The younger Dan Qian Palace disciples, upon hearing the rousing news, could barely contain themselves and sprang to their feet.
"Senior Brother Jiang Chen, when do we make our move?"
In the world of martial cultivation, everyone had hot blood coursing through their veins. No one wanted to turn the other cheek after being struck. No one wanted to slink away like a stray dog.
After suffering losses, who wouldn't want revenge? Who wouldn't want to wash away their past humiliation? Who wouldn't want to see their enemies trembling and wailing beneath their feet?
"That's right, Senior Brother — has a date been set?" Even Ling Hui'er clenched her dainty fists, her face alight with excitement.
Palace Master Dan Chi pressed his hands downward. "Everyone, settle down. Don't rush your Senior Brother Jiang Chen. He certainly has things well thought out."
"Palace Master, Elder Yun Nie — the Red Cauldron Central Domain's backing force is the Eternal Heaven Palace. To strike at the Red Cauldron Central Domain, we must first contain the Eternal Heaven Palace."
"Correct." Palace Master Dan Chi nodded. "The Eternal Heaven Palace is the true mastermind. However, the countless atrocities the Red Cauldron Central Domain committed against our Myriad Domain cannot be forgiven either."
"The Eternal Heaven Palace is a first-rank sect. Given the Glazed Royal City's current situation, it would be unwise to move against them directly. First, although the Peacock Great Emperor has disappeared and the city's morale has held, we haven't yet forged the strongest possible unity. We also lack a supreme powerhouse to anchor our position. That's the first reason. Second, the moment we move against the Eternal Heaven Palace, they, along with the Heavenly River Palace and possibly even the Heavenly Sound Temple, would absolutely ally themselves with Pill Fire City against us. That's a scenario I have no wish to see right now."
Jiang Chen's analysis drew nods from everyone present.
Restoring Dan Qian Palace was certainly important, but it could not come at the expense of the Glazed Royal City's greater situation. If it jeopardized that larger picture, it would be counterproductive.
"Jiang Chen, speak your mind. Everyone trusts you now — they see you as our greatest hope for rebuilding the sect. Whatever you say, we'll follow." Palace Master Dan Chi's posture was completely sincere.
"We strike at the Red Cauldron Central Domain first, taking it by force. Then we consolidate all the territories of the Myriad Domain under our firm control. As for the Eternal Heaven Palace, I have my own way of handling them."
"What way?" Everyone was curious.
"The Eternal Heaven Palace and the Nine Sun Heaven Palace have been engaged in open and covert struggles over the Myriad Domain's layout, and they've already torn off their masks. The Nine Sun Heaven Palace has recently shown a desire to court my favor and has privately reached a reconciliation with me. My plan isn't complicated — I'll strike a deal with the Nine Sun Heaven Palace, having them contain the Eternal Heaven Palace. In terms of sect strength, the Nine Sun Heaven Palace holds a slight edge over the Eternal Heaven Palace."
Among the eight first-rank sects of the Upper Eight Regions, the Heavenly Dragon School, the Heavenly Sword Sect, and the Nine Sun Heaven Palace were universally recognized as the strongest tier.
The Eternal Heaven Palace and the Heavenly Sound Temple formed the second tier.
The remaining three — the Heavenly Cicada Ancient Academy, the Heavenly River Palace, and the Moon God Sect — were ranked together in the third tier.
Of course, even the gap between the first and third tiers was not especially large. They were all first-rank sects, differing only in a bit of foundation and a measure of fortune.
Palace Master Dan Chi pondered. "Jiang Chen, the Nine Sun Heaven Palace isn't exactly a band of saints either. Making deals with them — is that truly reliable?"
Palace Master Dan Chi had witnessed the Nine Sun Heaven Palace's methods firsthand. In fact, before the Myriad Domain had fallen, he had always regarded the Nine Sun Heaven Palace as the single greatest potential threat to their territory.
Back then, everyone had seen the Nine Sun Heaven Palace's maneuvering in the Myriad Domain, but none had imagined that the Eternal Heaven Palace was the one buried even deeper.
"Indeed, Jiang Chen — the Nine Sun Heaven Palace has always been tyrannical. Back in our Myriad Domain, they committed no shortage of high-handed acts. Dealing with them — aren't we just borrowing a tiger's fangs to hunt a boar?" Elder Yun Nie shared the concern.
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "Borrowing a tiger's fangs? In the Upper Eight Regions, who's the tiger and who's the pig isn't so easy to say."
"Rest assured. If I'm going to negotiate a deal with them, I'll certainly have the right chips on the table — and a method they simply cannot refuse."
Jiang Chen's confidence was like a calming pill, settling the nerves of every Dan Qian Palace member present.
"If the Eternal Heaven Palace doesn't interfere, then dealing with the Red Cauldron Central Domain becomes far more straightforward," Palace Master Dan Chi mused.
"Jiang Chen, how do you intend to deploy our forces?" Palace Master Dan Chi asked further.
"The Red Cauldron Central Domain's most powerful faction is none other than its imperial family. The royal family's strength and resources are comparable to a formidable second-rank sect. Below the imperial family stand three third-rank sects, the next most potent forces. Beyond those, there are over a dozen fourth-rank sects — and those fourth-rank sects were the main invading force that once attacked our Myriad Domain. However, many of their sect masters and powerhouses pursued me back then. I lured them into a deadly trap, where they all fell to the Miasma of Bewilderment's poison. I slew every last one of them and sent their heads as a gift to the Red Cauldron Empire's emperor. Those fourth-rank sects must have been severely weakened over these years!"
These events were something Jiang Chen had never spoken of publicly. The Dan Qian Palace members, having spent years hiding and on the run, were among the few who knew this story.
Palace Master Dan Chi's eyes lit up. "I once heard similar rumors about that, but I always thought they were just tall tales. Could it actually be true?"
"This is wonderful news!" Elder Yun Nie burst into laughter. "That's what you call karmic retribution! Jiang Chen, I truly am in awe of you!"
For Jiang Chen, this matter was nothing particularly impressive. After all, they had only been fourth-rank sects.
"The fourth-rank sects of the Red Cauldron Central Domain are somewhat different from those of our old Myriad Domain. Their fourth-rank sects do have emperor-realm cultivators. However, even with emperor-realm experts, a fourth-rank sect would have at most one or two — three at the very most. And most wouldn't surpass the fourth level of the emperor realm. Sects of that caliber won't pose too great a threat."