The Celestial Alliance was a massive and scary organization. Joining such an organization would grant one an unimaginable amount of resources, but Xiang Shaoyun knew that there was no free food in the world. The more he obtained from the alliance, the more he had to repay the alliance. He might even need to offer everything he had to the alliance.

From the "agree unconditionally" requirement mentioned by the envoy, that much was clear. Of course, that wasn't the main reason for Xiang Shaoyun's refusal. He refused because, deep inside, he did not have a good opinion of the alliance. Perhaps it was a feeling he had inherited from his previous life. More importantly, he wanted to remain free. As he had said, he only wanted to live a happy life instead of being caged.

Unlike in his previous life, he did not intend to conquer the world in this life. However, he had a new goal—to reach the apex of cultivation. He did not want any person or organization to have a say in his path of cultivation.

In Xiang Shaoyun's eyes, Tang Zhan could see the same stubbornness he once saw in Xiang Yangzhan's eyes. He knew that it would be pointless to continue persuading Xiang Shaoyun.

He patted Xiang Shaoyun's shoulder and said, "Perhaps you and your father are right. But whatever you do in the future, remember to never make an enemy out of the Celestial Alliance."

Tang Zhan gave several reminders in a row, showing how much he revered the Celestial Alliance. He was afraid that Xiang Shaoyun would offend the alliance in the future, as that would only result in death.

Tang Zhan might seem powerful in the Bloodsin City he governed, but he knew that he was an unimportant individual in the Celestial Alliance. From his status in the alliance, one could see just how terrifying the alliance was.

Xiang Shaoyun nodded. "Unless absolutely necessary, I won't provoke the Celestial Alliance. In any case, I'm just a nobody. I doubt I'm even qualified to offend them."

"Shaoyun, if you were really a nobody, you wouldn't have attracted the envoy's attention. You're someone who has fused nine powers. That was why the Celestial Alliance had decided to recruit you. Just be careful," reminded Tang Zhan.

Xiang Shaoyun could feel how much Tang Zhan cared about him. He was moved and took out the saintforce token. He said, "Uncle Tang, I wish to give this token to Big Brother Tang."

Tang Zhan smiled and said, "Hehe, you're as forthright as your father. As for this token, save it for someone else. As the organizer of the expedition, how could I not have a token for myself? In any case, Longfei is still too weak. Letting him into the Saintforce Realm would only be a waste of resources. Don't worry about him."

Xiang Shaoyun wore a look of realization and said, "Looks like I worry too much. If there's nothing else, I'll be taking my leave."

"Um. Go. The token will let you know where to go in a year. During this period, just wait in Bloodsin City. I'm afraid you will be surrounded and attacked by countless people the moment you step out of the city. You have quite a lot of enemies," said Tang Zhan.

"Thank you, Uncle Tang. I know what to do. If I'm someone who would die so easily, I wouldn't have survived the Devil Domain," said Xiang Shaoyun with a slight bow before leaving.

He knew that Tang Zhan was telling him the truth, but he had the confidence to not fear anyone.

Looking at Xiang Shaoyun's departing back, Tang Zhan sighed inwardly, He's the same as his father, but this kid seems even more confident.

After leaving Tang Zhan's place, Xiang Shaoyun did not leave the fort immediately. Instead, he went looking for Ouyang Chuanqi, Han Chenfei, and the others. The expedition and the search for devilsand had ended. The time for them to part ways had arrived. After bidding them farewell, Xiang Shaoyun decided to wait inside the fort for Lady Shura to return from the Devil Domain. He believed that she would be fine.

Han Chenfei wasn't willing to part with Xiang Shaoyun, but she also knew that it was pointless to keep pestering him. She should focus on growing stronger. Only then would she have a chance to be with him in the future. If she allowed the gap between them to widen, she would have an even lower chance of being with him.

Before leaving, she did not forget to hug him and give him a kiss. "I won't give up!"

She then spun around and left resolutely. Xiang Shaoyun did not know how to handle this woman. He could only hope that time would solve everything. Next, Devil Concubine came to bid him farewell. She hoped that he could visit her at the True Martial Academy after leaving the Saintforce Realm.

Looking at the bold woman before him, Xiang Shaoyun hugged her gently and said, "Don't worry. After leaving the Saintforce Realm, I'll go visit you."

"If you dare turn back on your words, I will hunt you down wherever you go!" said Devil Concubine in a domineering manner.

"Haha, of course," said Xiang Shaoyun with a laugh.

Devil Concubine then left without showing any hesitation. Yu Caidie was nowhere to be seen. Xiang Shaoyun guessed that she had probably been placed under house arrest. Just as he was about to head toward the Yu Clan's group, Xiang Chenxi walked up to him with some people from the Xiang Clan.

"Little ancestor!" The Xiang Clan people saluted him one after another.

"Why are you here?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.

Two Xiang Clan members had managed to enter the top-100. One of them was Xiang Keren, a middle-aged man who looked simple and honest. He did not look like an expert cultivator, but a shrewd light would occasionally flicker in his eyes. He was an expert who was good at hiding his abilities. The second person was Xiang Feidian. He was about 30 years old and had a unique spiky hairstyle that looked like a broom. Clad in purple armor with a whip in his hand, he had a carefree air about him.

"Little ancestor, Xiang Keren is here to accompany you on the trip to the Saintforce Realm. Please allow me to stay by your side during this year while we wait for the realm to open. I am willing to follow all your commands during this time," said Xiang Keren with an honest smile.

Xiang Feidian said, "That's right, little ancestor. With us by your side, you won't feel too lonely."

After giving it some thought, Xiang Shaoyun said, "Ok. You may stay with me."

He did not refuse them because he also needed to slowly blend into the clan. It was only a matter of time before he led the clan out of seclusion. This was something he had to do. With the Di Clan leaving seclusion, many other organizations had begun to stir. Perhaps after another unrest caused by the Devil Domain, the power structure between the numerous organizations would undergo a change. Xiang Shaoyun wanted to take that chance to rapidly rise in power.

"Little ancestor, please forgive me for all my offenses in the past," apologized Xiang Chenxi solemnly.

"It's all in the past. Forget it. Cultivate hard in the True Martial Academy. The future of the clan rests on your shoulders," said Xiang Shaoyun like an elder. "Come, let's go to the Yu Clan's place."