Another Perspective
Ning Fengzi exited the conference hall with sword Dulu, guided by a member of the Spirit Hall to their designated quarters. The atmosphere was unnervingly quiet, steeped in tension and unease. They walked in silence, each lost in their thoughts, acutely aware that the pressure was mounting with each passing moment.
Upon arriving at their quarters, they entered quietly. The room was simple yet heavy with an ominous air. The guide left immediately, leaving them alone. After a moment of silence, Ning Fengzi broke the stillness, his voice tinged with urgency: "We may not leave Wuhun alive if we refuse to cooperate with them."
sword Dulu responded calmly and rationally, "It's fortunate that we prepared for this. We've kept Gu Rong in the sect, and he will protect Ning Rongrong if anything unexpected happens."
Before Ning Fengzi could reply, they heard another voice from nearby, saying, "Hold on, there's no need to worry. You speak as if you intend to refuse and face death. I wonder what I should tell your daughter then."
Both men were taken aback by this unexpected voice and turned to see the sudden intruder. Upon closer inspection, they recognized him: Uchiha Enel.
Both relaxed slightly, and Ning Fengzi remarked with evident annoyance, "Why did you tell me to come here without pulling any tricks?"
Enel smiled, "You would have come regardless. I informed you just to ensure, and because Bibidong intended to treat anyone absent from this meeting as a foe to be eradicated. Fortunately for the other sects, everyone has arrived."
Ning Fengzi and Chen Xin froze at this revelation. Ning Fengzi cautiously asked, "Is it possible that Bibidong sent you to convince us to surrender?"
Enel chuckled lightly before replying, "Oh, I didn't expect to be misunderstood like that." He then shifted to a serious tone, "No need to worry; I wasn't sent by anyone. If it weren't for Ning Rongrong, I wouldn't be here. I came to offer advice, and you are free to make your own decision."
He paused, gazing at Ning Fengzi, who nodded for him to continue. Enel added, "The process of building the empire cannot be stopped. There's no real competitor to the Spirit Hall, even if the sects unite. As Bibidong mentioned, these are not all the Douluo present in the Spirit Hall. And finally, it's not as if you stand to lose much. With your intelligence, I think you know which is easier: fighting the tide or joining it. That's all I have. The decision is yours."
Quietly, Enel left the room. As he walked away, they heard his voice: "As for Ning Rongrong, don't worry. I won't let the Spirit Hall harm her. But I don't think you want your daughter to live a life filled with hatred and a thirst for revenge."
After his departure, Ning Fengzi and Chen Xin exchanged glances, both deep in thought. Chen Xin broke the silence, asking, "What do you think?"
Ning Fengzi contemplated for a moment, staring at the door through which Enel had exited, then replied resolutely, "I feel he is sincere. And you know how close he is to Ning Rongrong, so I doubt he's lying. I lean towards agreement, but we'll see what is said in the secret sect meeting before making a final decision."
Chen Xin remained silent, pondering this.
---
Another Perspective
In the dead of night, the vast hall was suffused with tension as several figures engaged in discussion, exchanging thoughts intermittently. When Ning Fengzi and sword Dulu entered, a voice echoed throughout the space.
"Let's cease the idle chatter. Since the leader of the Seven Glass Treasures Sect and the leader of the Blue Dragon Sect are present, let's begin the meeting," said an elder, who appeared quite advanced in age.
All conversation ceased abruptly, the attendees falling silent.
One voice broke the quiet, "By the way, why didn't the Armored Elephant Sect attend?"
The leader of the Wind Blade Sect replied, "Don't you know they are collaborating with the Spirit Hall? Bringing them here would be pointless."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Then, You Yuanchen turned to Ning Fengzi and said, "By the way, we haven't heard any words from the leader of the Seven Glass Treasures Sect. Does this mean you have reached a prior agreement with the Spirit Hall?"
All eyes turned toward him.
Ning Fengzi replied with a nonchalant smile, "I don't see that we're in a position to bicker and accuse one another. As for my silence, I found no benefit in speaking and gambled on there being another discussion without her supervision."
Everyone nodded, thinking it was as expected from someone known for his intelligence.
You Yuanchen, finding no fault with this, fell silent but still felt irritated by having been embarrassed in front of everyone.
Ning Fengzi continued, "Let's set aside that and focus on the true purpose of our meeting. As you can see, the Spirit Hall seeks to dominate the Douluo Continent, and they seem determined to do so since they dare to inform us. Therefore, let's hear everyone's opinions until we reach a suitable choice."
The leader of the Fire Wind Blade Sect remarked, "I believe we should agree. While we may lose some independence, it's better than having our sects eradicated."
The leader of the Fire Tiger Sect replied angrily, "I disagree. We must fight, even if it leads to our deaths. We should not submit to anyone. If we yield now, future generations will be under the Spirit Hall."
The leader of the Wasp Sect added, "Have you forgotten their power? Haven't you seen how many Douluo hold positions in the Spirit Hall? Let's not forget that we all believed there were at most four, and now it turns out there are more than nine. Who knows how many are hidden in the shadows?"
You Yuanchen interjected, "Since it has come to this, tell me if any of you have a hidden Douluo in your sect; otherwise, we will lose in this manner."
Silence enveloped the room.
One member said, "Training someone to reach Douluo level is no simple feat. I'm sure there are only three."
A hush fell once more.
You Yuanchen grew furious, wanting to curse them for being useless, but then he heard Ning Fengzi speak.
"By the way, there's something you should know." All eyes turned to him, waiting for an explanation.
He said, "Before I came to this meeting, I received word that the Power Sect, one of the four sects under the Pure Sky Clan, has been destroyed."
Gasps of shock filled the room, and one attendee exclaimed anxiously, "Do you think the Spirit Hall did that?"
Ning Fengzi fell silent at this, which was taken as agreement.
Upon realizing this, everyone grew anxious, as no one wanted to meet the same fate as the Power Sect.
"But why the Power Sect specifically? If the Spirit Hall aims to eliminate the remnants of the Pure Sky Clan, wouldn't it be better to destroy all four?" someone questioned, puzzled.
Another responded, "Perhaps they wish to use this as a threat to us or the other three sects."
Everyone nodded, but the leader of the Wind Blade Sect said, "That's a possibility, but I believe the more likely scenario is that the other three sects have become subservient to the Spirit Hall, while the Power Sect was destroyed for refusing this."
After an hour...
Ning Fengzi and sword Dulu exited the meeting. On their way, sword Dulu spoke, "What do you think? I believe the option of uniting without fighting the Spirit Hall is a good one; it won't harm the Spirit Hall in our tasks, and we won't fear them either."
Ning Fengzi shook his head and replied, "They won't agree easily. While it may seem beneficial at first, it won't last, as no one will accept being under someone else's rule. Competition will inevitably arise over who will lead the sect or union, if we can even call it that. Moreover, let's not forget that the main combat spirit of our sect is a support spirit, which would put us in a worse position if we unite with them. In comparison, I would prefer to align with Bibidong and that boy. I might lose some independence, but it won't significantly affect the overall situation."