Yu Daohen swallowed the meat in his mouth and replied truthfully, "Based on the current situation, holding our ground is not a major problem."
Shi Bingzhi nodded, and the two raised their wine bottles, clinking them together before taking a deep swig.
Shi Bingzhi fell silent. After a long while, he finally spoke, "Master Yu, what do you think? If the Divine Religion opens three more hellish entrances, can we defend them?"
Yu Daohen shook his head and stated with certainty, "Let alone three, even one would guarantee our defeat. Of course, I am confident I can hold off one on the third level alone, but below that... it would be difficult."
As he spoke, Yu Daohen suddenly froze. He looked at the silent Shi Bingzhi, his expression growing grave. "Shi Bingzhi, what do you mean?"
Shi Bingzhi sighed and answered truthfully, "While we, with the combined might of the martial world, were resisting the three opened hellish entrances, the Divine Religion launched a surprise attack from the rear and has already seized four compasses."
Hearing this, Yu Daohen suddenly understood.
So that's why they hadn't discovered the Divine Religion's apostles. This battle was merely a diversion.
Their true objective was to attack the various sects and seize the compasses while the experts of each sect were occupied defending the three hellish entrances.
A brilliant feint!
"Do the sects know about this?" Yu Daohen inquired.
Shi Bingzhi shook his head. "Apart from Wang Ming and a few others, this matter has not been publicized. If the sects were to find out, we would descend into chaos before the other hellish entrances were even opened."
Yu Daohen nodded and fell silent.
From the current perspective, Shi Bingzhi's actions were indeed the most prudent.
But four compasses... the mortal realm was already...
Yet, this suits my purpose perfectly!
A characteristic sinister smile spread across Yu Daohen's face. "Old Shi, do you have a way to break this deadlock?"
Shi Bingzhi shook his head helplessly. Even if he racked his brains, he couldn't devise a solution.
If it were just one compass, there might be a way, but four!
The mortal realm was utterly finished.
Yu Daohen's lips curved upwards. "Old Shi, I have a method to break the deadlock!"
Shi Bingzhi's face was filled with surprise. "What method?"
Yu Daohen hesitated, then recounted his reincarnation as Xu Feng and his subsequent pursuit by the Heavenly Court.
Of course, he omitted any mention of the Classic of Mountains and Seas.
The matter of the Classic of Mountains and Seas was too terrifying. He did not wish for anyone else to know about it!
On the road late at night, a gentle breeze brushed against Shi Bingzhi's face.
He was still reeling from the shock.
The sheer volume of information was terrifying, and the plan was world-shattering.
It made Shi Bingzhi doubt if he had heard correctly.
Yu Daohen's lips curved upwards, and he took a swig from his wine bottle, chuckling, "How about it?"
Shi Bingzhi snapped back to reality, his eyes serious, and asked incredulously, "Master Yu, are you telling the truth?"
Yu Daohen nodded affirmatively. "I am."
Seeing Yu Daohen's firm reply, Shi Bingzhi fell silent.
The opportunity was too audacious; he couldn't make a decision immediately.
Yu Daohen understood that his plan was exceedingly bold, so he didn't rush him, continuing to gnaw on his chicken leg.
However, he knew that the current martial world had no other choice. Shi Bingzhi had to agree.
After a long pause, Shi Bingzhi finally spoke, "Master Yu, I cannot make this decision alone. I must convene with Wang Ming and the others to discuss it."
"No!"
Yu Daohen shook his head. "The fewer people who know about this, the better."
In the current martial world, if one were to rank strategists, Shi Bingzhi would undoubtedly be at the top.
Wang Ming and Liang Jing were not far behind, but they lacked Shi Bingzhi's decisiveness.
Shi Bingzhi fell silent again.
This matter concerned the lives of all beings in the mortal realm; he couldn't afford to be careless.
"Master Yu, what is this backup plan you mentioned?" Shi Bingzhi asked curiously.
Master Yu had just mentioned having another hand ready, capable of turning the tide of the battle.
Yu Daohen didn't answer directly. "Do you trust me?"
Shi Bingzhi nodded. "I do."
He certainly trusted Master Yu's character, but this concerned the safety of the entire mortal realm.
However, there was no other way now. The mortal realm was practically finished.
Four compasses... it was beyond their imagination.
Master Yu's proposed method was their only hope.
Shi Bingzhi's eyes firmed, and he immediately agreed, "Alright, I agree to this plan."
Shi Bingzhi was never one to procrastinate.
Those in positions of power must never be indecisive!
If it succeeded, he would be a hero for a millennium.
If it failed, at worst, he would be reviled by the world and cursed for eternity.
But if the mortal realm was already doomed, who would curse him?
Yet, having agreed, he would give it his all!
The two began to lay out their plan.
The first hurdle was how to make the Divine Religion delay opening the seal for three months.
"Master Yu, do you have a plan to make the Divine Religion open the seal three months later?" Shi Bingzhi asked.
Yu Daohen shook his head helplessly. "This is the only difficult part right now."
For a moment, they both fell silent again.
The two smoked their cigarettes, saying nothing, neither having a better solution.
Shi Bingzhi exhaled a plume of smoke, a smile appearing on his face. "Leave the matter of making them open the seal three months later to me."
Hearing this, Yu Daohen frowned. "Do you have a way?"
But as soon as the words left his mouth, Yu Daohen suddenly realized, "Old Shi, you're not planning to risk your life, are you?"
Shi Bingzhi wore a bitter smile and sighed deeply. "Is there any other way besides risking one's life?"
Master Yu was a smart man; he wouldn't fail to consider this solution, he simply didn't want to voice it.
Yu Daohen had indeed considered risking his life, but this was a matter that only Shi Bingzhi could know.
This meant that besides Shi Bingzhi, there was no other candidate.
The so-called risking one's life meant someone carrying a compass and willingly joining the Divine Religion.
As for how to make the Divine Religion delay opening the seal for three months, it would depend on that person's ability to adapt.
For the plan to succeed, this person could not reveal any clues.
In the current martial world, Shi Bingzhi was likely the only one capable of achieving this.
He was the most suitable candidate!
Yu Daohen took a deep drag of his cigarette, then slowly exhaled, stating gravely, "Think carefully. This is a decision with ten chances of death and no chance of survival. Once you join the Divine Religion, it means you will be hunted by the entire martial world, and perhaps no one will ever know your deeds even after this war ends."
Shi Bingzhi offered a wry smile, stood up, and looked towards the night sky, laughing. "If cultivating the Dao and learning the arts is not for the salvation of all living beings, then what is the point?"
"To sacrifice oneself for others, isn't that the highest realm of our profession?"
Saving one person is benevolence, saving a thousand is chivalry, saving ten thousand is heroism.
Only those who save all living beings are worthy of being called saints!
At this moment, Shi Bingzhi was truly worthy of the title of saint.