The hall fell silent at once, and everyone exchanged glances.
No one could read Fang Mo's attitude, and none wanted to be the first to answer.
Star River and Mu Cangming exchanged a look before Star River spoke first. "Alliance Leader, my view remains the same. If we can absorb the Mechanical Empire's strength, we should. During this Abyssal Domain invasion, the Western Front truly contributed. If they had not kept the enemy tied down, our pressure would only have been greater. Now that they are divided internally, the time is ripe to seize the opportunity. This may be our chance to bring the Mechanical Empire under our command."
Mu Cangming nodded with an equally solemn expression. "The Flame Domain's industrial system and starship combat strength would give us a better chance against the Abyssal Domain if we could make them our own. I suggest we try making contact with the factions close to our Heavenly Way Alliance!"
"But have you considered this?" Zi Yue suddenly spoke. Her voice was quiet, yet cold. "Even if we incorporate them, will they truly submit in their hearts? Today, they may stand shoulder to shoulder with us; tomorrow, they may dare stab us in the back. Would you dare trust them?"
Yingshan echoed her words. "Zi Yue is right. Deep down, those people from the Mechanical Empire look down on cultivators like us. Their cooperation is merely a stopgap measure. Rather than raise a tiger to invite calamity, we might as well take advantage of their internal chaos and settle it once and for all."
He stretched out his hand and gave it a light sweep, but the killing intent bursting from his eyes was so dense it was nearly tangible. The air in the hall instantly turned cold.
Lie Jiuyou sat at