After Sun Li left, Divine Wind Island regained its outward calm, but Chen Ming's heart could no longer find peace.
The olive branch offered by the Corpse Refining Sect was like a massive rock cast into a lake, stirring ripples upon ripples. He sat in the study on the second floor of the stone hall, a rough chart of the Chaotic Star Sea spread before him, tapping his fingers lightly against the desk as he sank into thought.
Wan Yao'er leaned against the window, toying with a White Jade Hairpin. Her gaze rested on the sea outside, dyed red by the setting sun, as though something weighed on her mind. Neither spoke. The only sounds in the study were the steady tapping of Chen Ming's fingertips against the desk and the occasional cries of seabirds outside.
After a long while, Chen Ming broke the silence. "What do you think the Corpse Refining Sect is really scheming?"
Wan Yao'er withdrew her gaze and turned toward him. "It's simple. They're looking for cannon fodder."
"Cannon fodder?" Chen Ming raised an eyebrow.
"What else?"
Wan Yao'er walked over to the desk and touched a slender finger to the chart, pointing at the Inner Star Sea.
"The Star Palace has been purging the Inner Star Sea these past two years. The first to bear the brunt are the small and midsized factions with some strength, but not enough to stand against the Star Palace head-on. The Corpse Refining Sect may be a major sect, but before the Star Palace, it's merely a slightly bigger fish. If they want to resist the Star Palace, their own strength certainly won't be enough. They have to draw in enough allies."
Her finger slowly traced a path from the Inner Star Sea to the Outer Star Sea. "But