"Senior Brother Gong, does this mean we're truly forbidden from forming any more alliances here in the Core Area in the future?" Han Xue asked in a low voice, clearly fearful of Gong Luyun.
"That's correct. I've stated that as Core Disciples, your sole loyalty must be to the Azure Dragon Sect. Forming cliques or building your own factions is prohibited."
"I don't interfere with what happens in the Inner Sect—it's just a motley crew, useless to our Azure Dragon Sect. But here in the Core Area, I, Gong Luyun, will absolutely not allow anyone to attempt to establish an alliance."
"Sister Han Xue, for your sake, I won't pursue the matter with those few. Go tell them to remove the Wing Alliance insignia immediately. Furthermore, from now on, there are no 'Wing Alliance members'—their only identity is Core Disciple." Gong Luyun's voice was cold.
"Understood. I'll tell them right away." Han Xue didn't dare delay, nodding quickly before walking over toward Chu Feng and the others.
"Sister Han Xue! I've missed you so much!" As she approached, Su Mei threw herself into Han Xue's arms. Han Xue responded with a bright smile, showing the two were clearly close.
"Little Mei, are you truly planning to continue the Wing Alliance here in the Core Area?" Han Xue asked with a smile.
"Yes, that was our plan. Is there something wrong?" The clever Su Mei caught the implied meaning in Han Xue's words.
"It might have been possible before, but recently Senior Brother Gong issued a command: forming any alliances or factions within the Core Area is forbidden. All existing alliances here have already disbanded," Han Xue explained.
"Senior Brother Gong? You mean Senior Brother Gong Luyun?" Hearing this, Situ Yu and the others couldn't help but glance toward Gong Luyun, not far away, a hint of fear in their eyes.
"Who else would have the authority to issue such a command? So..."
"Sister Han Xue, we understand what you mean. We won't be forming the Wing Alliance here in the Core Area."
Situ Yu decisively removed the badge from his chest. Seeing this, the other Wing Alliance members also began taking off their badges.
However, Su Mei's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "Sister Han Xue, is there really no room for negotiation on this matter?"
"Little Mei, I know how deeply you feel about the Wing Alliance, and I feel the same. But the situation in the Core Area is different. Here, it's individual strength that matters—truly, an alliance isn't very useful. Besides, Senior Brother Gong has given his orders. Who would dare disobey?" Han Xue reasoned earnestly.
"In the end, Gong Luyun is still just a disciple. Even the elders haven't objected. What right does he have to say such things?" At that moment, Chu Feng spoke up.
He understood Su Mei quite well; he knew she wanted the Wing Alliance to continue existing in the Core Area. Though he didn't know her exact reasons, he could feel her determination.
This was why, even after the Wing Alliance no longer served any practical purpose for him, Chu Feng had chosen to stay—he had stayed for Su Mei.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce him to Sister Han Xue. His name is Chu Feng; he's a new member of our Wing Alliance," Su Mei quickly said.
"Heh, looking at him, Brother Chu Feng seems quite young and inexperienced. It's understandable he doesn't grasp the severity of some matters."
"Little Mei, you'll have to handle explaining things to him. Remember, the Wing Alliance must disband." Having said this, Han Xue turned to leave.
"Actually, I'm quite curious—just how severe is this 'severity' you keep mentioning?" Chu Feng spoke again, as he hated being threatened above all else.