A Secret Pact

The next day, the news spread across the alliances, shocking everyone. Though the rain-soaked night had obscured Xiao Chen's features, his towering silhouette and terrifying combat power left little doubt as to who had acted. Adding to this, word emerged that Kailuo, founder of the Illusory Alliance, and Wang Tong, founder of the Flying Dagger Alliance, had taken several experts to assist Yan Qingcheng. It was easy to deduce that Xiao Chen had deliberately targeted them.

Xiao Chen's fearsome strength had truly shaken many this time.

He walked through the rain-washed mountain forest, breathing the fresh air. Sending the Three Skeletons back to the Silent Forest to continue their cultivation, he followed information extracted from a dying cultivator and scoured the territory where the alliances had gathered, searching for Spellmaster Rand. But he found no trace. Rand, that key figure of the Undying Alliance, though gravely wounded in their last battle, had somehow escaped the night's slaughter. From beginning to end, Xiao Chen had not caught a glimpse of him.

The sun had long since risen. The night's downpour left the sky a more brilliant blue. In the primeval forest, apes howled and tigers roared; among the flowering trees, hundreds of birds sang. Different regions held different moods. Though he moved through the alliances' encampments, Xiao Chen deliberately concealed his tracks and remained undiscovered. Not until midday, when he sat by a stream like a band of emerald jade to eat his lunch, did the rising smoke give him away.

A figure, graceful and enchanting, stepped softly through the verdant woods and fragrant flowers, making her way to the murmuring stream. She appeared before Xiao Chen.

She was a woman of breathtaking seduction, radiating an irresistible charm and presence—a peerless enchantress who embodied both beauty and allure. Her every movement was languorous and seductive, as if formed from spring water itself. She was a true temptress, a woman beyond compare. The curves of her exquisite body were faintly visible beneath a nearly transparent black silk gown. The graceful lines, the provocative sheen of her bare skin, stirred infinite fantasies.

"Brother Xiao sits facing away, alone by the stream—do you not welcome my arrival?" Her lips were red and full; her smile revealed teeth white as jade. Beneath long lashes, her captivating eyes held an irresistible charm.

But even if her beauty surpassed all under heaven, Xiao Chen's nature would not be swayed. He looked at her and smiled. "You must be Liu Ruyan, founder of the Red Beauty Alliance."

Liu Ruyan laughed lightly, a sound of pure temptation. Her exquisite face seemed to blend softness and beauty with the essence of spring—so delicate and alluring that her satin-soft skin appeared ready to drip with moisture. "I didn't expect Brother Xiao to know my name."

"All the members of the Red Beauty Alliance are lovely and enchanting, and its founder, Liu Ruyan, is said to captivate all who see her. How could I not know?"

A gentle breeze stirred the fragrant flowers by the stream. Liu Ruyan's gauzy dress fluttered, tracing the perfect lines of her body. Her long, shapely legs were proportioned as if by a golden ratio; her full, rounded hips invited endless reverie; her slender waist was supple and soft; her full, pert breasts drew the eye.

Liu Ruyan smiled, her voice honeyed. "Captivate all? Are you gently mocking us as fox spirits, Brother Xiao?"

"Not at all. I meant it as a sincere compliment."

"Hehe…" Liu Ruyan's laughter rippled like willow branches in a spring breeze. "I once sent someone to invite you, Brother Xiao, but you disdained us weak women and paid no attention. So today, I came in person."

"Alliance Leader Liu, you put me in a difficult position. Your alliance is filled with lovely women; how could a man like me join?"

"Brother Xiao, you are not being honest. Last time we did not ask you to join the Red Beauty Alliance—we merely proposed forming an alliance. You cannot deny it now."

"Is that so? Then I must have misunderstood. My apologies." Xiao Chen nodded with a smile. "If it is a secret alliance, I am willing. More friends mean more paths, and now that we are trapped on Dragon Island, we should indeed look out for each other. But I am a troublesome person. Some are always looking to make trouble for me. Are you not afraid I will bring trouble to your alliance?"

"Of course I am afraid." Liu Ruyan cast him a sidelong glance—smoldering and seductive, enough to stir any ordinary heart. "Your enemies are all formidable: the Undying Successor Yan Qingcheng, the Barbarian youth Kai'ao, the Forest Tribe youth Yarode, and now you have offended the genius illusionist spiritist Kailuo and the successor of the Little Li Flying Dagger, Wang Tong—each more dangerous than the last."

"Knowing that, you still want to form an alliance with me?"

"Charcoal in snow is worth more than embroidery on silk. If I extended an olive branch when your situation was clear, you might not value it. But now that you are in a precarious position, if I ally with you and help you in times of danger, I hope that if I ever face a mortal crisis, you will not stand idly by." As she said this, her tone was almost brutally pragmatic. But only such directness could show sincerity. Deceitful tricks would only irritate Xiao Chen. They were both clever; this was the most effective approach.

"Oh? So you mean that by allying with me now, you will stand on my side and make enemies of Yan Qingcheng and the others?" Xiao Chen looked at her with a slight smile.

"Hehe, I am not tired of living yet." Liu Ruyan laughed lightly. "We can form a secret alliance. Unless one of us is in a life-or-death crisis, we need not support each other. I mean it. If one day you are truly in danger of death, I can help you."

Xiao Chen smiled inwardly. This was a pragmatic ally who liked to gamble. Liu Ruyan valued his extraordinary combat power; she believed that in this crisis he would not face deadly peril, so her help would not be needed. By forming an alliance now, without exerting any effort, she secured a powerful future ally and a good fallback route.

"All right, let us form a secret alliance then. In a few days, Yan Qingcheng, Kailuo, and Wang Tong might force me into a life-or-death crisis, and I may need to seek refuge with you."

Liu Ruyan's enchanting expression froze for an instant, then returned. "I believe in your strength. You will surely get through this."

Xiao Chen smiled but said nothing. In his heart, he suspected that this seductive, alluring temptress had likely formed secret alliances with many others, but he could not call her out on it. On the surface, he had to maintain a 'sincere' attitude.

In the clear stream, fish swam back and forth. On both banks, flowers and grass flourished. The scene was peaceful and vibrant.

Liu Ruyan extended a jade-white arm from her silk sleeve, glowing with an enticing luster, radiating youthful vitality. Her neck was as white and smooth as a swan's, and her features were like a flower's. She laughed. "Then it is settled. From now on, we are allies. But this is a secret between you and me. No one else can know."

"Of course. This is a secret between you and me. But truthfully, there is no need for you to form an alliance with me. A woman as beautiful as you—no man would have the heart to kill you."

"A woman like me? Hehe, the danger is even greater. I always feel like I am surrounded by wolves. At any moment, I might be devoured." Liu Ruyan chuckled. "So I must prepare early. Hehe, perhaps one day I will have to find a powerful patron."

Xiao Chen understood what she meant by a patron. Many beautiful women stranded on Dragon Island might take that path.

Liu Ruyan smiled lightly. "Xiao Chen, I hope you grow stronger and stronger. Perhaps one day I will come to you as my patron."