"Zi Long, you have two choices. First, accept everything now. Second, I will personally go to the outside world and verify that recording!"
"If it's all fabricated, I will surely punish Po Xiao severely. But if it's all true, I believe you know the consequences!"
The icy voice echoed, and Zi Long's face instantly turned deathly pale.
If someone else were to investigate, Zi Long might still have a way to tamper with things. But if Xing Yuan were to go, how could he possibly have the ability to do so?
If everything were to be proven true then, he would be utterly doomed.
After all, his actions were akin to betrayal and colluding with external enemies. No organization would tolerate such behavior!
With that thought, Zi Long quickly spoke, "Your subordinate knows his mistake. How dare your subordinate trouble Lord Xing Yuan with his affairs? Your subordinate accepts everything!"
Upon hearing this, Xing Yuan let out a low hum and his gaze swept towards Ye Cangtian, asking, "Po Xiao, are you satisfied with this outcome?"
Ye Cangtian shrugged his shoulders, implicitly agreeing.
He knew that the Dark Association was in dire need of people, so they would not heavily punish Zi Long.
Furthermore, Xing Yuan equating his own status with Zi Long's was undoubtedly a form of compensation, and it essentially met his expectations.
Afterward, Zi Long would no longer be able to boss him around in the outside world, and that was enough.
"Alright, let's move on to the main business!"
"As you know, the Church of Light has dispatched many Cardinals. Although these Cardinals have temporarily quieted down, they remain a hidden threat!"
"Therefore, I demand that you eliminate them with all your might!"
Seeing that Po Xiao had no objections, Xing Yuan directly changed the subject.
The most troublesome issue at present was still the people from the Church of Light. As long as they remained in the Dark Ruins, the Dark Association would not have a moment's peace.
After all, the ones sent by the Church of Light this time were not minor figures, but Cardinals – beings that most city branches could not resist.
"Lord Xing Yuan, do you have any strategies?"
"Just give the order, and I will execute it resolutely and guarantee its completion!"
Zi Long stepped forward quickly and spoke.
He understood clearly that Xing Yuan had suppressed Po Xiao's accusation for the sake of this matter. If he didn't show some initiative, he was genuinely worried that Xing Yuan might hold a grudge later.
"There is no specific plan, only their movements."
"They have fled in the east, west, and south directions. As for their latest movements, you can inquire with personnel from the branch offices along the way."
"As for how you will proceed, you will discuss it amongst yourselves."
As he spoke, Xing Yuan glanced at Zi Long and Po Xiao, warning them, "I warn you both. I can overlook your usual infighting, but to engage in internal conflict at this time is to court self-destruction. I will not stand idly by!"
"Yes, your subordinate understands!"
As Xing Yuan's voice faded, Ye Cangtian and Zi Long immediately responded.
Hearing this, Xing Yuan waved his hand and said, "You may go. Po Xiao, stay behind."
With that, Zi Long and Lan Yue turned and left the hall without a word.
After they departed, Ye Cangtian looked at Xing Yuan and asked, "Did Lord Xing Yuan wish to see me for something?"
"I know you are not satisfied with how I handled Zi Long's matter, but I hope you will consider the bigger picture."
Xing Yuan glanced at Po Xiao, fell silent for a moment, and then slowly spoke.
In the past, Zi Long's act of betrayal, even if he didn't die, would have resulted in severe punishment.
But not now. The Dark Association was truly short of personnel!
"Lord Xing Yuan, I understand your difficulties, which is why I didn't say much before."
Ye Cangtian looked at Xing Yuan and continued, "It's just that your subordinate doesn't understand. Although we don't have many Nine Revolutions Golden Pills, we at least have some in stock. Why don't we use them to cultivate a few Earth-level Deacons?"
If Xing Yuan were willing to use some Nine Revolutions Golden Pills, even if it was just to promote a few people, it would greatly alleviate their pressure.
But Xing Yuan had never done so, which Ye Cangtian found very puzzling.
"Nine Revolutions Golden Pills are far too rare!"
"It's not difficult to cultivate Earth-level powerhouses with them, but it is difficult to enhance their combat power..."
Xing Yuan looked at Po Xiao and explained his thoughts.
Just like those newly appointed Cardinals of the Church of Light, although they were all Earth-level in strength and could deal with some Profound-level experts without issue, they found it very challenging when facing Earth-level powerhouses. Some veteran Earth-level experts could even contend against two or three of them individually.
The gap was that stark.
The specific reason was their mediocre aptitude and the excessive surge in their cultivation.
It was as if they had been transported from one world to another, requiring them to reacquaint themselves with the entire world, that is, to reacquaint themselves with their bodies.
This required a vast amount of time and was not as simple as imagined...
The crisis faced by the Dark Association was imminent. If these Earth-level Deacons were cultivated but not given enough time, their usefulness would be limited.
Moreover, they would be at constant risk of perishing.
In such a scenario, it would be equivalent to wasting the Nine Revolutions Golden Pills. It would be better to save them for unforeseen circumstances.
After all, Nine Revolutions Golden Pills also possessed potent healing effects...
"Lord Xing Yuan, I understand what you mean!"
"But with so many Cardinals from the Church of Light invading, if they are scattered, it will undoubtedly deal a heavy blow to the Dark Association. At that time, it won't be something just a few of us can resolve!"
"Aren't you worried about such a situation occurring?"
Ye Cangtian hesitated for a moment and spoke slowly.
He still believed that during such special times, it was necessary to enhance some people's strength.
Even if the number of these people was small, they were Earth-level powerhouses, which would be enough to intimidate others.
"No need to worry."
"Firstly, the current situation is still under control, and I believe you can handle it."
"Furthermore, even if you cannot handle it, the Dark Association will not suffer significant losses. We still have some foundations..."
Xing Yuan glanced at Po Xiao and said indifferently.
"This..."
Ye Cangtian was taken aback.
He knew that there were three Heaven-level powerhouses in the Dark Association. Besides Xing Yuan, who outwardly managed the overall situation, the whereabouts of the remaining two were currently unknown.
However, if the Dark Association were truly facing an existential crisis, he believed those two would return to provide assistance.
But even with the addition of two Heaven-level powerhouses to save the Dark Association from dire straits, how could it be easy to quell the widespread unrest?
Could it be that besides the two Heaven-level powerhouses, there were other experts within the Dark Association?
"Cough, cough, let's get back to the point."
Just then, Xing Yuan's voice was heard.
When Ye Cangtian turned his head to look, Xing Yuan slowly spoke, "I kept you behind to hear your views on the current situation."
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian fell silent for a moment and replied, "From the current perspective, the actions of the Church of Light should be targeting a certain item, and they themselves are also unaware of the item's specific location..."