The Elephant Armor Sect was one of the Lower Four Sects, renowned throughout the Soul Master World and possessing considerable strength.
Naturally, its sect master, Huyan Zhen, had brought some people with him to attend a meeting like this.
However, they were all outside the Clear Sky Grand Hall.
When Tang Hui saw Huyan Zhen step forward to object, his expression immediately darkened.
He had already made himself perfectly clear. Everyone should have understood without saying it aloud.
Spirit Holy Mountain had already become a sacred ground for Soul Masters to cultivate.
His objective was simple. If Spirit Hall had developed a technique to transform treasured lands, then it should share it.
Spirit Hall could not be allowed to monopolize such an extraordinary technique.
If the changes to Spirit Holy Mountain had occurred naturally, then it should be redistributed.
Otherwise, with Spirit Holy Mountain's abundant spiritual Qi of heaven and earth, Spirit Hall would surely produce a great many Titled Douluo within ten years.
By then, the Clear Sky Sect's standing would be hanging by a thread.
The entire Soul Master World would be shrouded in Spirit Hall's shadow.
He also knew that the Clear Sky Sect alone could not force Spirit Hall to yield.
That was why he had invited people from the various Soul Master factions: to join forces and pressure Spirit Hall, then divide the cake.
Everyone actually understood this perfectly well.
Their silence meant they had already tacitly accepted it.
They had even tacitly accepted Tang Hui using those twisted arguments as excuses.
But he had never imagined someone would step forward to object at this critical juncture. Was that not a slap in his face?
"Sect Master Huyan, what do you mean by that?"
Tang Hui could not save face.
With their unspoken understanding laid bare, what excuse did he have left to pressure Spirit Hall?
Indeed, Spirit Holy Mountain had belonged to Spirit Hall since ancient times.
But now that it had changed, who did not want a share of the spoils?
The people from the other Soul Master factions wore varied expressions.
They could follow Tang Hui in acting shamelessly.
But they could not let anyone say it aloud.
Having someone tear away that veil of decency left them looking bad.
Huyan Zhen sneered disdainfully and said, "What do I mean? Let me ask just one thing. If the spiritual Qi of heaven and earth here at the Clear Sky Sect became a hundred times more abundant, would Sect Master Tang Hui be willing to redistribute it?"
At those words, Tang Hui's face turned as dark as ink.
The others, however, were utterly astonished.
To act so arrogantly on someone else's territory-Huyan Zhen really was reckless.
He was merely a Soul Douluo. Why throw his life away like this?
If Tang Hui lost his temper, Huyan Zhen would probably find it difficult to leave alive.
Still, Huyan Zhen had a point.
If the spiritual Qi of heaven and earth on the Clear Sky Sect's territory suddenly became a hundred times more abundant, the Clear Sky Sect would probably say nothing about redistribution.
If it involved a technique, the Clear Sky Sect would certainly keep an iron grip on it, with no possibility of sharing it.
The Clear Sky Sect was indeed the number one sect under heaven.
But everyone knew it had always acted in an overbearing manner.
They were all prominent Soul Master factions in the Soul Master World. How could they not know the Clear Sky Sect's little tricks?
There had been far, far too many incidents of Clear Sky Sect disciples causing trouble outside and using their sect as a shield.
"Mind your words, Sect Master Huyan. If it were my Clear Sky Sect, I would naturally be willing to redistribute it."
"If it involved a technique, I would naturally be willing to share that as well."
"It is all for the better development of the Soul Master World."
Tang Hui spoke with a faint, ambiguous smile.
Some people were genuinely a little surprised.
Was Tang Hui really so kindhearted?
Huyan Zhen roared with laughter, his face filled with mockery.
"Unfortunately, the Clear Sky Sect has nothing of the sort. So who can't make grand claims?"
"I could just as well say that the Elephant Armor Sect has this technique and will offer it to the entire Soul Master World for free."
Without a doubt, those words completely stripped away Tang Hui's hypocritical mask.
Making promises with something he did not have-who could not play such a petty trick?
Did he really take everyone for fools?
Ning Fengzhi considered it privately. That was indeed the truth.
The moment Tang Hui spoke, he had known what the man was thinking.
He wanted to unite the various factions to pressure Spirit Hall into surrendering Spirit Holy Mountain or handing over the technique.
The idea sounded good, but putting it into practice would certainly not be so easy.
The biggest problem was Spirit Hall's attitude.
Yu Yuanzhen had already died outside Spirit City.
That mysterious powerhouse was Spirit Hall's greatest support.
Until that powerhouse was dealt with, who would dare cause trouble?
At least his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would not dare.
Besides, since when was it anyone else's place to pass judgment on Spirit Hall's territory?
Tang Hui's actions were truly unscrupulous.
Did he really think gathering so many people to hunt down Spirit Hall would work?
So he said nothing and continued watching how things unfolded.
By now, Huyan Zhen's mockery had left Tang Hui's face alternating between green and white.
In the end, he could no longer hold back and slammed his palm heavily onto the table.
With a bang, the thick stone table shattered.
The sudden outburst of fury startled everyone.
Huyan Zhen took a step back. "Have you flown into a rage out of humiliation, Sect Master Tang Hui?"
"Heh. I don't care what you're all thinking. The Elephant Armor Sect will not take part in this operation!"
"If you want to get yourselves killed, go yourselves. Don't drag us along!"
"Don't forget Spirit Hall's strength!"
"Before you make a move, you'd best consider whether your bones are as hard as Yu Yuanzhen's."
At those words, the expressions of everyone present changed drastically.
They had just been blinded by profit.
Only now, when Huyan Zhen mentioned it, did they remember that Spirit Hall still had a mysterious powerhouse.
Even a Titled Douluo like Yu Yuanzhen had been annihilated with a single finger.
Two hundred elites had been slapped to death with one palm.
Their cultivation was nowhere near as formidable as Yu Yuanzhen's.
If they enraged that mysterious powerhouse and he appeared in person, could he not send all of them to their deaths with a single slap?
Seeing the change in everyone's expressions, Tang Hui immediately said, "I know what you are all worried about. I can guarantee that you need not worry too much."
"My Clear Sky Sect will naturally keep that powerhouse from Spirit Hall occupied."
"Besides, this is for the future of the Soul Master World. I believe Spirit Hall will make the wise choice."
Was he giving them his guarantee?
Everyone began to hesitate.
It sounded as though the Clear Sky Sect knew something about that mysterious powerhouse and was even confident it could keep him occupied.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head inwardly.
These people had truly been fooled lame by Tang Hui's glib tongue.
There was no information whatsoever on that powerhouse. What could the Clear Sky Sect possibly use to learn about him-their heads?
And now he was even resorting to moral blackmail, trying to lash the entire Soul Master World to his war chariot?
It was rather laughable.
With that thought, he stood and said, "Sect Master Huyan, the weather is lovely today. Would you be interested in having a few drinks?"
Huyan Zhen froze. What did he mean?
While he was pondering it, Ning Fengzhi had already walked to his side.
"A new kind of wine recently arrived in Seven Treasure City. It tastes rich and mellow, and I was just looking for someone to enjoy it with. Why not join me, Sect Master Huyan?"
At this point, Huyan Zhen seemed to catch on as well. He laughed heartily and said, "Good, good, good! Then I'll impose on your hospitality."
Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly and walked out of the grand hall.
Huyan Zhen hurried after him, with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo bringing up the rear.
Everyone present watched this scene, somewhat dumbfounded.
Meanwhile, Tang Hui had already clenched his fists.
Ning Fengzhi, you bastard! You're courting death!