Chapter 367: Agreement
Ning Fengzhi pointed to his dutiful son and laughed as he scolded:
"I'm doing this because you've already pushed our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to the opposing side. Now you're making it seem like I'm being dishonest."
"Yes, yes, yes, you had no choice, I had a knife to your throat and took the benefits without you putting in any effort."
"…"
Back at Yuexuan, Tang Yuehua quickly sent Ning Fengzhi's alliance conditions back to Haotian Sect, also mentioning that Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had intentions of surrendering to Spirit Hall. Of course, she believed that such a possibility was slim; it was simply a tactic used by Ning Fengzhi for negotiations.
When Tang Xiao received his sister's letter, nearly five days had passed. After reading the letter, he furrowed his brows deeply and immediately summoned several elders to his residence to discuss the matter.
Before anyone had arrived, Tang Lie's rough voice could be heard entering the room.
"Sect Master, is there news about the alliance with Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
The elders, who had followed Tang Lie into the room and sat down, thought the matter was almost settled. Although the "three sects as one" idea was just a saying, facing the common enemy of Spirit Hall, they believed Ning Fengzhi would understand the bigger picture. However, Tang Xiao's serious expression slowly made them realize that something wasn't right.
It was still the second elder who, with some suspicion, spoke first.
"What's wrong, Sect Master? Is Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect not agreeing to the alliance? Is Ning Fengzhi really that short-sighted?"
Tang Xiao shook his head and directly handed the letter from Tang Yuehua to the second elder.
"You can see for yourselves. It's not about being short-sighted; it's because he has an agenda."
"Hmm?"
All the elders exchanged curious glances as the second elder took the letter. Haotian Sect was now so poor that it couldn't even make ends meet. What could possibly interest Ning Fengzhi, the wealthiest man on the continent?
As they read the contents of the letter, the elders quickly realized Ning Fengzhi's true intentions. The most hot-headed, Tang Lie, immediately slammed his hand on the table.
"How outrageous! Does Ning Fengzhi think Spirit Hall will only target Haotian Sect? How dare he take advantage of this situation? Should we just destroy Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect first?"
The other elders didn't speak but wore expressions just as dark, filled with the same determination that Haotian Sect's ultimate techniques could not be compromised.
"Sigh, but Ning Fengzhi is right. Spirit Hall might indeed target us first. After all, Haotian Hammer is located at the border, and it would take too long for news of us being wiped out to reach the continent. Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, on the other hand, is right next to Tiandou City. To target them, they'll have to get approval from the Tiandou royal family. A war with a nation would take a lot of time."
The second elder sighed, thinking he understood Ning Fengzhi's plan. His reasoning was quickly acknowledged by Tang Xiao.
"That's right. If Spirit Hall first targets Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Tiandou Empire and moves slowly, we might be able to seize the opportunity to form an alliance with them. In that case, Bibidong will likely strike us first."
"Yeah..."
After hearing the explanations from the two, the elders quickly understood Ning Fengzhi's rationale, but they still weren't pleased.
"Hmph, a mere Soul Sage, relying on Sword and Bone as well as the Tiandou royal family, dares to bully Haotian Sect? I really want to teach him a lesson. We've already given him enough face by proposing an alliance."
Tang Lie's words made the room fall silent. How could anyone be happy knowing a Soul Sage had their way with them? But despite the frustration, they knew they had to push forward with the alliance, as the pressure from Spirit Hall was too great. Haotian Sect alone couldn't resist Spirit Hall; even though Haotian Sect's mountain gates had a defensible geographical advantage, the difference in high-end combat power couldn't be covered by terrain alone.
After a while, it was still the more cautious second elder who asked Tang Xiao for his opinion.
"Sect Master, what is your stance on this?"
After thinking for a moment, Tang Xiao spoke up.
"Give it to them, but with conditions."
"Oh?"
"We can teach Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect the method of detonating the ring, but first, they must not leak it. It must only be circulated among the high-ranking members. This must be made clear at the time of the alliance. Otherwise, Haotian Sect has the right to arrest any non-core members of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect who possess the method."
"Second, if Spirit Hall truly comes to attack, Tiandou Empire cannot just sit by."
Tang Xiao laid out his thoughts, and after some silence, the elders nodded in agreement. However, Tang Lie was still somewhat reluctant.
"Sect Master, this is a secret method passed down by our ancestors. It has never been leaked to outsiders before."
"One method of detonating the ring is worth it. What's the point of keeping the secret method if Haotian Sect no longer exists? Besides, without a strong body, using this method is basically courting death."
Tang Xiao's words immediately won the approval of the second elder.
"Sect Master is right. Compared to the survival of Haotian Sect, this secret method is nothing to worry about. Besides, I don't think Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's weak soul masters will be able to use the method properly. At most, only Sword and Bone could use it."
With the two most authoritative figures in the sect speaking out, the other elders, though unwilling, dared not speak against it.
"But second brother, will Tiandou Empire be willing to send troops to help us?"
"Why wouldn't they? Do you think Spirit Hall's ambition is just to unite all the sects? Don't be foolish. Once the time is right, Bibidong will surely invade the entire continent and become its ruler. What will Tiandou Empire use to resist them then?"
"I don't believe that Xue Qinghe doesn't see this. The right way is for everyone to band together and support each other."
The second elder, a seasoned and sharp thinker, quickly devised the idea of bringing Tiandou Empire into the alliance, which was exactly what Tang Xiao wanted.
After the high-level decisions were made, Tang Xiao sent his adopted son, Tang Long, to personally bring the method of detonating the ring to Tiandou Empire, ensuring no mishaps occurred.
Meanwhile, Tang San, in his daily training and practice of the Chaotic Wind Hammer Method, keenly sensed his uncle's worry.
"Uncle, has there been any news from Aunt?"
Tang Xiao, who had been absentmindedly staring at the waterfall in the valley, froze for a moment, then smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"You can't hide anything from you, little San. Although Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has expressed their intention to ally with us, they've set some conditions."
"What kind of conditions?"
"The method of detonating the ring! The Haotian secret method your father used to severely injure the Pope of Spirit Hall."
Hearing this, Tang San's heart skipped a beat, and his brow furrowed. Soon, he understood the situation and realized where Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's confidence came from. He felt a twinge of displeasure at their actions.
"They're too greedy. This kind of secret method is a sect's forbidden technique. It seems like they're taking advantage of the situation."
"Sigh, how could I not know? But with such a great enemy, we don't have the luxury of worrying about these things. I just hope that Ning Fengzhi can use the method to convince Tiandou Empire to join the alliance."
(END CHAPTER)
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