Chapter 17: Alliance
Youlong City, seaside.
Gentle sea breeze blew across the sun-drenched golden beach.
Under a white parasol.
A blond Caucasian youth in sunglasses lay on a beach chair. Nearby, a group of voluptuous beauties frolicked in the waves.
He leisurely sipped juice, adjusting his position for more comfort.
Suddenly, he turned his head, removing one lens of his sunglasses to look at the approaching gray-templed middle-aged man.
“Barron, something up?”
“Father, you’re still in high spirits.”
The middle-aged man was Barron, chief administrator of Youlong City. The man before him was the strongest source user, Youlong City Lord, Dragon King Sean.
“At my age, finally regaining youth; of course I’ll enjoy it.” Sean’s lips curved slightly. “Besides, with you handling affairs, I’m at ease.”
Barron’s face helpless; he sighed.
“You don’t usually look like this. What happened?” Sean raised a brow.
“Tian Ying City is gone. Completely cut off from outside. I sent people; no survivors.” Barron organized his words, speaking low.
Sean’s smile vanished instantly. He sat up straight, removing his sunglasses to reveal dark purple vertical-slit dragon eyes.
“No survivors? What about Tian Ying?”
“City Lord Tian Ying missing. From remaining traces… probably…” Barron trailed off, standing quietly aside.
Sean expressionless, silent a moment. “Long Jing? I sent him to Wei Qing City for cooperation talks. Any word?”
Barron shook his head again, bringing bad news. “I only learned today; Wei Qing sealed borders, no entry or exit. From last report, he should still be in Wei Qing.”
“So many troubles.” Sean looked inland; a dark glint flashed in his pupils.
“I’ll personally confirm both places.” Sean said calmly.
“Understood. Before your return, I’ll ensure city stability. About Mother… should we inform her?” Barron hesitated.
“No need. Don’t tell her.” Sean said immediately.
Barron nodded, then reminded, “Be careful. Besides Tian Ying’s mysterious fall, Wei Qing feels off too. Our contacts there cut off; like something major happened.”
“Rest assured. I’m going to consolidate all forces.” Sean said calmly, confidently.
“Anyone who blocks me is an enemy.”
Wei Qing City, Source hub.
The Source hub was a tower structure. Its bottom was a spacious hall. Upward, the center was hollow, directly exposing the original Source.
Spiral corridors centered downward led to various rooms.
Now, Long Jing and Xu Cheng followed Su Qi upward along a corridor.
Long Jing unbound but harbored no escape thoughts. Silent observation showed Wei Qing City had become a vast net; every person part of it.
At the net’s center: the two Exalted Ones Su Qi mentioned. A slight tug on a thread; the whole net moved.
Escaping Wei Qing City was harder than climbing heavens.
“Compared to Youlong City, what do you think of here?” Su Qi asked on the stairs.
“Real talk or fake?” Long Jing glanced at him.
“Real, of course. No need to hold back.” Su Qi replied.
“…Too weak.” Long Jing shook his head. Whether lower structures or upper power, Wei Qing couldn’t compare to Youlong.
“As expected.” Su Qi smiled, glancing at Xu Cheng whose brows were furrowed in thought.
He paid it no mind.
His perspective changed now. Past worries about Teacher interfering seemed laughable.
The three reached the top; closest to original Source. They felt power stirring inside, craving something.
But they suppressed the urge, arriving at an open platform ahead.
A man sat cross-legged on the platform, face calm, motionless. White training clothes; hair and beard neatly trimmed, revealing chiseled features.
Su Qi approached slowly, bowing. “City Lord, I’ve brought them.”
Mo Qing opened his eyes, revealing deep blue pupils. He nodded at Su Qi first, glanced at Xu Cheng, finally fixing on Long Jing.
“You’re here to discuss cooperation?”
“City Lord, I represent my father to propose an alliance for facing the Source tide together.” Long Jing said seriously.
“Tell me more?” Mo Qing said indifferently.
“We want an alliance between Youlong, Wei Qing, Tian Ying cities; integrate all resources and manpower to survive.” Long Jing said.
