In fact, the combined strength of the major sects was definitely stronger than that of the 72 islands of the South Sea. However, it was not easy for them to join forces to deal with the 72 islands of the South Sea, especially with the addition of the sea exploration sect and the dark Heaven sect. In this way, it was even more impossible for the major sects to deal with the 72 islands of the South Sea.
The people of the big sects knew very well that they could deal with the 72 islands of the South Sea. As long as they worked together, there was no force they couldn't deal with. However, they were very afraid of the 72 islands of the South Sea, or the South Sea Alliance. They were only afraid of the strength of the South Sea Alliance and another person, Zhao Hai.
The people from the various sects were somewhat afraid of Zhao Hai. What they feared the most was not Zhao Hai's strength, nor his ability to command, but his ability to break through the formation.