The news of the recent incident quickly reached Sect Master Ning Fengzhi through Shadow Walker Doulou. The messenger's arrival had caused quite a stir within the sect's sacred grounds, his swift movement through the shadows a testament to the urgency of his report. The ancient pavilion where Ning Fengzhi received the news stood atop a misty mountain peak, its jade-carved pillars bearing witness to countless such meetings throughout the sect's illustrious history. With all three title doulou of the sect now present, their combined auras creating a palpable pressure in the air, Ning Fengzhi informed Bone Doulou and Sword Doulou about the situation and the fight that had taken place.
The morning sun cast long shadows across the pavilion's polished floor as Bone Doulou stepped forward, his weathered face betraying deep concern. He revealed that he had also sensed a brief awakening of the space attribute from the direction of the Red Thunder Dragon Family. This news stunned everyone present, the revelation sending ripples of tension through the gathering. The implications were immediately clear to all – the space attribute would allow the enemy to attack virtually anywhere, greatly increasing the threat level posed by the Red Thunder Dragon Family. The ability to manipulate space itself was one of the rarest and most formidable powers in the cultivation world, its mere presence enough to alter the balance of power between sects.
Ning Fengzhi, being the most strategically-minded of the group and a Level 79 Soul Sage, sat in contemplative silence for a moment, his fingers drumming thoughtfully against the armrest of his seat. The weight of leadership bore heavily upon his shoulders as he considered the ramifications of this development. His cultivation level, while impressive, seemed somehow insufficient in the face of such a game-changing ability. He then asked Elder Shadow how confident he was in defeating the Red Thunder Dragon Family's title doulou, his tone measured and careful.
Without hesitation, Elder Shadow stepped forward from the shadows where he had been standing, his dark robes seeming to absorb the morning light. His reputation as the sect's foremost expert in stealth and assassination was well-earned, and his words carried significant weight. He stated that if they did not utilize the powerful Thunder Dragon Transformation, he believed he could fight the enemy title doulou to a standstill. However, he was unsure if he could defeat them outright in a direct confrontation. The admission from such a powerful figure sent a subtle current of unease through the gathering.
The assembled leaders then conducted a detailed analysis of their combat capabilities, their discussion echoing off the pavilion's ancient walls. The assessment revealed that Bone Doulou and Sword Doulou were evaluated to be capable of defeating the Red Thunder Dragon Family's Level 96 title doulou, but only if they themselves were operating at the peak of Level 96. This highlighted the immense individual power possessed by each of the title doulou within the Red Thunder Dragon Family. The margin for error in such high-level combat would be practically non-existent, and any slight disadvantage could prove fatal.
Sword Doulou, who had remained silent until now, tested the edge of his spiritual blade with a thoughtful expression. The weapon, forged from rare materials and tempered with countless years of cultivation, hummed faintly in response to his touch. His mastery of the sword had earned him his title, but even he recognized the formidable nature of their potential opponents.
The pavilion fell silent as Bone Doulou, his ancient eyes holding centuries of wisdom, then suggested they should consider making an alliance with the Red Thunder Dragon Family. He explained that their own sect did not have a particularly powerful offensive martial soul bloodline. Instead, their bloodline was more support-oriented, which could only be fully maximized at the Level 79 threshold. This limitation, while not crippling, did place certain constraints on their sect's development potential. Bone Doulou proposed offering the patriarch of the Red Thunder Dragon Family a marriage alliance, as this could help strengthen the relationship between the two sects. His voice carried the weight of experience, having witnessed countless political marriages throughout his long life.
The suggestion sparked intense discussion among the gathered leaders. Marriage alliances had long been a cornerstone of sect politics, serving to forge bonds stronger than mere treaties or agreements. The exchange of bloodlines through marriage could strengthen both parties, potentially creating even more powerful future generations.
