News of border friction dropped like a stone into boiling oil, instantly sparking intense debate within Qingxu Temple's high-level officials. The damage and anger from the attacks, plus the Shadow Snake Pavilion's unbridled provocation, made the hawkish elders who originally advocated a tough response unable to contain themselves any longer.
Inside the Main Peak Council Hall, the atmosphere was more solemn than previous times, even carrying a hint of gunpowder.
"Temple Master! Fellow sect members!" Enforcement Hall Vice Elder Lei Zhen, a fiery-tempered Golden Core early-stage cultivator, spoke first, his voice like thunder. His beard and hair stood on end, clearly furious. "Shadow Snake Pavilion's wimps are bullying us too much! Publicly attacking our resource strongholds, killing and wounding our sect disciples, destroying our foundation! Such actions—what difference from a declaration of war? If our Qingxu Temple continues to swallow insults and hide like turtles, wouldn't the world laugh at us? Wouldn't our disciples' hearts grow cold?!"
He looked around at everyone present, his gaze burning: "Border friction? This is by no means simple friction! This is the Shadow Snake Pavilion's formal challenge to our sect! Testing our bottom line! If we only defend passively, they'll only think we're weak and easily bullied. Next time, their attacks will only be more rampant, possibly even directly threatening the mountain gate!"
Another hawkish Artifact Refinery elder also deeply agreed: "Elder Lei speaks absolutely correctly! Being passive and taking hits is never a good strategy. The Shadow Snake Pavilion's headquarters destroyed, their strength greatly damaged—they're now like stray dogs hiding in dark corners. They dare be so arrogant only because they think we won't easily leave the sect formation's protection to entangle with them outside. But can we really be forever pulled along by their nose?"
He stepped forward, cupped hands toward Temple Master Xuanxuan Zhenren, his tone decisive: "Temple Master, this elder proposes the sect immediately organize elite forces and take the initiative! Our targets are the Shadow Snake Pavilion's known peripheral strongholds within our sphere of influence or the southwestern chaotic regions—at least three important outer bases and seven or eight secret liaison points we have roughly mapped!"
"Removing these strongholds will, first, severely strike the Shadow Snake Pavilion's arrogance and take revenge for our dead disciples, restoring sect reputation; second, cut off their feelers and weaken their intelligence and logistics capabilities, making them blind and lame; third, also capture some living witnesses to extract more intelligence on their core plans and high-level movements! This is far better than passively guessing here!"
Elder Lei immediately loud-agreed: "Exactly! Instead of waiting for their unknown next attack, possibly more lethal, better for us to strike first and disrupt their deployment! Let them taste pain too! My Enforcement Hall will be the vanguard. I'll select elite disciples for this purge mission!"
The hawkish proposal gained support from nearly one-third of the elders. Everyone was energized, ready to rush out.
However, the cautious faction led by Xuanlin Zhenren held different views.
Xuanlin Zhenren's brow was slightly furrowed. Only after the hawkish faction's passionate arguments quieted did he slowly speak, his voice still calm yet carrying undeniable weight: "Brother Lei and fellow sect members—everyone shares the heart to take revenge. I, too. Taking the initiative sounds indeed satisfying."
He turned: "But has everyone considered the possible consequences of this move?"
His gaze swept across everyone: "First, intelligence accuracy. Although Mu Qingfeng's intelligence has value, the Shadow Snake Pavilion is crafty. Would their stronghold locations possibly be deliberately leaked? Could it be a trap to lure our main forces out? If we rush out, might we be falling into their deceiving tactic to lure away the tiger from the mountain?"
"Second, force dispersion. Currently the sect has strong enemies surrounding and internally has... an object requiring key protection." He glanced meaningfully in a certain direction. Everyone knew he referred to Tang Xiaoqi. "Once we send elite forces out for purges, internal sect defense will necessarily be relatively empty. If at this time the Shadow Snake Pavilion's main force, or those desperate souls attracted by the bounty, take the opportunity to suddenly attack the sect, especially targeting specific individuals, how should we respond?"
