When Purple Wing's words fell, it was as though all the air had been sucked out of the conference hall.
No one responded.
Not because they dared not, but because everyone understood what those words meant.
"He's too strong!" Behind those words lay not praise, but fact—and fear.
Silad's Adam's apple bobbed. He wanted to say something, but his lips moved, then closed again.
Jin Hui broke the silence. Leaning back in his chair, he tapped his fingers against the table, his voice a little lower than before. "Purple Wing, the Elder Council... what exactly did they say?"
Purple Wing did not answer immediately.
He raised his hand and swiped through the air, activating an encrypted projection. It displayed a strategic assessment summary sent from headquarters, packed with data and analytical conclusions. The core reasoning was highlighted in red:
[Fang Mo has entered the holy realm, killed a holy realm giant crocodile with one spear strike, and dispersed a holy realm abyss beast with one punch. His combat strength exceeds existing assessments. Direct confrontation is not advised; the Abyss Beast Holy Clan's strength is unknown, with suspected presences above the true god realm. Regardless of which side wins, the outcome will be disastrous for the empire. Optimal strategy: observe developments, encourage mutual devastation, and seize the opportunity to advance research into eighth-level liquid metal warriors and seek a path toward an Eighth-level Civilization!]
Jin Hui stared at those lines of red text for a long time before slowly speaking. "Mutual devastation... then we step out and pluck the peaches?"
"That's the Elder Council's idea." Purple Wing's voice was calm. He paused, then added, "Not mine."
"Headquarters' considerations aren't entirely unreasonable!" War Emperor Hazy Moon spoke, her brow furrowed and apprehension flickering in her eyes. "Fang Mo is too