At this moment, the head of the mainline family coldly shouted, “Have you finished your nonsense? With just you people, what can you do? Do you really think you can oppose the entire Independent State?!”
As they spoke, Jiang Ying and the members of the collateral branches exchanged glances and seemed ready to attack.
However, Xue Lao, who was beside Si Xia, had a change in his expression. “Don’t act recklessly; there’s explosives!”
As Xue Lao’s words fell, everyone present was taken aback.
“The Martial Arts Alliance has already planted explosives everywhere, and they have heavy weaponry!” Xue Lao explained urgently.
“Is what you’re saying true?” asked a high-ranking member of the collateral branches.
“Of course, do you think I’d joke about something like this?” Xue Lao was anxious. “They’ve long been prepared and active!”
Before the members of the collateral branches could continue speaking, Si Xia whistled.
In an instant, dozens of elite members from martial arts guilds appeared, wielding heavy weaponry all around.
“You’re insane!” Jiang Ying shouted sternly.
“I’ve always been insane… So, if you don’t submit, I’ll destroy you all,” Si Xia said.
“Aren’t you afraid of the Arbitration Council’s sanctions?” asked a high-ranking member from the collateral branches.
“The Arbitration Council?” Si Xia sneered. “No need to rush; after I establish dominance in the Independent State, I’ll expand to the other eleven states. Eventually, I’ll overthrow the Arbitration Council and take its place.”
“You… You’re absolutely delusional, out of your mind!” Jiang Ying retorted angrily.
“Whether I’m delusional or not, you don’t need to worry about that here,” Si Xia smirked. “Of course, if no one agrees, I can blow you all up right now.”
Yew Wanwan stared at Si Xia, thoughtful. Is he… fulfilling Grandfather’s last wish…
She finally understood that when Si Xia captured the leaders of the Independent State, he probably feared that they might get killed in the explosion. If that were the case, what kind of storm could a lone commander like him stir up…
“All your power bases have explosives planted; otherwise, shall I make you hear some noise?” Si Xia sneered.
“Don’t! My wife and children are in the headquarters!” a leader of one faction turned pale.
These members of the Martial Arts Alliance were all armed with heavy weaponry, and if they claimed there were explosives, it was almost certainly true!
Moreover, many leaders of various factions, large and small, did not participate in the battle between the mainline and collateral branches. If their headquarters were blown up… the consequences would be unimaginable!
“Si Xia, many headquarters have people inside. If you blow them up…” Yew Wanwan stared at Si Xia, her brow furrowed deeply.
Before Yew Wanwan could finish, Si Xia shook his head. “This has nothing to do with me. I locked those people on the island before, and you insisted on rescuing them. Even if some of them die as a result, it’s your fault, not mine.”
“Oh, my God! I’ve seen shameless people, but I’ve never seen anyone as shameless as you, pushing the blame like this!” Beidou pointed at Si Xia and cursed.
On the side, Nie Wuming looked at Yew Wanwan. “Did you use the ring to summon the forces of the Death Roses?”
Upon hearing this, Yew Wanwan shook her head and whispered, “No… since the Arbitration Council is so hostile to the Death Roses, summoning them now would be like jumping into the fire. If the Arbitration Council finds out, it’ll probably never end.”
And, after Si Xia learned the origin of this ring, he had warned her several times not to use the power of the Death Roses during this major battle.