The table was full of dishes, but at this moment, no one picked up their chopsticks.

"City Lord Yuan, it's better to clarify some things first."

The middle-aged man who had just spoken opened his mouth again, "You said there's a foundation for cooperation with my Four Symbols Sect, so... excuse my bluntness, but how can you help?"

The words were spoken without any politeness, and even carried a hint of disdain.

The reason being, Yuan Shouyi, the City Lord of Jubei City, was merely at the Heaven-Stepping Realm, while this Elder Liu had a Void Shattering cultivation. Furthermore, the disciples he brought to the Northern Domain all had cultivation above the Heaven-Stepping Realm.

One could say that aside from the title of Defender of the North, Yuan Shouyi had no qualifications to negotiate with the Four Symbols Sect.

Yuan Shouyi was well aware of the other's meaning, but he remained calm, smiling as he said, "In terms of cultivation, I am naturally far from Elder Liu's level. However, isn't it true that dealing with the Profound Moon Sword Sect requires more than just pure strength?"

"Or let's say... at least the Four Symbols Sect does not yet have the strength to directly crush the Profound Moon Sword Sect."

Furrowing his brow slightly, Elder Liu did not refute and simply waited quietly for Yuan Shouyi to continue.

Strictly speaking, the strength differences among the Four Great Celestial Sects were not significant. The Profound Moon Sword Technique had been declining over the past twenty years, yet its deep foundation was enough to make anyone wary of acting recklessly. Otherwise, they would have directly attacked the Profound Moon Sword Sect instead of probing.

"If I'm not mistaken, you have come to the Northern Domain not to engage in direct warfare with the Profound Moon Sword Sect but to find ways to weaken its power and insert yourselves into the Northern Domain."

Yuan Shouyi continued, "Whether it's the Four Symbols Sect or the Court, truly dealing with the Profound Moon Sword Sect requires a gradual approach... since it's not direct warfare, you certainly need my cooperation as the City Lord, right? Otherwise, Elder Liu wouldn't have come to Jubei City."

"Moreover, the most unique aspect of the Northern Domain is that there are Deserters in the north!"

"Whether it's the Profound Moon Sword Sect, the Four Symbols Sect, or the Court, whoever takes over the Northern Domain must consider the threat from the Deserters. Otherwise, if the Northern Domain falls, and Deserters move south again, it will be a catastrophe for the entire world!"

"Against the Deserters, someone has to defend, and under my command... there are a hundred thousand cavalry!"

Displaying a hint of confidence in his eyes, Yuan Shouyi continued, "In terms of strength, I am naturally inferior to the Four Symbols Sect, but regarding battlefield command, no one in the Northern Domain is more outstanding than me!"

"As long as I can withstand the attacks from the Deserters, the Northern Domain will remain stable. Conversely... even if the Four Symbols Sect replaces the Profound Moon Sword Sect, would the sect send their disciples to withstand the Great Snow Wolf Riders?"

The Court does have a large army, but unless the Deserters actually move south, the Court would not easily mobilize its army to the Northern Domain due to the many complications and massive consumption required; no one would make such a decision lightly.

This was precisely the confidence that allowed Yuan Shouyi, the Defender of the North, to stand firm.

"What do you want?"

Elder Liu asked solemnly.

Yuan Shouyi had said so much just to seize the opportunity to set conditions, which Elder Liu was fully aware of, and was precisely why he had been reluctant to converse with Yuan Shouyi earlier.

"To be stationed permanently in the Northern Domain!"

With a gleam in his eyes, Yuan Shouyi firmly replied, "I can support the Four Symbols Sect unconditionally, weakening the influence of the Profound Moon Sword Sect and even eliminating it eventually. However, the Four Symbols Sect must fully support me in permanently stationing in the North!"

"You intend to become the second King of Changlin?"

With a look of contempt, Elder Liu immediately perceived Yuan Shouyi's ambitions, but it was precisely this understanding that made him more disdainful.

Even if Yuan Shouyi had a hundred thousand cavalry under his command, how could they compare to the Changling Army, renowned throughout the land?

Yuan Shouyi's ambitions were too grand!

"I dare not compare myself to the King of Changlin, and on my own, it would be impossible. However... if the Four Symbols Sect is willing to fully support me, then nothing is impossible," Yuan Shouyi replied resolutely, "As long as the Four Symbols Sect and I join forces, no one can interfere in the Northern Domain, not even the Court!"

On this point, Yuan Shouyi was very clear.

Although the Four Symbols Sect seemed close to the Court, they were not truly aligned!

The sect and the Court could never be truly of one mind!

Conversely, someone like him was the best partner for the Four Symbols Sect.

In theory, he could also join forces with the Profound Moon Sword Sect to achieve the same effect, but unfortunately... the Profound Moon Sword Sect had been rooted in the Northern Domain for too long to look up to him!

Moreover, with Wang Junze having joined the Profound Moon Sword Sect, there was no resolving their mortal enmity, so cooperation was out of the question.

However, if the Four Symbols Sect replaced the Profound Moon Sword Sect, lacking a strong foundation in the Northern Domain, they would need him more, and that was the basis of cooperation.

"The Deserters haven't moved south for twenty years. They shouldn't move south anytime soon,"

Shaking his head, Elder Liu responded calmly.

Yuan Shouyi was indeed an option, but not necessarily the best one.

Time is an interesting thing; given enough of it, the Four Symbols Sect could cultivate a truly loyal person to command the military power of the Northern Domain.

After all, the cavalry under Yuan Shouyi were not absolutely loyal to him like the Changling Army was to the King of Changlin.

With time, finding a way to replace Yuan Shouyi might not be impossible.

"That may not be the case!"

At this, the corners of Yuan Shouyi's mouth curved into a cold smile as he slowly answered, "Though Elder Liu has just arrived in the Northern Domain, didn't you notice... this year's weather is particularly cold?"

"Hmm?"

Upon hearing this, not only Elder Liu but also a few disciples of the Four Symbols Sect couldn't help but slightly change their expressions, as if they had thought of something, their hearts skipping a beat!

By season, it was only autumn now, yet snow had already begun to fall in Jubei City.

This weather was indeed much colder than in previous years.

"The cold in the Extreme North Wilderness is even more severe than in the Northern Domain... Elder Liu, do you know what this means?" Shaking his head, Yuan Shouyi asked calmly.

Without waiting for a reply, Yuan Shouyi continued: "This winter will be very cold, and if it continues to get colder... many Deserters won't survive this winter!"

"Now... does Elder Liu still believe that the Deserters won't move south anytime soon?"

"..."

With a buzzing sound!

In an instant, everyone couldn't help but have a terrifying thought in their minds.

If what Yuan Shouyi said was true, then... a major event would occur this winter!

This would be a devastation for the entire Northern Domain, but for Yuan Shouyi and the Four Symbols Sect... it might not necessarily be a bad thing!

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