"No.
I always felt that the Alliance Army and Young Master Ye are not that simple. According to the news, Young Master Ye has placed a large number of spies within the Guardian Faction—something few forces could manage.
Moreover, just relying on its own power, the Alliance Army recently destroyed so many branch strongholds of the Guardian Faction and the Yin Corpse Hall in a short period. This demonstrates that the Alliance Army is not as weak as we imagined. So we should still attach importance to the Alliance Army as a force and try to pull them to our side if we can."
Another elder standing to the side spoke slowly.
"Actually, I've been thinking about one question this whole time. In the last major battle between our Lingxiao Sect's army and the Guardian Faction's forces, our side was clearly weaker at the start. So why were we able to turn defeat into victory later?
During the fighting, the Guardian Faction's troops, especially their True Gods and Void Gods, seemed to lose steam as the battle went on. Whenever they encountered True Gods or Void Gods from our side, they took the initiative to retreat, appearing to have utterly lost their will to fight.
The same happened later at the Heavenly God level. Our side originally had fewer Heavenly Gods, and the overall strength was relatively weaker. But why did the Guardian Faction's Heavenly Gods, especially those several Initial Heavenly Gods, suddenly seem greatly disturbed later in the fight and couldn't press their attack?
There must be something strange going on here. The biggest possibility is that someone was secretly employing soul arts against them.
And throughout this whole process, Young Master Ye was present. What do you think? Could it be the result of Young Master Ye secretly employing methods from the shadows?"
The Sect Master of the Lingxiao Sect suddenly spoke.
"Sect Master, you suspect that the reason our Lingxiao Sect army was able to win was mainly because Young Master Ye secretly intervened, using some kind of technique?"
Hearing the Sect Master's words, the other high-level figures showed slight surprise.
"Impossible!
Although that Young Master Ye can be considered a young talent, his cultivation realm and strength are limited. How could a junior alter the outcome of such a large-scale battle?
Forget about Young Master Ye—even if he brought all the members of the Alliance Army, they wouldn't have the power to influence the result of that battle either, right?"
After thinking for a moment, Elder Fang shook his head and spoke.
"I think the ones who truly helped our Lingxiao Sect win that battle in secret were those five experts who appeared later, or perhaps the force behind those five experts."
Elder Fang added.
"Right!
Elder Fang makes a good point. I also think it shouldn't be Young Master Ye but rather those five experts who appeared later. They are the ones truly capable of helping us win that battle."
Hearing Elder Fang's words, the other Lingxiao Sect high-level figures nodded in agreement one after another.
"Sect Master, I think regardless, since Young Master Ye has sent a message to me, it shows he wants our Lingxiao Sect to dispatch experts to help him. Our sect should respond."
Elder Qian spoke up.
He still hoped that the Lingxiao Sect would send experts to help Ye Yunfei.
"Well then, since Elder Qian insists, our Lingxiao Sect will send one Heavenly God leading a group of Void Gods to assist Young Master Ye. This will also count as our Lingxiao Sect's support for an ally."
Before the Sect Master could speak, Elder Fang spoke up.
"Sending only one Heavenly God?
According to the message Young Master Ye sent me, a large group of Heavenly Gods from the Guardian Faction are pursuing him. What use will sending just one Heavenly God be?"
Upon hearing Elder Fang's words, Elder Qian couldn't help but be stunned, then he spoke.
"Elder Qian, our Lingxiao Sect currently faces immense pressure from the Guardian Faction. The most important thing is to concentrate our strength and prepare for the decisive battle with the Guardian Faction. Do you think, under these circumstances, how many Heavenly Gods can our Lingxiao Sect spare to send away?
We can't dispatch a large group of Heavenly Gods just because of Young Master Ye, can we?
What if the Guardian Faction receives word and takes this opportunity to launch an attack on our Lingxiao Sect in advance? What would we use to resist them then?"
Elder Fang said impatiently.
"Elder Fang speaks sense!
Under the current circumstances, we indeed shouldn't send too many Heavenly Gods away. If the Guardian Faction exploits this gap, we'd be in serious trouble."
The other high-level figures, hearing Elder Fang's words, all felt a chill in their hearts and nodded in agreement one after another.
