Chapter 357: Never Surrender
Never Surrender . . .
A middle-aged representative from the Long Clan posed a somber question, addressing the assembled elite cultivators, "What course of action do we pursue now? The situation has crystallized before us. We've paid a heavy price, with the lives of dozens, to probe the intentions of the two great sects. Allowing this to unfold unchecked will only worsen matters. This crisis is shared by all; there is no escape. We must collectively offer our insights and recommendations. Together, we shall endeavor to devise a viable solution to navigate these perilous waters."
A profound silence fell over the room as his words hung in the air. While they acknowledged the truth in his statement, practical solutions remained elusive. Beneath their collective anger was an overwhelming sense of despair. They were the chosen elites of their respective clans, the foremost cultivators sent to Chen-Xing City, all Sky Origin Stage practitioners meriting their place in the discussion.
Yet, the might of the two great sects proved too formidable to confront directly. They were a juggernaut that left the elite clans at a loss.
"In truth, we are facing an insurmountable predicament this time," an elderly figure sighed, his voice laden with resignation. "Even if we were to unite and confront them within the city, the aftermath would be beyond our capacity to manage. We are trapped in an inescapable dilemma, unable to move forward. While we might shift the obstruction before us, what lies beneath it is a quagmire we dare not entangle ourselves in."
His words resonated with those present, evoking unanimous nods of agreement.
Indeed, it was undeniable.
A straightforward battle wouldn't unnerve them. The prospect of death held no fear. As half of the Land of Han-Yang's most powerful individuals, they harbored no apprehension about combat.
However, their circumstances were more complex. Responsibilities weighed on their shoulders, tethering them to obligations beyond their own lives. When a valiant man met his end, his personal concerns ceased. Yet the stark reality was that even in death, their families would not be spared. The boldness of a few might very well lead to the utter annihilation of millennia-old clans. The risks were too great to contemplate.
This conundrum revolved around the great sects' prestige, a matter inherently intricate and intractable. After all, these were the revered titans of the Land of Han-Yang, their influence spanning generations. Unspoken resentment coursed through the minds of the representatives from the five noble clans: [You seek to protect your prestige, but do we not cherish ours?] These thoughts, however, remained locked within their innermost consciousness, never daring to find expression. They recognized the sects' aspirations for prestige and acknowledged their formidable power, even though they yearned to challenge their dominance.
Inescapably, they found themselves ensnared in a world where might was the ultimate arbiter of actions and decisions. Their own strength was not insignificant, but the great sects possessed an undeniable supremacy, their legacy stretching back thousands of years. In this instance, they had encountered an entity endowed with an even mightier fist.
"The sole path to preserve our comrades and uphold our clans' honor lies in a dialogue concerning the supreme dan beads," posited a member of the Gongsun Clan, his visage bearing the telltale signs of austerity and modest stature. "Such a discussion would demonstrate our benevolent intentions and unveil the extent of their demands. After all, dan beads and wealth are merely possessions. Our people constitute our fundamental strength."
His proclamation triggered a dismissive snort from the Long Clan representative. "Do you presume I am unaware of this? I have already dispatched envoys to negotiate with them."
His declaration roused curiosity among the assembled elite cultivators, for the outcome of these negotiations bore immense significance. It was a matter that held sway over the event's future and the fate of each individual present.
The middle-aged envoy from the Long Clan recounted the Starlight Sect's response, his face etched with indignation and a tinge of humiliation. "They... They demand all of our supreme dan beads and stipulate that each clan shall remit a sum of five billion as compensation. Furthermore, they insist that each attendee at the auction must sever one of their own arms. In addition, they require us to swear, invoking the names of our ancestors and children, that we shall never divulge to anyone what we witnessed at the auction."
The room erupted with fury.
Their voices melded into a cacophony of outrage.
"Preposterous!"
"This is an outrage!"
"How dare they make such demands?"
"They've lost all sense of reason!"
"What contempt they hold for us! Do they truly believe they can extract anything from us as they please? Do they view us as playthings?"
"Under no circumstances shall we acquiesce to these terms! Despicable!"
Discontent surged through the assembly as they exchanged their grievances.
The middle-aged leader of the Long Clan group could no longer mask his exasperation. A deep-set furrow etched itself onto his face as he voiced his concerns, "The great sects are exceeding all reasonable bounds!"
The words struck a chord with everyone present, kindling a collective fire of anger and frustration.
"Each one of us knows that we, the Eight Noble Clans, have endured for millennia," he began, his voice resonating with a somber gravity. "We pride ourselves on being resilient, but the fact remains that we are still in a state of relative frailty. Even in the most optimal circumstances, we would struggle to match the might of the great sects."
He continued, emphasizing the profound motivation behind their fervent quest for the supreme dan beads. "Our aspiration is not rooted in mere desire. It is born from the inexorable challenges we have faced for thousands of years. The quest for self-improvement has been an unending struggle, perpetually thwarted by those sects that command superiority over us. The Bone Ablutionary Dan and the Mai Connection Dan are our sole beacons of hope, the catalysts that promise to elevate our stature."
His words found a responsive audience, their heads nodding in unison to underscore their shared conviction.
"The ascent of a clan hinges not just on the emergence of prodigious disciples but also the availability of resources," the Long Clan representative elaborated, his eyes ablaze with determination. "While our clans have indeed fostered brilliant talents throughout the centuries, we have suffered from a deficit in terms of resources, especially the high-quality variety. It is this scarcity that stifles our growth, leaving us at a certain impasse. Regrettably, it is a predicament that prevents us from surpassing the martial sects.".
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