After the master left, Tao Qingli and the other two were invited to stay in the courtyard.
Without outsiders, the three of them had no choice but to face this problem. However, they were speechless and didn't know what to say.
In the end, Tao Qingli was the first to ask, "Miao Yi. Do you want to come to Wood Traversing Palace?"
Miao Yi smiled bitterly. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to come. I really didn't expect myself to be so valuable."
"You're the one being modest. You're worth it. When the Old Palace Lord was alive, he also said that you were capable." Tao Qingli's smile was a little forced. Even though Granny Tao had mentioned that Miao Yi was capable, she also mentioned that she was afraid she wouldn't be able to keep him under control in the future. She wasn't like this side, where they were willing to pay an astronomical price to poach him. "Why don't you say yes to her?"
Miao Yi shook his head. "Actually, even if I didn't agree to her request, she wouldn't have given up on this collaboration just because of me. I'm not worth so much that Wood Traversing Palace would give up on such a huge profit. However, it's unavoidable that she would use this opportunity to make things difficult for me." There was one more thing he didn't say — he himself might end up offending Cheng Aofang because of this.
Zhao Fei, who was of a similar status to Tao Qingli, could guess what Miao Yi was worried about. He said to Tao Qingli, "Big Sister, I still suggest that you let Miao Yi come to the Wood Traversing Palace. Having Miao Yi around might not be a bad thing for the Traversing Water Palace. If Traversing Water Palace is in trouble, Miao Yi won't just stand by and watch. He'll be able to put in a good word for our Traversing Water Palace. "
Miao Yi was taken aback. He stared at Zhao Fei in silence.
Tao Qingli had heard from Sikong Wuwei that Miao Yi was an extremely loyal person, which was why the Sea of Constellations Subjugation Crusade had decided to split the treasures between them. However, Miao Yi was also a person who could not be blamed for being unjust. He also had a ruthless side to him, and he was willing to do all sorts of deceitful things.
If she insisted on keeping Miao Yi here for her own sake, she might end up creating a rift between them instead. With that in mind, Tao Qingli nodded and said, "Miao Yi, you should stay here. If you end up becoming Cheng Aofang's Advisor, you'll still be able to speak to her."
"This …" Miao Yi had a troubled expression on his face. He was truly troubled. It wasn't that he didn't want to come. In the cultivation world, he risked his life to fight and kill just for this bit of benefit. However, if he were to leave just like that, he began to doubt whether or not he was a heartless and unjust person.
He knew very well that if a man wanted to have a place in this world, he must have a bottom line that he could hold. This was called perseverance! He might have to pay a heavy price for this persistence, but it was also a necessary factor for success! Otherwise, if you abandon everyone, everyone will abandon you.
Zhao Fei advised, "Brother, there's no need to feel troubled. Let's go to the Wood Traversing Palace. Cheng Aofang had already spoken to this extent. If you refuse again, it will be no different from slapping her face. At that time, I'm afraid it won't just be a matter of whether you come or not. If you offend her, she might come looking for trouble. "
Miao Yi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I just don't get it. Why did she insist on poaching me?"
Zhao Fei smiled and said, "It's simple. Your performance during the negotiation was too good, and it attracted her attention."
"..." Miao Yi didn't know what to say. He didn't think his performance was all that great.
Tao Qingli also said, "You should stay. With you here, if Traversing Wood Palace tries to do anything to Traversing Water Palace in the future, we won't be able to do anything to you. We were able to detect it early. Zhao Fei is right. You might even be able to help us out. If there's anything we need your help with, I'm sure you won't just ignore it. Perhaps you can be of greater use to the Traversing Water Palace here. "
Miao Yi then looked at Zhao Fei, who nodded vigorously.
Miao Yi hesitated for a moment, then finally cupped his fists and said, "If that's the case, then I'll do as you say. I'll be selfish for once!"
The next day, both sides sat together once more. Cheng Aofang sat there with a cup of tea in her hand, ignoring everyone else. She slowly sipped her tea without saying a word.
Tao Qingli and the others exchanged glances. Miao Yi stepped forward and said, "Since Palace Lord Cheng is so kind to me, I am willing to serve you!"
Cheng Aofang raised an eyebrow slightly. A hint of satisfaction flashed across her eyes, as if she had just conquered someone. She put down her teacup and smiled. "Naturally, I won't go back on my word. Once the battle against the Sun Traversing Palace is over, I'll immediately arrange an empty position for you!"
She wasn't going to reward him immediately? Miao Yi fell silent. He cupped his fists and said, "I have a favor to ask."
Cheng Aofang smiled. "Speak!"
Miao Yi replied, "The troops of Traversing Water Palace are already in a state of panic. If I were to leave now, it would only affect their morale, which would put us at a disadvantage. I sincerely hope that Palace Lord can reward me after the battle is over."
'You're going to stay in Traversing Water Palace for the time being!' Cheng Aofang frowned. 'Traversing Water Palace is going to fight first, scattering the majority of the Sun Palace's experts. They're bound to be under a lot of pressure. If you die in battle, wouldn't all my efforts be in vain?'
Tao Qingli and Zhao Fei looked at Miao Yi, clearly touched. They knew that he didn't have to take this risk.
However, Miao Yi had to take this risk. Since he had already made up his mind, he had to consider his own interests first.
The reason was simple. Cheng Aofang had made an exception to promote him. No one could tell how much her subordinates would react if they were displeased. There was no way Cheng Aofang wouldn't care about their reactions at all. If he were to stay by her side now, and if he didn't receive his reward after the battle, wouldn't he become a laughingstock? Would he still have the face to return to Traversing Water Palace then?
