Discussion! Boiling a Frog Slowly!

In Spirit Hall's rear courtyard, Zijun lounged lazily in a chair.

He held a cluster of crystal-clear grapes in his hand, popping them into his mouth one after another.

"Xiao Jun, members of other factions have now infiltrated every branch of Spirit Hall. If this goes on... won't Spirit Hall become the one footing everyone else's bill?"

Seated elegantly on a stone stool opposite Zijun, Bibi Dong wore a troubled expression.

After chewing the fruit in his mouth a few times and swallowing it, Zijun looked at Bibi Dong and answered with a question of his own.

"Why do you think a sect or a family can remain prosperous for so long? What lies at the root of it?"

After meeting Zijun's gaze, Bibi Dong lowered her head to stare at the patterned tiles beneath her feet. She pondered for a moment before answering.

"Cohesion? A large bloodline? Abundant capital?"

Zijun nodded, set the grapes in his hand into the fruit dish on the table, straightened up, and analyzed the matter.

"Correct! But for a sect or family to possess those things, it must also create dependence."

He picked several grapes and arranged them in a triangle atop the stone table before continuing.

The apex represented the sect. Cultivation techniques and cultivation resources formed three connecting lines, enclosing the sect's disciples within them.

This would make the disciples accustomed to, and aware that, only by joining a sect could they easily obtain cultivation resources and techniques. Over time, they would develop dependence.

Once that condition was established, countless Spirit Masters would join the sect.

Compared to obtaining cultivation resources and techniques alone, or relying on loose groups where there was no trust to speak of,

joining a sect was both a simple and the most efficient method of cultivation.

"After all, not everyone is born with exceptional innate talent. Huddling together for warmth is only human nature."

After hearing Zijun's explanation, Bibi Dong's lips curled upward. A glint flashed in her eyes as realization dawned on her.

"And Spirit Hall offers cultivation resources and techniques superior to those of the sects. Over time, their dependence will shift to Spirit Hall, allowing us to win over those sect disc—!"

Before Bibi Dong could finish, Zijun interrupted her.

"No! It isn't that simple. You've overlooked one thing: culture! A culture passed down for a thousand years cannot be erased overnight."

Completely wiping it out was unrealistic. What we needed to do now was promote ourselves!

Using the major sects and noble houses, we would spread word that Spirit Hall offered easily obtainable, high-quality cultivation resources.

Even if opinions about it varied, as long as Spirit Masters across the continent knew that Spirit Hall possessed superior cultivation resources,

then... whenever independent Spirit Masters across the continent wished to join a faction, Spirit Hall would certainly be their first choice.

Even if they did not sincerely serve Spirit Hall, they would never become enemies of Spirit Hall.

And the longer this process lasted, the more advantageous it would be for Spirit Hall.

But at the same time, Spirit Hall would inevitably offend every faction...

Zijun paused there as a cool breeze stirred the flowers, grass, and trees in the courtyard.

The hems of their robes swayed faintly in the air.

He spread his palm to catch a falling leaf, then curled his five fingers into a fist and sneered.

"When the fish can no longer endure it and rises to the surface on its own, it will naturally give us a perfectly justified opportunity..."

He opened his fist and tossed away the leaf. Turning to Bibi Dong, Zijun smiled.

"An opportunity to heed Heaven's mandate, fulfill the people's will, and unify the continent."

Looking at the handsome, refined Zijun before her, Bibi Dong was momentarily entranced.

Her breathing quickened. Realizing her lapse in composure, Bibi Dong hurriedly averted her gaze, nodded, and said gently.

"When that time comes, I'll have to trouble Xiao Jun to suppress the rebellion. I already understand the details of the implementation, so I won't disturb your rest any longer."

Leaving those words behind, Bibi Dong rose and left the rear courtyard, heading toward the main hall.

Bibi Dong's gentle tone lingered in his ears, leaving Zijun somewhat dazed.

When he came back to himself, he looked in the direction Bibi Dong had left and muttered.

"Did I hear that wrong? Bibi Dong can be gentle too? That's downright bizarre."

Inside the main hall, Bibi Dong issued the plans devised by Zijun and herself.

Not only did she increase the supply of cultivation resources, she also announced that Ten-Thousand Year Spirit Rings and Spirit Bones would be available to the public.

For a time, Spirit Hall's name was once again thrust into the eye of the storm!

At the same time, Shrek Academy and the others received this news as well.

"Grandmaster! If we pretend to join Spirit Hall, we'll be able to absorb Ten-Thousand Year Spirit Rings! There are even heavenly treasures that can increase Soul Power cultivation!"

Zhao Wuji held a notice in his hand and slapped it onto the conference table.

His carefree expression showed no regard whatsoever for Yu Xiaogang's embarrassment.

Since arriving in Heaven Dou City, Yu Xiaogang and the others had naturally heard some rumors about Spirit Hall.

However, the Spirit Rings Spirit Hall had previously made available were only at the Thousand-Year, Hundred-Year, and Ten-Year levels.

They might have been tempting to ordinary commoner Spirit Masters, but for those with sects, academies, or families of their own,

they held little appeal. After all, Thousand-Year Spirit Rings were

easily within reach for them. There was no need to cast aside their dignity and beg Spirit Hall for such meager resources.

But things were different now! Every Spirit Beast on the continent at the Ten-Thousand Year level possessed considerable strength.

Without powerful experts overseeing the hunt, even academies, sects, families, and the like

could not acquire them easily!

Thus, Spirit Hall's move undoubtedly touched the reverse scales of every major faction!

It had been many years since we last met. I never expected Spirit Hall to have developed to this extent!

It seemed Spirit Hall's ambitions had already become obvious!

Were they... truly unafraid of offending every faction across the continent?

No matter how Yu Xiaogang thought it over, he could not understand the purpose behind Spirit Hall's actions.

He picked up the notice on the table and read through it carefully before laughing.

"Your proposal isn't bad. Being able to obtain Spirit Rings safely would also protect the little monsters. But it isn't suitable for our academy."

Zhao Wuji frowned in confusion, scratched the back of his head, and pressed on.

"Not suitable? What insight does Grandmaster have?"

Yu Xiaogang set down the notice, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked to the window. Gazing at the rolling river, he explained.

"If we join, we would not only be people of Spirit Hall in name. If we ever came into conflict with Spirit Hall in the future, we would become ungrateful wretches. When that time comes... could you bear the condemnation of tens of thousands?"

As the last word fell, Yu Xiaogang fixed Zhao Wuji with a resolute gaze.

Zhao Wuji considered the meaning behind those words and swallowed nervously.

"Spirit Hall... truly has a fine scheme."

After calming down, Zhao Wuji stroked his chin and asked the key question. "But where will Spirit Hall find so many Spirit Beasts and Spirit Rings?"

Yu Xiaogang shook his head. He too could not make sense of it, and he sighed earnestly.

"I only hope the other factions can see its true nature. If they become too deeply entangled... it will be too late to turn back... sigh."