Chapter 1005
To get rich, build roads first
Building an alliance with highly unified resources in all aspects is not so simple. Even though Song Changsheng made many preparations beforehand, he could only build a skeleton for this "giant". The rest, such as flesh and blood, needed to grow and be perfected little by little.
This will inevitably be accompanied by a lot of growing pains and conflicts of different ideologies among various forces, but these are things that must be experienced. Therefore, he must choose some helpers for himself, namely the Alliance Elders Council.
Among the Golden Core cultivators present, apart from the few from the cultivation worlds of Daqi and Lu, his understanding of the others was relatively limited, especially the cultivators from the cultivation worlds of Cangyuan and Daxiao, which had relatively little interaction.
To ensure fairness and justice and protect the legitimate rights and interests of all cultivators, the number of seats in the Elders' Council must be evenly distributed so that everyone has the right and means to speak.
However, he not only didn't understand these people's character, but also didn't know their abilities, making the selection process extremely difficult, since those with strong abilities might not necessarily be suitable for doing these trivial tasks.
It took several days to decide on the final candidates, but their performance in the future will be the deciding factor.
"All indications suggest that the major demon kingdoms along the Canglan River have joined forces to infiltrate us while also probing our internal situation."
This is an extremely rare counterintuitive phenomenon.
The demon race is essentially a large alliance, with each race having an almost obsessive desire to control its own territory. Coupled with the demon race's tendency to devour each other, there are constant grudges between the major demon kingdoms, which has led to the major demon kingdoms always being in a state of fighting each other.
In addition, according to the intelligence we have, the reason why the major demon kingdoms are not acting in concert is probably because they all want to be the first to break through the defenses for something or a reward.
This situation was originally advantageous to us, as the pressure was distributed relatively evenly, and we could cope with it on our own.
But now the situation is different. These demon kingdoms have joined forces, and there are dozens of demon kings.
Even if all thirty demon kings attacked simultaneously against a cultivation world, which of the major cultivation worlds along the river could withstand them?
Song Changsheng's gaze swept calmly over everyone present, and no one responded.
Thirty demon kings, aside from perhaps encountering Song Changsheng and getting a rude awakening, could easily sweep through any other cultivator in the world, making targeted breakthroughs before launching a large-scale invasion. It's a simple and practical tactic.
For the demon race, they don't need to truly annihilate any cultivation world; they only need to tear open a gap, rush through that invisible buffer zone, and break the restrictions imposed by the ancient covenant.
This is also the main reason why Song Changsheng, despite possessing invincible strength below the Nascent Soul stage, still tried his best to promote the alliance. The saying "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold" is not just a saying.
"You have dealt with the demon race for so many years, you must all have reliable sources of intelligence, and you should all be able to make a judgment. What I am saying is not an exaggeration, otherwise you would not be sitting here now."
Even if there isn't one, a look through history books reveals a pattern: since the ancient alliance was signed, the few times the demon race launched joint attacks have all occurred when major internal changes took place.
I have received definite news from the Grand Preceptor of the Great Zhen Immortal Dynasty: a catastrophe that will sweep across the world is coming. The Calamity Star is stirring. We are still here today, but the next moment the catastrophe may devour us.
This was undoubtedly a golden opportunity for the demon race, so they joined forces. Perhaps this was orchestrated by a demon emperor. They were fully prepared and determined to succeed.
Although there are oaths restricting them, it is far too easy for a demon emperor to do something, and there is probably something else we don't know about hiding in the dark.
Even if not, under the heavy pressure of the Demon Emperor, the various demon kingdoms would definitely be more united than ever before.
They clearly intend to use this opportunity to destroy the ancient covenant, so we need to abandon all wishful thinking.
To prevent the demon race from making targeted breakthroughs, it is necessary to set up spatial teleportation arrays to enable rapid transfer between cultivators from different realms. Only in this way can timely support be provided after the start of the war.
Therefore, I propose that there must be cross-realm teleportation arrays between different cultivation worlds, and short-range spatial teleportation arrays should also be set up between different Golden Core forces.
In peacetime, it facilitates communication among cultivators from different realms, while in wartime, it ensures that any Golden Core cultivator from any cultivation realm can reach any battlefield within an hour.
