Chapter 31: Completing the Main Quest

Su Hao frowned slightly, his brows knitting together like two delicate willow leaves, etching a trace of contemplation onto his smooth forehead.

He seemed suddenly struck by a flash of insight, a realization dawning upon him as he pondered inwardly:

The name of the alliance was important, acting like a banner to rally the strength of many, but it was merely the first step of a long march; many critical and thorny issues remained to be resolved.

The selection of a leader was paramount, as it concerned the very future and destiny of the entire alliance. An excellent leader needed to be virtuous and respected enough to command obedience, yet possess the exceptional capability to guide everyone toward correct decisions and lead the alliance forward amidst complex and difficult circumstances.

Then there were the alliance’s bylaws, which served as the foundation of this grand structure. Only by establishing a comprehensive and rational set of rules could every action within the alliance be carried out in an orderly and effective manner, preventing it from descending into chaos.

Yet, these crucial issues had not even been mentioned—what was to be done?

Su Hao took a deep breath, striving to calm his mind, and then spoke slowly. His voice was steady and resonant, echoing through the cave like the tolling of a great bell in the silent space, capturing everyone's attention.

"Everyone, although we have settled on the name—'Alliance Against Evil Cultivators'—this is truly just the beginning, like lighting a single beacon to guide our way on a long and arduous journey."

His gaze swept slowly across the crowd, his eyes filled with sincerity and gravity:

"Next, we must elect a leader of high virtue and outstanding capability, someone who can take the helm, lead us all toward our established goals, point the way, and unify our hearts.

"Simultaneously, the alliance's bylaws urgently require our careful formulation. These rules are the guidelines for our actions and the key to ensuring the alliance operates properly. Only by perfecting them can we ensure that every future endeavor is methodical, powerful, and truly united in our opposition to these evil cultivators."

As his voice faded, the cave fell into a deathly silence.

The group looked at one another, their eyes filled with contemplation, seemingly calculating suitable candidates in their hearts while sketching out the framework of the bylaws in their minds. Each person's thoughts wandered like wild horses, galloping freely over this important topic.

Su Hao's proposal was like a stone cast into a calm lake, instantly stirring ripples that broke the previously relaxed atmosphere. The tension in the cave grew heavy and somber, as if an invisible pressure was weighing upon everyone's heart.

Just then, Yuchi Yuanhang, representing the Justice Sect, slowly stood up. He stood tall like a towering pine, his gaze piercing the dimness of the cave as if looking toward a distant horizon, his eyes revealing both steadfastness and wisdom.

He spoke, his voice steady and mellow, each word carrying a sense of reliability and immense weight.

"Qingming speaks the truth," he said, affirming Su Hao’s words before continuing:

"Regarding the selection of a leader, I believe this should be determined by a collective vote. After all, it concerns the future of the entire alliance. We must choose a hero who can command genuine respect and possesses a sense of responsibility; only such a person is fit to shoulder the burden of leading this alliance.

"As for the bylaws, we can draw upon the excellent traditions of various sects, keeping the essence and discarding the dross. By combining this with our current situation, we can work together to discuss and draft a set of rules that is both fair and reasonable. Only then can we ensure the alliance operates with clear order."

Bi Luochun, representing the Biluo Sect, stepped forward next.

Her posture was graceful, moving with the lightness and elegance of a willow swaying in the spring breeze. She parted her crimson lips, and her voice was as gentle and melodious as a soft breeze brushing against one's cheek, leaving everyone feeling refreshed.

"I agree with Senior Yuchi's opinion."

Xuanjizi, the representative of the Taiyi Sect, also stood up.

Though he was the senior disciple of the Taiyi Sect, he was young, with a handsome face and an otherworldly air that seemed innate, instantly winning him favor.

He spoke slowly, his voice clear and magnetic, like the pleasant sound of a mountain spring trickling over jade, echoing through the cave.

"Leadership and bylaws are indeed the cornerstones of an alliance. If these foundations are not firm, the structure of our alliance will not be stable. Therefore, we must act with caution and must not be hasty in handling these matters."

