Chapter 1861 - 1858: Decision

Chapter 1861: Chapter 1858: Decision

"How is this possible? Heaven’s Gate’s power is comparable to the Ximen Family and the Storm Sect combined? How is this possible!"

"Exactly, the Storm Sect and Delicate Family were among the original Three Great Powers, and it took them years to accumulate to their current scale. Although Heaven’s Gate is formidable, how could they still possess such strength after destroying the Heavenly Cloud Gate? It doesn’t make sense!"

"Yes, Cheng Shang, are you mistaken? If Heaven’s Gate is this strong, they could unify the Ancient Ruins!"

...

No one fully believed what Cheng Shang said, as it was simply too astonishing.

Cheng Shang said in a solemn voice, "I understand what everyone is thinking, because when I first came to this conclusion, I couldn’t believe it either and thought I might be seeing things. But this is the truth!"

As he spoke, Cheng Shang took out several jade slips and handed them to everyone. "These are the results of my investigations over the past few days, and these findings were proactively released by Heaven’s Gate to the outside world. You can determine for yourselves whether they are true or false!"

"Half a month ago, disciples of Heaven’s Gate occupied the Dark Abyss, a place where the Three Great Powers once suffered disastrous defeats! Ten days ago, Heaven’s Gate’s disciples subdued eighteen powerful Planar Marauders, and their combined strength is on par with the Cheng family. Eight days ago, Heaven’s Gate dispatched a thousand-person team composed of later stage Azure Sky Realm experts, sweeping through the Ancient Ruins. Dozens of planets have already become part of Heaven’s Gate’s followers..."

The jade slips recorded the events Cheng Shang mentioned, leaving the Cheng family members with expressions of disbelief, yet the data clearly indicated it was all true!

"Really... If Heaven’s Gate is this strong, who in the Ancient Ruins could possibly stand against them?" mused the Fifth Elder of the Cheng family. "Where did Heaven’s Gate get so many powerful experts? When did later stage Azure Sky Realm experts become so worthless?"

The Third Elder’s expression was also uncertain: "If this information is accurate, no force in the Ancient Ruins can contend with Heaven’s Gate. Are they really going to sweep across the Ancient Ruins and unify the world?"

Cheng Shang nodded and said, "That’s right. After Heaven’s Gate annihilated the Heavenly Cloud Gate, they’ve remained very secretive. I suspect they had planned for this all along, and now is the time for them to reveal their true power!"

"Heaven’s Gate’s strength is clear for us to see. For the Cheng family, there are only three paths forward!" Cheng Shang said solemnly: "The first path is to submit to Heaven’s Gate and become their vassal..."

Before Cheng Shang could finish, the Third Elder interrupted: "Cheng Shang, are you trying to become a traitor to the Cheng family? How could we ever submit to a force like Heaven’s Gate? It’s absolutely ridiculous!"

The others also reacted with indignation, voicing their dissatisfaction.

At this moment, the Great Elder sitting at the head seat opened his eyes: "Alright, Third Brother, let’s hear Cheng Shang out. Let him finish!"

Cheng Shang gave a wry smile and said, "Everyone, please calm down. I’m merely analyzing the challenges the Cheng family will face in the future, to better deal with the threat of Heaven’s Gate!"

"The second path is to fight Heaven’s Gate to the death!" Cheng Shang said gravely, "Although the Cheng family has some strength, it pales in comparison to Heaven’s Gate. If we truly wish to oppose them, we must find allied forces!"

"The third path, as Uncle Cheng suggested, is for the entire Cheng family to hide in the ancestral lands to avoid Heaven’s Gate. It’s relatively safe there. However, doing so would mean we have no chance to rescue the Family Head!"

Cheng Shang laid out the three paths the Cheng family could take, and everyone fell silent after hearing them. Objectively speaking, the plan put forth by the Family Head was the most reasonable and suitable for the Cheng family at present!

Heaven’s Gate has suddenly revealed its fangs, and they’re surely going to unleash chaos in the Ancient Ruins. If the Cheng family can avoid their edge, they can significantly preserve their strength.

However... no one could make such a decision, as it would mean completely sacrificing the Cheng Family Head! The Cheng Family Head commands tremendous respect within the Cheng family, and if the younger members learned of this, they would never agree!

Cheng Shang looked around and said solemnly, "What should we do now? Everyone, share your thoughts!"

Silence, a deathly silence! After a moment, the Third Elder gritted his teeth and said, "Better to break than to bend! It’s just Heaven’s Gate. Though they’re strong, we’re not pushovers either! Besides, with Heaven’s Gate stirring up so much trouble, the Ximen Family and Storm Sect won’t sit by idly. As long as we unite with other major powers, defeating Heaven’s Gate shouldn’t be too difficult!"

"The Third Elder speaks sense!" The Fifth Elder stood up and said, "If we Cheng family members don’t even try to rescue our own Family Head and become cowards, wouldn’t that be a laughing stock? We may be a family of merchants, but we have the blood of cultivators in our veins!"

"That’s right, I agree to fight to the end, we must rescue the Family Head!"

"Speaking of crises, the ones we faced back in the day were greater than Heaven’s Gate. Our ancestors weren’t cowards, so how can we be?"

"However, despite saying that, Heaven’s Gate is formidable right now, and we can’t just fight recklessly..."

"Hmph, better to die standing than live kneeling!"

...

Ling Feng watched coldly. Although the assembly hall was somewhat noisy, most voices leaned towards fighting Heaven’s Gate, determined to rescue the Cheng Family Head!

This clearly showed how high the Family Head’s position was within the Cheng family, and indeed, the Cheng family had much spirit.

The noisy voices gradually quieted, and at this moment, the Great Elder coughed slightly, drawing everyone’s attention to him.

"Elder Cheng, what do you think? After all, you’ve been by the Family Head’s side," the Great Elder said slowly.

Elder Cheng gently shook his head: "I’m just conveying the Family Head’s intentions and informing everyone of the situation at the time. I don’t partake in any decisions! But I have one thing to say."

Although Elder Cheng was the Family Head’s personal steward, his status in the Cheng family was no less than that of a regular elder.

"If our ancestors had compromised back then and submitted to different races, would we have the lives we have now?" Elder Cheng said softly: "Sometimes we must consider more than the present; we must think of future generations! And I firmly believe that some things are ingrained in the very bones of the Cheng family!"

The Great Elder laughed: "You old fogey, haven’t you made your point quite clear? Now let me say a few words!"