Declaration of War!

Tian Lei Zi swiftly rose from his seat and replied respectfully, "Pavilion Master, in my view, there are only two choices. First, we do nothing... The Mercenary Guild will not attack any faction without cause. They only act against those who obstruct the construction of their branches without any reason. They have always relied on their own appeal to draw in nearby independent cultivators and even some families voluntarily. Therefore, even if they develop into the Northern Region, our Wind Thunder Pavilion's businesses will not suffer any losses!"

After laying out the first choice, Tian Lei Zi paused.

Having heard Tian Lei Zi's analysis of the first option, Venerable Thunder did not state his position. Instead, he said calmly, "What about the second? Continue."

"Pavilion Master, the second choice is... to snuff out the Mercenary Guild before it develops beyond our control!" Tian Lei Zi made a throat-slitting gesture and said quickly.

"Destroy the Mercenary Guild?"

The western and southern branch pavilion masters were both startled upon hearing Tian Lei Zi's words. They had not expected his second proposed solution to be so direct.

After hearing Tian Lei Zi's words, Venerable Thunder fell into deep thought.

Tian Lei Zi's two options had both been analyzed quite thoroughly, but Venerable Thunder did not particularly approve of the first one. If they allowed the Mercenary Guild to develop unchecked, the Wind Thunder Pavilion would not suffer any losses in the short term and could continue accepting disciples as usual. However, it would lose its prestige as the overlord of the Northern Region.

Venerable Thunder placed great importance on that prestige. At least for now, with the Wind Thunder Pavilion's influence, it could command many Northern Region families with Dou Zong experts. Once it lost its position as the overlord of the Northern