Although as a Guardian Douluo, Chen Xin only needed his strength to be sufficient, he wasn't like Gu Rong, who specialized in playing the 'bad cop' role and disliked using his brain. He still possessed a certain degree of analytical ability.
This decision didn't require consulting Ning Fengzhi.
Chen Xin believed that even Ning Fengzhi, after careful consideration, would make the same choice he did.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had already taken the blame for Tang Hao once; it was impossible to be implicated by this guy again for no reason.
The three great clans stood together, but the prerequisite was being of one mind.
Who would dare to be of one mind with you if you kept backstabbing your allies?
Back then, if the Clear Sky Clan hadn't been cowardly, and the three great clans had truly stood together, they might very well have been able to resist Spirit Hall for a period.
Even if there was a gap in absolute strength, the two great empires would inevitably have noticed the fact that Spirit Hall had become too powerful to control, and the likelihood of them joining the three great clans against Spirit Hall would have been very high.
However, it was precisely because the Clear Sky Clan secluded themselves without a second word that the three great clans lost the number one clan. How could the remaining Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family hope to resist Spirit Hall?
The two great clans were directly suppressed firmly by Spirit Hall, their prestige greatly diminished over the past decade.
It could be said that without that backstabbing by the Clear Sky Clan, Spirit Hall wouldn't be as powerful as it is now.
Yes, the number of Spirit Hall's Titled Douluos seemed unchanged over these ten years, but what about the sect forces?
Since the three great clans had been humbled, the stance of the sects ranked lower naturally changed slowly. The relationship between the four lower-ranked of the Seven Great Sects and Spirit Hall had rapidly eased in recent years, even showing signs of alliance!
In Chen Xin's eyes, Ning Fengzhi's decisive cooperation with the Blacksmith Association wasn't necessarily entirely because of the terms Su Ming proposed initially. He must have seen the potential of the Blacksmith Association—a spirit master organization similar in nature to Spirit Hall, capable of remaining completely neutral while cooperating with all parties!
What was this?
Wasn't this the embryo of another Spirit Hall?
Promoting the development of the Blacksmith Association meant nurturing another Spirit Hall, which was the only way to check and balance Spirit Hall.
Finally finding a chance to catch their breath, and now this Tang Hao pops out again to cause trouble?
Chen Xin would not agree.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would not agree.
"Since even the Sword Douluo says so, then when the Spirit Hall Elder arrives in Gengxin City, we will truthfully report everything that has happened these past two days."
Zhu Jiuyang finalized the association's response strategy regarding Miles' death.
Of course, that wasn't the end. He scanned the room and opened a new topic for discussion.
"Good, since everyone is here now, we should also discuss how to cooperate with Spirit Hall."
Zhu Jiuyang looked at Chen Xin.
"What are your thoughts, Sword Douluo?"
Chen Xin shook his head: "You can discuss it amongst yourselves. I will not interfere."
The corner of Zhu Jiuyang's mouth twitched.
If you're not interfering, it would be best if you left now.
Discussing our next steps in front of you is very uncomfortable.
Could you at least give some general guidance?
Chen Xin ignored Zhu Jiuyang's look, found a seat, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest.
Seeing this, Zhu Jiuyang could only pretend Chen Xin wasn't there. He took a deep breath and began to outline his ideas.
"Spirit Hall's influence is too great, spread across the entire continent. If we cooperate with Spirit Hall, we risk being annexed at any time. Therefore, in our cooperation with Spirit Hall, we must avoid this as much as possible."
Lou Gao was the first to agree with Zhu Jiuyang.
The Blacksmith Association must remain independent.
This was essential. Otherwise, it would just become a subordinate organization, a vassal, and blacksmiths would gradually be reduced to mere tools.
After Lou Gao, Si Long and the others also agreed.
Seeing everyone agree with his point, Zhu Jiuyang continued by announcing the strategy he had previously discussed with Su Ming to the group.
"If the association remains headquartered in Gengxin City, we lose the inherent geographical advantage. Cooperating with the Heaven Dou Empire will inevitably be affected."
Hearing this, Lou Gao frowned and interrupted Zhu Jiuyang.
"I disagree with relocating."
The Blacksmith Association had been rooted in Gengxin City for so long, even having developed Gengxin City into the Metal Capital. Relocating now would be tantamount to erasing the efforts of all the previous generations of the former Blacksmith Association.
Si Long and the others also showed troubled expressions, clearly unable to accept a strategy involving relocation.
"Rest assured, everyone. The Blacksmith Association in Gengxin City will still be retained. What I mean is that we can, to some extent, emulate Spirit Hall by establishing branches in various cities."
Hearing this, Lou Gao breathed a sigh of relief.
Establishing branches? That was acceptable.
But soon he had a new question.
"How do we solve the personnel problem? Where should the branch locations be chosen? Given our current situation, it seems we can only rely on Spirit Hall's support, right? The more branches we establish, the more support we need, and the greater the risk of being annexed by Spirit Hall, correct?"
Zhu Jiuyang took out a map of the Douluo Continent and pointed at it.
"The center of the continent is the Star Dou Great Forest. Extending east and west from the Star Dou Great Forest, this is the border between the two great empires. The north is the Heaven Dou Empire, the south is the Star Luo Empire."
"Spirit Hall's true core, Spirit City, is located on the border of the two great empires, east of the Star Dou Great Forest."
"And the target city I have set for the association's first branch is here."
Zhu Jiuyang's finger landed on a city on the map.
Everyone leaned in to look, frowning thoughtfully.
The city Zhu Jiuyang pointed to was Suotuo City.
"If I remember correctly, this Suotuo City is a commercial city?"
"Correct. Its geographical location is superior, connecting in all directions, linking the surrounding kingdoms, and even being close to the border of the two great empires. To some extent, it also serves as a trade hub between the two empires."
"Is it because Suotuo City is wealthy?"
"That's not the main reason. It's primarily because this place stands opposite Spirit City from afar."
Zhu Jiuyang pointed out Suotuo City and Spirit City on the map, gesturing to make everyone notice the Star Dou Great Forest between them.
"Suotuo City is not far from Gengxin City. After establishing a branch there, we can quickly establish stable connections with here. This way, we will stand opposite Spirit Hall from afar."
The continent is divided north-south by the two great empires; east-west of the Star Dou Great Forest are the Blacksmith Association and Spirit City.
Thus, a clear distinction is formed, allowing for mutual checks and balances.
"Brilliant!"
Chen Xin praised inwardly.
His eyes were closed, but he could hear the important information from the group's discussion. Even without looking directly at the map, he understood Zhu Jiuyang's intention.
"First, consolidate the Blacksmith Associations in Gengxin City and Suotuo City. Once the influence of Spirit Metal in the spirit master world expands sufficiently, and simultaneously, we enter deep cooperation with the two great empires, I suggest establishing corresponding Blacksmith Associations in the two capitals, corresponding to Spirit Hall's Main Halls."
Zhu Jiuyang made marks on the map.
"But, if we do this, Spirit Hall should be able to see through it, right? If we deliberately distance ourselves so obviously, will they still cooperate with us?" Ning Yuan couldn't help but ask.
Chen Xin sighed inwardly.
Ning Yuan still didn't know how to consider the overall situation.
Forget it. Being able to handle trivial matters well already makes him a talented individual for the clan.
(End of Chapter)