Over the past ten years, the Profound Court had discussed how to deal with Origin Xia many times. They had even sought advice from the six Regents and drawn up quite a few strategies.
But strategies were only strategies—deductions and predictions of the other side's methods. The situation changed with every passing moment, and they had to keep adjusting according to reality.
After a brief moment of thought, Zhang Yu said, "Last time, we took the initiative to attack Origin Xia and forced them into negotiations with us. That was how the ten-year pact came about."
He looked around the hall. "In that battle, first, Origin Xia had only recently suffered a setback; second, they never expected Celestial Xia to dare launch an offensive; third, there was internal discord.
"And the third reason was the most important. So long as Origin Xia wished to defeat Celestial Xia, they would realize that the Two Halls alone had no certainty of victory against us. Thus, it was only to be expected that the Myriad Ways and the Two Halls would merge their forces.
"Judging from the intelligence gathered from all sides, Origin Xia is thoroughly prepared in every regard this time, and they will certainly have guarded against a surprise attack. Therefore, fighting them on Origin Xia's home ground would be greatly disadvantageous to us. Our choices are few. This battle can only be fought defensively. Only once the balance of strength between enemy and ally changes will we have another opportunity to strike at Origin Xia."
Though he had merely given a simple comparison of the two sides' strengths, he had invisibly set the strategy for this confrontation with Origin Xia. After hearing him, all the Tingzhi agreed.
Though Origin Xia had suffered a setback last time, its foundations remained unshaken.