"Since that's the case, all right, our Lingxiao Sect will send one Heavenly God to assist Young Master Ye."
Seeing so many high-level figures agree with Elder Fang, the Sect Master could only nod.
"Elder Qian, didn't you just break through to Heavenly God not long ago?
You're also familiar with Young Master Ye. Why don't you be the one to go?"
Elder Fang's gaze turned toward Elder Qian as he spoke.
"Me? But I only broke through not long ago..."
Hearing this, Elder Qian was taken aback and immediately spoke.
"Young Master Ye is merely a True God. Do you really think the Guardian Faction would send many Heavenly Gods to chase him?
Perhaps the Guardian Faction hasn't sent Heavenly Gods at all but only dispatched some True Gods to pursue him.
Therefore, Elder Qian going should be sufficient to assist Young Master Ye."
Elder Fang stated.
"Alright then."
After thinking for a bit, Elder Qian had no choice but to nod.
He knew that Elder Fang had seniority within the Lingxiao Sect, being a veteran Heavenly God. Even the Sect Master usually treated him with respect. Since Elder Fang had spoken, most others would likely agree, and it would be difficult for him to oppose, so he had to agree.
"Then I'll depart now."
Elder Qian said before turning and leaving the main hall.
Not long after, Elder Qian departed the Lingxiao Sect Headquarters with a group of his trusted subordinates to search for Ye Yunfei.
"I hope Young Master Ye is safe.
He truly is a young talent. To single-handedly establish an Alliance Army to oppose the Guardian Faction at such a young age is remarkable.
However, he is only a True God, and the overall strength of the Alliance Army he created isn't particularly strong either. They can't be of significant help to our Lingxiao Sect."
The Sect Master of the Lingxiao Sect watched Elder Qian's departing figure and sighed.
Within the main hall, the other high-level figures remained silent.
Everyone had different thoughts, but overall, none of the Lingxiao Sect's higher-ups thought much of Ye Yunfei. After all, in the Sixth Void, only Heavenly Gods were considered top-tier experts.
So even though Ye Yunfei had already made a name for himself, in the eyes of these Lingxiao Sect elders, he still didn't amount to much.
Before long, the events that took place in the main hall began to slowly spread throughout the Lingxiao Sect Headquarters.
"What?
The Lingxiao Sect elders know Young Master Ye is in danger and only sent one Heavenly God to help? And a Heavenly God who only just broke through at that!
This shows no regard for Young Master Ye and no regard for our Alliance Army either."
Inside the Lingxiao Sect Headquarters resided a contingent from the Alliance Army. After these Alliance Army members received the news, every one of them was furious.
Within the Alliance Army, Ye Yunfei was the absolute spiritual pillar. To every Alliance Army member, the person they worshipped and respected the most was Ye Yunfei.
Upon learning Ye Yunfei was in danger, everyone was initially beside themselves with anxiety. Now, hearing that the Lingxiao Sect elders were simply sending one freshly-advanced Heavenly God to assist, they immediately grew dissatisfied.
"Since the Lingxiao Sect looks down on our Alliance Army so much, there's no need for us Alliance Army members to stay here at their headquarters with a straight face either."
Inside a tent at the Alliance Army camp, one of the Alliance Army's higher-ups angrily said.
"Right. When the Lingxiao Sect was in trouble, our Alliance Army dispatched a large force to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with them. In the last battle, part of our Alliance Army even suffered casualties, genuinely using flesh and blood to help defend the Lingxiao Sect Headquarters. But now that the Alliance Army leader is in danger, this is the attitude the Lingxiao Sect shows.
They clearly received the message that a group of Heavenly Gods from the Guardian Faction are pursuing Young Master Ye, yet they only sent one newly-advanced Heavenly God. This is clearly perfunctory."
Several other Alliance Army higher-ups were also inside the tent, and all were equally angry.
"Let's go. Staying here any longer is meaningless."
Eventually, these Alliance Army higher-ups made a decision. They immediately began gathering the Alliance Army's forces, left their encampment, and walked toward the exit of the Lingxiao Sect Headquarters.
