As the punished Heaven's Chosen gradually departed, the once-crowded hall suddenly became empty, as though all life had been drained from it.
At the same time, an inexplicable chill crept in from every direction, making the palace seem all the more sinister and terrifying.
"Our encirclement of the Heavenly Prodigies ended in failure. I'm afraid our carefully laid plot has already been partly exposed, which will inevitably put the major regions on their guard.
"Taking the major powers by surprise as we did before will be fraught with difficulties now!"
A low, hoarse voice abruptly rang out. Though the dim surroundings made it difficult to see who had spoken, everyone present knew perfectly well whose voice it was.
"Hmph! I see no need to keep looking over our shoulders and tying our own hands!
"We should strike while our momentum is strong, launch an all-out assault on the Seven Great Regions, and crush them in one stroke!
"Our Central Saint Palace is immensely powerful. How could those misshapen melons and cracked dates possibly stand against us?"
The Third Elder gave a displeased snort. Like a stone stirring a thousand waves, his words immediately caused a commotion among those around him.
"Exactly! Rather than sit around waiting for the Age of Great Contention, we should take the initiative!
"A vicious battle is bound to come sooner or later anyway. We might as well fight now, while everyone's morale is high!
"Let the Seven Great Regions taste the might of our Central Saint Palace! Then we'll see who still dares challenge us!"
The Central Saint Palace's Left Protector stepped forward to voice his support. His tone brimmed with confidence and arrogance, as though he held the other seven regions in utter contempt.
"Any single region would indeed be like a mantis