The alliance seems to be grand in scale, but inside, everyone fights their own battles, not a monolith. Though Hou Yuxiao had already understood this point, he was still a bit surprised when Wei Xuheng stated it so directly. As expected, Wei Xuheng would now start trying to win him over...

"You and I are linked by marriage, unlike others. Qingxue was raised under my watch. Since I gave her to you in marriage, it's because I value you, and I value Hexi. I am presumptuous to call you Yuxiao..."

This sudden intimacy made Hou Yuxiao feel a bit uncomfortable inside, yet he put on an excited expression, looked up with an emotional face, and said, "Thank you for your favour, Ancestor Master. Yuxiao could not ask for more!"

Wei Xuheng nodded, exchanged a glance with Zhang Ruoxu, and continued, "Since I regard you as a junior, I shall speak frankly. The world has been in chaos for over a thousand years, but it will eventually unify. The three teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism do not contend with the world but support the Dragon Court. You should know that our Ziqing Holy Sect has been selecting the True Dragon. Do you know why our Holy Sect wants to marry Qingxue to you?"

Hou Yuxiao suddenly looked up, a trace of bewilderment and shock flashed across his face, and then he realized something, his expression changed to ecstasy, and his pupils were filled with excitement and surprise.

"In the future, Yuxiao will certainly follow the lead of the Holy Sect!"

After a long silence, Hou Yuxiao's expression became solemn, and he bowed deeply to Wei Xuheng and Zhang Ruoxu, with a tone full of sincerity.

Wei Xuheng hurriedly stepped forward to help him up, while Zhang Ruoxu showed a timely approving smile and lightly said, "Indeed, the young child can be taught."

After being helped up, Hou Yuxiao thought for a moment and directly said, "Given this, I will not hide from you two ancestors. I have met with many leaders from various forces before and have already won over more than thirty Sub-Saints of Martial Dao. Do you know what I intend with their support?"

Although the two had long known about this matter, they really did not know Hou Yuxiao's true intention in winning over these Sub-Saints, so they revealed a look of surprise and looked at Hou Yuxiao, waiting for him to explain.

Hou Yuxiao took a light breath and said in a deep voice, "Sikong Yue!"

"Sikong Yue?" Zhang Ruoxu and Wei Xuheng's expressions simultaneously tensed.

"Exactly, the two ancestors should also know that Sikong Yue has an agreement with Great Jin. Once the Divine Sect's treasury is opened, the New Moon Cult will step in to participate in the world's struggles. So, the one who most wants the treasury opened is Sikong Yue. The reason Yuxiao hurried to open the treasury this time is also due to Sikong Yue's coercion."

Wei Xuheng asked doubtfully, "How did she coerce you?"

Hou Yuxiao's face darkened, and with an angry expression, he uttered two words.

"Hexi!"

Zhang Ruoxu and Wei Xuheng immediately understood.

Hexi originally belonged to Yongzhou. Although Hou Yuxiao had already led his army northwards, this did not mean he would abandon Hexi. Now Hexi is the battlefield between Great Jin and the alliance, and even if he wanted it, he couldn't get it. However, once Great Jin and the alliance determine a victor, it will be different.

If Sikong Yue, or the New Moon Cult, really takes an interest in Hexi, Hou Yuxiao would truly have no means to counter.

"So, you're winning these people over to deal with the Divine Sect?"

"Of course..."

Hou Yuxiao answered decisively and paused before continuing in a solemn tone, "The New Moon Cult previously destroyed the Blood Spirit Demon Sect, swallowing the entire Bingzhou, which already greatly increased their power; after that, Leiyin Temple was annihilated, Fahai, along with elite disciples, all defected to them. The three-front war of Great Jin over the past half year has been fronted entirely by the alliance while the New Moon Cult stands by watching. The alliance and the New Moon Cult are like the clam and the snipe, allowing the fisherman to benefit. Last year's New Moon Divine Canon event in Yongdu, where Sikong Yue casually beheaded Long Yu, is something the two ancestors surely remember. This enchantress's power might already overshadow the world, not to mention she also has an acknowledged father who is considered the number one in the world, Sikong Xingzhou.

