"What are you worried about?"
Azure Heaven Ancestor's question nearly left Ancestor Qingxuan dumbfounded.
As Azure Heaven Ancestor saw it, the benefits of allying with the Southern Border Alliance were right before their eyes. They only needed to follow where the gains led. What was there to worry about?
The other Dao Sages spoke up as well.
"Exactly, Qingxuan... The benefits are right there. Just ally with the Southern Border Alliance. What's holding you back?"
"Qing Xuan, don't tell me you're still worried about Bright Moon Spirit Tide Valley?"
"There's no need to worry so much. Times change. Bright Moon Spirit Tide Valley may be the overlord of the Southern Border, but as far as I'm concerned, that's all it is."
"They only have twenty-four Dao Sages holding things together. How could a mere twenty-four Dao Sages keep every major power in the Southern Border under their thumb forever?"
"The emergence of the Southern Border Alliance makes the outcome plain: the Southern Border's major powers no longer hold Bright Moon Spirit Tide Valley in awe..."
"Even those powers are pushing Bright Moon Spirit Tide Valley away. Why should the Azure Cloud Heaven Sect keep worrying about it? We'd be a laughingstock if word got out!"
"People might think the Azure Cloud Heaven Sect is afraid of them!!!"
Ancestor Qingxuan rubbed his temples. His head was starting to ache.
"Ancestor, everyone..."
"It isn't as simple as you think. You can't judge everything by its surface."
"What a joke. If we don't look at the surface, should we look at its heart, liver, and lungs?"
Before Ancestor Qingxuan could finish, a Dao Sage in black robes cut him off, his expression and tone dripping with mockery.
"If you ask me, Bright Moon Spirit Tide Valley isn't worth worrying about at all."
"My