Deities: Starting From Goblins

Chapter 596: Chapter 373 Part_2

“Why should we be pleading with these sects? We were already a united front to begin with; now it seems as though we, the several great lords, are begging others for help. If we truly harden our hearts and leave them to their own devices, we could find a peaceful corner to survive—Demonic Sky Gate wouldn’t be able to do anything to us.”

Samuel Westman deeply agreed with what Sandy Wexler had said. They had been organizing everything with great patience, yet the people from these smaller forces had shown ingratitude for profit, which had already caused them a trace of disheartenment. To bow their heads and beg? That was utterly absurd.

Cain Scarlet was well aware of this, but if they did not proceed in this manner, the smaller sects would certainly defect to the Demonic Sky Gate. Dashiell Skyward’s aim would then be achieved. They already had a slim chance of victory in this battle; if half of the people were to leave, it would undoubtedly be a case of adding frost to the snow.

Even Logan, on the side, had to admit that Dashiell Skyward’s move was indeed clever. It was like a checkmate specifically against the Western Wilderness forces. No matter what decision Cain Scarlet and his companions made, they most certainly had already lost the people’s hearts, and the subsequent battle would crumble like a landslide.

Compared to the great lords’ worries, some medium-sized sects were already thinking about how to exit gracefully. After all, unlike the smaller sects, turning towards the Demonic Sky Gate required a justifiable excuse; otherwise, they would face the fury of the three great lords.

“I also wish to join the Demonic Sky Gate. Our sect has some conflicts with forces in the Central Region, and so we are willing to lend a hand to the Demonic Sky Gate. I particularly admire the resolve of the Demonic Sky Gate to seek revenge after returning.”

A sect leader coughed and spoke up, attracting everyone’s attention and causing most people to gasp. Unlike the previously mentioned smaller sects, this sect was quite influential in the Western Wilderness.

The sect had more than a thousand members, within which there were six who were Above Dominators, and more than thirty were at the throne realm. Such a prominent sect compromising was undoubtedly a blow to everyone on the side of the Western Wilderness forces.

Following the first voice, four or five similar medium-sized sects turned coats during the battle, suddenly bolstering Dashiell Skyward’s side significantly. Compared to the addition of those smaller sects, Cain Scarlet now truly had reason to be pleased—these were the people whose allegiance notably expanded the Demonic Sky Gate’s power.

The situation was growing worse. Now, there weren’t many sects left on Cain Scarlet’s side, except for the three great lords and the seven top-tier sects; less than thirty sects were willing to continue following them, while Dashiell Skyward already had more than ten sects on his side.

Among the remaining thirty sects, a shadow of gloom had emerged in everyone’s heart. They were unwilling to join the Demonic Sky Gate and were aware that Dashiell Skyward’s words were mere enticements, but with their forces dwindling, they couldn’t help but consider one fact—did they really stand a chance of victory?

The more restless they grew in their hearts, they had to consider another reality despite their reluctance to ally with the Demonic Sky Gate—the situation compelled them to join, as the lords’ side was significantly weaker. If a few more sects were to leave, wouldn’t confronting the Demonic Sky Gate be akin to moths flying into a flame?

Suddenly, another sect leader said with a bitter smile, “I’m willing to join the Demonic Sky Gate as well, sorry. Although I’m extremely reluctant to align with the Demon Path, I have to weigh the pros and cons for the sake of over a thousand people in my sect, even if it means bearing a lifetime of infamy.”

“You… how could you?” Sandy Wexler was stunned by this scene. He not only knew this sect leader but also considered him a close friend of many years. They had always been aligned in spirit and intent, and this development was beyond belief. Was he too compromising?

“If those sects had not joined earlier, I definitely wouldn’t have either, but there was no choice. Perhaps in this situation, it’s like the wicked driving out the good; you’re forced to make such decisions.”

The other party spread his hands, and Sandy Wexler understood the hardship. Indeed, many sects had left in an instant, causing the remaining sects to be on tenterhooks and follow the crowd.

Now with only a little over twenty sects left, Cain Scarlet felt indescribably melancholic. Even at this point, he had not yet thought of a way to counter Dashiell Skyward’s tactic—would he just let his opponent lure away all the sects? If it came to only having the three great lords left, what was the point of fighting the Demonic Sky Gate? They might as well just admit defeat.

