Chapter 1367 (Raw 1357): Dragon Subduing Stance
The discussions in Meteor Trail City proceeded somewhat tediously. Due to not knowing much about Deity Dao Union, most could not make any substantial suggestions.
However, during the battle earlier today, the Supreme Sky Prime defeated the Heaven Punis.h.i.+ng Corpse G.o.d by half a move, boosting the attendees" morale.
Furthermore, Xiao Chen also killed three Martial Emperors over the past two days. So the group was rather optimistic about the defense of the ninth layer of formations.
Xiao Chen remained calm without any changes in his expression. He only listened quietly and did not say anything.
He thought otherwise. Right now, the Deity Dao Union had yet to truly attack. The situation was not optimistic, even somewhat depressing.
"Xiao Chen, what is your opinion? Tell us. There is no need to remain silent," Fang Baiyu, who sat in the middle, said with a smile, calling out Xiao Chen.
After being called out by the Vice Sect Master, Xiao Chen also had some things that he wanted to say. After organizing his thoughts, he said, "Although the battles for the various nodes in the past two days were very intense, I feel that the Deity Dao Union still has not unleashed their full force. We should make preparations to retreat at any time. Otherwise, we might be caught off guard and lose several layers of formations."
The moment Xiao Chen said this, his words caused a huge commotion, sparking endless discussion.
"Azure Dragon King, by saying that, aren"t you dampening our resolve? During this period, although the defense had many close calls, none of the nodes were broken. The Deity Dao Union"s losses are three times ours. It could even be said that their losses were severe."
"That"s right. Furthermore, the Fiend Race reinforcements are here as well. We are now well fortified and invulnerable to attack."
"Azure Dragon King, you are too modest."
"Right now, we have only nine layers of formations left. With every retreat, that"s one layer less. When the final battle arrives, the Primes and Martial Emperors will end up in a pa.s.sive situation."
"That"s right. We can"t retreat."
While the attendees discussed in confusion, most shook their heads, not agreeing with Xiao Chen"s opinion.
Xiao Bai blinked and said, "Everyone, there is no need to reject this thought so quickly. Let Elder Brother Xiao Chen finish first. He definitely has some considerations for other areas."
Fang Baiyu was shocked at Xiao Chen"s opinion as well. Although he guessed that there would be some big movements from the Deity Dao Union, he never thought of retreating. Right now, they could no longer afford to retreat.
After Fang Baiyu exchanged glances with the people on his left and right, he smiled and said, "Little Brother Xiao Chen, we are at a crucial moment of the war, and we can"t speak of such unlucky things. Let"s stop the discussions here together. Everyone, please return and guard your respective nodes well. As long as the nodes do not break, no matter how strong the Deity Dao Union is, we will be able to drag things out to the end."
When Xiao Bai heard that, she immediately panicked and wanted to say something. However, Kong Yuan and Yuan Xu held her back.
Xiao Chen smiled bitterly in his heart. He was simply not given a chance to speak.
However, he also understood why Fang Baiyu did this. This was a crucial moment. If they discussed retreating at this point, it would be a big blow to the troop"s morale. Now, everyone still felt hope. If they took the initiative to retreat and lost this hope, the consequences would be extremely dire.
Hence, Xiao Chen did not push the point or argue it.
He just walked out of the hall calmly together with the other people in charge of their respective nodes. He did not show anything on his face at all.
"Junior Brother Xiao Chen, please wait for a moment."
Shui Lingling, Xiao Bai, and the others gave chase quickly.
Xiao Chen stopped and looked back. "First Senior Sister, what"s wrong?"
Shui Lingling sighed and said, "Don"t take it to heart. Right now, the Vice Sect Master and the others are all under a lot of pressure. They did not stop you from speaking on purpose."
However, Xiao Bai clearly still felt unhappy. She said softly, "Elder Brother Xiao Chen is definitely right. Xiao Bai does not understand why they did not let Elder Brother Xiao Chen finish."
Xiao Chen said seriously, "First Senior Sister, I understand what you are saying. However…never mind, there is no point in saying it. I won"t get angry over something like this. There is no need to worry about me."
After finis.h.i.+ng, he looked at Xiao Bai and said, "You la.s.s, there is no need to try and seek justice for me. There is no such thing as absolute right and absolute wrong in this world. It is just a matter of perspective."
An Junxi, who was at the side, said, "Actually, I agree with Xiao Chen"s opinion as well. However, right now, Supreme Sky City really cannot afford to let us retreat."
Shui Lingling added, "The formations of Supreme Sky City are set up in sets of three. If we give up on the ninth layer, the eighth and seventh layers will fall as well. In other words, we only have three chances to retreat. So we cannot afford to do so."
