With matters settled, the next steps were to prepare personnel and the upcoming Gathering of Heroes.
Yu Daochen thought of something and spoke, "Although everything is decided, everyone must be mentally prepared. Some might not be convinced."
Tomorrow, someone would surely step forward in defiance, and some sects would refuse to send disciples.
Everyone present had already considered this, and silence fell again.
The only way to deal with such people was to eliminate them!
But no one dared to voice this.
The responsibility was too great; they could not bear it.
Seeing that no one spoke, Yu Daochen lightly tapped the table and said sternly, "Since no one speaks, I will decide for everyone."
"With the great enemy upon us, anyone who dares to be the first to act will be executed without mercy!"
Yu Daochen's expression was serious, his eyes devoid of any emotion. He continued, "If anyone has better suggestions, they can voice them. If not, this is how it shall be."
"None," Li Tianxiang spoke first.
Seeing this, the others also expressed their agreement.
Mercy cannot command troops; righteousness cannot manage wealth.
This saying was never wrong.
Wang Ming, seeing that all matters were resolved, looked at everyone and asked, "Does anyone else have any questions? If not, we shall adjourn."
Everyone present asked a few simple questions before rising to leave.
The situation was urgent, and preparations needed to be made immediately.
As everyone left, Yu Daochen stood up, ready to depart.
"Master Yu, please wait a moment." Wang Ming suddenly called out.
Yu Daochen turned back to Wang Ming, seeing that he seemed to have something to say, and sat down again.
After everyone had left, only Liang Jing, Biao Tao, Wang Fubao, Nanjing Shuo, and Wang Ming remained in the conference hall.
Wang Ming, with some concern, asked, "Master Yu, can you handle it alone?"
Yu Daochen took out a cigarette case from his pocket, offering one to each of the smokers, and then lit one himself. He took a deep puff, exhaled slowly, shook his head, and smiled, "Of course not. You must at least give me a few pawns."
Wang Ming fell silent.
The Myriad Buddha Temple was responsible for the entrance to the eleventh level of hell. They were already struggling to cope, and could not spare any extra manpower.
Yu Daochen then looked at Nanjing Shuo and said, "Master Nan, you also know that the Blazing Fire Sect needs to maintain order and cannot spare any personnel."
He had not expected Wang Ming to be able to spare any manpower for him.
The other two sects were in the same situation, so he decided to directly ask the Supernatural Affairs Bureau for people.
Nanjing Shuo naturally understood what Yu Daochen meant and said with some difficulty, "Master Yu, as you know..."
Before he could finish, Yu Daochen raised his hand to stop him and said directly, "Master Nan, let's be straightforward. How many men can you give me?"
Seeing Yu Daochen's directness, Nanjing Shuo could only speak frankly, "Twenty people!"
"Twenty people..."
Yu Daochen sighed and asked, "Can't you spare any more?"
Nanjing Shuo nodded affirmatively, "This is the limit I can spare."
Hearing this, Yu Daochen nodded, "Alright, we will overcome difficulties if there are any. Twenty people it is. Even a grasshopper is still meat; it's better than nothing."
Seeing Yu Daochen agree, Nanjing Shuo added, "But none of those twenty people are of the Heavenly Ranking level."
"This..."
Yu Daochen raised an eyebrow, nodded, and sighed, "Alright, Earth Ranking level is fine too."
To be honest, he hadn't expected Nanjing Shuo to send masters of the Heavenly Ranking level.
With the shortage of personnel, he had to overcome the difficulties.
"Heh... heh..."
Nanjing Shuo gave an awkward laugh and said nothing.
Seeing his expression, Yu Daochen sensed something was amiss and asked, "Don't tell me they aren't even of the Earth Ranking level."
Nanjing Shuo chuckled awkwardly, "Hahaha, Master Yu, you've guessed it perfectly."
"..."
Yu Daochen's mouth twitched. The fighting spirit that had just ignited in his heart instantly vanished.
Damn it, if they aren't even of the Earth Ranking level, what use are they to me?
Are you kidding me!
Nanjing Shuo said with some difficulty, "Master Yu, as you know, manpower is limited right now. Otherwise, I definitely would..."
"Stop, stop."
Yu Daochen quickly raised his hand to stop him.
Liang Jing, who had been silent, couldn't help but speak, "Master Yu, let me see if I can spare twenty disciples with decent strength for you."
Yu Daochen shook his head and refused, "No need. It's only the second level of hell; I can handle it."
Wang Fubao, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "Master Yu, don't push yourself. If it's really not possible, we can find a way to squeeze out a few more people."
Yu Daochen waved his hand and smiled, "I never push myself. I exert as much effort as I am capable of."
"Alright."
Wang Ming nodded and requested, "Then the second level will be entrusted to you, Master Yu."
"Don't worry."
Yu Daochen nodded, calculating in his mind.
It seemed he would have to transfer another twenty people from the Blazing Fire Sect.
With the matters clarified, Yu Daochen prepared to leave.
Just then, Wang Ming called out again, "Master Yu."
Yu Daochen turned around, feeling a bit speechless, "Is there anything else?"
Wang Ming clasped his hands together, shook his head, and smiled with an upturned mouth, "I suddenly realized you've changed."
"I've changed?"
Yu Daochen was confused, not understanding what this fellow meant. "You're talking about my aura, right?"
Wang Ming shook his head and continued, "A strong aura only signifies that the person has become stronger."
Yu Daochen smiled faintly, already understanding Wang Ming's meaning, and said, "Yes, I've also realized that I have indeed changed."
"Is it because of that incident?" Wang Ming asked.
He could sense that ever since returning from that incident, Yu Daochen had undergone many changes.
If it were in the past, this fellow would never have taken on this task alone.
But now, everything was different.
Wang Ming never denied envying and being jealous of this fellow.
When they first debuted, the martial world had always circulated the names of the two prodigies, the Southern Crouching Dragon and the Northern Young Phoenix.
At that time, Wang Ming and Yu Daochen were of equal standing.
But gradually, at some point, Yu Daochen's strength had surpassed Wang Ming's.
The Crouching Dragon and Young Phoenix had become Yu Daochen's sole unparalleled prodigy.
Wang Ming couldn't say he hated Yu Daochen, but he couldn't say he liked him either.
Yu Daochen never hid his true feelings; he was vengeful and never engaged in hypocritical acts.
This was also why he didn't hate him.
Compared to vengefulness, hypocrisy was more detestable.
Yet, despite possessing such immense power, he always evaded responsibility, never taking it upon himself, always thinking that someone else would hold up the sky if it were to fall.
Although being powerful did not mean one had to act.
But this was also why he disliked him.
Yu Daochen pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "Perhaps the stone in my heart has finally landed."
Upon hearing this, Wang Ming understood his unspoken answer.
But what he couldn't understand was what could have driven this fellow to continue becoming stronger.