Forced to Marry a Female Billionaire CEO

Chen Xiong led Xu Ke and the other two into his office. The room was simple; it had all the necessities, but it didn't seem up to the standard one would expect for a Martial Alliance Leader. Instead, it reminded Xu Ke of a high school principal's office. This simple style gave Xu Ke a more favorable impression of Chen Xiong.

After everyone was seated, Wong Qifu got straight to the point. "Grandpa Chen, is there anything Xu Ke can help with?"

At the same time, Xu Ke looked toward Chen Xiong.

He had a question similar to Wong Qifu's… Did Chen Xiong also call him here to heal the sick and save the dying?

Chen Xiong and Yuan Shang exchanged a glance. "It's like this," Chen Xiong said. "I've recently been busy in the provincial capital with the qualifying trials for the Martial Alliance Headquarters Master selection tournament."

The Martial Alliance Headquarters Master selection tournament?! A hint of surprise appeared on Xu Ke's face.

Seeing Xu Ke's confusion, Yuan Shang explained, "Every four years, the Martial Alliance holds a nationwide selection tournament for the Headquarters Master.

"This doesn't mean the champion can directly become the Headquarters Master. Rather, the top eight contestants will enter a talent reserve for future successors. It's like starting their training early.

"During this time, all the Martial Alliances across the country must select candidates to compete in their respective provincial capitals.

"The ultimate winner from each province gets to go to Long Capital to participate in the final selection tournament."

It dawned on Xu Ke. "I see," he said. "Then... how can I help? Is Elder Master Chen planning to compete?"

He had assumed Chen Xiong was planning to enter the selection tournament and wanted help healing old internal injuries.

Chen Xiong gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I'm too old for that. I don't have the energy. This is about talent reserves, and what kind of talent would I be at my age?

"Besides, there's an age limit. Only people thirty years old and younger can compete."

Xu Ke smiled. So that's how it is!

"Actually, Xu Ke," Chen Xiong said, "I called you here because I want *you* to compete!"

Xu Ke's smile froze, his eyes widening in shock. "What?!"

Wong Qifu also looked surprised. "Why?" she asked. "Xu Ke isn't interested in becoming the Martial Alliance Headquarters Master."

Ask Xu Ke to participate in the selection tournament? This is so sudden…

Wong Qifu didn't want Xu Ke to go to Long Capital to compete, and not because she was afraid he would actually become the Headquarters Master. She was afraid he would be bullied and humiliated there. It was common knowledge that the current Martial Alliance Headquarters Master was Wong Ting's master. Because of his relationship with her, Xu Ke was already Wong Ting's enemy. If Xu Ke went to Long Capital, it was highly likely that Wong Ting's master would take revenge on Xu Ke on his disciple's behalf. Given the power wielded by the Martial Alliance Headquarters Master, Xu Ke would be helpless to fight back, a fish on the chopping block.

"It's like this," Chen Xiong said, clearing his throat. "Actually, I'm not asking Xu Ke to go to Long Capital to join the talent reserve. I'm thinking about the overall development of our Tianhai Martial Alliance."

Xu Ke was taken aback. How is this related to its overall development?

Yuan Shang explained, "The official purpose of the Headquarters Master selection tournament is talent recruitment, but in reality, it's also a way to assess the strength of the local Martial Alliances.

"The winner of each province goes to Long Capital, but those who rank lower are also affected.

"They will reduce the resources allocated to the lower-ranking Martial Alliances, including their privileges within the organization, personnel deployment, and so on."

Xu Ke's pupils contracted. So it's a placement test.

Chen Xiong gave a bitter smile. "Generally, as long as an Alliance ranks in the top three, there are no repercussions.

"But this year, our younger generation might not be able to secure a top-three spot for us.

"Right now, the strongest young members of the major families are ineligible. Ye Feng of the Ye Family is already thirty-one, and the Qin Family's prospect is thirty-two.

"Our Chen Family has a twenty-nine-year-old who trains very hard, but his cultivation is only at the Innate Middle Stage.

"I've heard that at least three other cities have produced geniuses this year. Our candidate likely won't even come close to the top three.

"So..."

Chen Xiong didn't elaborate, but his meaning was crystal clear.

Xu Ke and Wong Qifu exchanged a glance. He understood what Chen Xiong was getting at.

"So, I hope you can fight on behalf of the Martial Alliance," Chen Xiong said, choosing his words carefully. "With your current strength, frankly, sweeping the competition should be no problem."

In fact, he was thinking that if Xu Ke went, it would be far more than just a sweep! The man who killed Ouyang Shuang showing up at an event like that would be like a wolf in a sheep pen—an adult bullying children.

Hearing Chen Xiong's words, Xu Ke gave a wry smile. "You're exaggerating."

"He's being quite objective," Yuan Shang interjected with a thumbs-up.

Xu Ke was speechless.

Xu Ke still had reservations. He wasn't worried about losing; he was worried about what would happen if he won. He shared Wong Qifu's concerns. Going to the Martial Alliance in Long Capital would be like serving himself up on a platter for Wong Ting…

Seeing Xu Ke hesitate, Chen Xiong took a deep breath. "Xu Ke, as long as you secure a top-three finish in the provincial capital, the Martial Alliance Treasury will be opened to you. You can pick any one treasure, and you'll also receive a prize of twenty million."

Xu Ke's pupils contracted. "A treasure?"

He couldn't help but be tempted. He had just been wondering where he could find a second Dragon Ring once Elder Master Zhou's ran out of essence. Chen Xiong's offer couldn't have come at a better time.

Wong Qifu suddenly asked, "I'd like to know, does the Martial Alliance Treasury contain any Imperial Tomb Relics?"

Xu Ke paused for a moment, then the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. She was trying to ask if they had another Dragon Ring for him…

"An Imperial Tomb Relic?" Yuan Shang stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I seem to recall one from about seven or eight years ago. It was confiscated by the Martial Alliance after a dispute between two families."

"You mean like this?" Xu Ke took out the jade box and revealed the Dragon Ring.

He didn't know if the treasure Yuan Shang was talking about was infused with Dragon Essence, but he had to use this as an example for now.

"I can't recall the details clearly," Yuan Shang said, still stroking his chin. "But if you want to see it, I can have someone fetch it. It would only take an hour."

"No need to go to the trouble!" Xu Ke said, putting the ring away. He then fell into a thoughtful silence.

Chen Xiong and Yuan Shang exchanged a tense glance. They knew that Xu Ke's questions meant he was likely considering their offer.

After a moment of deliberation, Xu Ke said, "Alright then. I can give it a try, but I can't guarantee I'll place in the top three."

"Deal!"

Hearing this, both Chen Xiong and Yuan Shang breathed a sigh of relief, as if a great weight had been lifted from their shoulders.

Seeing their reaction, Wang Wu laughed. "Is the pressure really that high this year?"

"It is," Chen Xiong sighed. "I've been so worried I haven't been sleeping well. Being an Alliance Hierarch is too difficult."

Everyone burst into laughter.

After Xu Ke accepted, Chen Xiong told him to ask for anything he needed; the Martial Alliance would do its best to provide it. The unspoken offer was that they would help with his cultivation. Xu Ke gave a polite, noncommittal response, and then he and his group left the Martial Alliance.

「An hour later.」

News spread that the Ye Family Corporation had fired senior executive Ye Fan.

At the same time, all the member families of the Martial Alliance received a public apology from Ye Fan.

Everyone was dumbfounded.