"Master, did you cut off the Clear Sky Sect's food supply?"
Fang Fan sat down beside Zhu Zhuqing, accepted the hot tea a servant offered, and asked curiously.
"Yes."
Bibi Dong returned to her throne. Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, and a calculating glint flashed through her eyes.
"Spirit Hall's soul masters have sealed the mountain roads, waterways, and air routes around the Clear Sky Sect. Every shipment of food, medicine, and Soul Tool supplies bound for them has been stopped halfway.
"They do grow some vegetables on the back mountain and have dug ponds to raise fish. But with the remnants of their affiliated sects who recently sought refuge there, their population now exceeds several thousand.
"Their stores will last a month and a half at most. Once they're too hungry to lift a Clear Sky Hammer, Spirit Hall's army will march on Clear Sky Peak and crush them."
As she spoke the last sentence, her lips curved into a cool, confident smile.
"That's an excellent plan. You'll drive one of the Top Three Sects into a corner without losing a single soldier.
"Master, you're beautiful, powerful, and clever. Your disciple is impressed."
Fang Fan set down his teacup. His tone was sincere, though not without a hint of teasing.
"You brat. You've spent months out in the world, and the one thing you've learned is how to flatter people."
Bibi Dong rose from her throne and walked over to Fang Fan. She patted his shoulder, neither too hard nor too gently, with a touch of affection and exasperation.
"But your master likes it."
Her eyes softened as she said it. The commanding presence of the Pope faded a little, replaced by a warmth she showed only her disciple.
"Still, Tang Hao and the others will