I will personally handle the technical issues. Each faction will be self-sufficient in the materials for its space teleportation arrays. I believe none of you have any objections to that.
Everyone present expressed their agreement. They all knew that this was the most crucial step in consolidating forces. With dozens of demon kings attacking at the same time, they could wipe out a cultivation world in just a few days. The faster the reinforcements arrived, the smaller the losses would be.
In fact, they had all secretly built space teleportation arrays in other cultivation worlds to varying degrees. However, these were mostly their own escape routes, located in unsuitable places, and impossible to expose to the outside world.
Constructing new spatial teleportation arrays that can connect to any place in the Southwest Nine Realms would require building at least dozens in each cultivation world, a massive undertaking that would certainly take three to five years to complete.
"In addition, as can be seen from the map, the Southwest Nine Boundaries can be roughly divided into three parts."
The states of Daqi, Dayu, and Lu are located in the south; Tianhua, Cangyuan, and Daxiao are located in the north; and Daming, Gusu, and Yulong are located in the east.
Apart from the Great Xiao Immortal Dynasty, which borders the barbarian tribes of the Snow Region, the rest of the cultivation world has to face the armies of the demon race and even the aquatic race, which can be regarded as the front-line battlefield.
None of the three cultivation worlds in the east directly bordered the alien races, making them relatively stable and serving as a rear base.
In the future, we will most likely be fighting on multiple fronts. In order to better respond to emergencies in different regions, I have decided to select three more deputy leaders to be in charge of wartime coordination.
One deputy leader is selected from each region, based solely on strength, regardless of other factors.
My personal energy is limited, and the battlefront is so long that it's difficult to cover everything.
Furthermore, the opportunity for a breakthrough is fleeting, and my Heavenly Demon Tribulation could descend at any moment. If the demon race were to invade while I am in seclusion, the presence of three vice alliance leaders would be sufficient to stabilize the situation.
If opinions differ, they can be resolved through a vote. As he spoke, Song Changsheng released a smoke bomb.
To deceive the enemy, you must first deceive your own people.
"The Alliance Leader is going into seclusion?"
Upon hearing this news, everyone couldn't help but feel uneasy. They had all witnessed Song Changsheng's strength; his ability to take on ten opponents single-handedly was not just empty talk.
If he goes into seclusion, wouldn't the Southwest Alliance lose a strategic-level combat force during wartime?
Besides, although Song Changsheng is very talented, who can say for sure when he will be able to overcome his tribulation? If something goes wrong, their newly formed alliance will definitely fall apart, which is something they don't want to see.
"Is the Alliance Leader already preparing for tribulation after just breaking through to the Great Perfection of the Golden Core stage? Isn't that a bit too hasty?"
Even Shi Potian felt that Song Changsheng was being too hasty; he should have waited until after the great battle before going into seclusion.
As he spoke, he gestured to Mu Guibai beside him to join in the persuasion. However, Mu Guibai knew the inside story. When Song Changsheng went to pay respects to Bai Zhengchun, he truthfully told him about the formation of the false infant. Now, he was only saying this to deceive the demon race, so naturally, he could not offer any persuasion.
Seeing this, Song Changsheng smiled slightly and said, "It's just a possibility."
What? Do you all lack confidence in resisting the demon race's invasion while I'm not around? That would be far too unconfident.
As long as you are united, what are the demon race?
The land beneath our feet is the land where our ancestors lived for generations. We should defend it with our own hands, with all our might and with everything we have, instead of placing our hopes on any one person.
At this point, he changed the subject, saying, "Although we are discussing how to deal with the demon race, we cannot limit our focus entirely to this, because we have many enemies besides the demon race."
The sea race is powerful, and for years the Myriad Manifestations Palace has been protecting the border regions. But now that a catastrophe is imminent, no one knows whether the sea race will take this opportunity to launch a full-scale attack, just like the demon race.
My breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage can help them relieve stress.
In addition to the sea tribes, among the evil sects active in the borderlands, the Thunder King Palace has been confirmed to have a Nascent Soul True Monarch in charge. Although the identities of other forces have not yet been confirmed, no one can guarantee that they don't exist.
