Ye Qing knew very well that the reason Qian Daoliu in the original story hadn't dared to kill Tang Hao and wipe out the Clear Sky Sect for Qian Xunji was not only that Bibi Dong was the true culprit, but also that Tang Chen was an unpredictable factor.
Besides, Qian Renxue had only awakened her Martial Soul not long before then, and still had a long road ahead of her.
If that reckless fool Tang Chen had come straight to Spirit Hall to trade blows with Qian Daoliu, even if Qian Daoliu hadn't died, all of Spirit City would have been destroyed.
After all, a life-or-death battle between two level ninety-nine Peerless Douluo was enough to destroy heaven and earth.
Everyone there except Qian Daoliu would have died in that battle.
But things were different now.
This time, it was a grudge between Sea God Island and the Clear Sky Sect. Spirit Hall was only there to assist.
Bo Saixi was stationed on Sea God Island, and it was protected by Sea God Divine Power. No matter how crazy Tang Chen was, would he really dare to run amok on Sea God Island?
Did he think the Sea God was just for show?
"You're right!"
Under Ye Qing's gaze, Qian Daoliu spoke slowly. A trace of relief colored his voice as he nodded in admission. "Spirit Hall certainly doesn't want to see the Clear Sky Sect continue to grow stronger. But this is ultimately a grudge between you and the Clear Sky Sect. We don't have to get involved at all. Wouldn't it be better to sit back and watch the tigers fight?"
As the saying went, when the mantis stalked the cicada, the oriole lurked behind.
Once the Clear Sky Sect and Sea God Island went to war, no matter who won in the end, Spirit Hall would certainly reap the greatest benefits.
Ye Qing nodded and answered frankly, "You speak the truth, Senior. But Spirit Hall isn't the only power on this continent capable of keeping the Clear Sky Sect in check."
As he spoke, his tone shifted and his gaze sharpened. "As far as I know, the Clear Sky Sect's former leader, Tang Chen, has been missing for many years. As things stand, the Clear Sky Sect has only one Titled Douluo in the open. We could use Sea God Island's reputation to join forces with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and put pressure on them. The process might be a little troublesome, but the result would be worthwhile."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
At the name, Qian Xunji couldn't help sneering. "Ning Fengzhi is a shrewd schemer. Do you think he'll agree? Will he offend the powerful Clear Sky Sect for Sea God Island?"
Ye Qing glanced at him, as if asking whether someone this stupid could really be Spirit Hall's Pope.
No wonder that Saintess Bibi Dong had fallen so hopelessly in love with that good-for-nothing Yu Xiaogang. There had to be a reason for it.
"Kid, what's that look for?"
Qian Xunji noticed Ye Qing's expression and was about to fly into a rage, but Qian Daoliu raised a hand to stop him.
"Xunji, you're wrong."
Qian Daoliu looked at Ye Qing with a hint of approval in his eyes and replied, "If Sea God Island truly sought cooperation, Ning Fengzhi wouldn't just agree—he might not even ask for a single coin."
"Father! How is that possible?"
Qian Xunji was baffled. "Ning Fengzhi isn't a saint! The Clear Sky Sect has a Peerless Douluo to rely on. Why would the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect take such a risk?"
Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was, like the Clear Sky Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects, that didn't mean it could go toe-to-toe with the Clear Sky Sect.
The power of a level ninety-nine Peerless Douluo was simply too great.
You could see just how vast the gap was from the fact that Qian Daoliu had shaken Chen Xin's father, whose Soul Power had reached level ninety-seven, to death.
And Chen Xin hadn't even reached level ninety-seven yet.
So Qian Xunji thought that unless Ning Fengzhi had lost his mind, he would never choose to cooperate with Sea God Island and join them in attacking the Clear Sky Sect.
Qian Daoliu didn't answer directly. Instead, he chuckled and looked at Ye Qing, gesturing for him to speak. "Child, why don't you explain?"
Ye Qing cleared his throat and began to lay out his reasoning. "Ning Fengzhi is a businessman through and through. He weighs the pros and cons in everything. Cooperating with us would certainly offend the Clear Sky Sect, but it would also win him a powerful ally in Sea God Island. As long as we don't go too far and leave the Clear Sky Sect a way out, even if Tang Chen returns, would he dare to touch the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
He paused, emphasizing his next words. "Unless he wants to drag the entire Clear Sky Sect down with him and make them mortal enemies of Sea God Island. In Tang Chen's eyes, what is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Does it even deserve to be compared with the Clear Sky Sect?"
"As for the benefits the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could gain, there are even more!"
A faint smile curved Ye Qing's lips as he continued, "They could use this opportunity to show the continent their ties to Sea God Island and weaken the Clear Sky Sect's influence. They might even replace the Clear Sky Sect as the number one sect under heaven. You have to understand, the benefits brought by that kind of reputation are richer than any tangible gains. More Soul Masters would flock to them, and more forces would attach themselves to their side. How could someone like Ning Fengzhi pass up such a profitable deal?"
"Don't forget, Spirit Hall was able to grow so quickly because it traded on its reputation as the inheritor of the Angel God's legacy, wasn't it?"
His reasoning was clear and thorough, weighing every advantage and disadvantage, as if he had watched Ning Fengzhi consider the matter with his own eyes.
Qian Xunji was left speechless, his face turning pale and then red.
He had never imagined that a child could see through all these intricacies so clearly.
Qian Daoliu chuckled and applauded. "Well said! That old fox Ning Fengzhi would indeed calculate it that way."
At that moment, the way he looked at Ye Qing had completely changed.
What kind of child was this?
He was clearly a shrewd old schemer, with a mind deep as the sea.
It seemed the Sea God had chosen him as an inheritor for more than just his talent.
"It seems we have no choice."
Qian Daoliu's smile faded, and he spoke solemnly. "Spirit Hall can help you, but there's one condition—after you reclaim the Soul Beast, you must publicly acknowledge that this operation was conducted in alliance with Spirit Hall. Let the entire continent know that Spirit Hall and Sea God Island stand on the same side."
He wanted to use Sea God Island's influence to further strengthen Spirit Hall's position.
Ye Qing nodded without hesitation. "Agreed."
As far as he was concerned, as long as he could get Ah Yin, this small favor was of no consequence.
More importantly, Sea God Island would also gain plenty from the arrangement. After all, Spirit Hall held almost unquestioned sway over this side of the continent.
"Very well. For the next few days, you can stay here at Spirit Hall. Once we've made our arrangements, we'll go with you to the Clear Sky Sect." Qian Daoliu rose to his feet.
"No problem. Thank you for your help, Senior." Ye Qing nodded in gratitude.
"It's nothing. We're partners, so there's no need to call it trouble."
Qian Daoliu waved a hand dismissively, his handsome face unconcerned. Then, looking curious, he asked, "There's one more thing I'd like to know. May I ask you about it?"
"Please ask, Senior. If I know the answer, I certainly won't hide it." Ye Qing was quite forthcoming.
"It's nothing major. I just want to know what your Martial Soul really is."
At that, the expressions of Ye Qing and Sea Dragon Douluo instantly turned sour.