"Fellow Daoists of the Refining Spirit Sect, please consider carefully. Once you choose to be our enemy, there will be no room for maneuver."
Ancestor Zeng's voice echoed over the Five Immortal Mountains of the Refining Spirit Sect.
"The conditions Fellow Daoist Zeng offers, our Refining Spirit Sect cannot accept."
Niu Jinshui's voice came from Preaching Mountain, "The Refining Spirit Sect would rather die standing than live kneeling."
"Hmph!"
Ancestor Zeng waved, and the chihuang cloud reappeared. "Let's go."
The people of Ba Ling Sect uncontrollably flew into the sky and stood on the chihuang cloud.
In front of the chihuang cloud, the Puppet stood straight like a rock.
The chihuang cloud rolled, flying away along the way it came.
In the back mountains of the Refining Spirit Sect, several Spiritual Awarenesses were communicating.
"Should we keep this Ancestor Zeng here?" one Spiritual Awareness said.
If Qian Duoduo were here, his Golden Winged Bird could clearly see that this was the first generation Old Ancestor of the Refining Spirit Sect, who had presided over the Refining Spirit Sect for more than three thousand years.
"Since he dared to come, he must have a trick up his sleeve. If we make the first move, we might just fall into their trap."
Another Spiritual Awareness slowly said. This was the second generation Old Ancestor of the Refining Spirit Sect.
"The Lower Road is already restless. The Ba Ling Sect has been planning for tens of thousands of years, but our Refining Spirit Sect, and also the Shengling Sect, have likewise been planning for tens of thousands of years. To ask us to collaborate with the Ba Ling Sect to attack the Shengling Sect, we cannot do it. To ask us to seal our Sect's Great Formation and remain completely neutral for three thousand years, we also cannot do it."
The third Spiritual Awareness sighed. This was the third generation Old Ancestor.
"In the end, everything still comes down to strength. What's more, the Fa Lu Sect in the Middle Road will not stand by and watch the Ba Ling Sect annex us. If the Fa Lu Sect makes a move, whether the Ba Ling Sect can withstand it is still hard to say," the first generation Old Ancestor analyzed.
"We will not actively initiate war. However, preparations must be expedited," the second generation Old Ancestor suggested.
"...That Qian Duoduo is quite interesting. If he hadn't clashed head-on with Dugu Yunshan, I wouldn't have seen through him. Only that fun little guy can refine the power of the golden brick."
The first Spiritual Awareness suddenly said.
"It seems he had another fortuitous encounter outside. The sky in this Lower Road is still too small..." the third generation Old Ancestor sighed.
"That Azure Phoenix and Spirit Ant Bee swarm only recognize him. When the great war starts, more Magic Treasures will be needed. We need to recall him earlier. No, recall all Disciples who are outside, and from now on, activate the entire Sect's Formation and enter a state of readiness for war!"
The first generation Old Ancestor gave a sudden order. Several Spiritual Awarenesses were transmitted from the back mountain to the Purple Firmament Great Hall.
Immediately, Niu Jinshui issued a series of orders to the entire Sect.
At this moment, the chihuang cloud flew out of the Refining Spirit Sect.
On the chihuang cloud, Qian Duoduo and the others were terrified, feeling the fluctuations of the Refining Spirit Sect's Formation below, with light and shadow flowing, like a waking giant beast that could devour them at any moment.
At the very front of the chihuang cloud, Ancestor Zeng and the Puppet stood expressionlessly.
Zeng Zifang sat behind Ancestor Zeng, her face full of vigilance.
Behind Zeng Zifang, Qian Duoduo remained silent; he understood the whole situation.
Ancestor Zeng's negotiation failed. The Refining Spirit Sect, which had always appeared weak, showed unexpected strength this time.
Not only did they refuse to join forces, but they also refused neutrality.
Completely tearing off the mask with the Ba Ling Sect meant enduring attacks from both the Ba Ling Sect and the Shengling Sect.
Whether the Refining Spirit Sect could withstand it was still unknown.
According to Qian Duoduo's judgment, the strength of the Ba Ling Sect alone surpassed that of the Refining Spirit Sect.
If the Ba Ling Sect and the Refining Spirit Sect fought to a mutual destruction, it would greatly benefit the Shengling Sect.
Qian Duoduo believed that the Old Ancestors of the Ba Ling Family, and the Sect Leader and Palace Lords of the Refining Spirit Sect, would be clearer about the stakes involved than he was.