The next day, news spread through many alliances, leaving everyone astonished.
Though the rain had made it impossible to see Xiao Chen's face clearly, his tall silhouette and terrifying battle prowess made it easy to deduce his involvement. Furthermore, rumors emerged that the Illusory Alliance founder Kailo and the Flying Dagger Alliance founder Wang Tong had taken several experts to assist Yan Qingcheng, making it even more obvious that Xiao Chen had acted against them.
Xiao Chen's horrifying combat strength truly rattled many.
Walking through the rain-soaked forest, inhaling the crisp air, Xiao Chen sent the three skeletons back to the Forest of the Dead to continue their training. Guided by information revealed by a dying practitioner, he searched the territories of the gathered alliances for the Spellmaster Rand. But he found no trace.
Rand, a key figure of the Undying Alliance, had been severely wounded in the previous battle but had still escaped last night's ambush. From beginning to end, Xiao Chen had not caught sight of him.
The sun had long risen; the night's storm had left the sky a deeper blue. In the primeval forest, apes howled and tigers roared; among the flowering trees and grasses, hundreds of birds sang. Different regions had different moods.
Although Xiao Chen moved through the territories of the various alliances, he deliberately concealed his tracks and remained undiscovered. It was not until noon, when he sat by a stream as green as a jade ribbon and ate his lunch, that the rising cooking smoke gave him away.
A soft, sinuous figure stepped gracefully through the emerald woods, crossed a fragrant thicket of blossoms, and arrived at the gently flowing stream, appearing before Xiao Chen.
She was breathtakingly alluring—a woman of irresistible charm and presence, the very embodiment of beauty and seduction. She exuded a thousand graces, soft and coquettish, as though she were formed from spring water itself—a peerless seductress.
Her lithe, curvaceous body was half concealed by a near-translucent black silk gown. The elegant lines and the alluring sheen of her bare skin stirred endless fantasies.
"Brother Xiao sits alone by the stream, turning away from me. Do you not welcome my arrival?" The woman's lips were red and sensuous; her smile revealed pearly teeth, and beneath her long lashes, her enchanting eyes held an irresistible allure.
Even if she were the most beautiful woman under heaven, Xiao Chen's nature would not be swayed by mere beauty. He looked at her and smiled. "You must be Liu Ruyan, founder of the Red Powder Alliance?"
Liu Ruyan laughed softly, her charm boundless. Her lovely face seemed to blend tenderness and allure into one—soft and seductive to the extreme, as if it could drip with dewdrops.
"I never expected Brother Xiao to know my name."
"Every member of the Red Powder Alliance is a beautiful woman, and its founder Liu Ruyan is one who captivates all. How could I not know of you?"
A light breeze stirred; the flowers by the stream rippled with fragrance. Liu Ruyan's silk gauze dress fluttered in the wind, clearly outlining her perfect, sensual figure. Her long legs were proportioned like golden ratios, her rounded, full hips a temptation, her slender waist supple and delicate, and her full, firm breasts aroused unbidden thoughts.
Liu Ruyan smiled bewitchingly. "'Captivates all'... Brother Xiao, are you implying we are vixens?"
"Not at all. I genuinely praise you."
"Hehe..." Liu Ruyan's laughter was like the swaying of a willow in the breeze. "I once sent an invitation to Brother Xiao, but you looked down on us weak women and paid no attention. So today, I came in person."
"Alliance Leader Liu, you put me on the spot. Your alliance is full of beauties; how could a man like me join?"
"Brother Xiao, you are not being honest. Last time I clearly did not invite you to join the Red Powder Alliance—I only proposed a pact. You cannot deny it so easily."
"Ah, then it was my oversight. I misunderstood." Xiao Chen smiled and nodded. "If it is a secret pact, I am certainly willing. More allies, more paths. Trapped here on Dragon Island, we ought to look out for each other. But... I am a troublemaker. Some people always want to find fault with me. Are you not afraid I will bring you trouble?"
"How could I not be afraid?" Liu Ruyan cast a sidelong glance at Xiao Chen, a gaze full of allure and seduction—enough to shake the heart of any ordinary man. "The people you have offended are all formidable: the Undying Successor Yan Qingcheng, the barbarian youth Kailo, the forest tribe youth Yaluode, and now you have even angered the prodigy illusionist Kailo and the Little Li Flying Dagger successor Wang Tong. Each is more troublesome than the last."
"Knowing all this, you still want an alliance with me?"
"Gilding the lily is not as good as offering fuel in snowy weather. If I extended an olive branch when your situation was bright, you might not even care. But now your position is not optimistic. If I ally with you and help you in times of crisis, I trust that if I ever face mortal danger, you will not stand idly by, right?" In saying this, Liu Ruyan's candor bordered on 'utilitarian,' but only such frankness could show sincerity. If she resorted to false tricks, she would only disgust Xiao Chen. Both were intelligent; this was the most effective approach.
"Oh? So you mean to ally with me now, stand on the same side, and make enemies of Yan Qingcheng and the rest?" Xiao Chen looked at her with a half-smile.
"Hehe, I am not tired of living yet." Liu Ruyan laughed softly. "Our alliance is secret. Unless one of us falls into mortal danger, we need not aid each other. I mean it. If one day you are truly at death's door, I can help you."
Xiao Chen smiled. Here was a utilitarian who liked to gamble. Liu Ruyan valued his extraordinary combat strength and believed he would not fall into mortal danger in this storm, so she would not need to act. Allying with him now cost her little effort but could win her a powerful ally—and a good lifeline—for the future.
"All right, let us form a secret alliance. Perhaps in a few days, Yan Qingcheng, Kailo, and Wang Tong will drive me into mortal danger, and I will have to come seeking refuge with you."
Liu Ruyan's seductive expression froze for an instant, but she quickly recovered and smiled. "I have faith in your strength. I am sure you will get through this safely."
Xiao Chen smiled and said nothing, but inwardly he suspected that this captivating, world-toppling seductress likely had secret alliances with many people. He would not call her out on it, but on the surface, he had to respond 'sincerely.'
The clear stream swam with fish; on both banks, flowers and grasses were fragrant. Everything was peaceful and vibrant.
Liu Ruyan's bare arms, exposed from her silk sleeves, were exceptionally tender, glowing with an alluring sheen that radiated youthful vitality. Her swan-like neck was white and smooth, and her face was as lovely as a flower. "Then it is settled. From now on, we are allies. But this is a secret between you and me—no one else may know."
"Of course. It is a secret between you and me. But you really did not need to ally with me. A woman as beautiful as you—no one would have the heart to kill you."
"A woman like me... hehe, the danger is greater. I always feel like I am living among wolves. Who knows when I might be devoured?" Liu Ruyan chuckled softly. "So I must prepare early. Hehe, maybe in the future I will have no choice but to find a powerful backer."
Xiao Chen understood her meaning. Many beautiful women trapped on Dragon Island might walk that path.
Liu Ruyan smiled lightly. "Xiao Chen, I hope you grow stronger. Maybe one day I will come looking for you as my backer."
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