Xiao Chen nodded and said, "There is no need to worry. No matter what, I will do my best to fulfill my duties and guard the node at Maple Leaf Lake. After the war is over, let"s find some time and gather together."
An Junxi smiled and said, "Good, it"s a promise. All of us have to survive this."
"Xiao Bai will do my best as well," Xiao Bai said seriously while clenching her fist.
"Take care."
Xiao Chen performed a cupped-fist salute before taking his leave and rus.h.i.+ng back to Maple Leaf Lake.
---
In the hall, the Fiend Race Greater Heavenly Martial Emperor Jiang Chuan showed a rather grave expression. He banged on the table and said, "This Xiao Chen seems to be rather bad at reading the situation. He is just a youth that speaks without any consideration."
The Thunder and Lightning Palace"s w.a.n.g Xu added, "At this crucial moment, he said to make preparations to retreat in front of everyone. This is somewhat immature. The damage is done now. Those people in charge of the nodes will already have thought about holding back."
Fang Baiyu, who was seated in the center, appeared rather embarra.s.sed. After all, Xiao Chen was still considered as someone from his Supreme Sky Sect. No matter how upset he was at Xiao Chen for lacking etiquette, it was not convenient for him to say anything.
The three powerhouses were all somewhat upset with Xiao Chen because they believed that Xiao Chen spoke carelessly without thinking.
"Never mind, never mind. Let"s not care about what those people in charge of the nodes think. We will just shoulder more of the burden. Youths are still not mature in their thinking and do not consider the whole picture. I"ll make up for it to the two of you," Fang Baiyu said with a cupped-fist salute.
w.a.n.g Xu and Jiang Chuan could only helplessly go along in response.
However, it was hard for them to stop themselves from criticizing Xiao Chen. They had come to Meteor Trail City and put in so much effort to protect it. Despite that, their own people said something to deal a blow to the defenders" morale, suggesting that they should prepare to retreat at any time. This completely undermined all their days of hard work.
---
Back at Maple Leaf Lake, Xiao Chen told Mo Chen and Yue Bingyun about what happened at the hall.
The expressions of Mo Chen and Yue Bingyun exposed some astonishment. They exchanged helpless glances.
These two girls were very intelligent. How could they not understand the mistake that Xiao Chen made? Even if it was the truth, some things should not be said in front of everyone.
Fang Baiyu had gathered everyone together to discuss countermeasures in order to raise morale. They wanted the people in charge of the various nodes to be focused and not distracted in these difficult times.
However, Xiao Chen spoke honestly about certain things. Naturally, the situation would turn out rather awkward.
Mo Chen consoled, "Big Brother Xiao Chen, there is no need to dwell on this. This bit of grievance is nothing. Just remember why you are here to help the Supreme Sky Sect. You are grateful to the Supreme Sky Sect. All you have to do is do your best."
Yue Bingyun added, "Xiao Chen, no matter what, we will always stand on your side."
Xiao Chen felt a warmth in his heart. Unexpectedly, such a small matter could cause so many people to worry for him.
He shook his head and said, "Naturally, I understand the ways of the world. However, it is not in my character to keep silent due to some reasons when I can clearly see certain problems. If something really happens, it will be hard for my heart to be at peace. After saying those things, even if I"m wronged, I will not feel upset."
This was how Xiao Chen was. If it were a sect that he did not have a strong connection with, even if he saw the problem, he would have kept silent in such a situation. However, he held great grat.i.tude towards the Supreme Sky Sect. Even though he knew that he would not be appreciated for what he said, he still had to say it.
Time pa.s.sed, day by day, but Xiao Chen"s words had yet to come true.
The Deity Dao Union attacked relentlessly. However, due to the formation and the Supreme Sky Sect"s allies, the aggressors could not do anything. On the other hand, their troops sustained many setbacks, suffering greatly.
While the battle continued incessantly at the other nodes, Maple Leaf Lake, where Xiao Chen was, remained calm.
For the next half month, Maple Leaf Lake did not suffer any attacks; Xiao Chen had no opportunity to make a move. On Meteor Trail City"s side, they showed no intent to call Xiao Chen over to help. Xiao Chen, who originally planned to fight hard, remained at peace, instead.
It was like the vast battles, which caused the sky to change color for more than a million kilometers around, had nothing to do with him.
However, Xiao Chen did not brood over this. The more this was so, the more he felt that his guess was right. In this chaotic situation, his heart became even more tranquil.
He spent his days and nights tirelessly trying to create and perfect the second move of the Flawless Saber Technique—Dragon Subduing Stance!