Soon after, the Lingxiao Sect elders received a report.
"What?
The Alliance Army people are leaving?"
The Lingxiao Sect elders in the main hall were discussing how to deal with the Guardian Faction and were all somewhat surprised to receive the news about the Alliance Army intending to leave.
"What sheer nonsense!
The decisive battle between our Lingxiao Sect and the Guardian Faction is about to begin. Them withdrawing at this time—do they intend to weaken the troops' resolve?
Our Lingxiao Sect specially sent a Heavenly God to assist their leader, but they don't appreciate the gesture!"
Before any other elders could speak, Elder Fang already erupted in fury.
"Convey my command: stop them immediately! Without our Lingxiao Sect's permission, not a single Alliance Army member is to set foot outside the Lingxiao Sect Headquarters!"
Elder Fang immediately issued the order.
"Elder Fang, this isn't quite right, is it? No matter what, the Alliance Army came to aid our Lingxiao Sect.
If we restrict the Alliance Army's freedom, conflicts might arise with them, which isn't beneficial for the alliance."
After hearing Elder Fang's words, another elder beside him hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Just a mere Alliance Army. Whether we ally with them or not basically won't affect the overall situation for our Lingxiao Sect.
But if we allow them to leave under these circumstances, it would make us a laughingstock and would indeed weaken the troops' resolve of our Lingxiao Sect army. This affects the larger picture and must not be compromised.
I'll immediately dispatch people to stop those Alliance Army fellows, making them return obediently to their campsite.
Once the battle erupts, they must participate.
Even if these Alliance Army people aren't of much use, since they've come, they need to consider the greater situation. We can't let them withdraw halfway!"
Elder Fang said coldly.
"Naturally, after our Lingxiao Sect and the Guardian Faction's decisive battle ends, we'll promptly chase them away.
Just a mere Alliance Army. Even if we don't ally with them, our Lingxiao Sect won't suffer any losses."
Elder Fang added.
Hearing Elder Fang's words, the other Lingxiao Sect elders in the hall remained silent. Even the Sect Master didn't say anything more.
Because they all felt that allowing the Alliance Army people to leave the Lingxiao Sect Headquarters at this time indeed might invite gossip and possibly dampen morale.
Soon after, a Heavenly God appeared in front of the Alliance Army forces, releasing his energy pressure to suppress the Alliance Army members.
Immediately, many of the weaker members within the Alliance Army were pressed down by the Heavenly God's energy pressure, unable to stand. They collapsed on the ground, powerless to get back up.
"You, Lingxiao Sect, are actually attacking our Alliance Army!
Are you treating our Alliance Army as an enemy? Fine!
Looks like we were truly blind and deluded back then, voluntarily coming to help you Lingxiao Sect fight the enemy.
From this moment on, our Alliance Army cancels the alliance with your Lingxiao Sect."
Seeing the Lingxiao Sect's Heavenly God directly taking action, the several leading Alliance Army higher-ups felt both shock and fury. One of them immediately cried out.
"Before our Lingxiao Sect and the Guardian Faction's decisive battle concludes, none of you Alliance Army people are permitted to leave. Otherwise, don't blame our Lingxiao Sect for being impolite."
The Lingxiao Sect Heavenly God said coldly.
"Is the Lingxiao Sect going to detain us?"
Hearing this Heavenly God's words, the Alliance Army higher-ups grew even more alarmed and angry.
"Less idle talk. If you don't want to die, do as I say. Otherwise, don't blame the Lingxiao Sect for showing no mercy."
The Heavenly God's face darkened, his voice turning icy.
As a Heavenly God, ordinarily all True Gods would show him the utmost respect in his presence, not daring to utter half a word of opposition.
"Men, drive these fellows all back to their campsite and station people to monitor them, forbidding them from taking a single step out."
With a wave of his hand, the Heavenly God immediately caused a large group of Lingxiao Sect members to swarm over from all directions, intending to forcibly escort the Alliance Army personnel back to their original campsite.
"These Lingxiao Sect bastards are simply inhuman. I truly regret why I ever came to help them fight the enemy in the first place!"
The several Alliance Army higher-ups trembled all over with anger.