Chapter 387 (2/2)

One of the elders called out while the others nodded their heads.

”This is similar to the time when we offended the Dark Palm Sect!”

Zhang Zhi was the one that commented that from his point of view this was not the first time that they were against less than favorable odds.

”You want to compare the Dark Palm Sect to the Soaring Dragon Sect? It's like comparing a toad to a phoenix!”

Soon the elders started to shout at each other as the opinions were somewhat split. While some still believed that there was hope to get out of this alive others wanted to flee. Zhang Dong remained silent for the time being as it had been a while since he had seen the elders be so rowdy.

”That's enough.”

While normally he enjoyed when the oldies were at each other's throats this didn't get them anywhere. They needed to make a decision and they needed to do it fast.

”I can see that at least you all agree on one issue, there is no peaceful resolution to this problem we face.”

Zhang Dong said as he noticed that no elder in the room made a proposition of bribing the Soaring Dragon Sect to appease their anger. Everyone here seemed to be in agreement that it would be strange if that sect just let things be after they killed so many prominent elders from their side.

”If I may speak, Patriarch?”

Huo Qiao spoke out and Zhang Dong just nodded with his head.

”Brothers and sisters, it might look dire but there is still hope. We have managed to push their ȧssault, this was not a small force that the Soaring Dragon Sect had amassed, it is not something they can just ignore, they can not ignore our potential might!”

”Are you implying that the Soaring Dragon Sect will be fearful of us and not go through with an immediate attack?”

Zhang Dong asked as he was not sure what their enemies would try to do. Normally a huge force like that would not take something like this lying down. They killed ten of their late stage nascent soul masters and most of them fell to his blade.

On the other hand, they did manage to slay these ten monsters that each could be the Patriarch of their own middle sized sect. This showed people that the United Element Sect was to be feared.

Those middle sized sects in the region would probably not want to have anything to do with this conflict. They might even choose to flee instead of answering the call to arms that the Soaring Dragon Sect would normally send them.

”Not afraid but unable to.”

”The Soaring Dragon Sect is but one of the powers that rule this empire, they still have to answer to both the Azure Emperor and The Heavenly Crane Sect.”

The Heavenly Crane Sect in particular could see this as a chance to strike. Ten late stage nascent soul masters didn't just pop out of nowhere. It was clear that Wang Long miscalculated by bringing over such a big force.

It was clear that there were so many of them for the intimidation factor and they weren't really planning on fighting. Even then those cultivators didn't expect the amount of resistance that the United Element Sect offered.

”That is a possibility, the tunnels and facilities for the sect's evacuation are still undamaged.”

More people started talking, it seemed that even if they remained, all of the teleportation formations and intricate mechanisms for their escape were still in place. The defensive formation was still there and with Zhang Dong here now it could be fully utilized.

”We have two options, either we stay here or abandon the sect to a life of constant flight.”

Zhang Dong gave his opinion as well. While it wouldn't be that hard to flee, that would be for the sect. It would be impossible to keep as one tight-knit group. They would probably split into two sides, one going with the Huo Clan while the other going with his side. Some might even try to establish their own small clans in the other sect territories.

By not staying together they would have no chance of ever fighting back if the Soaring Dragon Sect decided to search for them. On the other hand, it would be a lot easier to hide in smaller groups and they could infiltrate other cities and lay low.

While survival was more probable with the second option, they would never recover their old prestige nor would they be able to progress as cultivators as they did.

”Patriarch, do you believe that we have a fighting chance?”

Everyone looked to Zhang Dong, it was all up to him to decide. While the old him would have probably chosen flight, the man that he now was different.

”Yes, I do believe that we have a fighting chance… tell me, how many masters at the great circle of core formation do we have to spare?”

”Patriarch, do you mean?”

Zhang Dong nodded with a little grin on his face. While his system was not fully in working order with his new realm that was more powerful than the old one it gave him his old method of raising his people up. It had been five years since he was here, in that time his people had to have made some progress.

”Yes, the more the better, we will put the resources that were left to good use!”