Chapter 1283: Persuasion

After Xu Yang finished explaining, his Azure Dragon and Black Tortoise clones, along with the White Tiger youth, immediately entered the outer region of the array core. They used their respective cultivation techniques to frantically absorb and intercept the source power circulating within the formation.

Since Xu Yang was present, his sword energy would never harm his own team members. Each time, he perfectly avoided the corresponding power circulation phases, ensuring his sword energy would not injure his allies.

Once the three completed their respective power circulation phases, Xu Yang would continuously infuse the essence of his sword energy into the formation's flow system. He repeatedly embedded more of his sword energy, layer by layer, into the body of the Tiger King's Third Leader.

It wasn't until the power flow within the array was interrupted for the first time that the Tiger King's Third Leader keenly sensed something amiss with the formation's energy.

He immediately ceased his absorption and ordered several other groups of tiger clan members, who were guarding nearby, to investigate the various array cores.

Not long after, Xu Yang's team encountered the first group sent to investigate.

This team was more powerful, consisting entirely of the Tiger King's Third Leader's most trusted guards—a pure White Tiger lineup. Upon seeing Xu Yang's group, who also appeared as White Tigers, they looked confused.

"You're members of our White Tiger clan! Which team do you belong to? Who authorized you to trespass near this formation? Get out immediately, or don't blame me for punishing you severely!"

"Oh, why such haste to harm those born of the same root? Your sternness would be understandable if directed at those spotted tigers, but why be so fierce with our own kin? Even if we consider the worst, what does the source power the Third Leader is devouring have to do with you?"

"To take a step back, has the Third Leader ever shared even a fraction of that vast source power he's devouring with you? What essential connection do you have to it? As fellow White Tigers, will you just stand by and watch the Third Leader consume more and more resources while you gain nothing?"

For some reason, the White Tiger youth suddenly stepped forward and delivered these words, successfully achieving his goal of influencing them. This caused the White Tiger leader before them to frown and fall into momentary contemplation.

Their mindset was typical of servitude; having been lackeys for too long, they only remembered to serve their masters and gradually forgot the meaning of their own existence in this world.

In these savage beast clans of the far north, the law of the jungle and survival of the fittest are eternal. Whoever possesses formidable strength becomes the true ruler.

With such abundant resources right before them, why should they be enjoyed by only a select few instead of being distributed among everyone?

Perhaps Xu Yang and his group, as outsiders, lacked the full persuasive power on this issue. However, Queen Talia, as the leader of the Naga race, shared the same sentiment, which made everyone feel that these White Tiger warriors were truly being undervalued and exploited.

"Heh, why that expression? Could it be that what I just said resonated with you, and you suddenly understand? If you truly have the courage, then lead us, your fellow kin, to the Third Leader's location now and express our truest thoughts to him."

The White Tiger youth's next wave of persuasive words completely swayed the White Tiger leader before them. This individual commanded one hundred White Tiger guard warriors under the Third Leader.

But he asked himself: for all these years, the Third Leader had never given him any special rewards. He constantly used rhetoric about race and faction to manipulate his subordinates, yet they failed to realize that with enough power, anyone could be the leader. Why should the Third Leader be superior to them?

"Brother, this fellow clansman speaks truthfully. I've had enough of this for years too. Tell me, besides constantly driving us, have these three leaders ever given us any benefits? As fellow White Tigers, we get nothing, while he alone remains high and mighty. This is completely unfair!

Furthermore, the opening of this secret realm was originally a conspiracy between the Third and Second Leaders, directly defying the orders of the Great Leader, Beast King Zun.

If the Great Leader, Beast King Zun, were to learn of this, the entire Tiger King clan would face immense upheaval.

At that point, we, as subordinates, would be the first to suffer, as the Third Leader would undoubtedly shift all blame onto us.

We've long been fed up with such a life, with no future in sight. Perhaps today truly presents a rare opportunity for us to voice our grievances!"

One person's words alone naturally lacked sufficient weight, but it was undeniable that over a hundred White Tiger warriors around them had all begun to harbor similar thoughts. The White Tiger general before them finally had his resolve stirred.

"Perhaps you are right. I have indeed been a mere pawn for too many years and have forgotten the meaning of my own existence. I could continue to live aimlessly, but I truly cannot bear to see so many of my White Tiger brothers toil endlessly for years and gain nothing.

Your strength never improves, remaining stagnant, yet the continuous essence of power that passes through our hands into this formation daily has no benefit for us. I understand your plight. Let's go! I will lead all of you to petition the Third Leader now!"

Xu Yang and the others were almost speechless. They had truly not expected that the White Tiger clan members harbored such deep-seated resentment towards their leaders.

Otherwise, they would never have been swayed to this extent by the White Tiger youth, that little brat.

However, since events had unfolded this way, Xu Yang's team was naturally pleased. By going with the flow, they could easily pinpoint the Third Leader's exact location, which was also the true core area of the formation.

Led by this general, Xu Yang's group blended into the ranks of the hundred-plus White Tiger guard warriors. They proceeded directly to the very core of the formation, where they indeed saw the White Tiger Third Leader's massive body seated cross-legged in the center, frantically devouring the essence of power from the six surrounding beams of light.

As if sensing the aura fluctuations of his fellow White Tigers in advance, the Third Leader instinctively furrowed his brow, his voice extremely low and cold.

"What are you doing here? Get out immediately! Anyone who dares to disturb my absorption of source power will be killed on the spot!"

The awkward moment finally arrived. Before the White Tiger general could even begin to petition on behalf of his fellow White Tigers, the Third Leader sternly rebuked him, shutting him down immediately.

However, this White Tiger general was indeed a man of principle. He did not flinch from the Third Leader's aggressive stance. He was resolute in his decision to petition for his clan members and would show no fear.