<strong><b>Chapter 42: The consequences of acting on impulse will be more serious </b></strong>


    “n leader, this matter was jointly discussed and is the will of the entire ancient n! It’s not solely your responsibility!” Behind him, many of the higher-ups quickly said. “Sending people to deal with Ling Xue was a decision made by the entire ancient n.”


    A long time ago, the Qianling Ancient n had also been trampled by the Demonic Sect.


    No one in the Qianling Ancient n wanted to see such a thing happen again.


    Therefore, they allied with the six major powers, including the Taixuan Empire, to test Ling Xue.


    But no one expected this kind of result!


    Now, the only fate awaiting the Qianling Ancient n would likely be the same as the Taixuan Empire.


    When the Demonic Sect’s army arrived, the ancient n would be plunged into misery and suffering.


    “We have no regrets! We are willing to defend the ancient n to the death!” Everyone behind him responded loudly.


    They were not afraid. At worst, it would just mean death.


    But Qian Chen was more fearful than anyone! Because he was the n leader, the lives of thousands of nsmen were in his hands.


    If the ancient n perished and its members died in battle, it would be his responsibility!


    He would die with regrets!


    As a leader, sometimes one finds oneself trapped in such a dilemma.


    This kind of predicament is something the people below can never fully understand.


    “n leader, the Taixuan Empire has already sent an invitation, and if we mobilize our entire army and join forces with the Taixuan Empire, perhaps we might not be defeated by the Demonic Sect!” Behind him, some higher-ups continued in a solemn tone. “No! We cannot move, we cannot act!”


    However, Qian Chen shook his head, “We must not allow the rtionship between the ancient n and the Demonic Sect to deteriorate further!”


    <em><i>Join forces? </i></em>


    <em><i>Even if they joined forces, they would undoubtedly lose, and he knew this clearly. </i></em>


    <em><i>How much power did the Taixuan Empire have? At most, they had only about ten people in the Divine Origin Realm! </i></em>


    <em><i>But this time, in that ancient tomb on Cangyun Heavenly Mountain, how many people from the Demonic Sect had killed ten Divine Origin Realm experts? </i></em>


    <em><i>Would joining forces do any good? </i></em>


    “Since he first named the Taixuan Empire as his target, perhaps… it’s giving us a chance!” Qian Chen continued, “If we don’t make a move, perhaps there’s still room for negotiation. But once we do… there will be no redemption!”


    <em><i>There was still a chance, there was still time. </i></em>


    <em><i>The Demonic Sect had not yet attacked them. </i></em>


    <em><i>So, there might still be room for maneuver. </i></em>


    Upon hearing Qian Chen’s words, everyone lowered their heads and remained silent, feeling unwilling and thought.


    <em><i>Room for negotiation? </i></em>


    <em><i>At this point, how could there still be room for negotiation? </i></em>


    Qian Chen continued speaking, “Everyone! I know you’re not afraid of death! But… how can we abandon the lives of thousands of our nsmen?”


    Hearing this, everyone remained silent.


    <em><i>Indeed, who would want to see their nsmen brutally killed by the Demonic Sect? </i></em>


    <em><i>Among their nsmen were many who were still just children, innocent and unaware of the world. </i></em>


    <em><i>How could they allow these children to die on the battlefield like this? </i></em>


    “Then, ording to the n leader, what should we do?” several higher-ups asked.


    Qian Chen raised his head and looked at the ancestral tablets of his forefathers.


    After pondering for a moment, he said in a deep voice, “I wish to offer the Spirit Pearl as a gift, in exchange for the Demonic Sect sparing the Qianling Ancient n!”


    As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s faces changed!


    The Spirit Pearl was the treasured possession of the Qianling Ancient n!


    <em><i>How could they give it away? </i></em>


    “n leader, this is absolutely not allowed!”


    “The Spirit Pearl is the treasure of our ancient n. Without it, the Qianling Ancient n would be no more!”


    “Please reconsider, n leader. We are willing to die in battle, but we cannot hand over the Spirit Pearl!”


    “…”


    Everyone hurriedly voiced their objections.


    “Without the Spirit Pearl, what would be of the Qianling Ancient n?”


    “What would be of the future generations of the Qianling Ancient n?”


    “It would be better to go to war; after all, they were not afraid of death!”


    “Everyone, no one fears death! But… how can I stand by and watch as all our nsmen perish?” Qian Chen said in a heavy tone, “Without the Spirit Pearl, at least everyone can survive! The Spirit Pearl does not define the Qianling Ancient n; our people… are the true Qianling Ancient n!”


    “Indeed, without the Spirit Pearl, the overall strength and future prospects of the Qianling Ancient n would suffer greatly.”


    “But… if everyone died, what use would the Spirit Pearl have?”


    “If everyone died, the Spirit Pearl would still end up in the hands of the Demonic Sect!”


    Hearing Qian Chen’s words, no one had a response.


    As much as they hated to admit it, his words made sense.


    But… it was still hard to ept!


    Their n’s treasured possession, something their ancestors had guarded for generations, was about to be handed over like this?


    “I know there are no cowards in our ancient n! But… I ask everyone to remain rational. Acting on impulse will only make things worse!” Qian Chen continued, “If there are no objections, I will take the Spirit Pearl and go to the Demonic Sect… to negotiate!”


    In truth, this was only his n for now.


    Whether it would seed or not was still uncertain.


    Whether Ling Xue would be willing to ept the Qianling Ancient n’s apology was also still uncertain.


    Upon hearing Qian Chen’s words, everyone gritted their teeth.


    Though they were unwilling, at this point… what other option did they have?


    Seeing no one speak, Qian Chen took a deep breath and then said, “Xue’er, you wille with me to the Demonic Sect!”


    The Spirit Pearl alone might not be enough to show sincerity.


    Therefore, he had to offer something else, something that would show his sincerity.


    Only then might he gain the forgiveness of the Demonic Sect and save the Qianling Ancient n!


    To the Qianling Ancient n, the Spirit Pearl was a priceless treasure.


    But to him, the daughter he had raised since childhood was his true treasure!


    ’’