{Bai clan: Head's room || Gu Yue clan: Head's room}
"The Xiong clan is up to something," declared an elder of the Bai clan, shattering the prolonged silence. "We have remained quiet for a month! Allowing them to do whatever they so please, but no longer will we permit them to scurry around unchecked."
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"Ah, the Xiong clan," scoffed Gu Yue Yao Ji, being pleased with the newfound abundance of healing-type Gu. "They possess no real power. Their foolish attempt at mass trading earth path Gu is nothing more than a futile game that will lead them nowhere."
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"True, but let us not forget that they have successfully identified and eliminated all of our spies," bemoaned an elder of the Bai clan.
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"Why should we be concerned if they have discovered a way to detect our spies? In fact, we should capitalize on their strategy of selling all their recipes at rock-bottom prices," retorted the elder of the Gu Yue clan's Secret Hall with a cunning smile.
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"The Xiong clan's decision to sell their recipes at such low prices can only mean that they are plotting something," affirmed the elder of the Bai clan's Punishment Hall with conviction
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"Must you always spoil the fun just when things are beginning to look up?" grumbled Gu Yue Chi Lian, who had been reaping a fortune from trading with the new Xiong clan.
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"Enough!" interjected Gu Yue Bo and the head of the Bai clan. "Though we have all benefited from the recent surge in trade, it is evident that something nefarious is afoot."
The gathered elders nodded in agreement, acknowledging the gravity of the situation at hand.
As the weight of the moment settled upon them, the room grew silent, and the elders deliberated on their next course of action. The tension in the air was tangible, and it was clear to all that the decisions they made today would have significant ramifications for their clans.
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The group sat in silence for a few moments until one of the elders broke the brief relief. "We cannot afford to remain idle while the Xiong clan continues to plot against us. We must take decisive action to safeguard our interests."
Several of the other elders expressed their concurrence with murmurs, and the head of the Bai clan nodded gravely. "Agreed," he declared. "We will dispatch a delegation to the Xiong clan and demand that they open their gates and disclose their true intentions. If they refuse, we will be left with no alternative but to use force."
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Moments later, the head of the Gu Yue clan's Secret Hall rose from his seat and addressed the assembly. "I will gladly offer to lead the delegation to the Xiong clan," he declared with conviction. "As the leader of the Secret Hall, I possess the essential abilities and experience to negotiate with them effectively and safeguard our clan's interests."
However, Gu Yue Bo disagreed and shook his head. "Gu Yue Mo Chen will lead this mission, as he is an expert in exercising patience," he asserted.
Gu Yue Mo Chen rose from his seat and bowed, acknowledging Gu Yue Bo's decision. "I will lead the delegation to the Xiong clan," he confirmed, his voice calm and measured. "We must proceed with caution and not allow ourselves to be provoked."