559 Reaction from All Influences

"Hiss…"

The people could only suck a cold breath, witnessing Alex entered the 1000th plank despite having insane difficulty. It was the first time a genius like that would ever exist.

...

In the trial,

Song Yu could only stare at his back as the light started enveloping him with its gentle embrace. His injuries began recovering at speed visible with naked eyes.

She placed her hand on her chest and looked at him with a complicated expression. This might be the first time she saw Alex's will that far surpassed his talent. It was true that one's talent might determine one's prospects, but the hardest will would surely take one far.

"Just one more step huh…" Song Yu sighed, muttering to herself. "I wonder who would go that far… It was true that there were a few deaths in this trial, but all of them were reckless. Unlike normal people who would challenge the pressure one by one, they rushed in, hoping to pass a few planks in a single leap.

"Those foolish people usually did it when they thought it was the time to give up. For the last act out of desperation, they leaped for a few planks.

"It looked smart at first, but it turned out they were challenging a few planks simultaneously in a half-dead state. It was obvious they would be wrecked.

"If we challenge this trial properly, there is actually no actual death. In the worst case, the trial would knock you out before healing you. That's why people call this a trial of will, not strength." Song Yu sighed as she clenched her fist.

"One more step…" Said Song Yu mysteriously as she thought something ridiculous on her mind. However, it was not about Alex or this trial.

Song Yu thought for a few minutes before continuing her trial.

On the other hand, the outside was in complete chaos. Not only did they see four people surpass the record, but they also witnessed Alexander Sirius completing the trial. 

This completely shook all of the influences on the continent. After all, four of them were coming from a mysterious influence called Spirit Nest.

They didn't have much information about them, making them more dangerous, especially to the Fire God Clan.

"Look! He…" A person shouted out loud, alarming all the people around.

Their vision turned back to Alex, watching the slight difference in him. Even though the light energy finished healing him, it continued enveloping him before it slowly gathered more and more energy. Then, it turned into a white spherical wall that slowly hid him inside. 

One thought appeared in their mind simultaneously.

'He gets the inheritance!'

The Fire God Clan had a complicated expression as their patriarch turned to the elders. "Prepare for war. I will talk with the other influences to attack them to prevent him from escaping. As long as we have enough Martial Monarchs, we can beat the entire Spirit Nest."

"Hmph. Even Blackwade Clan couldn't stop all first-rate influences. This alliance wouldn't be going that complicated, and it could only be done at a time like this. Just go to the disciples. I will handle the matter here." The patriarch pushed him away as he looked down, weighing something in his mind. 

Their first trouble would be the failure of their original plan. With this timing, the elder from Fire God Main Clan wouldn't be here to help. On the other hand, if he asked Alex to join the Fire God Clan, they would be attacked by others. The only way to solve this was to kill Alex. 

Even if the people from Spirit Nest held them back, as long as they killed Alex, everything would be over. 

With the tension in the air, he could easily convince the other influences to participate in this alliance. He just needed a little tweaking in his words, and everything would be solved.

At the same time, an elder from Fire God Clan flew out of the city, informing the disciples to get ready. 

This naturally wouldn't escape everyone's eyes, including Blackwade Clan. 

Song Lei quickly disappeared before appearing beside Song Qiang a minute later, "Father, Fire God Clan is…"

"You don't need to say it. I know." Song Qiang narrowed his eyes, looking at the Patriarch of Fire God Clan. This situation would be tricky as he tried to see he was talking with who. "Lei, take a look at that first."

Song Lei looked at the trial and found out that his daughter fell to the ground. Happiness crept inside his heart because Song Yu fell on the 943rd plank, the record.

Before saying something, Song Qiang pummeled his mood by asking, "Have you sent people to our disciples?"

"Yes. I have sent an elder to inform our situation and prepare our force to get ready. The problem would be the five Martial Monarchs coming from the strongest fighters of their respective influences.

"On the other hand, we only had you. If we add the people from Spirit Nest, we could only get another two. After looking at that yellow-haired one, I am pretty sure his actual strength is higher. As long as he could hold more than one, I believe we can buy time and escape.

"The problem is what we should do after that. With all influences eyes on us, we would be forced to fight a battle that we would surely lose. After all, we won't survive if we are attacked by a few hundred thousand Martial Lords or above.

"I still feel that we are reckless just by being on the Spirit Nest side. If we join the other side and attack the Spirit Nest, we would surely win." Song Lei frowned. "I care about my daughter, but her feelings and life, I obviously choose her life."

"Lei… I am not blaming you if you decide to turn away in this battle. However, when the clash breaks, I would jump in to help the Spirit Nest… maybe with Song Yu and Song Jia…" Song Qiang said with a mysterious tone. "I still believe that my choice is not wrong. For the future of my two granddaughters, the Blackwade Clan, and you. I need to pick this side."