Samuel Westman was somewhat more composed, saying indifferently, “It’s fine if all the minor sects leave; as long as the three of us lords and the heads of the seven major sects stay, our strength won’t be diminished by much. After all, those minor sects couldn’t provide any substantial support.”

“I might have to join the Demonic Sky Gate too!” At this moment, the sect head of the Heavenly Moon Sect, one of the seven major sects, suddenly spoke up.

His words shocked everyone. It was originally only some minor sects that had chosen to leave, but now even one of the Seven Major Sects was doing this? And if there was one, there might be others. If all the Seven Major Sects left, how could just the three lords stand up against the Demonic Sky Gate?

“You…” Cain Scarlet couldn’t contain his anger as he questioned, “It’s fine if the minor sects don’t get it, but how can you also join the Demonic Sky Gate and assist the tyrant? The Demonic Sky Gate aims for the Central Region, but they equally don’t want to lose their hold on the Western Wilderness. Do you realize what your end will be?”

The sect head of the Heavenly Moon Sect nodded, saying helplessly, “Do I not know all of that? But look how many sects are willing to stand with you. Joining you would be pointless, so it’s better to take definitive action and at least ensure temporary safety.”

“Moreover, everyone is well aware that as long as that ‘Holy See’ of the Demonic Sky Gate exists for even one day, all the forces of the Western Wilderness combined are helpless against them. The only reason we stood with you before was due to the pressure of circumstances, a helpless resistance against the Demonic Sky Gate.”

“But now it’s different. Dashiell Skyward has already said he’d let us off easy. His target is the forces of the Central Region, so why can’t we compromise? Joining the Demonic Sky Gate doesn’t necessarily mean we will be one hundred percent obedient to them.”

Sandy Wexler clenched his fists, wanting to throw a punch, “Are you deluding yourself? Don’t you understand the nature of the Demonic Sky Gate? Haven’t you forgotten that these are the followers of the Demon Path, who once sought to overturn the entire Ancient World, and for this, they were exiled to this desolate land?”

“So tell me, how should we fight?” The head of the Heavenly Moon Sect sneered coldly. Spouting high-minded ideals wasn’t helpful unless these lords had a way to deal with the Demonic Sky Gate and could ensure that there wouldn’t be significant losses. Otherwise, he definitely wouldn’t stand with them.

Sandy Wexler’s eyes were full of disappointment, “Since that’s the case, I might as well return to the city of the Wexler Clan. After all, we still have the Spirit Gathering Array; at least it can ensure a hundred or so years of peace for my Wexler Clan. With all of you lying down, why should we fight the Demonic Sky Gate to the death?”

“Unless absolutely necessary, the Scarlet Clan doesn’t want to face the worst-case scenario either.” Cain Scarlet’s face was grim as he was at a loss for words. Indeed, the whole situation was quite ridiculous. They had all agreed to fight the Demonic Sky Gate, yet internal strife had broken out before the battle had even begun.

Seeing that the three lords were ready to give up, those sects that had already switched allegiance to the Demonic Sky Gate were now getting anxious. They understood that Dashiell Skyward’s willingness to give them substantial rewards was solely because these lords were the enemies, and it was a reluctant move to win them over.

But if these lords didn’t intend to fight the Demonic Sky Gate, without enemies, would Dashiell Skyward still honor the promises he made to everyone as before? Clearly not, but having already chosen to join the Demonic Sky Gate, they naturally couldn’t stop the three lords now.

Samuel Westman still had some sense left and advised the other two, “We don’t need to be too disheartened, don’t forget that besides our forces in the Western Wilderness, the sects of the Central Region, like the Heavenly Saint Sect, must be in a panic as well. Their fear of the Demonic Sky Gate is even greater than ours.”

“Just us three lords are left, and we could retreat to the Central Region, joining forces with them against the Demonic Sky Gate. But what about the tens of thousands of ordinary people in the cities?”

The temper of the Demonic Sky Gate was crystal clear to them. If they really left, their once home cities were likely to suffer untold miseries.