Mu Chen also noticed Liu Mubai's cold eyes. He narrowed his own eyes and met Liu Mubai's gaze, radiating a chilling aura that refused to yield.
No matter what schemes your Liu Domain has, if you want to touch our Mu Domain, do you really think we'll let you have your way?
Liu Mubai seemed to understand the meaning in Mu Chen's eyes, and the smile at the corner of his mouth deepened.
You? What are you thinking? I truly look forward to seeing how miserable your children will be later.
In the main hall, everyone saw Liu Qingtian appear and hurried to greet him. Although the Northern Spirit Realm was divided into nine domains, everyone knew that the Liu Domain was the most powerful force with the deepest foundations. In terms of combat strength, it was undoubtedly in the first position.
Mu Feng also looked at Liu Qingtian with a faint smile, cupped his hands in greeting, his face showing no discernible joy, sorrow, anger, or happiness.
"Haha, Domain Lord Mu Feng has also arrived? That's truly a lot of trouble."
Liu Qingtian also put on a polite and amiable smile as he greeted Mu Feng, as if their previous confrontations had no effect whatsoever.
"The Nine Domain Grand Assembly was established by our mutual agreement. Since the Liu Domain extended an invitation, naturally I had to come."
Mu Feng said with a smile.
Liu Qingtian smiled and nodded.
In the main hall, the other domain lords found the attitude between the two men somewhat strange. Who in the Northern Spirit Realm didn't know that the Mu Domain and the Liu Domain were mortal enemies, constantly plotting to destroy each other? Yet, their current demeanor, pretending to be so cordial, truly made people want to laugh without being able to.
However, this made them feel even more uneasy about Liu Qingtian's behavior, as it was very abnormal.
"Haha, Domain Lord Liu, may I ask what great matter prompted this sudden organization of the Nine Domain Grand Assembly and the invitation of all of us?"
Tang Shan asked with a smile.
The atmosphere in the main hall became quiet due to that meaningful question. All eyes turned to the main seat. The question Tang Shan wanted to ask was undoubtedly what everyone else wanted to know as well.
Liu Qingtian looked at the anxious gazes directed at him, merely smiled, and patted the armrest of his chair, as if nothing important was happening:
"Actually, it's not a great matter at all. It's just a proposal I wish to solicit everyone's opinions on."
"Oh? What proposal?"
Tang Shan asked with a smile.
Liu Qingtian replied:
"Everyone must know that within the Hundred Spirit Continent, our Northern Spirit Realm is merely a weak realm, which means our words carry little weight. If one day other realms from all four directions invade, I fear the Northern Spirit Realm would have no power to resist and would have to surrender the foundation we've painstakingly built over many years."
The main hall remained quiet, many eyes gleamed, but no one spoke. Perhaps no one was quite sure yet what Liu Qingtian was trying to do.
"Haha, perhaps Domain Lord Liu is worrying too much? Our Northern Spirit Realm is just a remote area within the Hundred Spirit Continent. It holds little benefit for other great realms. Who would expend military resources to invade the Northern Spirit Realm?"
Tang Shan said with a playful smile.
"But what if..."
Liu Qingtian said amiably, continuing. Mu Feng immediately interrupted:
"Domain Lord Liu, if you have something to say, please speak clearly. There's no need to beat around the bush."
Liu Qingtian glanced at Mu Feng, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
"Actually, what I wanted to say is simple: the reason our Northern Spirit Realm has no standing in the Hundred Spirit Heavens is precisely because the Northern Spirit Realm is fragmented, divided, and disunited. If the Northern Spirit Realm could unite all its forces, I believe its current strength in the Hundred Spirit Heavens would carry a certain weight. At that time, not only would we not have to worry about others invading, but we would also be able to expand our territory and acquire more resources. By then, in these Hundred Spirit Heavens, who would dare to look down on the Northern Spirit Realm?"
The main hall was so silent that one could hear a fly buzz. Not a few leaders of various forces showed expressions of shock.
Liu Qingtian... wants to unite all the forces of the Northern Spirit Realm? Is he insane?
"What immense ambition!"
Mu Chen thought to himself. Liu Qingtian felt that being the master of one region was not enough; was he plotting to become the overlord of this Northern Spirit Realm?
Mu Feng and the other domain lords remained as still as water, and the leaders of other renowned forces also kept silent. No one present was inexperienced; how could they not realize there were other things behind the curtain in Liu Qingtian's plan?
"Haha, I wonder what everyone thinks of my proposal? If you feel it's not good, just say so. After all, we are all thinking about the future development of the Northern Spirit Realm."
Liu Qingtian glanced at the strange atmosphere, not caring in the slightest, merely smiling faintly.
"Domain Lord Mu Feng, what do you think?"
Liu Qingtian looked at Mu Feng and asked with a smile.
Mu Feng blinked, his hand resting on the table in front of him, and said with a faint smile:
"I wonder what method there is to unite? Such a union would surely require a leader to oversee the whole situation, wouldn't it? Who will take on that position of leadership?"
Mu Feng had been able to contend with Liu Qingtian for many years without falling behind, so he was naturally not a simple person. Just a few questions instantly made several people in the main hall become sharp.