In the time that followed, the group began a heated and in-depth discussion surrounding the composition of a temporary committee and the preliminary framework for the bylaws.

Everyone voiced their opinions, participating actively. Various ideas and suggestions drifted about like snowflakes. The entire cave was filled with a vibrant atmosphere, as if a fire were burning brightly—a testament to everyone's passion and anticipation for the alliance's future.

Su Hao watched this scene quietly, secretly feeling relieved.

He understood well that although the path ahead was destined to be filled with the unknown and challenges—like a fog-shrouded road where the direction remained unclear—as long as he had these like-minded companions fighting side by side, thinking as one, and pulling in the same direction, there would be no difficulty they could not overcome.

After a fierce discussion and a careful vote, they ultimately elected a leader of great virtue and ability: Yuchi Yuanhang. The group unanimously pushed him forward as the Alliance Leader, trusting that under his guidance, the alliance would surely flourish and thrive.

At the same time, a set of fair and reasonable bylaws was drafted. Each rule acted like tightly woven rope, binding every facet of the alliance together, laying a solid foundation for its orderly operation.

At that moment, a voice suddenly echoed in Su Hao's mind—it seemed to come from a distant place, yet it resonated with absolute clarity in his ears:

[Candidate Cleaner, your main mission to establish an alliance is complete. You may choose to return to the Cosmic Environmental Protection Agency or remain here to complete side missions. 20 days remain for the side missions.]

Su Hao's gaze seemed to freeze for a moment, locked firmly onto the task panel, where it was clearly marked:

[Total side mission completion: 13 points.]

These words flickered with a faint light in the dim cave. Though not bright, they were a quiet affirmation of his past efforts, like stars twinkling in the night—small, yet possessing their own unique radiance, offering a modicum of comfort.

Every clash with an evil cultivator was, for Su Hao, like a thrilling dance on the edge of life and death—a repeated contest with the Grim Reaper, every moment fraught with danger and variables.

Each time he achieved victory and watched the completion percentage of the side mission tick upward, adding weight to his progress, a complex emotion would surge within him: a mix of joy in defeating evil and a sense of urgency for the tasks yet unfinished.

However, when he looked at the distant and cold goal of 100 points, he could not help but sigh inwardly, knowing the road ahead was long and the responsibility heavy.

Based on his current progress, he would need to slay another 87 evil cultivators to reach that unknown destination. It was no simple task; it would require traversing countless hardships and expending much effort and sweat.

Furthermore, it puzzled him that the progress of the side mission was not presented in the percentage format he was familiar with, but rather in cold, integer points. It felt like scattered oases in an endless desert—remote and blurred, making it difficult to gauge exactly how far he was from his goal. This lack of certainty made him feel rather uneasy.

This realization led him to speculate that this might be a marathon testing patience and perseverance, rather than a short sprint. It would require him to advance step by step, striving with consistency to finally reach the shore of victory.

Completing the main mission would allow him to return to the warm embrace of the real world—that had been his deepest desire when he first stepped into this world of cultivation, and it remained his ultimate expectation.

Yet, when this longing collided with his immediate responsibilities, Su Hao's heart stirred like a pond struck by a stone, ripples spreading long and hard to settle.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, as if inhaling the chill of the cave and the clamor of the outside world into his chest, letting them settle and fuse before slowly exhaling, transforming the agitation into a sense of calm so he could collect his scattered thoughts.

A moment later, he opened his eyes slowly. His gaze was once again resolute, and a corner of his mouth curled into a determined smile—a smile reflecting an unyielding resolve, as if he had already made an important decision in his heart.

"Stay. I will stay for three days to observe the results before making a final decision."

Such thoughts echoed in his heart, solemn and serious like a vow, not to be altered.

He decided to give himself a buffer, an opportunity to re-examine his inner thoughts and the future path.

Three days—neither long nor short—but enough for him to weigh the thousand threads of entanglement between himself and this cultivation world, to balance his longing for the unknown with his commitment to the responsibilities before him, and to see where exactly he should go.