"Northern Alliance" was the name Lia had given to the alliance with the two powerhouse sects, Flower Dark Sect and Heavenly Demon Sect. And with it, Lia used its name to impose influence on the small clans she seized.
At first, Lia wasn't thinking of seizing the small clans, but only the dark sects, since they were more of a pain in the head. But as she realized how obedient they were, an idea popped into her head.
Lia seized the small clan that had offended her. It might be unreasonable, but this is how she is. She doesn't care about anyone's perspective; she wants to spread their influence and have control over them before Yuna finishes her two-year seclusion cultivation.
Lia would go to small clans and push fear into their systems. But of course, no matter how cruel she was in a slight manner, she promised to not push tyranny.
And after a few days, Lia returned to the Army of their Alliance. She then gave the list of the names of the clans she had seized and given them power over them with some restrictions.
Lia made sure that they wouldn't use their power as a military of the alliance against them. She wanted to treat them as if they were one of them, as there is no guarantee of perfect success in the near future.
***
The Flamingo Sect, the Border Islanders Sect, the Great Stallion Sect, the Fiery Eagle Sect, and many others...
Lia read all the way through the list of dark sects that she required before the attack. And as she sat down before her council, she grinned and looked at them.
"It is amusing that you really did a great job," Lia commented, then took the map that has the marks of the dark sects.
Lia then went to the Heavenly Demon Sect to finish their plan. And as Jeric agreed to it, Lia finally had the sign to spread the Xiao family's power.
"I commend you, Jeric. You didn't ignore my proposal." Lia said.
"Well, Flower Dark Sect agreed to it as well, so we don't have to worry about it," Jeric said.
Lia smiled and nodded, "We will get the legacy."
***
In the Great Mao Mountain...
The Ju Yue clan changed much after Lucas left the clan. Gabriel's worth raised a lot of folds, and almost a week later, they already forgot how cold Gabriel was. Well, it was because it was overshadowed by the celebration of their village's attainment of a Grand Array Formation, which Lucas made.
Gabriel forgot about the previous treatments as well. He only focused on improving without any other worries, as he finally realized that too much patriotism isn't good.
His personality wasn't suited for it, and as a solution, he decided to lessen the pressure he was putting on himself.
His mother, at the same time, was always cheering for him. These days, his mother would always check on him if he was practicing the techniques Lucas left him.
Lucas left five techniques, but no explanation was left for them. Perhaps Lucas forgot about it. Gabriel worked hard every day, despite the fact that he had no idea why.
He had already achieved enlightenment as he had reached the Master Spirit Realm. But, of course, he didn't reveal his enlightenment because he didn't want to overdo it and exceed the clan leader's cultivation.
Even though it was an immature decision, respect was given to it.
A few months later, the annual competition was about to start again. It was a competition between the five clans in the Great Mao Mountains. And as the leading clan member and the leading hunter master, he is participating.
Because of his plenty of contributions, it is now Gabriel's responsibility to represent the clan. And as he thought of it, he couldn't help but smile, as it was the right time to raise his clan's name in the Great Mao Mountains.
"Gabriel Fang, you have already attained the peak of the Warrior Spirit Realm, and this is already above the requirement to become a clan elder. You are called here to bless you with the title of a clan elder." The clan leader said, with a firm stance, as Gabriel stood up in the middle of a long hallway.
In this meeting room, the clan leader was at the end of the room with a platform, and on top of that was his seat. Gabriel was in the middle, and as a form of his answer, he should step forward.
However, Gabriel only lowered his head and clasped his fist.
"I would like to apologize, clan leader, but I am afraid that I won't accept the title as a clan elder." As soon as he said it, everyone was baffled. That made them gasp. Gabriel just refused to become a clan elder, which is the most wanted position of every clansman. Not just because of the wealth, but also the privilege that a clan elder could get.
But for Gabriel, they are all measly things to keep greed from wealth.
"I humbly refute this ascension of title. I would like to continue being an average clan member."
Even though surprised, the clan elder calmly faced the rejection Gabriel gave to him. And as a resolution, he asked him with ease.
It was Gabriel, and he had observed Gabriel since the beginning. He knew how Gabriel loved the clan but wasn't able to express it to everyone.
"May I know what your reason is?"
Gabriel took a deep breath and explained himself.
"I want to extend my name in the clan only as a clansman, not as a clan elder. I already faced different treatment and I don't want it. Also, I am comfortable with this."
One may say that his reason wasn't acceptable, but for Gabriel, who has a lot of contributions, it is just a normal stance to ask for consideration of rejecting the ascension of the title.
Gabriel wasn't comfortable with it, and that was enough reason for him to refuse it. Also, he knew that it was not mandatory to become a clan elder; it was a choice of a person.
The clan leader released a sigh, then nodded. "Okay, I understand. I won't push the title to you, but instead, I will have a request."
"What is it, clan leader?" Gabriel asked.
"The Ju Yue clan must rise." The clan leader said with a smile on his face.
***
For the competition, Gabriel was gifted a sword as his property and weapon. And as everyone knew that he was the representative, their hopes were all on him. But of course, Gabriel isn't under pressure anymore. It is merely people's expectations, and it is now natural for him.
It is also given that Gabriel will do a great job. And not underestimating his opponents in the competition, which this year's organizer is the 2nd in rank, Iliman Clan, Gabriel would train his dantian every night.
Lucas had left five techniques, but among the five, the only one Gabriel was able to understand was the Magique cultivation technique.
Gabriel would make an effort to understand the other techniques, but he tended to fail as Lucas wasn't there to explain things to him.
It was new and different from the books he had read. But that is not enough reason for him to continue failing.
Gabriel always regulates his breathing. At night, he would cultivate and read aloud the contents of the book that he had memorized.
"Stallion of Formless Art... Body Absorption Breathing Technique... Shadow Movement Technique... Red Curse..."
Gabriel would always try to discern the contents of the techniques, but he would always fail. But as much as he wanted, this technique was important to him, so he would strive more.
Gabriel's concentration dropped so deeply that in the few moments of his concentration, he slightly saw his dantian lighting up his vision in a matterless space.
He was astonished, but a few moments later, his dantian disappeared and only an image was in his vision.
Gabriel knew that this was inevitable, but, of course, the small progress is only the beginning. Gabriel continued to push more into his concentration and, slowly, his dantian appeared again. But unlike the description in other books, he saw a few lines surrounding his dantian.
He was confused by it at first, but when he tried to focus more on it, he finally realized that this wasn't a normal dantian. He thought his unique physique might be the reason behind it, and as he consumed himself looking at his dantian, he went back to the surface and opened his eyes.
He smiled and mumbled, "That was recognition...? As I slowly understand the flow of my body, I will be able to understand more techniques in the future."
It is not applicable to others, but for Gabriel's physique, it is natural for him to think of it, as he slightly has an understanding of his physique.
His physique has a good absorption rate, and Lucas had taught him that the energy he could absorb isn't normal. It is a unique Qi, which is called "Magique."
Thus, Gabriel thought that the lines he saw were his meridian...
"I should try again to understand the Stallion of Formless Art.. With my comprehension of the flow of my cultivation, I will be able to understand where to follow the energy."