Cai Li listened to Feng Tingzhi's words and fell silent. After a while, he gave a chuckle and said, "Feng Tingzhi, you are clearly capable of making your words sound pleasant, yet you refuse to say even a few nice things. It is as if you have Cai completely figured out."
Feng Tingzhi said, "Clan Chief Cai, Feng is merely speaking the truth. Clan Chief Cai is one who recognizes the greater trend. Even without Feng saying it, I believe you understand."
Cai Li smiled without smiling. "I can understand it, but Feng Tingzhi, the way you put it makes you seem less like someone here to negotiate terms and more like someone urging surrender before battle."
He pondered for a moment, then grew somewhat more serious. "I have a question. If Cai agrees, how will your side ensure that I will not be seized by the power of Origin Xia's oath?"
Feng Tingzhi said, "Celestial Xia naturally has Dao-Calming Treasures to protect us. It is not as though no cultivators from your side have submitted to Celestial Xia before; all of them now cultivate without hindrance. And if Celestial Xia wins this battle, we can naturally pardon the erosion of Dao power upon your side."
Cai Li said, "That does sound reasonable. But I have one question. Celestial Xia and Origin Xia are presently locked in a stalemate. Where does Celestial Xia find such confidence that it can certainly wipe us out?"
Feng Tingzhi did not answer directly. He merely said, "Feng also wishes to ask a question. How will Clan Chief Cai ensure that those clan elders agree with your intentions?"
Cai Li smiled. These words told him that Celestial Xia had its own methods. With a light flick of his sleeve, a teacup filled itself with tea