(Meanwhile, on Planet Su Prime, Patriarch Su Tang's POV)

Su Tang sat upon the Su Family throne with an eyebrow raised in disbelief, as the chief strategist finished reading the final lines of the report, his voice stiff and reluctant, as though he himself struggled to accept the words leaving his tongue.

"Patriarch… it seems the information sent to us by the Cultists is not wrong.

The Universal Government and the remaining Great Clans have already pulled vast numbers of troops from across the universe to station them on The Pit, which has already stretched their defenses slightly… However, now with the Cult's new revenge threat, they have diverted even more forces to safeguard the twelve targeted planets, giving us a golden opportunity to raid practically defenseless worlds…"

He reported, as Su Tang lifted a fist to his chin, letting out a long, headache filled sigh while his gaze drifted across the towering hall lined with Su banners that fluttered faintly in the artificial breeze.

"Have you independently verified all this?"

He asked quietly, as the strategist stiffened, lowering his head in acknowledgement.

"I have, Lord Patriarch.

Cross-checked five times, through three independent networks… all the information matches."

He replied, though his expression twisted slightly, as if confirming this truth violated every instinct he had cultivated in a lifetime of distrusting the Cult.

"If this were a couple of years ago, I would never—never—use information that originated from the Cult to guide a Clan decision. It would have been unthinkable… reckless… shameful even."

He admitted, his words thick with unwilling acceptance.

"However… as things stand, I suppose we have no choice but to trust those damn Cultists.

After all… the plan they sent us is too good to pass on."

Su Tang exhaled again, a breath heavy enough to echo through the quiet hall, as he leaned backward slightly, his fingers drumming lightly against the arm of the throne while the weight of the situation settled deeper into him.

As matters stood, the Su Clan controlled only four planets, barely enough to sustain their population, and lacked the manpower, resources, or political leverage to seize and hold any additional territory.

Their expansion prospects were bleak… their future even more so.

But the Cult's proposal did not demand conquest.

It demanded chaos.

Instead of occupying planets, the Su Clan was to strike them like bandits of the stars and carry out swift raids, targeted plundering, extraction of valuables, and immediate retreat before reinforcements could return.

In short, a full-scale blitz of destruction, that was to unfold across an entire day and night.

A single twenty-four hour storm of flames and looting that could feed the Su Clan for a decade.

*Sigh*

Su Tang sighed again, deeper this time, as he considered the implications…. moral, political, and practical, yet every angle of the situation pulled him to the same inevitable conclusion, as though the universe itself had arranged a feast before a starving man.

The opportunity was simply too good for him to pass on.

And hence, after thinking about it at length, he simply nodded, the tension in the hall releasing just slightly as the strategist straightened in anticipation.

"Alright," Su Tang said slowly, the decision tasting both exciting and necessary on his tongue, "invite the War Council for a session tomorrow. We will discuss the specifics and finalize the deployment."

He paused, one last sigh escaping him as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"I suppose the Su Clan will soon be raiding the universe… just like the Cult wants."

He acknowledged, as surprisingly, he decided to follow Chaosbringer's suggestion down to the T.

—------------

(Meanwhile, The Five-God Summit, Secure Astral Projection Channel)

A soft hum filled the astral chamber as five divine projections formed around a circular table of shimmering light, their silhouettes stabilizing one by one until the gods of the five great clans faced one another with guarded expressions.

Lu Han broke the silence first.

"So what is the verdict on our involvement in Soron's killing? Do we go all out from the start, or do we allow Helmuth to face him alone first?"

Lu Han asked, as his gaze drifted from one projection to another, already knowing the answer but wanting it spoken aloud.

"Helmuth will demand a solo battle. He has been waiting centuries to test himself against Soron,"

Mu Shen said, as he folded his arms with mild annoyance, since stopping the Barbarian God from doing what he wanted was nearly impossible.

"To be honest, I would not be troubled if Helmuth dies,"

Du Trask said, as he leaned back with a casual sharpness that made the others exchange brief glances of quiet agreement.

"Without him, the five of us can finally break free from the Universal Government's weight. Kaelith and Mauriss alone cannot stop us if we move together."

Lu Han said, as Ru Vassa nodded slowly while tapping her finger against the astral table.

"We have followed orders long enough. Helmuth is the only one among them I genuinely fear, so if Soron kills him, the balance shifts in our favor,"

Ru Vassa said, as Yu Kiro tilted his head thoughtfully.

"Let us not pretend any of us want Helmuth to survive this,"

Yu Kiro said, as his projection flickered softly in quiet agreement from the others.

"Then we must decide if we intervene early or stay back and let Soron clash with him first,"

Mu Shen said, as Du Trask's projection brightened slightly.

"Soron is more likely to go straight for Kaelith, given the history, so it's unclear if Helmuth will even have the one on one that he wants so badly.

However, just in case he does, I personally don't see a scenario where he comes out the victor against Soron."

Du Trask said, as Ru Vassa sighed faintly.

"Helmuth would rather die than allow another god to join the fight he claimed for himself,"

Ru Vassa said, as Yu Kiro traced a faint circle on the table.

"If Helmuth dies, we are free. If he wins, he will be too injured to resist when we descend together, so if one of us gets our hands on the weapon that he used to kill Soron, or the one that Soron used to kill him, then we can truly change the face of the battle."

Yu Kiro said, as the logic settled comfortably among them.

Lu Han nodded once.

"Kaelith will not like it, but even he cannot alter what happens in the arena. Helmuth will step in first, and if destiny wishes it, he will fall,"

Lu Han said, as Mu Shen released a long breath.

"So our plan remains the same. Helmuth and Soron weaken each other. Once one collapses, we step in,"

Mu Shen said, as Du Trask allowed himself a thin smile.

"Let the barbarian god die proving his pride. And let Soron understand that victory earns him nothing,"

Du Trask said, as Yu Kiro lowered his gaze slightly.

"Once Helmuth falls, the universe shifts. Once Soron falls, the Cult collapses. And what remains will belong to us, the Great Clans"

Yu Kiro said, as Ru Vassa glanced around the circle.

"Then it is settled. Helmuth fights first. If he dies, so be it. When he falls, we strike Soron together,"

Ru Vassa said, as her words sealed the unspoken pact forming between them.

One by one, their projections dimmed and dissolved, leaving the astral chamber quiet once more.

A fragile alliance had been forged in whispers, and though none said it aloud, every god present hoped the same thing…..

That somehow, Helmuth died first.

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