Compared to the Second Cult Master's single-minded stubbornness, the First Cult Master, though also deeply shaken by that battle, at least hadn't lost her composure.
She knew that for the Moon God Sect to survive now, they had to listen to Jiang Chen's advice. At this point, it was no longer a matter of dignity or posturing.
Without survival, what dignity was there to speak of?
"Fellow Cult Masters, the Moon God Sect's affairs are not mine to meddle in. However, if the Moon God Sect finds the Northwest untenable in the future, my Glazed Royal City will welcome you at any time. Other sects—such as the Heavenly Sound Temple and the Heavenly River Palace—may be allied with my Glazed Royal City, but whether we would actually take them in is something I would truly have to evaluate on a case-by-case basis. But the Moon God Sect—you showed such courage at the critical moment, which at least tells me your values align with those of my Glazed Royal City. We are kindred spirits."
This was all Jiang Chen could say. He couldn't very well tell them, "If your Moon God Sect can't hold, the smart thing to do would be to come surrender to our Glazed Royal City."
Even if that was the underlying meaning, he wouldn't say it outright.
Moreover, Jiang Chen wasn't that shameless. Truth be told, whether the Moon God Sect defected to them or not didn't matter much to him at all.
The Glazed Royal City's grand design was not something that would undergo a qualitative leap simply by adding one or two more factions.
The future of the human domain would not depend on a mere accumulation of numbers.
Jiang Chen had made his position clear—he had come to their rescue purely on account of Xu Qingxuan, and additionally because he admired the Moon God Sect's efforts in defending the Boundary Monument Realm.
Having said all he intended to say, Jiang Chen didn't linger. He took his leave immediately: "Fellow Cult Masters, the situation is dire. My coming here put the Glazed Royal City at risk of a surprise attack from the Wind Cloud Sect. Now that the immediate crisis has been resolved, I must rush back to the Glazed Royal City with utmost urgency. Whether you fight or retreat, you must prepare yourselves. Although the Kuman Barbarians have suffered a setback and may not strike again right away, once the Boundary Monument Realm falls, they will certainly not remain idle. The only question is—how much of the Kuman Barbarian forces were deployed against you this time?"
The First Cult Master actually had some authority to answer this question.
"From what they said, that young man appears to be a prince of the Kuman Barbarians' Gu Nuo Tribe. The Kuman Barbarians seem to consist of many tribes. This was the elite force of one such tribe."
Jiang Chen's expression grew grave. "If that's the case, the Kuman Barbarians will be even harder to deal with. If the elite of just one tribe is this terrifying, then if the Kuman Barbarians have many such tribes and they all invade at once, the human domain may not survive."
The expressions of the First Cult Master and the others were all extremely somber.
Clearly, they too had realized that the situation was likely to be incredibly dire.
"Sigh! The Kuman Barbarians, the Nandou Li Tribe—they all have Celestial Rank powerhouses. Our human race has no reason not to have one." The Third Cult Master suddenly remarked with emotion.
Jiang Chen smiled coolly. "Who says our human race doesn't have one?"
"We do?" The three Cult Masters were stunned. "Young Master Jiang Chen, are you referring to… those in your Glazed Royal City?"
Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively. "They are of the Megalith Clan, not of human bloodline. I can tell you clearly—our human race does have Celestial Rank powerhouses. And I have personally encountered one. Unfortunately, that Celestial Rank powerhouse has no intention of fighting for the human race. On the contrary, he rescued the Wind Cloud Sect Master. He spoke in a tone that suggested he could come cause trouble for my Glazed Royal City at any moment."
Though Jiang Chen didn't know the background of that reclusive human powerhouse, he was actually quite displeased with the man.
As a Celestial Rank elder of the human race, when humanity needed him, not only did he refuse to step forward and turn the tide, but at the critical moment he actually undermined them.
Jiang Chen absolutely detested people who squatted in a position without doing anything useful—and worse, actively caused trouble.
"Enough, everyone. The matter is urgent. I shall take my leave."
After saying this, Jiang Chen clasped his fists and prepared to depart. Before leaving, he glanced at Holy Maiden Xu Shan and gave a slight smile. "Holy Maiden Xu Shan, the Reverse Yin-Yang Bloodline truly lives up to its reputation. It's been such a short time, yet your cultivation has surged dramatically. Your future potential is limitless. With such a talent in the Moon God Sect, when the Great Era arrives, you will surely be able to lead the way."
Having said that, Jiang Chen stepped across the void and departed gracefully.
Watching Jiang Chen's figure disappear, the several Cult Masters of the Moon God Sect exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions indescribably complex.
This young man, whom they had once looked down upon just a few years ago, had now grown to a level where they could only look up to him.
How unpredictable the affairs of the world could be.
Even the Second Cult Master, for all her stubborn tongue, found herself unable to muster any harsh words at this moment. This Jiang Chen was someone she truly couldn't even find anything to criticize behind his back.
"First Cult Master, what do we do?" The Third Cult Master was somewhat at a loss, her expression full of bewilderment. That the situation had become this dire was something the Moon God Sect truly had never anticipated.
"Second Sister, what's your take?" The First Cult Master let out a soft sigh.
"First Cult Master, you make the decision." The Second Cult Master's tone was uncharacteristically subdued. "Over these years, I've come to realize that my temperament is not suited for great things. I'm too prone to acting on impulse. If we followed my counsel, the Moon God Sect would likely plunge into the abyss of destruction in no time."
It was rare for the Second Cult Master to have such a clear-eyed assessment of herself.
The First Cult Master's gaze was desolate, her face etched with sorrow. Looking out with her divine eyes at every blade of grass and tree in the Moon God Sect—especially the Moon God Treasure Tree shrouded in divine radiance and precious light—she was overcome with emotion and grief.
"Second Sister, Third Sister—the legacy of our Moon God Sect may have to be forfeited, at least for the time being." The First Cult Master spoke with sorrow.
Though everyone had long guessed at this outcome, hearing the First Cult Master say it aloud, their eyes grew misty and tears welled up in their orbits.
"All right, let us not grieve. Young Master Jiang Chen speaks reason. At this moment, a single thought stands between life and death. As the First Cult Master, I am responsible to our ancestors above, and to the millions of disciples of the Moon God Sect below. If we lose our legacy, we can reclaim it. But if our heritage perishes, it is truly gone forever. Therefore, I issue this decree: all members of the Moon God Sect are to pack their belongings immediately and head south to seek refuge with the Glazed Royal City!"
Seek refuge with the Glazed Royal City!