Chapter 360: Farewell
Xiao Ze now had a vast supply of high-grade pills, enough for him to use freely. Expanding the diameter of the Tree of Origin was a slow and meticulous process, so he could only consume pills to speed up the progress. As for the rewards from this effort, Xiao Ze didn't plan to use them immediately; he intended to save them for breaking through to the Dou Sheng realm.
Knock, knock, knock!
The door suddenly knocked. Xiao Ze turned his head, raised his eyebrows, and smiled.
"Big Brother, Second Brother, come in. No need to be so polite."
As the door opened, two figures walked in. Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, both wearing the uniforms of elders of the Heavenly Alliance, stepped into the room.
Since the Heavenly Alliance had stabilized, Xiao Ze had asked Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to help manage it. With the help of Xiao Ze's pills, their strength had improved quickly, but they were still far from reaching the Dou Zun level. In fact, among the Xiao family, besides Xiao Ze, who had reached the peak of Nine-Star Dou Zun, only Xiao Yan could barely keep up with him. The others were left far behind.
But now, with no external conflicts for the Heavenly Alliance, having the two brothers manage its affairs was not a problem.
"Fourth Brother, we heard from Qinglin that you're planning to head to Zhongzhou?" Xiao Ding asked after a moment of hesitation.
"Yes, Big Brother. The presidents of the Pill Tower sent a message asking me to return," Xiao Ze nodded, speaking honestly. "The Northwest Continent has stabilized now and doesn't need me here. The Heavenly Alliance can protect the Xiao family. Besides, although the Northwest Continent has abundant resources thanks to the Heavenly Alliance, it lacks the heritage of Zhongzhou. My strength has hit a bottleneck, so I want to go to Zhongzhou to seek new challenges."
Hearing this, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li fell silent. They knew their current strength was too far behind Xiao Ze. Xiao Ding took a deep breath and said, "Fourth Brother, we know we are weak and can't help you much. Do what you need to do. Don't worry about the Xiao family; we have enough strength to protect ourselves now."
"What Big Brother said is what I wanted to say too," Xiao Li stepped forward, patting Xiao Ze's shoulder. "Fourth Brother, before you leave, let's have a banquet in the Xiao family to see you off."
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Ze agreed. Although he was busy with cultivation, alchemy, and managing affairs in the Heavenly Alliance, he rarely participated in family activities.
"Then let's go prepare," Xiao Ding and Xiao Li said.
"Wait, don't tell everyone that I'm going to Zhongzhou. Just say it's a banquet to keep the mood lively. I don't want our farewell to dampen everyone's spirits."
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li nodded with smiles. "We understand."
As Xiao Ze watched them leave, he thought for a moment, covered himself with soul power, and walked out of the Heavenly Alliance headquarters.
The Heavenly Alliance City had become more prosperous, and the headquarters had been renovated several times, becoming quite grand. Walking through the headquarters, no one noticed Xiao Ze. Occasionally, he saw a few Xiao family members.
If the Xiao family members wanted to work, besides going out on their own, they had two paths: joining the Jia Nan Academy for education or directly joining the Heavenly Alliance. Because of Xiao Ze, they had easier jobs within the alliance. Xiao Ze didn't mind helping his family within the rules. Of course, if they did wrong, they would still be punished accordingly.
Outside the Heavenly Alliance headquarters was the central plaza of the city, where Xiao Ze had once openly refined pills on a high platform. The platform had been renovated many times, and the golden rack he made was still there, filled with pills. These were no longer the ones he had originally refined, as those had been rewarded to those who contributed to the unification of the Northwest Continent. Now, the Heavenly Alliance had its own alchemists.
All alchemists took pride in having their pills displayed on the golden rack, which the alliance leader himself had made. Obtaining a pill from that rack was considered an honor within the alliance. The platform had become a symbol of the Heavenly Alliance, also known as the Master's Platform or the Heavenly Alliance Platform.
Xiao Ze noticed Greenheart's figure returning hurriedly and released a trace of his aura to attract his attention. Greenheart, in a rush, sensed Xiao Ze's presence and turned to see him standing under the platform. Shocked by Xiao Ze's power, he quickly approached.
"Greetings, Alliance Leader," Greenheart bowed respectfully.
"Greenheart, you've heard that I'm returning to Zhongzhou, haven't you?"
"Yes, Alliance Leader. When will you return?" Greenheart asked, curious.
"I'm not sure. I plan to leave the Heavenly Alliance's affairs to you. What do you think?"
"Leave it to me?! Thank you for your trust, Alliance Leader. But why not leave it to Qinglin and the others?"
"They're coming with me to Zhongzhou. I trust your abilities. Now that you've broken through to Dou Zun, you can manage the other Dou Zun experts."
"Thank you, Alliance Leader! I will not let you down!"
Greenheart bowed deeply. Xiao Ze's pills had helped him break through to Dou Zun, and now he was entrusted with the alliance's affairs, making him feel that his previous decision to join the alliance was absolutely correct.
"After I leave, be cautious of the Hall of Souls' infiltration. If you find any trace of them, gather forces and eliminate them immediately."
"Understood!"
After saying goodbye to everyone, Xiao Ze waited for Medusa and Little Doctor Immortal to return and arranged their responsibilities within the alliance. At the Xiao family home, Xiao Ze took out three jade pendants and gave them to Xiao Zhan, Xiao Ding, and Xiao Li. The jade pendants had golden wood patterns, with a small golden tree embedded in each.
"If there's any emergency, use these to contact me. Also, there are two five-star Dou Zun level puppets in this storage ring. Don't take them out unless absolutely necessary; they might attract trouble."
Xiao Ze left two Sky Demon Phoenix puppets with the Xiao family. Although the Heavenly Alliance could provide protection, it was safer to have weapons at hand.
After giving his instructions, Xiao Ze prepared to leave. After saying his goodbyes, he met with the three women outside Jia Nan City.
"Let's go to Zhongzhou!"
(End of chapter)
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