338: Chapter 336 Deliberation and Strategy: The Struggle Between Offense and Defense

In less than half an hour, five pitch-black Void Realm fissures suddenly ripped open above the secret chamber beneath the imperial palace.

Five figures descended one after another from the fissures, landing steadily within the secret chamber.

A vast aura of Void Refinement Divine Lords instantly filled the entire secret chamber, pressing down so heavily that people could barely breathe. The moment the five landed, their eyes all fell upon The Old Emperor on the cold jade bed.

The Supreme Elder of Cangwu Divine Mountain looked the most closely, noticing at a glance that The Old Emperor had completely changed his aura, and immediately raised his eyebrows in exclamation.

"Not bad, you actually survived? Your complexion looks much ruddier; you don't look at all like the person who was about to kick the bucket just a moment ago."

The Old Emperor slowly sat up from the cold jade bed, looked at the five old acquaintances before him, and faintly tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Thanks to you all, I managed to pull my life back from the brink. I won't be dying just yet."

After speaking, he deliberately turned his head to look at Yun Ming in the corner, his expression exceptionally solemn.

"I will keep the grace of saving my life today in my heart. I will never forget this favor."

The Supreme Elder of Taixu Grotto-Heaven on the side had a straightforward personality and did not like to drag out pleasantries.

"Let's discuss personal matters later; let's talk about serious business first. The Yao Race has just retreated, and the mess has yet to be cleaned up. How to arrange the follow-up is the top priority."

Thus, the core structure in the secret chamber was completely finalized.

Seven Void Refinement Divine Lords were gathered together. Aside from the six ancestors who had just escaped from the Thousand Sorrows Snow Plain and finished wiping out the Yao Race, there was also The Old Emperor of the Zifu Immortal Dynasty who had just escaped death and was reborn.

The group had noble status and had no need for tables or chairs. They all sat cross-legged, hovering on vortexes of spiritual power in mid-air. An invisible pressure shrouded all directions, and the atmosphere in the secret chamber was solemn to the extreme.

Yun Ming stood alone in the corner, quietly watching everyone, not interrupting or expressing an opinion, appearing exceptionally composed.

The Founding Ancestor of Divine Forging Sect was the most steady and best at coordinating the overall situation among them all, and he was the first to speak, breaking the silence.

"Calling everyone here is to set the tone for one thing. Although the main force of the Yao Race has been beaten back by us, the hidden dangers have not been completely eradicated."

"Next, we have two paths. First, take the initiative to attack, strike directly into the Cangmang Demon World, and cut the weeds and eliminate the roots; second, remain still, first stabilize the Xuanhuang Small World, and slowly recover our Origin Qi. Everyone, share your thoughts."

As soon as he finished speaking, the most impatient Supreme Elder of Cangwu Divine Mountain immediately replied, his attitude very firm.

"We must take the initiative to attack! Those three Yao Race Void Refinement powerhouses who escaped are all severely injured!"

"Now that our seven Void Refinement Divine Lords are gathered, the opponent only has three, and all are severely injured. The advantage is completely on our side. Taking advantage of the fact that their injuries haven't healed and their Origin Qi hasn't recovered, the chances of winning are extremely high."

"If we really wait eight or ten years for them to recover from their injuries, it will likely be difficult to act then!"

The Supreme Elder of Taixu Grotto-Heaven nodded, highly agreeing with this statement.

"I also support attacking. Those three Yao Cultivators looked like they ran away, but their injuries are not light; the white-clothed demoness's Divine Soul is damaged, and her Foundation is unstable. They definitely won't be able to recover in a short time. Now is the best opportunity."

The First Palace Master of Star Palace's aura was still weak at this moment, obviously having exhausted a great deal in the previous battle, but his tone was incomparably firm.

"I also agree to fight. We were trapped in the snow plain by the Yao Race for countless tens of thousands of years. Now that we have finally seen the light of day again, why should we shrink in our own territory and be beaten passively? This hatred must be avenged personally."

The last to speak was The Old Emperor. His voice was not loud, but it was full of heavy hatred.

"I also support attacking. The Zifu Immortal Dynasty was destroyed, countless subjects died at the hands of the Yao Race, and our beautiful mountains and rivers were wantonly trampled. This blood feud absolutely cannot be let go just like that."

In an instant, four Divine Lords clearly stated their support for war.

The remaining three Divine Lords—from the Shenduan Sect, Myriad Demon Hall, and Samsara Valley—all remained silent, obviously having other considerations and not blindly following the trend.

The Hall Master of Myriad Demon Hall spoke first, his voice hoarse, carrying thick exhaustion and caution.

"I am not afraid of fighting a war, and I am certainly not greedy for life and afraid of death. It is just that attacking now is too rushed and too risky."