They are not bound by the ancient covenant. If they take advantage of the demon invasion to attack, how can we defend ourselves?
Don't forget, these people are also a crucial part of the demon race's infiltration plan.
His words immediately jolted everyone awake; indeed, their enemies were not just the demon race.
Only a Nascent Soul True Monarch can deal with a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
"The Alliance Leader is wise."
Once everyone understood this, they immediately stopped objecting.
Song Changsheng knew that their concerns had not been completely eliminated, so he spoke again: "No matter what the outcome of this battle is, the gate to the East Sea will be open to you."
However, the East Sea is not a safe haven. The sea creatures are far more ferocious than the demon races. It was merely a last resort.
Moreover, although the demon race and the sea race are very different, in essence, they are both demons, and are different races.
I hope everyone understands.
Upon hearing this, the last bit of hesitation in everyone's hearts vanished, and they bowed in unison, saying, "We thank the Alliance Leader."
"Since we are now in an alliance, the Nine Realms of the Southwest are now one. Everything we do is for the sake of the alliance, so why should we talk about thanks?"
I know that people resist alliances because they want to control their own destiny, not be pawns of others.
Mr. Song has a deep understanding of this, and I believe that everyone's ancestors also had such a history. However, history is just history, while I, Mr. Song, have personally experienced it.
That is why I am well aware of everyone's concerns, and that is why I took a rather firm stance before the meeting began. I hope you can understand that.
As the leader of the alliance, Song will certainly be fair and impartial, and the Song family will also set an example.
After this alliance meeting concludes, you will be given a list detailing the scriptures, texts, and cultivation resources that the Song family will contribute to the alliance treasury. You can exchange them as needed; I believe you will not be disappointed.
As he finished speaking, the Song family steward began distributing lists to everyone, and each person received a jade slip. Everyone was stunned for a moment.
Jade slips are not simply bamboo slips used for recording text. A single scroll can contain at least hundreds of thousands of words, and five scrolls would contain at least several million words.
Keep in mind that this is just a list; how much more content is actually included?
Song Changsheng observed their reactions without being surprised at all. He knew a fundamental truth: shared interests were the strongest bond, while everything else was meaningless.
Therefore, he spared no expense this time, taking out 95% of the scriptures, classics, and supernatural techniques from the library, leaving only the most essential part.
Although the Song family has not been in power for long, its foundation far surpasses that of any other force present. Looking across the entire border region, it is second only to the Wanxiang Palace.
In addition, there are a large number of cultivation resources, most of which come from the black market or the East China Sea. The amount circulating in the market is limited, and these are all things they urgently need.
This is the benefit that the Song family gave up.
If they want to exchange for these resources, they must first exchange the resources for contribution points. Half of these resources will be placed in the Alliance Treasury.
With more resources, their enthusiasm for contributing to the collective will naturally be mobilized. As long as they can benefit from it, over time, even if he wants to dissolve the alliance, these people probably won't agree.
The reason why previous alliances failed was because no one was willing to make concessions; everyone was looking for their own interests.
It may seem that the Song family has suffered a loss, but that is only a superficial phenomenon. The fortune that Song Changsheng obtained has already made him a fortune. With a little effort, he can continue to generate profits in the future.
Putting aside everything else, once those space teleportation arrays were established, all obstacles to the Song family's future trade routes disappeared, and their goods could be sold to various places in the shortest possible time.
To get rich, build roads first.
This principle applies to the world as well.
Besides engaging in trade, it can also attract more independent cultivators to explore the East China Sea, which is also good for the Song family. Either way, they won't lose out.
The group quickly glanced through the list, and before they had even finished reading it, they were already getting restless. They urged Song Changsheng to finalize the selection of the three vice alliance leaders so that they could exchange resources for contribution points when they returned.
Song Changsheng could naturally see their urgency and said in a deep voice, "The selection of the vice alliance leader will be made by the cultivators of each region. The first alliance meeting is now over. After you all return, prepare your troops for battle and do not let your guard down."
The crowd responded in unison, "We obey!"
……
P.S.: I was delayed at the hospital for a day, but I promise to update twice tomorrow. (End of Chapter)