Swish—all at once, whether it was the Su Clan’s side, the Star-Eye Clan’s side, or those small clans’ sides, everyone’s gaze had fallen on Ye Zhongming.
Huo Zhi had been observing Ye Zhongming’s expression all along and noticed that this youngster, who had only recently arrived among the races of the universe, had been frowning frequently. He knew he might not be very satisfied with these locations, but he had not expected him to speak so bluntly.
“Zhongming… you…” Lord Eye wanted to say something, but was interrupted by an elder from the Su Clan.
“Our Su Clan has countless years of experience in determining camp locations. These three sites were identified after much deliberation and scrutiny as the most suitable. Out of consideration for our alliance, we are asking for your opinions. You don’t actually think the choice is up to you, do you?”
Elder Zhongken Su was from Kelan Su’s faction, so it would be strange if he had any goodwill toward Ye Zhongming and the Star-Eye Clan. Facing Ye Zhongming, he not only denied his words but also launched into a taunt.
The Star-Eye Clan’s side and the other small clans were very embarrassed, but they did not dare say anything either. After all, they were currently relying on the Su Clan, afraid of offending them.
Another elder belonged to a different faction. Although he had leaned slightly toward neutrality after Ye Zhongming had produced Purple Luo Zinc and the ancient formation at that time, he was now also very dissatisfied with Ye Zhongming.
This was practically a denial of the Su Clan’s capabilities.
Both sides were participating in the Planet Hunting Ground and would receive information about the planet beforehand, but what small clans obtained was definitely different from what super-large clans received.
There was no helping it; that was reality. There was no absolute fairness to speak of.
The Su Clan’s information was obviously more detailed. They did not think that the Star-Eye Clan, holding only a simplified version of the data, could understand this planet better than they did. Even if the information were the same, the Star-Eye Clan’s strategic planning capabilities were far inferior to the Su Clan’s General Staff Department, which had mature experience in this area.
Arrogant people were unwelcome anywhere.
“Since Zhongming has different opinions, there’s no harm in stating them, right? There’s still time.” Huo Zhi had a very good impression of Ye Zhongming, and since they were in the same camp, he naturally wanted to give him some face.
Ye Zhongming cast a sidelong glance at Elder Zhongken Su, sneering inwardly.
In the Cloud Peak King’s view, the Su Clan was no great benefactor, and the Star-Eye Clan’s cooperation with them was not an act of clinging to a powerful patron. In Ye Zhongming’s eyes, even his former self had legs as thick as the Su Clan’s. After gaining the support of the Library Palace, he was the one who had become the powerful patron. He somewhat understood why the Su Clan had been in decline. These people never humbled themselves when they should, and never advanced when they should.
“The Su Clan has participated in almost every Planet Hunting Ground before. How were your results?” Ye Zhongming knew that if he could not suppress these people now, even if he proposed a reasonable location, they would not agree. So he decided to be blunt.
“Although there is no official data, there are always some leisurely individuals who estimate the final gains based on each race’s chosen location, the number of troops deployed, the final remaining numbers, changes in prey counts, and data obtained through various channels. A ranking list has been produced. This thing is no secret; it might even have been created by insiders of some large or even super-large clans. Where does the Su Clan usually rank on it?”
Ye Zhongming snorted and continued, “Don’t compare yourselves to small or medium races. Compare yourselves to large and super-large races. On hunting planets where formations can be most effective, have your rankings ever surpassed those of other super-large clans even once? No! In half the cases, you haven’t even gained as much as some large clans!”
This was like tearing open a scar and slapping them in the face.
Not only the elders and others from the Su Clan, but even Huo Zhi felt a bit embarrassed and glared at Ye Zhongming, hinting that he should not go too far.
The Star-Eye Clan was fine, as his status within the clan was now second only to the two clan leaders, essentially second to none, and his words commanded respect even from the two Lords.
But the small clans were witnessing Ye Zhongming’s ‘majesty’ for the first time. While secretly admiring the courage of this Bronze Order Leader, they were also puzzled by his audacity in treating the Su Clan this way.
The matters Ye Zhongming spoke of had not been considered a big deal in the past. Not to mention other races, even the Su Clan did not see anything wrong. They generated substantial revenue each time, which was one of the clan’s key financial sources. What did it matter what rank they held? It wasn’t official anyway.
But when Ye Zhongming said it in front of everyone, it truly embarrassed the Su Clan.
“As far as I know, each time you deployed over 150,000 troops. This time it is 100,000. If I say too much, it won’t be good. You put forward your opinions, and we put forward ours. That is a normal thing. Why do you act as if the Su Clan must be right? Are you really always right? Then why were your efficiencies so low in previous times?”
Faced with Ye Zhongming’s sharp tongue, the elder Zhongken Su’s face turned red with anger.
His chest heaved violently, and then he said furiously, “Fine, then tell us what good suggestions you have. I want to see how much better the places your Star-Eye Clan has studied are compared to those our Su Clan has discussed!
The two Lords exchanged a glance, each smiling wryly.
They felt the three places chosen by the Su Clan were already excellent, but out of trust for Ye Zhongming, even when the elder spoke like this, they did not say anything, silently standing by Ye Zhongming’s side.
“Speak up, Zhongming,” Huo Zhi said, now both exasperated and fond of Ye Zhongming.
He saw in this young man a sharpness lacking in many Su Clan peers, a confidence and pride that they had lost. Huo Zhi thought that might be the reason why this person had achieved so much in less than a cosmic year since arriving among the races of the universe.
However, this man had a truly sharp tongue. He spared no one’s feelings when criticizing. One had to remember that the commander of the Su Clan’s camp was him, Huo Zhi.