"Although those three Yao Cultivators are injured, the Cangmang Demon World is their lair, and we know nothing about their true strength. Who can guarantee that there are no other Void Refinement powerhouses hiding inside?"

"Our intelligence is insufficient. If we rashly lead troops to attack, once we fall into an ambush, it will be in vain, sacrificing the lives of countless Cultivators, and the loss will outweigh the gain."

The Valley Master of Samsara Valley had always been sparing with words; he just faintly spat out one word, pointing out the key.

"Wait."

The Founding Ancestor of Divine Forging Sect nodded along and slowly stated his overall plan.

"I also feel that we should be steady and postpone the attack. It is not cowardice; it is to plan before acting."

"The current Xuanhuang Small World is scarred after the great battle, the entire world is decaying, and it urgently needs time to repair and recover."

"Our cultivation bases are also not stable, our spiritual power consumption is serious, and we are simply not at our Peak state."

"My idea is to give us ten years. Within ten years, we will recuperate, integrate all resources, and lay a solid Foundation. After ten years, we will launch an all-out expedition to flatten the Demon World."

"Ten years?" The Supreme Elder of Cangwu Divine Mountain immediately frowned and retorted.

"If we drag it out for ten years, those three Yao Cultivators will have long since fully recovered and returned to their Peak! If we fight then, what advantage will we have left to speak of?"

The Founding Ancestor of Divine Forging Sect's expression was calm, and he patiently explained:

"They are recovering, but we are also recovering and improving. Even if they return to their prime, there are only three of them in the end. With our seven Void Refinement Divine Lords sitting in command, our frontal combat power will still crush them."

"What we really need to guard against is never those three remnant enemies, but the Cangmang Demon World, whose Foundation is completely unknown."

Once these words were spoken, the Supreme Elder of Cangwu Divine Mountain was instantly speechless and could no longer say anything to refute.

The secret chamber immediately fell into silence.

Everyone knew in their hearts that the Cangmang Demon World was a huge unknown variable. Whether there were hidden powerhouses, whether there were deadly grand formations, or whether there were trump cards, no one knew.

When Cultivators go to war, they are never afraid of direct confrontation; what they fear most is this kind of unknown danger whose depth is unclear.

After a moment of silence, The Old Emperor spoke to break the deadlock, his tone crisp and decisive.

"No need to argue. Let's vote directly to determine the result."

The final vote count was quickly tallied.

The Cangwu Divine Mountain, Taixu Grotto-Heaven, Star Palace, and The Old Emperor—four people supported the war and advocated preparing for an attack immediately; the Shenduan Sect, Myriad Demon Hall, and Samsara Valley—three people advocated stability and advocated ten years of accumulation.

Four to three, the pro-war faction won.

The Supreme Elder of Cangwu Divine Mountain immediately breathed a sigh of relief and grinned.

"Four to three, the rules decide. Listen to us!"

The Supreme Elder of Taixu Grotto-Heaven nodded slightly to show approval. The Hall Master of Myriad Demon Hall sighed lightly and said no more. The Valley Master of Samsara Valley remained expressionless, showing neither joy nor anger. The Founding Ancestor of Divine Forging Sect also calmly accepted the result without any argument.

"Since the tone is set, then we will switch from defense to offense."

The Founding Ancestor of Divine Forging Sect quickly suppressed the disagreement and reorganized the overall situation, his tone steady and orderly.

"Although we decided to go to war, it does not mean we will be reckless. We will still prepare for war according to the ten-year cycle and proceed steadily."

"First, completely clear out all remaining Yao Race in the Xuanhuang Small World to eliminate all future trouble; second, integrate all Sect Cultivators in the world, unify dispatch, and form an exclusive allied army; third, exhaust all the world's resources to crazily build Battleships and refine Magical Artifacts and Medicinal Pills, and prepare sufficient military supplies; fourth, send people deep into the border to investigate and figure out all the details of the Cangmang Demon World; fifth, the seven of us will concentrate on recuperating, stabilize our Realm, and return to Peak combat power."

Everyone nodded in agreement, then each took the initiative to claim their responsibilities, with the division of labor being clear and unambiguous.

The seven Divine Lords performed their duties, and the division of labor was clear. The ten-year preparation time was neither long nor short, just enough for the Xuanhuang Small World to fully restore its vitality, and enough for the allied army to accumulate full combat power and be ready to set off.

All serious matters were discussed.

The next second, the gazes of the seven Divine Lords turned in unison and fell upon Yun Ming, who had been silently watching the whole time.

The Supreme Elder of Cangwu Divine Mountain spoke first, his tone carrying a bit of curiosity and expectation.

"Kid, it's time to talk about your plans. Next, will you stay in the Xuanhuang Small World, prepare for war with us, and conquer the Demon World, or do you have other plans and are preparing to leave?"

Yun Ming was slightly startled, raised his eyes to look at everyone, and felt a bit surprised.

"Me?"