The Situation on the Continent

Although as a Guardian Titled Douluo, Chen Xin only needs to be strong, he is not like Gu Rong, who plays the villain and doesn't like to use his brain. He still has a certain analytical ability.

This decision did not require consultation with Ning Fengzhi.

Chen Xin believed that even Ning Fengzhi, after careful consideration, would make the same choice as him.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has already taken the blame for Tang Hao once; it's impossible for them to be implicated by this guy again for no reason.

The Top Three Sects of the same lineage, but the prerequisite is that they are of one mind.

If you betray your allies so easily, who will dare to stand by your side?

If the Clear Sky Sect hadn't backed down back then, Top Three Sects had been united, they might have been able to hold off the Spirit Hall for a period of time.

Even if there is a gap in absolute strength, the two great empires will inevitably take notice of the Spirit Hall's growing power and the possibility of them joining forces with the Top Three Sects to fight against the Spirit Hall is extremely high.

However, with the Clear Sky Sect's sudden seclusion, the Top Three Sects are now missing their number one sect. How can the remaining Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan possibly contend with the Spirit Hall?

The two major sects were completely suppressed by the Spirit Hall, and their prestige plummeted over the past decade.

It can be said that without the betrayal by the Clear Sky Sect, the Spirit Hall would not be as powerful as it is now.

Yes, the number of Titled Douluo in the Spirit Hall seems to have remained unchanged over the past decade, but what about the sect's power?

With the Top Three Sects suffering setbacks, the stance of the sects ranked lower naturally began to change. The relationship between the four lower-ranked Seven Great Sects and the Spirit Hall has rapidly improved in recent years, and there is even a tendency for them to unite!

In Chen Xin's eyes, Ning Fengzhi's decisive cooperation with the Blacksmith Association was not necessarily entirely due to the conditions proposed by Su Ming. He must have seen the potential of the Blacksmith Association — Soul Master organization similar in nature to the Spirit Hall, capable of complete neutrality while also being able to cooperate with various parties!

What's this?

Isn't this just the prototype of another Spirit Hall?

Promoting the development of the Blacksmith Association is tantamount to supporting another Spirit Hall, and only in this way can the Spirit Hall be kept in check.

Just when we finally got a chance to catch our breath, Tang Hao popped up again to cause trouble?

Chen Xin refused.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would not agree.

"Since Sword Douluo has said so, then once the Spirit Hall elders arrive in Gengxin City, we will truthfully inform them of everything that has happened these past two days."

Zhu Jiuyang finalized the association's response to Miles ' death.

Of course, that wasn't all. He scanned the room and began the next part of the meeting.

"Perfect timing, now that everyone's here, we should talk about how to cooperate with the Spirit Hall."

Zhu Jiuyang looked at Chen Xin.

What are Sword Douluo's thoughts?

Chen Xin shook his head. "You can discuss it yourselves; I won't interfere."

Zhu Jiuyang's lips twitched.

It's best for you to leave now if you don't interfere.

We feel very uncomfortable having this discussion in your presence.

At least some rules and regulations should be established, right?

Chen Xin ignored Zhu Jiuyang's gaze, found a seat, and closed her eyes to rest.

Seeing this, Zhu Jiuyang could only pretend that Chen Xin was not paying attention, took a deep breath, and began to explain his thoughts.

"The Spirit Hall's power is too great, spanning the entire continent. If we cooperate with the Spirit Hall, we could be swallowed up at any time. Therefore, we must avoid this possibility as much as possible when cooperating with the Spirit Hall."

Lou Gao was the first to agree with Zhu Jiuyang's words.

The Blacksmith Association should become independent.

This is essential; otherwise, it will only become a subordinate organization, a vassal, and the Blacksmith will gradually be reduced to mere tools.

After the Lou Gao, Silong and the others agreed.

Seeing that everyone agreed with his point of view, Zhu Jiuyang continued to announce the strategy that he had previously discussed with Su Ming in front of everyone.

"If the association continues to be located in Gengxin City, it will lose its inherent geographical advantage, which will inevitably affect its cooperation with the Heaven Dou Empire."

Lou Gao frowned upon hearing this and interrupted Zhu Jiuyang.

"I disagree with the relocation."

The Blacksmith Association has been rooted in Gengxin City for so long that it has even turned the Gengxin City into Metal Capital. Relocating at this time would be tantamount to erasing the efforts of generations of predecessors in the Blacksmith Association.

Silong and the others also looked troubled, clearly unable to accept the relocation strategy.

"Rest assured, everyone, the Blacksmith Association of Gengxin City will remain. What I want to say is that we can, to some extent, emulate the Spirit Hall and open branches in various cities."

Hearing this, Lou Gao breathed a sigh of relief.

Opening a branch? That's good.

However, he soon encountered a new problem.

"How do we solve the manpower problem? And where should we choose to locate the branch? Given our current situation, it seems we can only rely on the Spirit Hall for support, right? The more branches we establish, the more support we need, and the greater the possibility of being swallowed up by the Spirit Hall, right?"

Zhu Jiuyang took out a map of the Douluo Continent and tapped on it.

"At the heart of the continent lies the Star Dou Great Forest Star Dou Great Forest, extending east and west to form the border between two great empires: the Heaven Dou Empire to the north and the Star Luo Empire to the south."

"The true core of the Spirit Hall Spirit City, is located on the border between the two great empires, east of the Star Dou Great Forest."

"And this is the city I've set as the target city for the association's first branch."

Zhu Jiuyang tapped a city on the map.

Everyone crowded around to take a look, and they all frowned and pondered.

The city Zhu Jiuyang was pointing to was Suotuo City.

"If I remember correctly, Suotuo City is a commercial city?"

"Indeed, its geographical location is excellent, with convenient access to all directions, connecting surrounding kingdoms and even close to the border of the two great empires, thus serving as a transit point for trade between the two empires to some extent."

"Because Suotuo City is rich?"

"That's not the main reason. The main reason is that this place is far away from Spirit City."

Zhu Jiuyang pointed out Suotuo City and Spirit City on the map, gesturing to draw everyone's attention to the Star Dou Great Forest in the middle.

"Suotuo City is not far from Gengxin City. After establishing a branch, we can quickly establish stable contact with this place, so that we can stand in stark contrast to the Spirit Hall."

The continent is divided into two major empires, north and south, with the Blacksmith Association and Spirit City located on the east and west sides of the Star Dou Great Forest, respectively.

In this way, the two sides are clearly separated and mutually restrained.

"Wonderful!"

Chen Xin admired it in his heart.

Even with his eyes closed, he could glean important information from the group's discussion. Without even looking at the map, he understood Zhu Jiuyang's meaning.

"First, consolidate the Blacksmith Association in Gengxin City and Suotuo City. Once the influence of Spiritual Metal in the Soul Master World has expanded sufficiently, and after we enter into deeper cooperation with the two great empires, I suggest establishing corresponding Blacksmith Association in the two capitals, corresponding to the Martial Soul Holy Hall."

Zhu Jiuyang marked it on the map.

"But wouldn't the Spirit Hall realize this? If we deliberately distance ourselves, would they still cooperate with us?" Ning Yuan couldn't help but ask.

Chen Xin sighed.

Ning Yuan still doesn't consider the bigger picture.

Well, being able to handle trivial matters already makes one an outstanding talent in the sect.