Li Ling's words made it clear that he intended to intervene in the struggle over the Long Sea and take an active role in redistributing its resources after the Demon Calamity.
But this had always been the domain of the old powers. No matter how rotten and decrepit a faction became, it would always expend its last scrap of strength to struggle.
They could never willingly accept their own demise. Someone had to help them along on their final journey.
"Elder Li, forgive my bluntness, but this is a course that encourages evil demons and invites disaster."
Even knowing that it was disrespectful to a Core Formation cultivator, members of the established aristocratic clans and local powers still chose to stand up and voice their opposition in public.
"Only we can control these waters and keep the region peaceful.
"As the grand elder of the Branch Headquarters, you ought to uphold justice and back us. Why would you fan the arrogance of these grassroots rogue cultivators?"
"The Long Sea is our Long Sea! Putting it up for open competition is inherently disadvantageous to us!"
The head of the Lin Household also looked at Li Ling with disappointment written across his face. He had never imagined that Li Ling had summoned them here to discuss such a proposal.
He could not help saying, "Our ancestors rode in rickety carts and wore ragged clothes to build our foundations. They did not do so to give these rogue cultivators the right to compete with us on the same stage. How unjust!"
At those words, a newly risen rogue cultivator stood up and angrily snapped, "That's a load of bloody dogshit! The Long Sea is such a mess precisely because your aristocratic clans are here!"
Another said, "When the demons attacked, where were all