Ning Fengzhi stroked his beard thoughtfully as he considered the proposal. The morning light streaming through the pavilion's windows cast intricate patterns across his face as he acknowledged that a marriage alliance was indeed a viable solution. However, he added a crucial stipulation – the bride offered should be from his own family's direct lineage, as a gesture of respect for the revealed power of the Red Thunder Dragon Family. This decision would demonstrate their sincerity and commitment to the alliance, while also maintaining the dignity of their sect.
The discussion then turned to more immediate matters. It was decided that they would first send gifts to the Red Thunder Dragon Family as an overture of goodwill. The selection of these gifts would be crucial – they needed to be valuable enough to show respect but not so extravagant as to appear desperate. Ancient cultivation techniques, rare materials, and precious artifacts would all be considered for this important diplomatic gesture.
Bone Doulou, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the pavilion floor, volunteered to personally deliver the gifts. His status as one of the sect's most powerful and respected figures would lend weight to the gesture, showing the Red Thunder Dragon Family that they were being taken seriously. Ning Fengzhi also planned to visit the Red Thunder Dragon Family himself in the near future, understanding that personal involvement from the sect leader would be necessary for such important negotiations.
As for the Spirit Hall's request, Ning Fengzhi's response revealed his political acumen. He would only send lower-level Soul Sages to search, as they would not be able to locate the newly promoted Title Doulou, Tang Hao, whose powerful 100,000-year soul bone would make him extremely difficult to find. This decision served multiple purposes – it maintained the appearance of cooperation with Spirit Hall while ensuring that their efforts would be ultimately futile.
Unknown to the gathered leaders, another significant development was brewing. The current patriarch of the Haotion Sect was also independently considering marrying his daughter, Tang Yuehua, to the Red Thunder Dragon Family, though he had not yet revealed this plan to anyone. Tang Yuehua, known for her exceptional talent and beauty, would be a valuable addition to any family's bloodline. The potential for a dual marriage alliance between the three sects was an intriguing prospect that could reshape the political landscape of the entire region.
The gathered leaders continued their discussion well into the afternoon, their shadows lengthening across the pavilion floor as the sun moved through the sky. They examined every angle of their situation, considering various scenarios and potential outcomes. The revelations about the Red Thunder Dragon Family's newfound space attribute and the power of their title doulou had significantly increased the threat they posed. Ning Fengzhi and the other title doulou recognized that they would need to approach this situation carefully, potentially forging strategic alliances, in order to ensure the safety and continued prosperity of their own sect.
The exchange between Ning Fengzhi, Bone Doulou, Sword Doulou, and Elder Shadow highlighted the complex political and martial dynamics at play within the cultivation world. Each sect was forced to weigh its own strengths and weaknesses against those of its rivals, seeking ways to bolster its position through diplomacy, marriage alliances, and carefully calculated displays of force. The decisions made in this peaceful mountain pavilion would have far-reaching consequences for all involved.
As the meeting drew to a close, the gathered leaders dispersed to begin implementing their various tasks. Bone Doulou departed to prepare for his diplomatic mission, while Sword Doulou returned to his training grounds to maintain his peak condition. Elder Shadow melted back into the shadows, his presence becoming one with the growing evening darkness. Ning Fengzhi remained in the pavilion alone, watching the sun set over the distant mountains, his mind already working through the intricate steps needed to navigate this complex situation.
The cultivation world had always been a delicate balance of power, with various sects and families vying for influence and resources. The emergence of the space attribute within the Red Thunder Dragon Family had upset this balance, forcing even powerful sects like Ning Fengzhi's to reevaluate their positions and strategies. The coming days and weeks would be crucial in determining whether their careful planning would bear fruit, or whether new conflicts would arise to challenge the fragile peace between the sects.
As night fell over the sacred grounds, the ancient pavilion stood silent once more, its walls holding the secrets of yet another crucial meeting that could reshape the future of the cultivation world. The decisions made here would ripple outward, affecting not just the immediate participants but countless others throughout the realm. The path forward would require wisdom, strength, and perhaps most importantly, the ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of power and influence that defined their world.