Jiang Cheng almost suspected she wanted to seize his Lord's Mark.

But then he thought, with her level of strength, if not for his protection, even if she got the mark, she wouldn't be able to keep it for a few days.

Besides, if she really wanted it, he wouldn't mind at all.

So he laughed and said, "Why are you suddenly so kind? Weren't you always reluctant to become a Realm Master before?"

"Being a Lord is different from being a Realm Master. I also want to cultivate the Origin for a few days."

"Alright then."

Brother Cheng originally wanted to roam around and didn't want to be stuck there, so he straightforwardly forced out the Lord's Mark and handed it to her.

The joy in Gong Qing's eyes flashed briefly as she received the Lord's Mark.

Then she proactively urged Brother Cheng, "You should go out and have fun for a few days, I can handle things here."

"So kind?"

Brother Cheng was a bit suspicious. With so many enemies outside, what exactly are you planning to do?

Are you trying to die for me?

Can't be, right?

You're so loyal, I'm almost moved to tears.

After he flew off, Gong Qing dismissed the dance troupe and stayed alone in Ice Eye, quietly waiting for others to come.

At that moment, the four Vice Lords and other elders were still scratching their heads.

Suddenly, they noticed a significant drop in the Origin Aura.

"What happened?"

Everyone hurried to the hall by Ice Eye.

"Where is Lord Jiang?"

"Why are you the only one here?"

"Why is the mark on you, did he run off by himself?"

"Impossible, right?"

Gong Qing slowly rose from Ice Eye and gently shook her head at everyone.

"Please don't worry, Lord Jiang is still here."

Although she was only Emperor Realm Second Layer, due to being a close confidante of Lord Jiang, she held significant status.

Hearing her say that, everyone believed it.

"Then where did he go?"

"He went to do something important."

Gong Qing continued, "I have something to say, can the four of you dismiss everyone else?"

The four Vice Lords looked at each other.

We're busy, who has time to listen to someone as minor as an Emperor Realm Second Layer?

But considering her status, they started to guess.

"Is it an order from Lord Jiang?"

Hearing this, Gong Qing secretly smiled bitterly.

Of course, she was acting on her own, because Brother Cheng didn't take the outer enemies seriously and wouldn't listen to her advice.

She could only handle it alone.

However, considering her light influence, if she didn't use the Lord's name, no one would listen.

So she nodded, "Yes, these are Lord Jiang's arrangements."

Hearing Jiang Cheng's intention, the four quickly waved their hands, dismissing those present.

Then they all asked with concern, "What does Lord Jiang wish to say? Is he planning to withdraw from the Celestial Rainbow Territory? Or is he going to the Scarlet Snow Domain to seek help in person?"

Gong Qing shook her head, "Lord Jiang doesn't plan on seeking help."

Even if he sought help, it's useless. The Domain Master only wants him dead, going there would be walking into a trap?

The crowd felt greatly disappointed, but immediately after, Advisor Gong's lips curled into a smile.

"However, he already has a strategy to defeat the enemy!"

Her smile was filled with confidence.

A strategy to defeat the enemy?

The four Vice Lords seemed a bit unconvinced.

The disparity in power is dozens of times greater now; it's a hopeless situation.

Aside from fleeing, is there any plan to defeat the enemy?

But considering it's 'Lord Jiang's plan', they patiently listened.

"What's the plan?"

"Simple, we can proactively contact Di Yong and offer him the Lord's Mark."

"What?"

Gong Qing's first sentence drew strong opposition from the Vice Lords.

"Offer him?"

"Why should we? We haven't lost yet!"

"Exactly, even if we can't keep it in the end, why should we proactively give it away?"

"The Lord's Mark is incredibly precious; offering it voluntarily is a submissive act, we would become a laughingstock. I'd rather it be taken by force."

Faced with the Vice Lords' intense objections, Gong Qing remained composed and confident.

"Everyone, please calm down; this is a step back to move forward."

"How is it a step back to move forward?" Yan Zun said with a serious expression.

Gong Qing answered a question with a question, "If we proactively offer the mark to Di Yong, would he accept it?"

"Of course, he would accept it."

"With so many experts vying for it, his chances aren't high. Why wouldn't he take it if it's handed to him?"

Gong Qing smiled slightly, "Then it's settled. As long as he's willing to accept it, he's finished."

This time, before the other Vice Lords could express their opinions, she quickly said, "Currently, this city is on the verge of explosion. The major powers haven't moved, not because they're afraid of us."

"But because they're wary of other competitors."

The crowd, although unwilling, had to admit this point.

In the eyes of those wolves outside, we are just lambs waiting to be slaughtered. The key is who will do it.

Gong Qing continued, "Our first task is to ignite them."

"And this fuse is the Lord's Mark."

"With the mark in the hands of a lamb, no one worries. But if one of the wolves gets it, the other wolves won't stand by."

"Before meeting Di Yong, we can spread the news secretly, saying that Di Yong is about to take the mark. Then what will others do?"

Her words immediately brightened the eyes of the four Vice Lords.

They were seasoned veterans and immediately sensed the underlying wickedness of this manipulation.

This is using the mark to provoke the enemies to tear each other apart.

Lang Zhi said in a low voice, "By then, others won't sit still, they'll come to intercept Di Yong, and a massive battle will break out!"

Mo Nian clapped his hands heavily, "Then it's settled!"

"Di Yong is from the Outer Domain. Wei Chang and the others are already very hostile to him. They won't watch him become the Lord; a big battle is inevitable!"

"Di Yong is Late-stage Fourth Realm of Emperor Realm, the strongest. This battle will certainly result in the death of several experts."

"Moreover, he will have to fight desperately to keep the mark."

As they spoke, they became more and more excited. With the enemies suffering mutual destruction, we have a way out.

"But after Di Yong is killed, those people will still target us."

"Yes, we still can't stop the rest."

For this, Gong Qing was also well prepared.

"During their battle, we can hide in the dark."

"Ambush?"

Yan Zun frowned, "With our strength, even if we ambush, we can't shake them."

Gong Qing smiled slightly, "Not necessarily."

"After Di Yong is killed, the Lord's Mark will fall."

"And this mark will most likely fall into the hands of the strongest, Wei Chang."

"The four of you can suddenly reveal yourselves, announcing a refusal to support Wei Chang as Lord, but anyone else!"

"This..."

The four Vice Lords almost couldn't keep up with her thought process.

But after careful thought, this was another insidious 'isolate and conquer' strategy!