Urban Martial Saint

As soon as these words were uttered, the scene was astonished, with everyone staring at Aolingyun in shock; no one expected him to suddenly say such a thing. Especially the people from the Seven Steering Committees of Hong Alliance, led by Helian Tiehua, who were all gaping. Aolingyun’s sudden words were completely unexpected for him, leaving him no time to react.

Ye Qing, however, remained calm. In fact, this so-called World Alliance had already become a nominal existence after the death of the Young Master of Sword Saint Sect. Many people wanted to withdraw from this World Alliance, but in fact, since the Wanyan Family and Sword Saint Sect had not yet formally engaged in battle, people were still watching. As for his position as the Alliance Hierarch, he had no real influence anymore. If the Wanyan Family and Sword Saint Sect were to clash and both sides suffered debilitating losses, then the World Alliance would surely cease to exist.

And based on Aolingyun’s previous actions, and when Ye Qing used his identity as the Alliance Leader of the World to suppress Aolingyun earlier, Ye Qing could already tell that Aolingyun was highly dissatisfied with the World Alliance. So, when he announced the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance’s withdrawal from the World Alliance, Ye Qing wasn’t surprised. However, what Ye Qing didn’t expect was that Aolingyun would bypass Helian Tiehua and directly say such words. One must know that currently, Helian Tiehua is still the true leader of the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance. Although Aolingyun is an elder, this move was still far too arrogant, wasn’t it?

Upon hearing Aolingyun’s words, Ye Qing did not answer directly but instead looked towards Helian Tiehua beside him, seemingly waiting for Helian Tiehua’s reply. In truth, his action was conveying to Aolingyun that the matter of the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance withdrawing from the World Alliance wasn’t his decision; Helian Tiehua still needed to say so personally. Actually, he was subtly hinting to Aolingyun that his status in the Seven Rudders wasn’t comparable to that of Helian Tiehua. Ye Qing was deliberately trying to provoke Aolingyun.

As expected, seeing Ye Qing not respond but instead looking at Helian Tiehua, Aolingyun became furious and said in a deep voice, ”Did you hear me? From today, the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance are withdrawing from the World Alliance and will no longer have any relationship with the World Alliance!”

”Elder Ao!” This time Helian Tiehua finally reacted and quickly said, ”This matter absolutely mustn’t happen!”

”What can or can’t be, if I say withdraw, then we withdraw, unless you want to oppose it?” Aolingyun looked furiously at Helian Tiehua.

Helian Tiehua was also extremely annoyed in his heart; Aolingyun was truly too domineering; it was like this in the past, and he was still like this now. Helian Tiehua is, after all, the leader of the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance, yet Aolingyun spoke so aggressively, entirely disregarding his leadership role. This was simply too outrageous!

However, Helian Tiehua really couldn’t confront Aolingyun directly. After all, Aolingyun is an elder and also the Supreme Elder of the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance, possessing immense power. If Helian Tiehua were to fall out with him, it would mean internal discord within the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance, potentially giving outsiders an opportunity to exploit.

”Elder Ao, this matter still needs careful consideration and cannot be decided too hastily. I think today we should first focus on the more critical matters.” Helian Tiehua said, ”The Immortal Lord and Senior Fu are about to battle soon; this epic battle must not be missed. After witnessing this battle, we can return and convene with the Elders Council to discuss this matter. Right now, we should not act too rashly!”

”Didn’t the battle still not start yet?” Aolingyun glanced at Helian Tiehua and said, ”Besides, for such matters, just informing them would suffice; it doesn’t require much time. What’s wrong with that? Why, do you really want to oppose it?”

Aolingyun had suffered a setback earlier but was concerned about his reputation, unable to retaliate against Ye Qing, hence feeling very angry. His words naturally lacked consideration for consequences, and he spoke aggressively even to Helian Tiehua. Helian Tiehua, for respecting him as a senior and to prevent internal discord within the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance, didn’t confront him directly. Otherwise, just based on these few words, Helian Tiehua certainly wouldn’t save face for him.

However, regarding this matter, Helian Tiehua absolutely couldn’t agree. The existence of the World Alliance was actually beneficial for the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance.

Firstly, the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance still wished to form such an alliance to fend off the Sword Saint Sect and the Wanyan Family. Since the alliance was established, although it was nominally dead, it still formally existed in name. In the future, the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance only needs to employ certain tactics and might well find a way to utilize the alliance.

Moreover, the alliance’s leader is Ye Qing, who has a good relationship with the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance and is essentially a son-in-law of the Seven Rudders. With this relationship laid out, being part of this alliance is overwhelmingly beneficial for the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance.

