The Pill Emperor Grand Monarch was not an indecisive man.
On the contrary, when he set his mind to a decision, he was usually decisive and resolute.
However, on a matter of such gravity, the Pill Emperor Grand Monarch could not help but consider every angle thoroughly. Once the die was cast, there would be no hitting the brakes.
The Pill Emperor Grand Monarch pondered for a long time, a sharp, ruthless glint flashing through his eyes.
Suddenly, he raised his brows and swept his gaze across everyone present.
"Gentlemen, arriving at this decision is no easy matter. However, this Emperor is certainly not someone who dares not make a call. All I want to know right now is this: if I make this decision, how much support can you truly offer? Are you planning to egg this Emperor on into a clash with the Glazed Royal City so you can reap the spoils? Or do you genuinely wish to join forces with this Emperor to pursue our common interests?"
This was the crux of the matter.
If it was the latter—if everyone was sincerely allied in pursuit of common interests—then things would be simple. A relationship built on shared interests would be far more stable and solid.
Conversely, if everyone was simply acting out of self-interest, joining in for the thrill, fanning the flames while sitting back to watch Pill Fire City and the Glazed Royal City tear each other apart, then there was no point in forming this alliance at all.
Because if things continued along that path, and they succeeded in crushing the Glazed Royal City—well and good. Everyone would be happy.
But if they failed, the one left holding the bag would inevitably be Pill Fire City. The other forces could withdraw at any time, easy as you please.
Therefore, for the Pill Emperor Grand Monarch to make this decision, he had to ascertain whether everyone possessed the resolve to see this through to the end.
Whether they truly had the guts to see it through!
After all, an undertaking as massive as annihilating the Glazed Royal City was a once-in-several-thousand-years event. No one could predict what the battle would look like, and no one could guarantee the outcome.
"Emperor Pill, my Heavenly River Palace will naturally lend its full support to Pill Fire City. Together we shall join in this righteous cause, slay that brat Jiang Chen, restore justice to the human territories, and bring clear skies to the human domain once more!"
The Palace Master of Heavenly River Palace was the first to step forward and voice his support. The flattery was laid on thick—his words painted Jiang Chen as the enemy of all mankind, while they themselves were the embodiment of justice.
"My Celestial Sound Temple also fully supports Pill Fire City and stands with Emperor Pill through thick and thin!" The Celestial Sound Temple also came forward to declare its position.
The Master of Indestructible Tiandu considered for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. "My Indestructible Tiandu and that bastard Jiang Chen share a hatred so deep it could never be resolved—there is no room under the same sky for us both. There is every reason to stand with Emperor Pill. Count us in for the destruction of the Glazed Royal City."
Three of the four great powers had now declared their positions in rapid succession, leaving only the Heavenly Dragon Sect uncommitted.
Of these four powers, the Heavenly River Palace and the Celestial Sound Temple had always been Pill Fire City's right-hand men—its most loyal followers, so to speak.
Put bluntly, they had long relied on Pill Fire City's strong backing to maintain their seats among the Eight Great First-Rank Sects of the Upper Eight Domains.
Without Pill Fire City's support, they would likely have been replaced long ago.
So there was no way they would hesitate.
As for Indestructible Tiandu, its relationship with Pill Fire City was not particularly close. But now that they shared a common enemy, their interests had drawn much closer together.
The Heavenly Dragon Sect, however, had come into this entirely because the Pill Emperor Grand Monarch had promised them the True Dragon that belonged to Jiang Chen—that was what truly tempted them.
In other words, the bond between the Heavenly Dragon Sect and Pill Fire City was not particularly firm. If the chain broke at the Heavenly Dragon Sect's link, Pill Fire City could very well find itself mired in disaster.
Once this battle was set in motion, there were only two possible outcomes: either the Glazed Royal City would decline—or even be destroyed.
Or Pill Fire City would decline—or even be destroyed.
There was no third option.
"Long Baxiang, you've been the loudest of all. Now it's your Heavenly Dragon Sect's turn to state its position—so speak up, won't you?" the Gao Cen Grand Monarch sneered.
Long Baxiang grinned. "What exactly does your Pill Fire City want me to say?"
"In the campaign against the Glazed Royal City—will your Heavenly Dragon Sect commit its full strength?"
"Well, that depends on how much my Heavenly Dragon Sect stands to gain." Long Baxiang's tone was unhurried, and his face wore a pleasant, smiling expression.
"Hmph. Your Heavenly Dragon Sect's appetite is certainly not modest."
"And the same to you. As the saying goes, even an emperor doesn't send hungry soldiers to war. You want the Heavenly Dragon Sect to do the fighting but won't offer sufficient rewards? Don't let your Pill Fire City's little abacus get too clever!"
The Pill Emperor Grand Monarch raised a hand to cut off the Gao Cen Grand Monarch's retort, regarding Long Baxiang with a calm expression.
"As long as your Heavenly Dragon Sect does not feign compliance while secretly resisting, the matter of rewards can certainly be discussed."
"Oh? Emperor Pill says this—could it be you've already made up your mind?" Long Baxiang gazed at the Pill Emperor Grand Monarch with a half-smile.
"Name your price. What would it take for your Heavenly Dragon Sect to commit fully?" The Pill Emperor Grand Monarch calculated. If Pill Fire City went all-in, combined with the Heavenly Dragon Sect, Indestructible Tiandu, and the four great first-rank sects—Heavenly River Palace and Celestial Sound Temple—lending their full assistance, the chances of destroying the Glazed Royal City were considerable.
Pill Fire City together with the four great first-rank sects, facing a Glazed Royal City without the Peacock Grand Monarch—how much suspense could there really be? They could even aim for a swift, decisive victory!
"That True Dragon belongs to my Heavenly Dragon Sect—no one else may lay a finger on it! Furthermore, all of Jiang Chen's pill formulas—my Heavenly Dragon Sect must have a copy of every single one!" Long Baxiang was making a truly brazen demand.