"Third, situation escalation." Xuanlin Zhenren's tone was heavy. "Currently, the Shadow Snake Pavilion mainly uses harassment and probing. If we massively take the initiative, destroy their strongholds, we will be tearing face and pushing conflict toward comprehensive confrontation. Then the Shadow Snake Pavilion's remnant forces will desperately counter-attack, possibly even bringing more attention and methods from the demonic entity behind them. Are we prepared for possibly starting a full-scale war? Can the sect afford potentially greater losses?"
The cautious faction elders nodded, thinking Xuanlin Zhenren's reasoning was sound. Taking initiative was indeed gratifying, but the risk was too great, possibly dragging the sect into a deeper war of attrition, even giving enemies opportunity.
"Could it be that because we have concerns we must always endure?" Elder Lei disagreed, refuting. "When they're fully prepared and attack us, can we then afford losses? Defense is always passive! Only by taking initiative and mastering initiative can we intimidate enemies and buy respite!"
"Initiative?" Xuanlin Zhenren slightly shook his head. "Under conditions where the enemy is hidden while we are visible, blindly rushing out, where is the initiative? That more resembles being provoked into losing rationality by enemy provocation."
Both sides stubbornly held their views. The hawkish faction thought the cautious faction too conservative, timid; the cautious faction thought the hawkish faction too radical, lacking deep consideration.
Inside the Council Hall, the atmosphere was tense, at a standoff.
Temple Master Xuanxuan Zhenren, seated at the head, had been listening with closed eyes, never speaking. Until both sides' arguments quieted and all looked to him for final judgment. Then he slowly opened his eyes.
His gaze was calm and unruffled, sweeping across each elder present. Finally he slowly spoke:
"Elder Lei and others' desire for revenge and boosting morale deserve commendation."
"Xuanlin and others' consideration for sect safety and thorough thinking also serve the public."
He first affirmed both sides' opinions, then turned: "But the sect's safety rests on all. We must examine carefully, yet cannot show excessive weakness."
"Full-scale attack—risk too great, temporarily unacceptable."
"However, sitting and waiting is also not a good strategy."
His gaze concentrated, flashing sharpness: "Since the Shadow Snake Pavilion has extended its claws to probe, we shall cut off whatever claws they stick out!"
"Order: The Enforcement Hall leads, jointly with the Dark Hall, form three elite hunting teams. Each team led by one Golden Core elder with five late-Foundation Establishment elite disciples."
"Targets: Not all the Shadow Snake Pavilion's known strongholds but select two locations relatively clear, easy to withdraw from, and posing the greatest threat to our sect for lightning strikes!"
"Requirements: Move fast, strike decisively. Focus on destroying strongholds, annihilating enemy forces, and gathering intelligence. Do not engage heavily, strike and withdraw! If encountering strong enemies or traps, immediately abandon the mission and withdraw all!"
"Operation timing, the Dark Hall decides based on intelligence. During the operation, the sect maintains highest alert to prevent unexpected developments."
This decision both responded to the hawkish faction's desire for initiative and adopted the cautious faction's suggestion to control risk. Not a full-scale war but precise, limited retaliatory strikes.
Elder Lei and others, though not fully satisfied, knew this was currently the safest and most effective plan and accepted their orders. Xuanlin Zhenren and others also thought this strategy workable, nodding agreement.
"We obey the Temple Master's orders!" Everyone responded in unison.
Xuanxuan Zhenren slightly nodded, his gaze profound again: "Go. Remember, this battle's purpose is not how many we kill but to demonstrate Qingxu Temple's might, sever enemies' claws, and probe their true strength."
A limited counter-offensive initiated by Qingxu Temple was thus set. War clouds seemed even denser. The outcome of this counter-offensive would directly affect the following situation's direction.