"Everyone is here, good. Now, I trust you all understand the severity and importance of this meeting. Simply nod if you do." I said, sipping from a cup of tea. "Good, only a few of your disciples seem to be clueless… That's fine, they can learn as we go." I added, gently setting my cup down. "Unfortunately my father won't be present for this meeting. He has some, family business to attend to… Does anyone have a problem with this?" I asked, again looking around the room.
"Sir Divine Monarch, Surely you jest!" An elder from the Gold Antelope Paradise laughed. "You're a Divine Monarch and the strongest cultivator in history, why would we have a problem with this arrangement?" He continued with a supportive smirk.
"Well, I can see your point. However, I must say, it is still yet unseen as if I am the strongest in history. Mu, one of the 10 great experts of ancient times was no slouch." I chuckled. "That said, I'll add that my path through this 8th rank is nearing its completion. I should be at the very limit of the 8th rank, the pinnacle, in about 3 to 5 years. It depends greatly on how many of my inner population decide to procreate, or take a different route in life." I explained, noting that it might be possible that others may have been stronger than I.
"So soon! Just how fast is your cultivation rate!?" Yu Xiang Die shouted in shock. "Oh, sorry…"
"Ahahaha! No worries… Relax, my speed is something you won't be able to understand. I've done everything I can think of to enhance my strength thus far… And when I break through next, it'll be on the ink battlefield. I might destroy the 3000 Worlds if I'm not careful." I laughed, cutting the very real tension. "Well, enough of that now. I'm going to explain the situation first. And explain the plan after." I chuckled, coming down to a steady tone.
Using what couldn't even be called a fraction of the immense power I currently possessed, an elaborate display appeared in the center of the room. On this display, the current situation on the battlefield was shown. The location of each of the Mountain Passes, as well as the location of the Heavenly Beginning Great Restriction.
Off to the side, one person who decided to take a break and sit in on this meeting, narrowed his eyes once he noticed one of the markings depicting the Mountain Passes, was marked in black. It was Grandmaster Ma Fan. "Damn those detestable fiends…" He murmured, struggling to contain his anger.
"If you like, I can make some space for you in the attack plan… However, your skills are far more suited towards preparing a legion for the assault." I said, with a half sideways glance. "And even though you're an 8th rank, you are only, but a single one." I noted.
"I know, I'm going to make sure those warriors will have nothing but the best equipment… Even if I never sleep till the day we take them down." Ma Fan replied, drawing blood from his palms.
I sent an aid over to help patch him up. It wasn't all that helpful considering the power disparity, however, having a beautiful woman tending to your wound hasn't been known to make it harder.
"Very well, now then. The plan to avoid drastic losses on this campaign is simple. Our forces will form 5 Myriad Legions. Each will be composed of as close to equivalent power as we can make them, using cultivators from all of our forces." I began. "From there, we will adopt a rotation based system, allowing the warriors on the front lines a deserved break. And a chance to make full recoveries. This system will allow us to increase our fighting potential without exerting too much effort on our part. After all, it's far easier to have people recover than it is to train a whole new group from scratch… With minor exceptions of course." I continued.
"Excuse me, but I have a question. How are we to deal with the ink force's issue? With this method we could suffer at the hands of embedded ink disciples." An elder from Nine Stars Paradise asked.
"Simple, I have had the Dragon and Phoenix Clans producing these tokens. Wearing one and passing one's power through it will help in the purification process. In fact… It's largely because of this thing, that I was allowed to return to the 3000 Worlds and finally visit my family. I think it's only fair that others should get the chance. And with such a reward, it would inspire our people to fight harder and strive for greater strength." I answered, passing out several of the tokens. "However, I've been making something I call the Mortal Coil. In essence it's a combination of all 12 of the Universe Columns. It's also a little bit stronger than any of the Universe Four Pillars. And it also has the ability to force any peak rank 6 to break into the 7th rank." I added with a smirk.
"WHAT!!!" The room erupted, even the disciples joined their masters in their shock.
"Are… Are you serious?" Yu Xiang Die asked, standing up like a rocket launching. "Does it work on 7th ranks!?" She asked, with a noticeable curiosity.
"Calm down, and I have no idea if it does or not. It's not like I have many 7th ranks that are in need of testing it. Peak 7th ranks are generally only found on the battlefield. It wasn't until recently that any would be present in the 3000 worlds." I said, in a soft tone. "I'd love to test it out. But let us not rely on such a thing. Because that isn't the most beneficial strength it has…" I chuckled.
"I'd say that alone makes it superior to well… Anything but the two lotuses." Yu Xiang Die stammered.
"This thing makes you immune to the ink force generated by the royal lords and below." I said with a smirk holding my finger up, indicating I was making a point. "What now, still think the other effect is superior?" I continued, giggling all the while.
"No… That is definitely better. With that boost, and the benefit we have from other artifacts and techniques… 8th ranks could win against 5 Territory Lords at once. And in a team of three using that secret method, no Royal Lord would stand a chance…" Yu Xiang Die said, sitting back down…