Dai Mubai poured cold water on the idea, then continued, "Father-in-law, if you were Pope Bibi Dong, with Spirit Hall's current power at your command, what would you do?"
Ning Fengzhi paused, his expression turning grave. "Go on."
Dai Mubai smiled. "If I were Bibi Dong, the only obstacles left would be the Upper Three Sects and the two empires. The empires lack high-level fighters, especially the Heaven Dou Empire. I could gradually infiltrate it and seize power. That makes the Upper Three Sects my greatest opponents. If they refused to cooperate and kept getting in my way, I'd concentrate my forces and wipe them out in one swift strike. Then I'd force the two imperial families to surrender—or destroy them—and unite the Douluo Continent."
He paused, his gaze sharpening. "The Clear Sky Sect has withdrawn from the world, leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect first in line. Father-in-law, your sect is in grave danger."
Chen Xin snorted. "Let them try!"
Dai Mubai turned to him, his voice calm. "Grandpa Jian, it isn't a question of whether they dare. It's a question of what they stand to gain. At the rate Spirit Hall is growing, it may no longer tolerate the Upper Three Sects in a few years. By then, the question won't be whether they'll strike, but when."
Chen Xin had no answer. Sharp sword intent gathered around him, but he had nowhere to direct it.
Ning Fengzhi tapped his fingers slowly on the table. His composure had given way to a grave expression.
After a moment of silence, he asked, "What would you suggest, son-in-law?"
This was the question Dai Mubai had been waiting for. "Father-in-law, the Heaven Dou Empire looks strong, but it's a loose collection of factions. Spirit Hall has already infiltrated it thoroughly. In