Lin Xiaodao somehow grew even more smug.
âI understand now, youâre Gladeusâ Yi Daiyan,â Tianming laughed.
âUtterly wrong. Yi Daiyan is Eboniaâs Lin Xiaodao. Sheâs below me,â Lin Xiaodao continued bragging.
âHow is she below you?â Tianming couldnât understand it.
âHer luxdaemons are a third-rate power on Ebonia and the bottom of the Infinitum Regal Clans. Only she among them is strong. However, our clanâs tenth branch is strong enough to contest with the ebon branch there. Weâre one of the two overlords, and all the factions there are choosing who to side with!â Lin Xiaodao proudly said.
Tianming understood now. It was a fifth-level nova source world, but the cultivators there who had cultivated for thousands of years were much stronger than him. How could he lack a challenge?
Lin Xiaodao leaned on Tianmingâs shoulder and meaningfully said, âLet me be blunt, it wonât be easy for you over there,â
âHow so?â Tianming immediately hooked arms with him and asked.
âListen up! When I return, Iâll immediately announce that the Lin Clanâs Tenth Branch on Gladeus will break off from Eboniaâs Lin Clan and establish our independence. Weâll go our separate ways!â Lin Xiaodao gravely said.
âHuh?â Tianming was stunned and turned to look at Lin Xiao and Dongshen Yue. They had no objections, which meant it was the result of their discussions.
âPlease elaborate,â Tianming calmly asked.
âAfter we establish independence, the second thing Iâll do will be to seal off Gladeus before killing all the nova source wildbeasts on Gladeus. Iâll also charge the ebons there with a crime and start a war to wipe out all their power on Gladeus! Once the wildbeasts are wiped out, the ebons wonât be able to make a comeback for thousands of years. Thus, that world will become our clanâs personal fief and stronghold⦠and the Infinitum Swordseaâs last refuge.â Lin Xiaodao said the vicious words with a joking tone.
When Tianming recalled him killing Chi Hun, he understood this wasnât any foolish man, but someone who got things done. He actually reminded Tianming of Wudi. However, Wudi was the domineering type, while this fellow was more sly.
Of course, it was rude to call someone on your side sly. You had to call them wise instead!
âHowever, will the ebons on Ebonia just ignore it? Thatâll give them a reason to attack you. Itâll also go against the Infinitum Bodhimandaâs rules, so Yi Daiyan and the other Infinitum Regal Clans may censure you,â Tianming asked.
âYou immediately spotted the main issue.â Lin Xiaodao scratched the back of his head. âHonestly, itâs the best-case scenario if they come to Gladeus.â
âWhy? Can Gladeus take the heat?â
âThatâs uncertain, but if they send a large force to Gladeus, Iâll win.â
Tianming thought for a moment before he was enlightened. âAh, of course! If they try to focus on Gladeus, their power on Ebonia will weaken! Itâll stop them from causing chaos on Ebonia, and even if they do, theyâll have to fight on two fronts. Youâll also greatly reduce the pressure on the Infinitum Swordsea.â
That was the crux of the matter. It was hard to assault an ether-class astralguard formation. It was so hard that, apart from the ebons, no other Infinitum Regal Clan had the capability. And if they did send an expedition, their people left on Ebonia would lack the ability to shock and awe. But if they didnât... Lin Xiaodao would successfully take over Gladeus and turn it into the Lin Clanâs second base.
âAny other benefits?â Lin Xiaodao intentionally tested him.
Tianming lowered his head in thought. Finally, he had an answer. âThe ebons personally control many wildbeasts, but it isnât a ridiculous amount. Their advantage is to temporarily use wildbeasts in beast waves to attack. When they attacked Mount Taia, many of the wildbeasts that died were uncontrolled. But if they choose to make an expedition, they wonât be able to use that tactic and can only use what they bring along.â
âAnd? Remember your first questions?â Lin Xiaodao asked.
âYes, the Infinitum Bodhimanda and Yi Daiyan,â Tianming said. âYou may be going against the Infinitum Bodhimanda rules, but youâre weakening the ebons so they wonât censure you. You just need a good casus belli.â
âThat wonât be hard. The ebons killed three thousand of their own and used that to excuse using astralship attacks. Why canât I learn from them? But I wonât be stupid enough to kill my own people. Itâs too easy to frame others,â Lin Xiaodao laughed.
Tianming realized something: it was easy for experts to find an excuse to hit people. âWhatâre you looking at?â was a good example.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âHonestly, for me itâs just that the emperor is far away so I have my freedom.â Lin Xiaodao grinned.
Tianming nodded, then realized something. âHey, have my grandparents told you about my lifebound beastâs ability?â
âThat omniscient bug? Itâs awesome, I just love it!â
âNo wonder you said so much to try and get me to Gladeus. You actually want my help!â Tianming was shocked.
âI mean... yes? Why canât I use my dear disciple?â Lin Xiaodao slyly said.
Tianming went quiet.
âSo is it a go or a no go? Be decisive!â Lin Xiaodao said.
âYes, butâ¦.â
âBut what?â Lin Xiaodao was a tad anxious.
Tianming burst out laughing. âI need higher pay.â