Tianming Shangren also nodded. "That's very reasonable. Who could have predicted the Three Star Sect would fall under the Nine Sun Heavenly Sect's control? To put it bluntly, even the sects gathered here cannot guarantee there aren't enemy eyes and ears hidden among them. Forming an alliance is indeed difficult to manage."
Wearing a confident smile, he waited for everyone to finish before speaking calmly: "Everything you've said is perfectly reasonable. But allow me to ask one more question—did any of these situations occur back when the Myriad Phenomena Empire was at the height of its power?"
When the Myriad Phenomena Empire was at its mightiest, imperial power overshadowed every sect. The empire controlled the entire Myriad Phenomena Domain, issuing commands to all sects—and not one dared disobey.
It could truly be said that when orders were given, they were carried out without fail.
A single word from the Myriad Phenomena Empire's royal family was absolute law. Every faction below responded immediately, not daring to show the slightest negligence.
Because in that era, the Myriad Phenomena Empire was the guiding force of the entire domain—the one power that ruled supreme.
With a single ruler, a single core, everyone naturally knew where to direct their efforts. Even those with private ambitions would not dare openly undermine the greater order.
The world of martial cultivation was, at its core, a world that worshipped the strong and allied with the powerful.
When the Myriad Phenomena Empire was strong, every faction that pledged allegiance benefited alongside it. That was why the empire's era had become the most glorious period in the Myriad Phenomena Domain's history—the age these people now venerated, a source of pride they still carried to this day.
Put simply, it came down to one word: strength!
Strength so great that even the neighboring Chiding Central Domain grew restless. Such power naturally commanded the submission and loyalty of every sect in the Myriad Phenomena Domain.
Therefore, the problems Dan Chi described would have been impossible during the Myriad Phenomena Empire's era.
Xiang Wentian smiled faintly. "I trust you're all well familiar with the history of the Myriad Phenomena Empire. Only a powerful empire—a powerful central force—can guide the Myriad Phenomena Domain toward greater strength. An alliance is merely the first step. The future of the Myriad Phenomena Domain ultimately requires rebuilding the empire and restoring its former glory!"
Xiang Wentian had finally revealed his true intention—rebuilding the Myriad Phenomena Empire!
For every martial artist in the Myriad Phenomena Domain, this was the grandest dream of their youth. It was also a goal that every sect had quietly worked toward in secret.
But this was something everyone had always understood tacitly without ever putting it into words.
Today, however, Xiang Wentian had finally shattered that unspoken understanding and spoken it aloud.
This meant the long-standing equilibrium among the Myriad Phenomena Domain's six fourth-rank sects could now be overturned.
Had the Great Sacred Hall, after years upon years of restraint, finally decided to bare its fangs?
In an instant, the leaders of the other sects wore expressions of deep complexity. Tianming Shangren, Wei Wuying, Dan Chi, and
As for the second- and third-rate sects, not one of them dared breathe too loudly.
Clearly, they understood this was a game played among the great powers. Sects like theirs could only drift along with the current, with absolutely no voice in the matter.
Wang Jianyu was the first to stand. "Brother Xiang, rebuilding the Myriad Phenomena Empire—easier said than done. Do you really think the Chiding Central Domain would allow us to rebuild the Myriad Phenomena Empire?"
"All I ask is this: are you content to see our Myriad Phenomena Domain forever subservient, forever reading the moods of others, living in constant dread?"
"The words are fair enough, but isn't it premature to discuss rebuilding the Empire right now? And who would lead the reconstruction? The Great Sacred Hall?"
Wang Jianyu was an ambitious man himself, and he had no intention of letting the Great Sacred Hall take the lead.
"Whoever obtains the Imperial Jade Seal and the National Dragon Seal—that person leads." Xiang Wentian glanced casually at Wang Jianyu. "Brother Wang, you're putting up such fierce opposition. Could it be you have some personal agenda?"
Wang Jianyu replied coldly, "And does Brother Xiang not have his own agenda?"
Xiang Wentian laughed. "Everyone has their own agenda. That is precisely why I propose: whoever obtains the Imperial Jade Seal and the National Dragon Seal shall be responsible for rebuilding the Myriad Phenomena Empire."
"And where exactly are the Imperial Jade Seal and the National Dragon Seal?" Wang Jianyu sneered.
"Since there are rumors they will appear, we must treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves. One blessed with great destiny will naturally obtain them. Wang Jianyu, you've always styled yourself one of heaven's favored—why so lacking in confidence?"
"Brother Xiang, even if these two items do appear, it's entirely possible we'll discover them at the same time. Whose claim would stand then?" Tianming Shangren interjected with a smile.
"Simple. We settle it through martial competition. At the Grand Assembly martial tournament—might makes right. Whichever sect's genius claims the top position on the Myriad Phenomena Hidden Dragon Rankings shall possess both items, and that sect shall lead the reconstruction of the Myriad Phenomena Empire. All other sects must provide their full support."
Settle it through martial competition?