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...Night fell. In Spirit City, the lights came on, and the various colors emitted by the spirit tools decorated the city like daytime. Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing escorted the somewhat distracted Tang San back to the entrance of the embassy.
"We had a lot of fun shopping today, Little San. Get some rest early!" Ning Rongrong smiled as she waved goodbye.
Xiao Wu also smiled at him, "See you tomorrow, Little San."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Tang San forced a smile and watched the three girls disappear around the street corner before turning to enter the embassy. The smile instantly vanished from his face, replaced by deep solemnity and a trace of unconcealable exhaustion.
The amount of information today was overwhelming. The terrifying Cultivation levels of Ning Rongrong and the other two, the earth-shattering changes in Spirit City, and the unprecedented spirit tool technology... all of it struck his understanding like a heavy hammer.
"That's finally done..." Ning Rongrong rubbed her slightly sore calves, then suddenly remembered something and patted her forehead, "Oh no! I forgot to ask how Oscar and the others are doing!"
Although she didn't have much affection for Yu Xiaogang and Dai Mubai, she still worried about the other teachers and students at Shrek Academy.
She remembered how Oscar had vowed back then to diligently Cultivate so he would be qualified to join the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect someday.
"Never mind, it's getting late. I'll find a chance to ask Little San tomorrow." Ning Rongrong shook her head, temporarily setting the matter aside.
Her main task for today—showing Tang San around Spirit City and showcasing the Empire's "new look"—was basically complete.
As for the effect, that depended on what Tang San thought... The next day, in the afternoon.
After a day of rest and internal discussion, the formal peace talks between the Heaven Dou Empire delegation and the Spirit Empire were held in the central Deliberation Hall of Spirit City.
The venue was set up solemnly. On the Spirit Empire side, Prime Minister Ning Fengzhi led the group, flanked by high-ranking ministers from various imperial departments, as well as several Elder Palace members with profound auras, forming a formidable lineup.
On the Heaven Dou Empire side, King Lan Hao Tang San served as the Chief Envoy, assisted by three Education Committee members. Although smaller in number, they represented the dignity of the Heaven Dou Empire.
After a brief opening and polite pleasantries, the talks got down to business.
However, the process of these "peace talks," which both Two Great Empires had placed high hopes on, turned out to be unexpectedly... direct, even bizarre.
Ning Fengzhi, acting as the representative of the Spirit Empire, did not beat around the bush and directly stated the Empire's position:
"First, on behalf of Her Majesty the Empress of the Spirit Empire, I welcome you all. Regarding the relationship between our two nations, the Empire can clearly inform you that in the foreseeable future, for at least several years, the Empire has no plans to proactively initiate war."
He looked around at the Heaven Dou delegation members and continued, "As you have seen along the way, the Empire is currently focusing on internal political reform, the popularization of spirit tool technology, and fundamental industrial construction. Our focus is on self-development, leaving us no time for external matters."
This opening statement slightly eased the minds of the Heaven Dou delegation; it seemed they didn't have to worry about war in the short term.
However, Ning Fengzhi's subsequent words caused their hearts to sink again.
"However," Ning Fengzhi changed the subject, his tone still calm but his words sharp as a knife, "the Empire's long-term goal has never changed. Unifying the continent, eliminating regional separatism, and establishing a new, unified order—this is the Empire's established national policy and will not be shaken by any external factors."
"The regions the Empire currently occupies are mostly the borders of the original Two Great Empires. The resources and population are far less abundant than the hinterlands of the Two Great Empires. For the continued development of the Empire, and to benefit more living beings with the new order, future expansion is inevitable."
He looked at Tang San, his gaze profound: "Therefore, please understand, Your Nation, that peace is temporary. When the Empire completes its internal integration and its strength advances further, that will be the day the continent returns to unification. At that time, the choice between war and peace may not be in the hands of Your Nation."
The hall fell silent. The Heaven Dou delegation members all looked grim. The other side had stated their ultimate goal so bluntly! This left absolutely no room for maneuver!
Ning Fengzhi spoke calmly, as if he hadn't noticed their change in expression: "However, please rest assured, Your Envoy, and please convey this to Your Majesty of your nation. The realization of this long-term goal is not imminent. The Empire needs time to complete internal accumulation and reform. For at least the next few years, or even longer, the Empire will not proactively initiate war."
"During this period of peace, the Empire hopes to maintain normal trade and personnel exchanges with the Heaven Dou Empire. Of course, should Your Nation be willing to engage in deeper discussions on this matter—for example... peacefully merging into the Empire and jointly creating the future—the Empire will also open its doors and ensure that the interests of Your Nation's royal family and subjects are protected to the greatest extent possible."
This speech, translated, meant: We will fight you sooner or later, but not now. We are busy with construction and don't have time for war. You can use this time to think carefully: wait for us to grow strong enough to destroy you, or surrender now while you're sensible and still reap some benefits.
This "declaration of peace," which was practically an ultimatum, carried a condescending confidence and... disdain.
The Heaven Dou delegation felt a massive sense of humiliation surge up. They represented the Heaven Dou Empire, which dominated the northern part of the continent; when had they ever been treated so bluntly, almost as if their fate were being pronounced?
The three Education Committee members had ashen faces and tightly pressed lips. Tang San's hands, placed beneath the table, unconsciously clenched into fists, his fingernails digging deep into his palms.
However, they dared not erupt.
Because they knew that Ning Fengzhi was not speaking falsehoods.
The Spirit Empire truly possessed this level of strength, especially with the existence of the unfathomable Xuan Ming.
If they showed an overly aggressive reaction now, giving the other side an excuse, no one could predict the consequences.
They could not bear the responsibility of potentially triggering a great war between the two nations, leading to widespread death and destruction!
The atmosphere in the hall was so heavy it could practically drip water.
Ultimately, these highly anticipated peace talks hastily concluded in an extremely bizarre and oppressive atmosphere.
The two sides did not reach any substantial agreement; the Spirit Empire merely unilaterally declared its "period of peace" and its ultimate intentions.
The Heaven Dou delegation left the Deliberation Hall, filled with humiliation, anxiety, and an even deeper sense of crisis.
Meanwhile, the Spirit Empire side calmly gathered their documents, as if the preceding event had just been a normal daily meeting.
For the Spirit Empire, the peace talks themselves were perhaps merely a posture, a declaration.
The real game of strategy had long surpassed the confines of the negotiating table.