"I still think we should find Feng Yuqin first," Si Tu Zihan said coldly, casting a glance at the crowd. "Don't you forget that Feng Yuqin is an excellent alchemist."
"So what?" The Sect Master of the Soul - Separation Sect retorted dismissively. "She's good at alchemy, so she was able to cure the Gu poison. But this time we're launching a straightforward and powerful attack. Her combat strength is far from her alchemical skills."
Seeing the stubbornness of the Sect Master of the Soul - Separation Sect, Si Tu Zihan's face darkened. She had a premonition that if they didn't deal with Feng Yuqin first, their plan would surely be foiled by her.
"Father, I think we should deal with Feng Yuqin first. What's your opinion?" Si Tu Zihan turned to her father.
The Sect Master of the Soul - Separation Sect was equally displeased to see Si Tu Zihan's stubbornness. "Miss Zihan, are you planning to act separately from us?"
Si Tu Zihan had been on the verge of losing her temper. Being provoked by the Sect Master of the Soul - Separation Sect, she couldn't hold back any longer. As the only daughter of the Palace Master of the Star - Fall Palace, who had been doted on since childhood, how could she endure this?
"If you want to act separately, I have no objections," Si Tu Zihan said coldly. "Anyway, you want to deal with the small forces, while I want to deal with Feng Yuqin. Since neither of us is targeting the major forces first, we can each handle our own matters and then join forces to deal with the major forces later."
The Sect Master of the Soul - Separation Sect pondered for just a moment before agreeing. "Fine, let's act separately."
"What you're doing..." The Sect Master of the Moon - Snatching Sect hesitated for a moment. "If the Lord finds out..."
"We're not delaying anything," Si Tu Zihan glanced at the Sect Master of the Moon - Snatching Sect. "After all, the Lord also wants to get rid of Feng Yuqin and help us gain control of the Xuan Yu Realm."
"Originally, our combined strength was quite powerful. But if you split up..." The Hall Master of the Red Dragon Hall showed a hint of worry in his eyes. He believed that as long as they stayed together, whether dealing with the small forces or Feng Yuqin first, the results would surely be twice as effective with half the effort. However, once they split up, facing danger might not be as easy, which would also consume time and manpower.
"If you don't split up, then join us from the Star - Fall Palace to deal with Feng Yuqin first," Si Tu Zihan said without any room for negotiation.
The Sect Master of the Soul - Separation Sect had long been dissatisfied with several small forces. In the past, he was worried that if his sect were to deal with those small forces, they might be targeted by other sects among the Eight Great Sects, like a mantis catching a cicada while a yellow sparrow lurked behind. So he had been holding back and not taking action. Now that their overall strength had increased and there was no danger of being swallowed by other major forces, he definitely wanted to eliminate those small forces as soon as possible. At the same time, he intended to recruit those small forces that could be won over and eliminate those that couldn't. Like Si Tu Zihan, he also had no room for negotiation.
Si Tu Zihan saw the attitude of the Sect Master of the Soul - Separation Sect and cast a cold look at the other forces that had remained silent. "What about you?"
The other forces were in a dilemma. They had thought that this gathering was to discuss how to eliminate the hidden threats together. However, to their surprise, the Star - Fall Palace and the Soul - Separation Sect had split into two factions, which made it difficult for them to choose. What if they made the wrong choice? The consequences... they couldn't bear.
Just as they were hesitating, the Sect Master of the Soul - Separation Sect spoke again. "Our overall strength has increased. Dealing with the small forces won't take much effort. Then we can spare our energy for other things, instead of constantly worrying about excessive losses and being unable to deal with those small forces that are eyeing us covetously."
The Sect Master of the Moon - Snatching Sect also agreed. "That's right. Once we've taken care of the small forces, we can deal with other forces without any worries."
The other forces also thought that what the Sect Master of the Soul - Separation Sect said made sense and couldn't help but nod, indicating their agreement.
Seeing that the others had been swayed by the ideas of the Sect Master of the Soul - Separation Sect, Si Tu Zihan sneered. "As the Sect Master of a sect, you're so naive."
The Sect Master of the Soul - Separation Sect's face darkened. "What do you mean by that?"
"Do you think those small forces don't have major forces backing them?" Si Tu Zihan said in a contemptuous and sarcastic tone. "In the Xuan Yu Realm, how many small forces that aren't attached to major forces still exist? When you try to deal with them, do you think the major forces won't step in to help? Do you really think it'll be that easy?"
Those who had just agreed with the Sect Master of the Soul - Separation Sect now thought that what Si Tu Zihan said also made sense. This put them in a difficult position again. Whom should they choose?
"Can't you act together?" An elder of the Flying Immortal Sect asked.
"If the Sect Master of the Soul - Separation Sect is willing to join us to deal with Feng Yuqin first, I have no objections," Si Tu Zihan was completely unyielding.
The Sect Master of the Soul - Separation Sect was annoyed to see a young girl being so arrogant. Even if he had been willing to back down, he wouldn't do so out of anger. After all, although Si Tu Zihan was from the Star - Fall Palace, she wasn't the Palace Master. And he was at least the Sect Master of a sect. To back down in front of a young girl would make him lose face in front of his own sect and other forces.
"Act separately," the Palace Master of the Star - Fall Palace said. Although he had never met Feng Yuqin, the series of events she had caused made him feel that she was not an ordinary person. Moreover, the Lord had specifically ordered them to get rid of Feng Yuqin. He believed that Feng Yuqin must be more than meets the eye. If they could eliminate Feng Yuqin before the other forces, he was certain that the Lord would reward them handsomely. Then, the Star - Fall Palace might even rise to the top of the Four Major Forces. Although they were all called the Four Major Forces, there was a ranking among them. In the past, the Star - Fall Palace had always been at the bottom. He didn't want this situation to continue and wanted to lead the Star - Fall Palace to a higher level.
"Palace Master..." The Sect Master of the Soul - Separation Sect didn't expect the Palace Master of the Star - Fall Palace to support dealing with Feng Yuqin first.
"I won't interfere with your choices, but I'll stick to my own opinion," the Palace Master of the Star - Fall Palace said. "Like Er'er, I'm going to deal with Feng Yuqin."
"However, Feng Yuqin's poisons are very powerful," an elder of the Flying Immortal Sect said with a lingering fear.
"That's why we should deal with Feng Yuqin first," the Palace Master of the Star - Fall Palace glanced at the elder of the Flying Immortal Sect. "Otherwise, once she reacts, it'll be even more difficult for us to handle."