1068 Decision of the Independent Sects

" Maybe we could band together with the Star Shattering Sect during the upcoming turmoil and increase our safety that way. Given that there might be someone in the Soul Ascension Realm in the Star Shattering Sect, those empires should not want to meaninglessly offend them if they decide to stay out of the conflict…"

Seeing that everyone was lost in their own thoughts trying to think up ways to ensure the safety of their sects, one of the younger sect masters present nervously stepped forward and suggested this.

"Band together with the Star Shattering Sect for safety…? Can we really do something like that? Not to mention the distance between our sects, but also the fact that the Star Shattering Sect might not want such a large influx of people in their territory…"

"Indeed, if it was me, I wouldn't allow so many people to enter the territory of my sect all of a sudden. Not to mention the fact that there might not be enough resources present to sustain all of our sects at the borders of the Sky Empire. After all, there is a reason why it's called the border region and only a few Domain Lord Realm Experts can be found there under normal circumstances…"

"Not only that, but it might result in a hostile relationship development as our sects take control of what is essentially their territory. No matter how good our current relationship is, none of us have any real relationship with the Star Shattering Sect outside of the brief interactions during the establishment of the Sect Alliance."

Hearing what the young sect master said, the older and more experienced seniors present didn't waste a second before voicing their doubts to the suggestion.

Even though the independent sects did stick together and had worked together for hundreds of years to fight off the different puppet sects established by the different powerful kingdoms of the Sky Empire, the same could not be said for the Star Shattering Sect that had appeared out of nowhere and had no significant contact with them outside of the establishment of the Sect Alliance.

Compared to them, although the Star Shattering Sect was also an independent sect, it was strong enough to not care about the different kingdoms that had caused them to grow close and work together over the years.

For them to suddenly show up in the territory of the Star Shattering Sect and try to settle down in an attempt to avoid the chaos that would inevitably sweep through the Sky Empire… In the best-case scenario, the Star shattering Sect would ignore them and in the worst case, they might end up becoming hostile. Resulting in them not only having to worry about the invading empires, but also the Star Shattering Sect coming after them!

"Everyone, calm down. Even if those empires have started invading the Sky Empire, it will at least take a few years before they begin trying to invade the core region of the Sky Empire… And when that happens, I doubt they will have enough time to care about us if we don't join the Sky Empire in fighting them.

For now, I think the best course of action would be for one of us to head to the Star Shattering Sect and see if we can figure out a solution before, we start thinking about moving our sects into their territory without saying anything."

Having to step in once again as the people from the independent sects began growing unruly once again, Xu Bao reminded all of them about the fact that they still had a few years before they would have to face off against the invading empires.

Although moving their sects also took time, with every independent sect having at least one person at the Peak of the Nascent Soul Realm and the strongest one having Domain Lord Realm Experts leading them, it would not take more than a year for them to pack up and leave.

Of course, when the stronger sects finished moving, they could always have their Domain Lord Realm Experts come back and help the weaker sects.

In the end, it shouldn't take them more than a three or so years to relocate to the Star Shattering Sect. Even if the Sky Empire would undoubtedly be chaotic at that point in time, they were moving away from the core region of the Sky Empire and had several Domain Lord Realm Experts.

More than enough to stay safe against the large number of rogue cultivators and bandits that would inevitably appear to fish in troubled waters…

As everyone was thinking about what Xu Bao said, Elder Scarlet Flame, who had remained silent during the meeting so far, stepped forward. "Senior Xu, I think you should be the one to go to the Star Shattering Sect."

"Hm? Why do you say so? I'm by far the strongest among all of us, if I go, it might give those people now huddled up in the capital city a chance to strike. Even if they obediently followed their masters command, there is no saying whether or not they will stay in the capital after learning about my absence…" Frowning visibly as he heard what Elder Scarlet Flame said, Xu Bao didn't agree and instead questioned him.

"I agree with what you say, but… You are the person who has the best relationship with the elder from the Star Shattering Sect. If you go, there is a higher chance of succeeding."

"This…"

"Not to mention, if they really decide to leave the capital and try to destroy us during this chaotic time, I doubt the surrounding empires would stand still at a chance to kill so many enemy Domain Lords. Especially after they finished confirming the absence of the imperial family and the old ancestor..."

"Haah… Fine, I understand…"

Seeing Elder Scarlet Flame's unwavering expression and how the rest of the people present seemed to be silently agreeing with him, Xu Bao could only let out a sigh as he gave up. Understanding that everyone had silently decided that it was best to send him to the Star Shattering Sect for negotiations.

Considering that he was indeed the one who had the most interaction with Xuan Hao and was also a member of branch member of an ancient sect, he couldn't deny that he did indeed have the best chance in negotiating with the Star Shattering Sect.

After all, from what he knew through the ancient records and what his master had told him before passing away, the different ancient sects that had survived through the ancient era stood together and protected each other in times of need. If things really did end up getting troublesome, he could always try and leverage this to his advantage in trying to obtain a relatively safe place for him and the rest of the independent sects to stay during the upcoming chaos.

"Haha, I knew I could count on you. Don't worry about your sect, I will make sure to watch over it during your absence. If any of those cowardly old fossils appear, I will make to send them crying back to their master!" Laughing happily after Xu Bao agreed to go, Elder Scarlet Flame confidently assured him about the safety of his sect during his absence.

Considering that the Sunfire Sect he was from had two Domain Lord Realm Experts, he could afford to say this, as he could leave the protection of the Sunfire Sect to his wife, the sect master of the Sunfire Sect, who had also reached the Domain Lord Realm.

"If you say so, I feel more at ease. Now… Given that we don't have much time to waste, I will take my leave immediately." Shaking his head as he said this with a slight smile on his lips, Xu Bao didn't bother saying anything more as he directly turned around to leave-

Whoosh-!

Giving some of the weaker people at the Peak of the Nascent Soul Realm no time to react as he disappeared before they even had the time to comprehend how he had left.

"Hehe… Now that the old man left, why don't the rest of us come up with some plans on evacuating the core region? After all, we still need a proper plan to move so many people and things!" As Xu Bao left, Elder Scarlet Flame's happy expression almost instantly changed into a stern and authoritative one.

"""Yes!"""

Understanding that this matter was not something they could take lightly as it involved the survival of their sects, everyone solemnly nodded their heads in agreement.

Soon enough, they officially began discussing how they would move all of their disciples, elders, resources, and other important things to the Star Shattering Sect's territory.

No matter how they might think something like this was doable in three years with their current strength, they also understood that it would be far harder to accomplish than they might first think. Having no idea what kind of unexpected things might occur during their three year long journey…