"Taking control of the four sects—isn't that tantamount to strangling the cultivators of the world by the throat?"
Inside the secret chamber, Niu Youdao paced back and forth, muttering as he pondered.
Lü Wushuang, sipping tea beside him, pondered as well before replying, "Since the Five Saints have made their stance public, that probably isn't the case. Even if they did seize control, it would only have some effect if they choked off the supply of cultivation pills. Everything else should have little effect. And with matters having reached this point, controlling the supply of spiritual pills would only backfire."
Niu Youdao stopped walking and said ruefully, "No matter what, this probe has at least confirmed that it isn't the case. We can rule out that possibility."
Lü Wushuang said, "There's something you need to watch out for. You may have succeeded at Misty Pavilion, but it has likely produced the opposite effect. This time, the Five Saints may be presenting a united front against outsiders."
Niu Youdao was somewhat dismissive. "Do you think the Five Saints could truly be of one mind? Which one of them does not want to monopolize the world? Their relentless pursuit of the Boundless Fruit's whereabouts—isn't that because they fear a second Wu Chang emerging?"
Lü Wushuang said, "At least under the circumstances they currently face, barring an accident, they will certainly unite against outsiders."
"An accident is bound to happen. How could I possibly let them remain safe and sound?" Niu Youdao walked to the map of the Sacred Realm. Staring at it, he muttered, "Since we can't figure out what they're doing, all we can do is wait and see. They can do what they do, and we'll do what we do."
Lü Wushuang glanced at the map, a glint flashing through