404: Concerns on both sides

Qin Shilei saw the old man retract his killing intent, so he also restrained his own.

Sect Leader Huangfu Feng looked at his grand-uncle master, pondered for a moment, and then said, "As far as I know, both the Buddhist Sect and the Zhengqi Alliance have emerged from their respective Space Secret Realms. This will likely threaten your forces. I wonder if Qin An King needs to join forces with the Demonic Sect to completely drive them back into the Space Secret Realm?"

Qin Shilei shook his head, "To put it bluntly, perhaps in three years, all of us will only be able to cower and eke out a living in the Space Secret Realm.

What's the point of driving them back into the Space Secret Realm now?

Instead of expending that energy, why not strive to improve your own strength, thereby increasing your chances of survival?"

"That's easy for you to say. How about we, the Demonic Sect, take all the cities in Great Xia?"

Suddenly, a voice came from the corner. It was a thin Demonic Sect Hall Master.

Qin Shilei's eyes flashed with a dangerous light, "Do you, the Demonic Sect, truly want these cities?"

Just as that Hall Master was about to speak, he was glared at fiercely by his Sect Master and had to swallow the words that were almost at his lips.

"How could we ever think of taking what others love?"

Sect Leader Huangfu Feng gave a dry laugh, "Just as Qin An King said, perhaps in three years, we'll have to hide back in the Secret Realm. What good would occupying more cities do then?"

Qin Shilei looked deeply at Sect Leader Huangfu Feng, "Sect Master Huangfu, Blue Star is vast. If you want territory, just go and seize it. As for whether it will lead to the annihilation of your sect, that depends on the target you choose."

His underlying message was, 'You can try to take my territory too, but don't regret it if your sect is annihilated then.'

Sect Leader Huangfu Feng smiled, "Just as Qin An King said, the world is so vast, and we, the Demonic Sect, wish to go out and experience it. We also want to witness the beauty of foreign women."

He paused, then added, "We, the Demonic Sect, have decided to advance to the east. I wonder if Qin An King is willing to form an offensive and defensive alliance with us?"

Qin Shilei also smiled, "Easy to say. We are all people of Great Xia Country; we should indeed watch out for and help each other."

"Qin An King is truly a straightforward person."

Sect Leader Huangfu Feng took out two Telepathic Talismans, "These are a pair of matched Telepathic Talismans. I hope we can exchange information in the future."

Qin Shilei took the Telepathic Talisman and immediately bid farewell, leaving the City Lord's Residence.

As soon as he left Changzhou City, he immediately used the Faceless Mask to transform into an ordinary appearance and returned to the vicinity of the City Lord's Residence, then transformed into a gecko and climbed to the outside of the hall he had just been in.

The sounds from the hall faintly drifted out.

First, Sect Leader Huangfu Feng's voice rang out, "Grand-uncle master, has the other party already left?"

The old man from before replied, "He's gone. As long as he appears, it's impossible for him to escape my spiritual sense."

Sect Leader Huangfu Feng felt a sense of relief, "Grand-uncle master, with your strength, what are your chances of killing the other party?"

The old man frowned, "Less than ten percent. After all, the other party not only has teleportation, but also a shockingly fast escape technique."

Sect Leader Huangfu Feng pondered for a moment, "Since we can't kill him in one blow, then we shouldn't easily provoke him again."

The thin Hall Master spoke up, "Are we not going to avenge Elder Zhang?"

Sect Leader Huangfu Feng glared at him, "Can you withstand that earth-shattering sword strike from him, or do you want grand-uncle master to take that sword strike?

From now on, whoever dares to provoke the other party, don't blame this Sect Master for expelling him from the Demonic Sect."

The thin Hall Master muttered in a low voice, "We, the Demonic Sect, don't just rely on our own strength to kill people. His wife and his friends and family don't have his strength."

Sect Leader Huangfu Feng said meaningfully, "It's precisely because he has a wife and friends and family. Otherwise, he would probably have drawn his sword immediately upon meeting us."

He paused, then added, "Send a message to Elder Qian and the others to return from Hope City."

Soon, a subordinate took out a Telepathic Talisman, activated it, and spoke a few words into it.

Outside the house, Qin Shilei secretly cursed, 'That was close.'

He hadn't expected the other party to have sent people to stake out Hope City early.

Once a conflict broke out here, that Elder Qian would probably immediately capture the Qin Kings Mansion's people.

Although Qin Shilei had instructed An Qian and the others before leaving that if they encountered an irresistible enemy, they should immediately open the small space and hide inside.

However, when facing a Platinum strong practitioner, even if the three women, An Qian, could escape in time, most of the others would likely fall into the opponent's hands.

It was precisely because both sides had their reservations that they restrained themselves and did not immediately resort to deadly force upon meeting.

Then, Sect Leader Huangfu Feng discussed the specific matters of advancing east into Tian Zhao Country with everyone again, and then dismissed them.

Qin Shilei also turned and flew back towards Hope City.

Sect Leader Huangfu Feng then talked with his grand-uncle master again.

"Grand-uncle master, if we completely turn against Qin An King, what are your chances of stopping him?"

"Still less than fifty percent. Grand-uncle master, I'm old. I can stop him once, but I can't stop him a second time."

"Grand-uncle master, do you think we can instigate the Buddhist Sect and the Zhengqi Alliance to fight against Qin An King?"

"It's worth considering, but we must not leave any traces."

"Good, I'll plan it carefully."

"Actually, Qin An King was very right about one thing. We should look further afield. We can only seize more resources by going abroad, because there are already very few alien races and zombies in Great Xia."

.........

As soon as Qin Shilei returned to Hope City, he found that everyone was safe and sound, and his heart finally settled down.

After thinking for a moment, he called An Qian, the three women, and their parents over.

He briefly recounted everything that had happened in Changzhou.

Finally, he said, "For your safety, I hope you can live in my Blessed Land until the Demonic Sect, Zhengqi Alliance, and other forces can no longer threaten us."

An Qian was the first to answer, "I won't go in. I can't hide away like a canary just because of a little potential danger. If I don't even dare to face such a small danger, how can I help you in the future?"

Then, Zhang Xiaoli and Kong Qingshu also stated that they would absolutely not hide inside unless it was absolutely necessary.

The three women were unwilling to go in, but they strongly requested that their parents go in.

"Uncles and Aunts, I'm not locking you up in the Blessed Land. I'm asking you to bring people to build a small city inside that can preserve the human spark. When I return to Hope City, I will also let you out and have you help me handle the affairs of the Qin Kings Mansion."

After some persuasion, Commander Kong, He Yiyao, Shi Yutang, Zhang Cheng, and Liang Xinhui all agreed to enter the Blessed Land.

Along with them, tens of thousands of professionals from various industries also entered, primarily architects and construction workers.

They were going to build a small city in the Blessed Land, a small city without rebar and concrete.

Various materials and various creatures were continuously brought into the Blessed Land.