No one allowed to sit on the stone seats was not the leader of a territory. If they united, wouldn't it be elevating one person to ride on their necks? There's a saying: better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. None of them wanted to go from being the boss to becoming the second, or even third, fourth, and so on.
"Uniting is simple. We will establish a Northern Spirit Alliance, acting in concert for offense and defense. As for the position of alliance lord, I feel that Domain Lord Mu Feng is very suitable."
Liu Qingtian said with a smile.
Unconsciously, many eyes shifted to Mu Feng, but the old man's expression remained unchanged. He was startled inwardly but kept a smile on his lips, shaking his head:
"I know my own capabilities; I am not capable enough to sit in the position of alliance lord."
Liu Zong, who was still standing behind Liu Qingtian, suddenly cast his gaze towards a certain force leader standing below. Suddenly, that person stood up and said with a smile:
"I find Domain Lord Liu's method of uniting very interesting. Our White Horse Gang agrees. As for the alliance lord, I believe Domain Lord Liu is extremely suitable. After all, the strength of your Liu Domain is clear to everyone sitting here. Moreover, he himself inspires trust in others. What do you all think?"
Mu Feng sneered, closing his eyes slightly.
The other seven domain lords also looked elsewhere, silently prolonging the time. Although it was said that the Liu Domain had the most profound foundation in the Northern Spirit Realm, its power was still not enough to suppress everyone. Therefore, if they wanted them to recognize Liu Qingtian as the alliance lord, it was clearly an unlikely matter.
Liu Qingtian saw that none of the eight domain lords supported him, and the smile on his face vanished. He said indifferently,
"Do you all think that my Liu Domain lacks prestige?"
"Domain Lord Liu, I, Lie Yan, have always respected you, but I have dedicated myself to building the Lie Domain for many years. Therefore, I am not very interested in this alliance. So, regarding the alliance that Domain Lord Liu intends to establish, Lie Yan will not participate. I bid you farewell."
In the center of the main hall, a middle-aged man with hair as red as fire stood up straight, cupped his hands, and replied to Liu Qingtian in a deep voice.
"Lie Yan, how dare you disrespect my Liu Domain?"
Liu Ming immediately shouted loudly.
"Hmph, although I am polite to you, don't think that the Lie Domain fears you!"
Lie Yan, whose temper was naturally fiery, immediately turned hostile and furious upon hearing Liu Ming's insolent words. Without any unnecessary chatter, he waved his hand and led his people out of the main hall.
Everyone saw this and whispered among themselves. With Lie Yan taking the lead, it seemed Liu Qingtian's plans would be in vain.
Mu Chen glanced at Liu Qingtian and found that he was still smiling calmly, but his gaze fixed on Lie Yan was as cold as a venomous snake.
"Lie Yan, don't blame me for not warning you. If you leave this place, you will no longer have a chance."
Liu Qingtian leisurely adjusted his sleeves and spoke calmly.
"Haha, Liu Qingtian, it's true that I am somewhat wary of you, but you are not qualified to say such words to me!"
Lie Yan continued to walk with disdain. He was a mid-stage Spirit Soul Realm expert. Although slightly weaker than Liu Qingtian, if that fellow wanted to suppress him, it would truly be a joke.
Laughing as he walked, Lie Yan gradually approached the exit of the stone hall.
"Boom!"
However, just as Lie Yan stepped forward, a violent explosion echoed from the main entrance. Immediately afterward, everyone saw a figure fly backward, shattering the decorative stone pillars built inside the hall, and crashing onto the stone steps in the center of the main hall.
"Ugh!"
The figure fell, spitting blood, their face filled with extreme shock and bewilderment.
The main hall suddenly became chaotic. Frightened eyes looked at Lie Yan, who was struggling and rolling on the floor. No matter what, he was a mid-stage Spirit Soul Realm expert, yet he was severely injured like this by just one blow?
Mu Feng and Mu Chen also widened their eyes at the same time, staring intently at the hall entrance, their sense of unease growing even stronger.
Liu Qingtian remained as indifferent as before, a clear sneer on the corner of his mouth.
The rustling sound of footsteps from outside suddenly made the main hall quiet again. All eyes were focused on the entrance.
An old, hunched figure slowly appeared, wearing a gray robe, with a withered face and deeply sunken eye sockets like a dried corpse.
The old man in gray stood silently and steadily at the main entrance, his cloudy eyes scanning everyone. His hand, hidden in his sleeve, suddenly reached out, and he coughed a few times, speaking in a hoarse voice,
"Today, without this old man's permission, if anyone wishes to leave, then..."
The old man in gray took a step. His hunched body concealed a powerful force far exceeding that of a Spirit Soul Realm expert. The spiritual pressure, like a raging storm, swept out arrogantly.
Those standing nearby with weaker cultivation could not withstand that spiritual pressure. Their bodies struggled and were forced to retreat.
"...DIE!"
The old man spat out a single word. The fierce spiritual pressure completely erupted, and cracks spread across the stone floor like a spiderweb.
Outside the main hall, a fierce wind howled, dark clouds gathered, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth seemed to be violently agitated.
Everyone's expressions in the hall changed dramatically in unison.
Mu Feng gripped the armrest tightly, his teeth clenched, producing grinding sounds as his jaws scraped together.
"Liu Jingshan... Three Thousand Realms!"