The scene of the multitudes kneeling on the Myriad Beast Altar lingered for a long time.
That supreme pressure from the golden dragon bloodline had branded itself deeply into the souls of every beast clan cultivator, like an indelible mark.
All previous doubts, contempt, and reluctance had now vanished completely, replaced by reverence arising from their bloodlines and submission to an absolute powerhouse.
With a thought, Chen Ping fully retracted the vast dragon might into his body. The golden dragon phantom behind him also slowly dissipated.
He returned to his cyan-robed, indifferent appearance, yet in everyone’s eyes now, he was no different from a deity.
“Rise, all of you.”
Chen Ping spoke calmly, his voice mild yet carrying an undeniable authority.
As if granted amnesty, the crowd dared to stand carefully, but they still bowed slightly, not presuming to look directly at him.
The Sect Master Lie Tian, Elder Xiong Tuo, and even Elder Yu Sha, who had previously obstructed him in every way, now stood below respectfully, like disciples awaiting instruction.
The Sect Master Lie Tian took a deep breath, stepped forward, and asked with utmost deference, “Senior bears the golden dragon bloodline, noble beyond compare. Previously, we were blind and offended your heavenly might. We beg Senior’s forgiveness.”
“Whatever instructions Senior has, the entire Myriad Beast Sect, from top to bottom, will go through fire and water without hesitation!”
Chen Ping’s gaze swept over the still somewhat chaotic Myriad Beast Altar below and the beast clan cultivators whose faces held sorrow yet also concealed anticipation.
Then he spoke slowly. “Let me ask you this. The Myriad Beast Sect guards the Myriad Beast Mountain Range with considerable foundations. Why, in the conflict with the Myriad Soul Demon Sect, have you been passive everywhere, even ending up with Pan Shi Valley massacred and Li Yan fallen?”
A trace of bitterness appeared on the Sect Master Lie Tian’s face. He sighed, bowed, and replied, “In response to Senior, it is not that our Myriad Beast Sect fears battle. It is truly a helpless situation.”
“That Myriad Soul Demon Sect is entrenched in the Crimson Blood Plain with immense power. The number of Heavenly Immortal experts in their sect far exceeds ours. Their sect master, Hun Sha, is a peak seventh-grade Heavenly Immortal and is said to have already stepped onto the threshold of the eighth grade.”
He paused before continuing. “More importantly, our Myriad Beast Sect’s roots are here in the Myriad Beast Mountain Range, stretching for tens of thousands of miles. We must protect our spiritual veins, medicine gardens, mineral deposits, and the numerous tribal strongholds dependent on us, scattered like stars across the board.”
“Yet that Myriad Soul Demon Sect clings like maggots on bone, striking everywhere, burning, killing, and plundering. They specifically target our weak points.”
“If we concentrate our forces, they avoid the strong and attack the weak, harassing our rear. If we divide our troops to guard, they gather their elites to outnumber and overwhelm us, breaking us one by one.”
“Over time, we have been exhausted from constant running, our resources continuously plundered, our disciples suffering heavy casualties. This is why… we have been constrained everywhere, passively taking blows.”
Lie Tian’s voice was filled with frustration and helplessness.
The other elders and disciples also lowered their heads, faces showing indignation. Clearly, they had experienced this deeply.
Chen Ping listened without change in expression, merely nodding slightly, as if he had anticipated this.
After a moment of contemplation, he spoke. “The enemy is strong while we are weak, and our territory is vast. Defence naturally has countless vulnerabilities. In that case, why not change the way you fight?”
“Change the way we fight?”
Lie Tian and the elders were all taken aback.
“Precisely.”
Chen Ping’s gaze was profound as he slowly uttered sixteen words. “When the enemy advances, we retreat. When the enemy stations, we harass. When the enemy tires, we strike. When the enemy retreats, we pursue.”
As these sixteen words emerged, like evening drums and morning bells, they struck the hearts of Lie Tian and the others.
Though they had never heard such a refined strategic summary, pondering it in light of their own situation, they immediately felt the wisdom within was profound and immeasurable!
When the enemy advances, we retreat, avoiding their edge!
When the enemy stations, we harass, denying them peace!
When the enemy tires, we strike, catching them unprepared!
When the enemy retreats, we pursue, expanding our gains!
This… this was simply a tailored strategy to break their deadlock!
Brilliant light burst from the eyes of the Sect Master Lie Tian. He trembled with excitement. “Senior… these… these sixteen words of truth are exquisite beyond compare! They strike straight at the heart of the matter! We… we have been foolish and never thought of this!”