Sikong Yue is so keen on opening the Divine Sect's treasury, there must be something extremely precious to her inside, and one does not know if her power will increase further once she gets it. Who knows what might happen?

In my opinion, the threat from Great Jin is far less than that from the New Moon Cult. If we do not devise a way to restrain them, by the time this treasury expedition ends, the Sikong father and daughter may well become invincible!"

These words came from Hou Yuxiao's heart. He spoke with such sincerity and his face was so earnest that both Wei Xuheng and Zhang Ruoxu listened with full attention and naturally took it to heart.

Their expressions grew increasingly serious as they digested what Hou Yuxiao had said.

Seeing their pensive faces, Hou Yuxiao pressed on with his advantage:

"In these mere ten years, Great Jin appears to be the most prominent, but it's all on the surface. Their so-called three-front war is merely to weaken the morale of states, having some effect but yielding little substantive gain. The Sikong father and daughter, on the other hand, have already swallowed a state's land, and gained a Quasi-Holy Land, Leiyin Temple. The true strength of the New Moon Cult remains unknown...."

"What exactly are you implying?" Zhang Ruoxu asked first.

Seeing both Zhang Ruoxu and Wei Xuheng pay heed to his words, Hou Yuxiao felt a surge of joy and cupped his hands in salute, "As for the treasury expedition, whether it is the two ancestors or other Saints in the alliance, in the end, it is all about opportunities for further advancement. This is understandable, and Yuxiao believes that whoever gets the opportunity is fine—except for Sikong Xingzhou. Moreover, whatever Sikong Xingzhou wants, we must strive to obstruct, even if it means..."

At the end, Hou Yuxiao gestured a slicing motion at his neck.

Wei Xuheng and Zhang Ruoxu did not speak, but a flicker of emotion passed through their pupils, evidently moved.

"The New Moon Cult is too well hidden, indeed we must take precautions. We can discuss this with the alliance, but in terms of Great Jin, what can be done?"

"Rest assured, my two ancestors, prior to Emperor Jin's arrival at the Divine Capital yesterday, I met with the National Teacher of Great Jin, Zhuge Yuan, outside the city. Great Jin is even more wary of the New Moon Cult. If the alliance agrees, and both sides reach a consensus, it will ensure that the New Moon Cult will gain nothing from this treasury expedition."

Hearing this, Wei Xuheng and Zhang Ruoxu were shocked, then looked down at Hou Yuxiao, with a hint of awe passing through their eyes.

What a clever boy. Hou Yuxiao somehow managed to secretly unite Great Jin and the alliance against the New Moon Cult.

The two exchanged a glance, confirmed their mutual understanding with a nod, and Wei Xuheng softly said, "Since you have this intention, I will naturally support you. Sikong Xingzhou criticizes Great Jin overtly and the New Moon Cult's strategy of 'sitting on the mountain to watch the tigers fight' is quite excessive. If Great Jin truly has such concerns, then I believe the alliance would definitely agree with them."

Hou Yuxiao nodded heavily, then consulted with the two for a while longer. When a quarter of an hour remained before the Hour of Hai, he took his leave from the side hall.

In the northwestern corner of Yu Divine Palace, within a side hall, Sikong Xingzhou sat in meditation at the upper seat. He had a thin face, with a heroic brow, giving an impression as calm as water.

Fahai, Duanmu Hong, and Zhantai Wuyuan stood below him.

The hall was silent. Suddenly, Sikong Xingzhou opened his eyes, his brow furrowed slightly, and asked below, "What time is it?"

Duanmu Hong stepped forward and replied, "It is almost the Hour of Hai."

Sikong Xingzhou then looked at Zhantai Wuyuan below with a slight smile on his face and said, "Wuyuan, when we go in, just follow me, I will take you to get the Soul Returning Spirit Wood."

Zhantai Wuyuan stepped forward, looking excited, and nodded.