"Father, I do have some ideas that can help increase our chances of recruiting them," Xie Yue replied to Ning Fengzhi calmly.
"Mm, elaborate on that," Ning Fengzhi encouraged Xie Yue to continue.
"As you said, the unity among the four clan leaders is the main obstacle preventing us from recruiting at least one of them. Even though the clan leaders have a good relationship, their opinions alone can't change anything if their clansmen feel dissatisfied with their decision."
"My first method is to sow discord among their clan members. Even if Yang Wudi or the other leaders don't want to join any forces, they can't control their clansmen forever."
"After all, after the Martial Soul Hall's attack, they lost many clansmen. Their quality of life has already fallen drastically, and their people are growing dissatisfied. Spirit Hall has been suppressing them, preventing the four clans from uniting and forming a new sect. So, we can easily manipulate them by using certain means to incite rebellion."
"In the end, there's a chance that one or two clan leaders will choose to join a super force to alleviate their hardships after discarding their friendship," Xie Yue explained his first idea to Ning Fengzhi.
"Yeah, you're right. They will need a backer to protect them from Spirit Hall's suppression. Joining one of the upper three sects is their only choice. Only we dare to help them, even knowing Spirit Hall is targeting them. Yue'er, your idea is very good." Ning Fengzhi praised Xie Yue. It wasn't that he hadn't thought of this method—he had already devised similar plans. He simply wanted to test how much Xie Yue had improved during this time.
"You may continue sharing your thoughts," Ning Fengzhi said.
"My second method is to attack them and put the blame on Spirit Hall. As we know, although Spirit Hall attacked them before, after the Clear Sky Sect went into hiding and abandoned the four single-attribute clans, they didn't continue exterminating them to avoid damaging their reputation. Instead, they only suppressed them. Because of that, the four single-attribute clans still don't feel the threat of total annihilation and believe they can survive this ordeal over time. But if we secretly attack them, they will experience that fear firsthand. Again, it will force them to seek protection from a super force. We can use that opportunity to bring them in," Xie Yue explained his second plan.
Since the single-attribute clans had severed ties with the Clear Sky Sect, Spirit Hall couldn't continue using Qian Xunji's death as a justification to destroy them completely.
After all, the four clans had nothing to do with Qian Xunji's death in the first place. They were only targeted because they were once affiliated with Tang Hao and the Clear Sky Sect.
Now, Spirit Hall couldn't act unreasonably and continue hunting them down. If they did, they would lose credibility and face pressure from the two empires and other sects. After all, Spirit Hall was considered a righteous faction—without a legitimate, high-profile reason, they couldn't openly target others.
At this stage, Bibi Dong hadn't yet solidified her authority in Spirit Hall, nor had she fully formed her ambition to unify the continent. As a result, Spirit Hall wasn't as domineering as it would become 15 years later.
"This plan is also good. However, if we pursue this, we must ensure no traces are left behind. Yang Wudi and Defense Clan leader Niu Gao are Soul Saints above level 78. There are risks, and with their strength, they might uncover the truth. If we are discovered, the consequences will be significant. So we can't use this method," Ning Fengzhi expressed his opinion, leaning against the idea.
Currently, Strength Clan leader Tai Tan was a level 83 Soul Douluo, the Speed Clan leader Bai He was a level 78 Soul Saint, the Defense Clan leader Niu Gao was a level 79 Soul Saint, and the Breaking Clan leader Yang Wudi was a level 78 Soul Saint.
Even though the other two clans, the Strength and Speed Clans, could also be recruited, Ning Fengzhi and Xie Yue had little hope of persuading them. The Strength Clan remained fiercely loyal to Tang Hao, while the Speed Clan maintained strong ties to the Clear Sky Sect.
As a result, all their plans primarily targeted the other two clans, which had relatively weaker leaders. Even so, Ning Fengzhi wasn't optimistic about Xie Yue's second plan because it carried too much risk. Even if they avoided targeting the Strength Clan under Tai Tan, the other clan leaders—Yang Wudi and Niu Gao—were powerful Soul Saints. With their strength and experience, they could easily uncover traces of the STGT Sect's involvement after careful investigation.
Ning Fengzhi wasn't willing to take that risk. He preferred low-risk, stable strategies.
His cautious nature stemmed from his clan's upbringing. The STGT Sect was an auxiliary sect that avoided unnecessary risks, always choosing the safest path to survival. Past sect masters had never instilled an overbearing attitude in their successors.
If an STGT Sect leader were too aggressive, the sect would eventually face destruction.
Without personal strength, one had to be strategic to survive.
Knowing that Ning Fengzhi wouldn't approve of this method, Sword Douluo urged Xie Yue to continue.
"Brat, your ideas are excellent. If you have any other suggestions, share them."
"Yeah, I do have another idea that suits our approach," Xie Yue said as he continued.
"My third idea is to help and provide shelter to all four clans without asking for their submission. We should only give, without expecting anything in return," Xie Yue said, piquing everyone's interest.
"Brat... we aren't saints. Why suggest something like this? It will put us at odds with Spirit Hall without any benefit," Bone Douluo asked, confused. While Ning Fengzhi had already guessed Xie Yue's reasoning, he remained silent, allowing him to explain.
"Hehe, yeah… you're right, Grandpa Bone. But if we act like saints, we can earn their goodwill, right?" Xie Yue continued.
"Right now, the four clans are struggling, and no one has come to their aid. If we take the initiative to lend them a helping hand without asking for anything in return, even if they don't submit to us, they will still feel grateful."
"In that case, we will be the people closest to them. This goodwill will prevent them from joining any other super forces in the future. After all, how could they ignore those who helped them in their darkest times and join someone else? Their conscience wouldn't allow it. So, even if we can't make them submit immediately, we will still gain the upper hand. If they ever choose to join a force, it will be ours."
"And who said Spirit Hall has to know about our help? We can assist them secretly, avoiding conflict with Martial Soul Hall altogether," Xie Yue said calmly, looking at Ning Fengzhi.
"Hahaha! Moon, your idea is superb," Ning Fengzhi laughed heartily.
"Even though we may have to spend more money helping them recover, and we might not gain anything immediately, this act will secure their goodwill. And that goodwill is far more valuable than money.
"Each of the four single-attribute clans has unique value in their respective fields. With their friendship, we will have additional allies in times of crisis," Ning Fengzhi said, appreciating the strategy.
. . . . . .
A/N: My dear readers, if you want to watch Xie Yue's edits, you can find them on YouTube with a little searching. There are about 7-10 cool edits. It's a pity there aren't many edits about Xie Yue.