With the Jade Devouring Sky Python and Chi Xue both determined to fight over the Phoenix Soul Fruit, Soul Severing Cliff and Fengyun Pavilion couldn't possibly give in. A major battle was bound to break out sooner or later, and both sides would suffer heavy casualties. That would leave Ling Tian and the others without two powerful backers. At the very least, they wouldn't have to worry about Feng Lingzi or the Young Leader taking action against them anymore.
It made sense. Never mind that Chi Xue and the others didn't believe Soul Severing Cliff and Fengyun Pavilion would hand over the Phoenix Soul Fruit; probably no cultivator in the entire God Realm would believe it.
Chi Xue and the others continued besieging Ling Tian's temporary strongholds. But as more and more Universe Flying Saucers were destroyed, it took them longer to bring down each stronghold, and they lost even more saucers in the process.
By the time the temporary strongholds had only forty percent of their defenses left, Chi Xue and the others had barely any Universe Flying Saucers remaining. They no longer had the strength to take another stronghold and were even at risk of a counterattack from Ling Tian's side at any moment. With no other choice, they gave up and led their experts back to their sect strongholds.
Although Chi Xue and the others had almost no Universe Flying Saucers left and were still rebuilding their sect strongholds, Ling Tian and the others feared that super experts might be lurking in the shadows, ready to strike. So they didn't lead anyone in pursuit, or even harass Chi Xue and the others as they rebuilt.
Even with no missions outside their strongholds, Ling Tian and the others kept busy. Aside from training hard and comprehending all kinds