Let them offer their loyalty!

It seems to have sensed that something was off with Elders Zhao Pan and Han Qidong. Elder Wei Zhengze furrowed his brow slightly.

He cast a suspicious glance at the two and then inquired, "Do the two of you have different opinions?"

Upon hearing Wei Zhengze's words, Zhao Pan and Han Qidong exchanged glances once more, then spoke earnestly,

"Elder Wei... this is surrenderism, and it is unacceptable."

"We established the Sanctuary not only to preserve a seed of humanity but also to protect the inhabitants of the Sanctuary."

"If we surrender whenever faced with High Order Cataclysmics or an army, then what is the point of establishing our Sanctuary?"

"Today, we may surrender to invading enemies; tomorrow, we could surrender to the invading Evil God."

"All the spirit and energy of our Sanctuary would easily dissipate."

Upon hearing Zhao Pan's words, a contemplative look appeared on Wei Zhengze's face. He truly hadn't expected Zhao Pan to elevate the topic to such heights.

Yet, before he could fully grasp it, Han Qidong chimed in from the side.

Stroking his goatee, his eyes filled with cunning.

He gazed forward, not looking at anyone, but everyone knew his words were directed, "Elder Zhao is right...."

"Although Qiu Tu used Lin Xi as a stepping stone, everyone knows... he is the mastermind behind it all."

"Whether it's Lin Xi or the Kou family, they're mere pawns on his chessboard, obeying his command."

"He only borrows Lin Xi and the Kou family's grand cause to handle the questioning from the Human Alliance."

"But the top levels of various Sanctuaries aren't fools. Who can't see through his little tricks?"

Zhao Pan and Han Qidong's words were indeed understood by Wei Zhengze as well.

The situation has almost become clear now, and anyone with eyes can see what Qiu Tu wants —— to be the Northwest King.

And this precisely aligns with the "Order-Politics" Cataclysm Path that Qiu Tu has already exposed.

However, knowing is one thing; whether one can organize and resist is another.

With this thought, Wei Zhengze hesitated for a moment before leaning back.

He was a large, stout warrior, his face lined with muscle, appearing somewhat fierce.

But to become one of the Three Giants of the Seventh Sanctuary and balance between the Han and Zhao families for so long, he certainly wasn't as simple as his appearance suggested.

Hence, he decisively tossed the problem back, speaking sullenly, "What you say makes sense."

"I also agree we cannot accept Qiu Tu's aggression."

"So now, who will tell me how we can stop Qiu Tu?"

With that, he looked at Zhao Pan and asked, "Is it your Zhao family going to stall the Seventh Rank Disaster Changer's attack?"

Then turned to Han Qidong, "Or is your Han family going to resist the alliance armies of the Sixth and Eighth Sanctuaries?"

Zhao Pan had reached his position today and had once keenly detected the power of the Lin Family's "Butterfly Gu" and collected related information post-event to continue research; he was definitely insightful.

And the verbal sparring between the three just gave him time to think.

Thus, at this moment, he was already prepared.

He lightly tapped the armrest of his chair with his fingers and slowly said, "The victory or defeat in a chess game is never about the pawns but beyond the chessboard."

"Qiu Tu indeed might not be defeated by Qiu Tu himself, but that doesn't mean other Sanctuaries cannot be his opponent."

His gaze was profound, filled with strategizing, "We don't need to do anything, just imitate Qiu Tu's approach."

"He leverages Lin Xi and the Kou family's plea for help as a guise to legally and rationally invade the Sixth Sanctuary and our Sanctuary."

"Then we too should ask for help, giving the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sanctuaries the opportunity to intervene in our Sanctuary and even the Northwestern Region."

"We might not be Qiu Tu's opponent, but that doesn't mean other Sanctuaries aren't."

Upon hearing Zhao Pan's words, not only Wei Zhengze but even Han Xiangdong was a bit startled.

Han Xiangdong pondered before saying, "Is this really appropriate?"

"We should be careful not to chase away wolves at the front door and let tigers in at the back."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Pan shook his head slightly.

Having proposed this idea, it was clear he had already considered it before.

He replied, "You must understand, distant threats are not scary; nearby enemies are."

"Proximity is key to administrative efficiency. Under the same nation, even the emperor can be far removed; much less... remote interventions."

"The Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sanctuaries are in the Southwest Region, quite far from us."

"Even if they actually repel Qiu Tu and begin trying to meddle in our Sanctuary's affairs, their influence is truly limited due to the distance."

"Even if they intend to remotely control the affairs of our Sanctuary, they will find it hard to manage if we outwardly comply but covertly defy."

"In contrast, Qiu Tu is different. He is too close to us. Once he gains control over the Sanctuary's power, we truly won't have a chance to rise again."

"He could effortlessly control the Sanctuary and establish his influence throughout it."

Pausing again before continuing, Zhao Pan said, "As for whether the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sanctuaries truly possess the ability to deal with Qiu Tu?"

"That doesn't matter."

"Haven't you noticed? Despite Qiu Tu's incredibly aggressive and crazy actions, he actually remains firmly within boundaries."

"He has never let the Evil God attack humans, nor has he ever murdered any top Sanctuary leader on his own accord."

"He's too cunning and terrifying." Zhao Pan's eyes revealed a trace of apprehension, "Since his rise, he has continually been 'subduing others with force'."

"Whenever there's conflict with the leadership, he kills the Evil God."