A single city’s survival chance low; united, much higher.
He believed everyone understood.
“Interesting. Where would alliance headquarters be?” Mo Qing asked interestedly.
“Youlong, of course. City Lord knows; facing this disaster, only my father Dragon King Sean has the best chance.” Long Jing answered without hesitation. Truth; centering on Youlong preserved most lives.
Mo Qing smiled lightly, no rebuttal. “If alliance forms to survive disaster, many would still be abandoned. How to handle them?”
“We’ll do our best.” Long Jing said. “City Lord understands we can’t save everyone. At times like this, prioritize the valuable.”
Su Qi and Xu Cheng’s faces darkened.
Mo Qing asked again. “Who decides value? Who judges? Not you, surely?”
“Of course not.” Long Jing shook his head. “Naturally my father. With his prestige, everyone would accept.”
“Accept?” Mo Qing’s smile faded. “Then how many from Wei Qing City would survive?”
Long Jing silent long.
Su Qi sneered. “You only plan to save your own, right?”
Long Jing shook his head, continuing. “No choice. But I promise City Lord; if you come to Youlong, status and power unchanged…”
Mo Qing interrupted. “Enough. Go down first. I’ll notify you later.”
Long Jing’s face changed, about to speak more. Mo Qing’s icy gaze struck; like lightning. Long Jing paled, clutching chest gasping.
Su Qi watched coldly, inwardly sneering. About to speak to Mo Qing, he saw the other’s expression turn grave, looking skyward.
He blinked, following the gaze. Above, a figure stood in empty air sometime.
“Who dares such boldness.” Su Qi frowned, about to shout.
Mo Qing raised hand stopping him, addressing the sky figure. “Dragon King Sean? Didn’t expect you personally.”
Sean looked down at the figures below, speaking slowly. “Source disaster imminent. Tian Ying fallen; only Wei Qing remains. City Lord Mo, besides joining us, you have no choice.”
Youlong City, seaside.
Gentle sea breeze blew across the sun-drenched golden beach.
Under a white parasol.
A blond Caucasian youth in sunglasses lay on a beach chair. Nearby, a group of voluptuous beauties frolicked in the waves.
He leisurely sipped juice, adjusting his position for more comfort.
Suddenly, he turned his head, removing one lens of his sunglasses to look at the approaching gray-templed middle-aged man.
“Barron, something up?”
“Father, you’re still in high spirits.”
The middle-aged man was Barron, chief administrator of Youlong City. The man before him was the strongest source user, Youlong City Lord, Dragon King Sean.
“At my age, finally regaining youth; of course I’ll enjoy it.” Sean’s lips curved slightly. “Besides, with you handling affairs, I’m at ease.”
Barron’s face helpless; he sighed.
“You don’t usually look like this. What happened?” Sean raised a brow.
“Tian Ying City is gone. Completely cut off from outside. I sent people; no survivors.” Barron organized his words, speaking low.
Sean’s smile vanished instantly. He sat up straight, removing his sunglasses to reveal dark purple vertical-slit dragon eyes.
“No survivors? What about Tian Ying?”
“City Lord Tian Ying missing. From remaining traces… probably…” Barron trailed off, standing quietly aside.
Sean expressionless, silent a moment. “Long Jing? I sent him to Wei Qing City for cooperation talks. Any word?”
Barron shook his head again, bringing bad news. “I only learned today; Wei Qing sealed borders, no entry or exit. From last report, he should still be in Wei Qing.”
“So many troubles.” Sean looked inland; a dark glint flashed in his pupils.
“I’ll personally confirm both places.” Sean said calmly.
“Understood. Before your return, I’ll ensure city stability. About Mother… should we inform her?” Barron hesitated.
“No need. Don’t tell her.” Sean said immediately.
Barron nodded, then reminded, “Be careful. Besides Tian Ying’s mysterious fall, Wei Qing feels off too. Our contacts there cut off; like something major happened.”
“Rest assured. I’m going to consolidate all forces.” Sean said calmly, confidently.
“Anyone who blocks me is an enemy.”