Song Lei couldn't say anything. He thought, 'Screwed it. If the elders usurped me after this, I would have no one to blame other than myself. At that time, I will just escape to the Willow Continent with a few family members… maybe go to Nilis or even to the Sacred Continent. Father built a branch for the Blackwade Clan in a few centuries, and I will do the same. Luckily, I bring quite a stash, so I can start making money with that.'

"Patriarch. Look!" One of the elders alarmed him while pointing at the person who gave up first. The middle-aged man was transported back outside the trial as his green box lost its color, showing it couldn't be used anymore.

He looked around whether anyone would approach him. Unfortunately, their focus was already on Alex and couldn't spare single attention for him. 

The people started coming back in succession. They waited for their successor while observing Alex's sphere that hid everything inside it.

They were dying to know what he would get inside, wondering if they could get a share of what he got inside. This precisely was what the Fire God Clan used to entice the other influences.

"Look. It's Grimes!" After an hour or so, Grimes finally finished his inheritance as he was teleported outside. He flew straight to the Fire God Clan.

Surprisingly before he could say anything, the Patriarch pointed at the barrier.

Grimes turned around as he finally saw a spherical barrier that he never saw. On the side, he could also see three people beat the record. 

"This…" He was stunned.

The barrier hid a person inside, and I don't think I need to tell you who is that person?"

"Alexander Sirius, the leader of Spirit Nest." Grimes frowned, thinking something in his mind.

"That's right. This is going to be bad for us. First, what do you get from the trial?" 

Grimes started explaining his experience inside the trial and his reward.

Meanwhile, Lucia finished her inheritance. However, she didn't fly toward the Antheream Family. Instead, she flew toward the barrier to find Ruben.

The same as other people, she was astounded, seeing Stina, Kyle, and Sherry. She thought about asking the family about it, but Ruben suddenly disappeared.

She quickly went back to the entrance of the trial as she looked at Ruben.

"Hehe… Can you say that one more time?" Ruben was grinning over the word 'Dear.' 

Normally, Lucia would roll her eyes away if not punching him. However, the shock got better of her as she looked at Ruben with a serious expression.

He noticed something wrong about this and asked, "What happens? Did someone die in this trial?"

"Song Yu finishes on 943rd plank."

"Oh, her? I know she has talent…" Ruben nodded calmly. "What about this trial's main attraction?" 

"They have finished on 944th, 970th, and 980th planks. However, I don't see their leader, making me think he is dead. Surprisingly, I see a spherical barrier that obviously hides something inside, and it is on the 1000th plank…" Lucia stopped before finishing her words.

It was enough for Ruben to realize her meaning as he said with a serious expression, "Alexander Sirius has beaten the trial…"

"Yes." Lucia nodded in agreement.

He pondered for a moment before flying to the Blue West Clan and Antheream Family. "Father, Father-in-law."

The ones who waited for him were two middle-aged men with strict eyes.

'Ruben, I am sure you have known our situation, right?' His father suddenly sent a thought transmission.

Shocked by the sudden transmission, his heart skipped a beat before he nodded. He sent both of them a thought transmission, 'Yes. I am aware of our situation.'

'After this, we will join forces with Fire God Clan, Martial Tower, and Supreme Element Sect to kill Alexander Sirius. We would see whether we can rout the Spirit Nest after that.'

No trace of surprise on his face as he had predicted this would happen. Instead, he glanced at Lucia to gather his determination. 'Father… I don't think we should join forces with them to attack the Spirit Nest.'

'Why?' His father frowned.

'Why? It's simple. If we go to the other side and join the Spirit Nest, we could destroy the three influences simultaneously. Our effort would then be rewarded by the fact the Spirit Nest and Blackwade Clan would owe us something.'

'If we have more information about the Spirit Nest, I would surely agree with you. Unfortunately, this time, I could only disagree.' His father shook his head.

'Father, you must know that I always have a single vision about influence in my life.' Ruben paused for a moment before saying, 'If I am going to lead the influence, I would see the influence as two sides of coins. Fear and Loyalty. If I rule the influence through fear, there would be a time where it will bite us again.

'Of course, I am not saying the possibility would completely disappear if I choose the latter. However, the chance would be very low. And I see the Spirit Nest with my eyes, I notice they are the latter. If push comes to shoves, I believe staying with the Spirit Nest would be better as they are not someone who would betray their comrade over something petty. Hence, I suggest we form a temporary alliance with Blackwade Clan and Spirit Nest… or at least, we wouldn't do anything and ambush the three influences before helping them. This would increase our chance of success.'

His father fell into silence.

Meanwhile, Grimes finished his report about all the things he experienced and received. 

"Grimes, prepare yourself. By the look of it, we would need to fight against Spirit Nest and Blackwade Clan."

"Understood, Sect Master." Grimes clasped his hand and bowed politely. He looked at the patriarch with a hesitant expression.

"Do you want to tell me something?"

"Actually, I have other information that you would absolutely be interested in." Grimes took a deep breath before making an evil smile. "It's about Alexander Sirius…