return the resources and leave without looking back.

Alliance leader Tang Zhi maintained his calm demeanor, despite the sudden resignations of numerous clan chieftains. Looking at the resources they wanted to return, he shook his head and said, “We are all brothers in the alliance. As its leader, I can’t sit idly by while your territories are disturbed. The Mi Clan’s celestial bird feather guards are formidable, so please be careful. After we take back South Ridge, I will promptly arrange for your relocation. I won’t let such a crisis occur again.”

Upon hearing these words, not only were the chieftains who came to resign in disbelief, but even Tang Zuo, who stood behind Tang Zhi, looked distressed.

Tang Zuo had always looked down upon these unintelligent and cowardly chieftains. He believed that only about thirty to forty percent of the clans in the alliance could truly be allies of the Tang Clan, and the rest, the smaller clans, should be weeded out.

Since Mi Jin spoke out, Tang Zuo had been silent, allowing the faint-hearted to opt out and thus, purifying the team. He had thought Tang Zhi shared this attitude and was surprised by his response.

The clans who formed an alliance in Xiling were all mid-size or small families who had received great favors from the Tang Clan. Hearing Tang Zhi’s words moved them to tears.

They remembered how, back in their hometown, families would plot against each other, and the most powerful clans looked down on small ones like theirs. They had struggled to survive in the chaotic environment and had never experienced such kind treatment.

If initially they had resisted the alliance, Tang Zhi’s actions had now won their hearts. They realized that living under the just rule of the Tang family in Xiling would be more beneficial than staying in their former lands, constantly embroiled in internal power struggles.

Thousands of words welled up in their hearts, and the chieftains who came to say goodbye to Tang Zhi bowed deeply before leaving without looking back.

Only when all these people had disappeared into the sky did Tang Zuo ask coldly, “These clans are weak, stupid, short-sighted, and greedy. Why do we have to expend so much effort on them?”

Tang Zhi glanced back at the resentful head of Dark Thunder Hall, understanding that Tang Zuo was angry because the family’s investments were not bringing proportional returns. He said, ” You think they are weak because they haven’t received proper training, and the resources they need to grow stronger are controlled by major families in various cities. It’s much more difficult to manage a small family than a major one like the Tang Clan, because the wellbeing of the entire clan rests on their shoulders. They can’t afford to look far into the future because they are struggling just to survive the day. As for their greed, who in this world isn’t? They only lust after tangible, superficial things, which are things the Tang Clan can provide. With some sweet rewards and the right guidance, they can become remarkable warriors.”

“So, we’re putting in all this effort because they’re easy to control?” Tang Zuo asked, cutting right to the chase. “But what if we give them these things and they become even more greedy? After all, some people are inherently rebellious and can’t be tamed.”

Tang Zhi laughed at his overly worried brother and said, “Let’s focus on the present.”

Why don’t the relatives of the sacred land betray it? Why don’t the vassals of the sects rebel? For those who truly understand what it means to rule, this is a question that hardly needs answering.

But for those who don’t understand, even if the answer is broken down piece by piece, they won’t comprehend the essence of it. So, Tang Zhi changed the subject and turned Tang Zuo’s attention to Mi Clan chieftain gloating up on the distant cliff.

A minor stratagem had scared away nearly a hundred members of the Fierce Realm, undoubtedly boosting the morale of the Mi Clan’s united forces. This was a considerable relief to the seven major noble families of Xiling, who had just lost most of their external support.

If they could have merely defended the South Ridge with their large formation a moment ago, they could now march into a full-scale battle after so many members of the Fierce Realm had left!

In contrast, the Tang Clan, having lost more than half of its allied fighters, saw its formation in the sky thin out, losing part of its momentum.

Luckily, those who remained were all experienced fighters, not affected by the shift in momentum. They were fully prepared for battle.

Just as a big battle was about to erupt, the South Ridge suddenly shook and trembled. A column of fire shot up from the center of the Beast Valley, coloring the clouds with a red glow. The lava scattered, lighting up the entire Beast Valley. In the center of the valley, it seemed as if something was brewing deep within the earth. A dazzling pillar of light shot up into the sky, accompanied by a black and yellow gas that even shook the outer walls of the South Ridge’s large formation near the Beast Valley.

The animals in the Beast Valley, especially the birds raised by the Mi Clan for thousands of years, were restless, even ignoring the summons of the Beast Tamers.