Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Yao Sect Established

"Since we’ve formed our own faction, we should have a name, right? What should we call ourselves?" Su Xing asked from the side. Hearing this, everyone started to rack their brains.

"Since Ouyang Chen’s faction is called the Chen Alliance, let’s call ours the Xuan Alliance!" Long Zhen shouted first.

"Xuan Alliance? No, that won’t work. There’s no fighting spirit in that name. Besides, we’re here to take down the Chen Alliance. How lame would it be to copy their naming style? If you ask me, we should just call ourselves the Shichen Alliance. Now that’s domineering!" Zi Mo proposed.

"But wouldn’t that just announce our intentions to the Chen Alliance? I object!" Long Zhen protested.

"We’re going to fight them anyway, so what’s there to be afraid of? If they find out, they find out!"

"Still not good enough. Xuan Alliance sounds better!" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Shichen Alliance!"

"Xuan Alliance!"

"Shichen Alliance!"

"Xuan Alliance!"

The two of them, the big guy Zi Mo and the little guy Long Zhen, started bickering, neither willing to back down. For a moment, they just glared at each other, locked in a stalemate.

"Let’s ask Brother Shen and see which name he thinks is better!"

"Go on, ask him! The Shichen Alliance is obviously more badass. Right, Brother Shen?" In an instant, the two had turned the topic over to Shen Haoran.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran chuckled. "How about we call ourselves the Yao Sect?"

"Yao Sect? Does that have some special meaning?" the others asked, confused.

Seeing their confusion, Shen Haoran’s fiery gaze swept over their faces. A grin spread across his lips as he said, "The Yao Sect. Because one day, our faction will be like a dazzling star, shining over the entire Starfall Continent!"

A sharp intake of breath could be heard. Hearing Shen Haoran’s words, the others couldn’t help but gasp.

’The entire Starfall Continent!’ They never imagined Shen Haoran’s ambition would be so vast!

And it was true. Shen Haoran’s ambition was enormous. His goal in creating the Yao Sect wasn’t merely to oppose the Chen Alliance within the tiny Five Elements Sect. He wanted to be strong enough to contend with the super-factions of the world! The Yao Sect would be his greatest pillar of support.

But to develop the Yao Sect to the point where the entire continent trembled before it was a task harder than climbing to the heavens. Even factions with thousand-year legacies wouldn’t dare claim their glory could shine across the entire continent. Yet, when Zi Mo and the others met Shen Haoran’s brilliant, shining eyes, they saw his confidence. It was as if he could already see the Yao Sect standing at the very peak of the continent!

In that moment, the group was once again swept up in Shen Haoran’s powerful aura, their blood beginning to boil with excitement!

"Alright, the Yao Sect it is! We’ll call ourselves the Yao Sect!" The group unanimously agreed with Shen Haoran’s suggestion.

Once the name was settled, the group nominated Shen Haoran to be the Sect Leader. Besides, it seemed there really was no other suitable candidate.

Long Mo was naturally aloof and had no interest in the position. Zi Mo was just a brainless fatty; the Yao Sect would likely collapse in two days if he were in charge. Long Zhen was too young and inexperienced. Su Xing, on the other hand, was a decent candidate with his steady personality, but his strength was a bit lacking. In the end, Shen Haoran had no choice but to accept the great responsibility.

"Building a faction isn’t as easy as you might imagine," Long Mo said, looking at Shen Haoran. "Recruiting members, gathering and allocating resources, establishing sect rules, and setting up a system for rewards and punishments—have you thought all of that through?"

"More or less."

"I’ll leave the faction’s promotion to Long Zhen. He’s an expert ranked in the top thirty on the Dragon and Tiger List and has some influence within the sect. More importantly, that kid has a wide network for gossip. I can rest easy leaving it to him.

Recruiting new disciples will be up to Brother Su. It’s a job that requires a delicate touch. Brother Su is level-headed and surprisingly meticulous, so I think he’s the right fit. But Brother Su, remember this: when the Yao Sect recruits, character comes first, and strength second. I have no intention of raising a pack of ungrateful freeloaders who only take without giving anything back!

As for resources, leave that to me. I’ve already thought of a good way to get them." Shen Haoran seemed to know everyone quite well, assigning tasks quickly and precisely.

"What about me? What can I do?" Zi Mo asked anxiously. Everyone else had a job to do; surely he wouldn’t be left out.

"You?" Shen Haoran glanced at him. "You and Long Mo should just focus on your cultivation. Don’t worry about anything else."

"Huh? Cultivation? Are you sure that’s all you want me to do?" Zi Mo said with a bored expression.

"When a new faction is formed, it’s bound to face suppression and bullying from the older ones. The Chen Alliance won’t just let the Yao Sect grow, either. Your cultivation and mine are the highest here. We’ll have to be the ones to take the hits. Only by increasing our strength can we intimidate others!" Long Mo said flatly, having perfectly read Shen Haoran’s intentions.

"Oh, so we’re just scaring off the small fry? Don’t worry, you can count on me!" As soon as Zi Mo heard that, he understood Shen Haoran’s meaning and puffed out his chest.

"Right. As for resource allocation and formalizing sect rules and the reward and punishment system, we’ll have to shelve that for now. We just don’t have enough people. We’ll put it on the agenda later," Shen Haoran said with a wry smile.

’Right now, it’s just a few of us guys. This kind of logistical work is better suited for a woman.’ At that moment, Shen Haoran found himself missing Ji Lingxuan. ’If she were here, she’d have everything sorted out for me.’

"Why wait? I can take care of that!" Just as Shen Haoran was fretting, a voice like tinkling bells drifted in from outside the courtyard. A moment later, two graceful figures appeared before them.

"Shui Ruolan!" Zi Mo exclaimed upon seeing the newcomer.

It was indeed Shui Ruolan standing in the doorway. As usual, she wore a pale blue dress. Her long, black hair cascaded down her back, and her skin, like polished jade, looked so delicate it might break at the slightest touch. Her pale blue eyes held a sense of mystery, and her entire presence was like that of a descended goddess, leaving everyone in a momentary trance.

"Ahem!" Shen Haoran cleared his throat, snapping Su Xing, Long Zhen, and Zi Mo out of their stupor. He then shot the three of them a disdainful look. ’Look at Long Mo, he’s so composed. How can the three of you have so little self-control? You’re a disgrace!’

The three of them blushed and turned their heads away in embarrassment.

"What are you doing here?" Shen Haoran asked, stepping forward.

"I came to help you," Shui Ruolan said with a smile. "I overheard you from outside. You’re starting the Yao Sect, right? I want to join!"

Hearing this, Shen Haoran was taken aback. "Don’t you have your Weak Water Army? Why would you want to join our little, newly-founded Yao Sect?"

"Little?" she replied. "Two of the top five on the Dragon and Tiger List are in your Yao Sect, not to mention a mysterious genius like yourself. I don’t think the Yao Sect is as simple as it appears on the surface. Besides, I’m not the leader of the Weak Water Army anymore." With that, Shui Ruolan turned and tossed a token to the woman beside her. "Yuchi, from now on, you are the leader of the Weak Water Army. I’m stepping down."

THUD. Seeing Shui Ruolan give up her position as leader of the Weak Water Army just to join the Yao Sect, Zi Mo and the others felt their jaws hit the floor. They stared at Shen Haoran’s back and silently gave him a thumbs-up. ’The boss is incredible! He actually got the number one goddess in the Sect to do something like this for him!’

"Er..." Shen Haoran was left speechless. ’This Shui Ruolan is completely unpredictable...’