However, once the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance withdraw from this alliance, regaining control of it later won’t be easy. Furthermore, withdrawal essentially equates to falling out with Ye Qing, creating a rift in relations between the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance and Ye Qing. Ye Qing represents Sha Men and Shen Family Manor, and even Fu Qingping holds a great relationship with Ye Qing. Under such circumstances, how could Helian Tiehua possibly allow the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance to exit the World Alliance?

”Elder Ao, this matter is quite important and needs the Elders Council’s discussion before making a decision!” Helian Tiehua looked at Aolingyun and said seriously, ”Why not wait until we return, then convene the Elders Council for thorough deliberation, how about it?”

Seeing Helian Tiehua repeatedly evading, Aolingyun grew angrier and said in a deep voice, ”Going around in circles, you just want to oppose my opinion, isn’t that right?”

Helian Tiehua did not speak, which was tantamount to affirming Aolingyun’s words. This made Aolingyun even more furious; he stared tightly at Helian Tiehua, took a deep breath, and said intensely, ”Helian Tiehua, don’t forget, I am the Supreme Elder, and currently the only Supreme Elder out of seclusion. My decision equates to the Elders Council’s decision. This matter can be decided by me alone!”

Helian Tiehua’s face changed; according to the rules of the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance, Aolingyun indeed had this authority as the Supreme Elder. Even if he were to serve as the Left Envoy of the Seven Rudders, he had to listen to the Supreme Elder. If Aolingyun truly insisted on deciding this matter based on his identity as Supreme Elder, he would be unable to hinder it.

”Elder Ao, this matter should not be done under any circumstances!” Helian Tiehua urgently said.

”There’s no need for you to speak further; my decision is final!” Aolingyun coldly looked at Ye Qing and said heavily, ”As the Supreme Elder of the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance, I hereby declare that from now on, the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance withdraw from this so-called World Alliance. In the future, the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance will no longer have any connection with the World Alliance.”

Seeing Helian Tiehua’s expression, Ye Qing already knew that Helian Tiehua was powerless to stop this matter. It appeared that the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance’s exit from the World Alliance was inevitable. However, in reality, the World Alliance was already a nominal existence, so whether the Seven Rudders were in or out made little difference to Ye Qing. The only difference is that in the future, Ye Qing could no longer speak from the position of the alliance leader to Aolingyun, which means his status as alliance leader holds no usefulness against Aolingyun.

To put it bluntly, Aolingyun was restrained earlier by Ye Qing using his status as the alliance leader, prompting him to decide that the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance should exit the World Alliance. To him, the World Alliance was basically non-existent, and there was no benefit to the Seven Rudders being within it, whilst Ye Qing’s status was above theirs. How could Aolingyun, with his deep sense of pride, endure this?

”This is truly regrettable!” Ye Qing sighed, looking at Aolingyun, and said, ”Since Senior Ao has already decided, I cannot retain you anymore.”

Helian Tiehua stood aside, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. Aolingyun had already invoked his identity as the Supreme Elder, making it impossible for him to interfere. Instead, forcibly opposing at this point might just lead Aolingyun to vent his anger on him.

Currently, the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance only had Aolingyun, the lone Supreme Elder, still active, without another to contain him. If Helian Tiehua were to clash with Aolingyun now, it wouldn’t be beneficial for the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance. Perhaps wait until other Supreme Elders emerge afterwards, then unite with them to rejoin the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance into the World Alliance.

Amidst the surrounding spectators, many were also members of the World Alliance. Seeing Aolingyun straightforwardly exiting the World Alliance sparked thoughts within them too. They considered whether they should seize this moment to withdraw from the World Alliance as well. After all, with the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance exiting, the World Alliance basically equated to non-existence.

As everyone pondered over this, a sudden commotion arose from the rear of the crowd. Shortly afterwards, the crowd parted, making way for a group of people from behind.

Upon spotting this group, the expressions of people from the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance changed drastically. Because the visitors were none other than members from Twelve Green Halls. Among them were Ding Lianshun and Yin Xianzi. Behind them were two old men, one being a contemporary figure of Aolingyun, also one of the Supreme Elders of Twelve Green Halls.

Between the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance and Twelve Green Halls was a lineage of animosity; although battles among Peak Masters were rare now, hostility between them existed. At this moment, seeing each other, naturally there was animosity. Especially now, on Mount Tai, Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance and Twelve Green Halls each occupied distinct positions. The sudden appearance of Twelve Green Halls’ people by the Seven Rudders naturally led to the belief among Seven Rudders’ members that they had come looking for trouble.

However, the people from Twelve Green Halls disregarded the Seven Rudders of Hong Alliance. Upon arriving, Ding Lianshun directly approached Ye Qing and said, ”Mr. Ye, the Heavenly Master heard someone intends to do harm to you, so he specifically sent us to invite Mr. Ye over to Twelve Green Halls for a conversation.”