He could only stay by Tao Qingli's side for now. Even if something happened to Cheng Aofang, he wouldn't lose anything by staying by Traversing Water Palace's side. At worst, he could just pretend that nothing had happened.
Cheng Aofang considered the possibility that Traversing Water Palace's plan was Miao Yi's doing. She didn't know what would happen if he left. Cheng Aofang didn't want any accidents to happen in this battle either. After all, this battle was a matter of life and death. She had no choice but to take it seriously. She slowly nodded and said, "Fine! We'll do as you say! "
With this matter settled, the rest was simple. Traversing Water Palace and Wood Palace successfully signed the Commandment of Conformity, officially forming an alliance!
After the two sides discussed their plans again, Tao Qingli and the others took their leave. There weren't many people in the city either, as they were afraid of attracting too much attention. As such, the three of them went there, and only the three of them went back.
Soon, the various heavyweights of Traversing Water Palace received a summons from Palace Lord Tao Qingli and gathered in the conference hall.
Three Advisors: Zhao Xuanzhen, Wang Fengze, and Yan Shangqing.
Six Deacons: Luo Guanghao, Tong Lin, Wang Sitian, Qi Zheng, Huang Shengtian, and Che Youlu.
Ten Hall Masters: Miao Yi, Zhao Fei, Sikong Wuwei, Zhang Xinshui, Dou Liufang, Su Li, Tian Ba, Sun Shouguang, Quan Wushuang, and Shen Huaixin.
There were also twenty-seven Advisors under the command of each Hall, all of whom were Red Lotus cultivators. Only Miao Yi's Suppressing First Hall had lost all of their Red Lotus cultivators, including the Hall Master himself. There wasn't a single Red Lotus cultivator left in the entire Suppressing First Hall.
There were also seven Deacons under the Hall Master's command, all of whom were Red Lotus cultivators. One had to admit that the peaceful environment of Traversing Water Palace had nurtured quite a number of Red Lotus cultivators. Even the Deacons of the Hall Masters were Red Lotus cultivators, and this didn't include the ones Granny Tao had chased away when she was alive or those who were killed after she passed away. Otherwise, one could imagine how many Red Lotus cultivators Traversing Water Palace had accumulated over the years.
Including Palace Lord Tao Qingli, all fifty-three Red Lotus cultivators of Traversing Water Palace were present. Clearly, this was a conference that only cultivators at the Red Lotus realm and above were allowed to attend. However, Miao Yi was an exception. Even so, no one thought that Miao Yi's presence here was a surprise. If he wasn't here, it would instead make them feel that something was amiss.
"Greetings, Palace Lord!" Everyone suddenly cupped their fists in greeting.
Tao Qingli walked out from the back and walked up to the Palace Lord's throne. She didn't sit down, but instead stood in front of it and gestured for everyone to rise. She swept her gaze across everyone present. Seeing that there were so many Red Lotus cultivators here, she thought about how she still had Blue Lotus cultivators under her command for so many years without expending more resources than the other palaces. A sense of pride welled up in her heart. 'Traversing Water Palace might be able to put up a fight!'
"The reason I've summoned everyone here today is to announce an important decision!" Tao Qingli said solemnly, "Traversing Water Palace cannot just sit here and wait for death. Hence, I've decided to strike first. We will gather our 130,000 men and launch an attack on Traversing Sun Palace!"
As soon as Tao Qingli said those words, the crowd immediately burst into an uproar. The three Advisors and the six Deacons at the front remained silent, because they had already communicated with the nine of them beforehand. There was no way Tao Qingli would ignore the people around her. Without the support of those around her, it was also impossible for her to gather all the Red Lotus cultivators in Traversing Water Palace.
Most people thought they had misheard. Zhang Xinshui, the Hall Master of the Suppressing Fourth Hall, cupped his fists in shock and said, "Palace Master, are you saying that we should attack the Sun Palace first? Attack the Sun Palace? "
Tao Qingli glanced at him, then swept her gaze across the crowd. "I'll repeat myself once more. Traversing Water Palace cannot sit still and wait for death. That's why I've decided to strike first. We'll gather our 130,000 men and attack Traversing Sun Palace first!"
The Suppressing Fifth Hall's Hall Master, Dou Liufang, cried out involuntarily, "Palace Master, you mustn't do that. The Sun Traversing Palace is filled with ferocious warriors. We've never gone into battle before, so we're no match for them. What's more, our Traversing Water Palace doesn't have a single Purple Lotus cultivator among our ranks. How are we supposed to fight against Traversing Sun Palace? "
"That's right, that's right!" The panicking crowd echoed.
"Who says our Traversing Water Palace doesn't have a Purple Lotus cultivator?!" Tao Qingli roared. She suddenly summoned the golden dragon-headed staff that Granny Tao had left behind. It immediately glowed with a purple radiance, and the dragon's head actually grew several times larger. It rose to a height of about half a zhang and opened its mouth savagely. It looked incredibly lifelike and intimidating. "Is this Fourth Grade Transcendent Artifact of mine not enough to take down a Purple Lotus cultivator? There were even Purple Lotus cultivators who lost their lives to this dragon-headed staff in the past. Are you telling me that I won't be able to kill another Purple Lotus cultivator if we encounter them again? "
The three Advisors, six Deacons, Miao Yi, Zhao Fei, and Sikong Wuwei immediately cupped their fists and said, "We are willing to follow the Palace Master!"
The crowd was shocked. 'Have these people gone mad?
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