"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With the resources we'll get from those four sects, who knows, maybe we will be able to advance to the revered Emperor Realm?"
Hearing this, excitement showed in the sect leaders' eyes. If they advanced to the emperor realm, then who would need to be afraid of Chen Lao? They will be able to handle all of them easily.
They were pondering over the answer when they heard Chen Lao's voice: "If you do not agree, I can always offer the same deal to the lower four sects. With them, I can target any of you."
"Who knows maybe some of you will disagree right now but behind the scenes, you may join us in the plan and sabotage your sects. I'm not threatening you, this is just me blabbering about the options and possibilities that I can go for!"
Hearing this, they became even more vary as they weighed the pros and cons.
If they fell into this type of trap, wouldn't their future and freedom will be doomed? If they refused, Chen Lao could easily inform the lower sect's leaders about them planning to plunder their sects. With that, the lower Sects' leaders would be eager to give them the taste of their own medicines.
Also, they couldn't trust anyone here, what if someone from the top six sects really betrayed them, that would be their downfall for sure.
From any angle, it only seemed plausible to agree to Chen Lao's plan.
Your sect will be safe and you will also get to plunder one of the four lower sects who came in the top ten sects of the southern Empire.
There was also a chance of finding resources to advance to the emperor realm. There were just too many profits in saying yes that it seemed foolish to even consider refusing.
The Thunder Peak Sect Leader was the first one to give his answer: "Sect Leader Chen Lao, Count me in. I agree with your plan and would like to join!"
Since someone had already agreed, it made it easy for the other sect leaders to agree since they wouldn't be seen as heartless as they were late in answering.
Chen Lao clapped once as he announced: "Alright, Good, Now it has been decided. We will prepone the tournament and invite the four lower sects. There, when I give the signal, you all must apprehend them without fail. I'll be responsible for apprehending Feng Xue and you all can handle the other three, alright?"
"Yes!" The Sect Leaders answered in agreement.
"Alright then, let's meet at the tournament. I'll send the letters informing about the tournament to the lower four sects!" Chen Lao announced.
The other sect leaders nodded before the mirrors turned off.
After no one was seeing him, an expression of awe appeared on his face as he muttered: "They really agreed just like he told me to."
Chen Lao, shook his head as he informed: "No, you're mistaken. It is not me who has refined these insects. It is not me who has these four under control. You see, I was just a pawn who was used by that person to have these four under his control. All of this that has happened was his plan.
"It was his order to prepone the tournament to today. It was his plan to acquire four of the top ten sects under his control. Even these insects were provided by him. Everything that has happened till now was all according to his plan!"
Everybody present had their eyes widened in shock and disbelief: "What?"
It was the Shadow Veil Sect's leader who asked with a shivering voice: "W-What are you saying Sect Leader Chen Lao? How can someone make you obey them like this? Just who is this person?"
At this question, Chen Lao revealed a proud expression on his face as he introduced:
"He is the mastermind behind this all!"
"The greatest genius of this empire!"
"His Cultivation Talent surpasses everyone alive and dead!"
"The Prince of the strongest empire in this world!"
"He is the Ninth Prince of our empire, His Highness Fang Ashen!!"
Feng Xue and everyone's eyes widened as she asked loudly: "What? The Ninth Royal Prince is behind all this? Is he here?"
Chen Lao, as if realized something, nodded as he smiled at her: "Yes, he is here and Feng Xue, You are all too familiar with him. Don't you find the name Ashen familiar?"
Chen Lao looked at her with a knowing smile, waiting for her to realize and it didn't take long before everyone's head turned to the arena in a flash.
Their eyes widened in surprise as they witnessed Chen Lu kneeling beside Ashen and Ashen stood majestically with his hands clasped behind.
He looked towards them, giving them a smile as he said: "I've kept you all waiting... Sorry for the delay!"
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(A/N - Thanks for reading. ^..^)