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Three months passed quietly amidst the seemingly calm yet secretly turbulent diplomatic maneuvering.
It was finally time for the Heaven Dou Empire's diplomatic mission to return.
Looking back on this trip to Spirit City, whether the objective was achieved or not is difficult to simply conclude.
From the perspective of the "peace talks" itself, it could be called a "success"—the Spirit Empire explicitly stated that they would not actively initiate war in the short term, and even announced to the world via an official proclamation, promising not to launch surprise attacks. They "kindly" suggested that the Heaven Dou Empire need not maintain its massive standing army, which was costly and caused public resentment, lest it cripple the nation's strength.
In the Spirit Empire's propaganda, this proclamation was presented as the embodiment of a "responsible great power" and a consideration "for the peace of the Continent and the welfare of the Heaven Dou Empire's populace."
However, to the high-ranking officials and members of the Heaven Dou Empire's mission, this was nothing short of a blatant "charity" and an "ultimatum" filled with humiliation and contempt.
The peace of the Heaven Dou Empire actually needed to be maintained by relying on the enemy nation's "pity" and "promise"? This was a colossal joke, an unprecedented humiliation since the founding of the Empire!
But what could they do? Protest? Condemn? Or even tear up this "peace agreement"?
They dared not.
The scene from a few years ago, when Xuan Ming used absolute violence to destroy the border fortresses and the imperial capital's defenses of the Two Great Empires, was branded onto the hearts of every high-ranking official like a nightmare.
That was no longer "powerful Spirit Masters influencing the war situation" in the traditional sense; that was absolute violence capable of Dominating war and even the order of the human realm single-handedly!
Facing this level of power, any military confrontation seemed pale and futile.
A Titled Douluo? They probably wouldn't last more than a few rounds against that existence.
A million strong army? Perhaps theoretically, they could pile up human lives, but armies are composed of people, and people feel fear and will collapse.
When that kind of inhuman power appears on the battlefield, morale will instantly disintegrate, and the so-called war simply cannot be fought.
The current state of "barely surviving," although humiliating, was indeed the only choice to avoid immediate annihilation.
At the very least, the Spirit Empire had given them a period of "peaceful development," or rather, a period to "wait for death."
Led personally by Chancellor Ning Fengzhi, a high-specification Spirit Empire team escorted the Heaven Dou mission to a designated area outside Spirit City.
During these three months, Tang San spent most of his time immersed in the spirit tool Research Institute. He engaged in deep exchanges with the spirit tool Masters from the Sun Moon Empire, especially the National Teacher Xu Hong.
The astonishing talent and Comprehension Ability Tang San displayed in the field of spirit tools made Xu Hong admire him more and more, and regretful as well.
Xu Hong repeatedly suggested, both overtly and subtly, that he was willing to accept Tang San as his Personal Disciple, imparting everything he had learned in his life, and promising to introduce him to the high-ranking officials of the Sun Moon Empire, assuring him a limitless future.
However, Tang San consistently declined Xu Hong's kind offer, using the excuse that he "already had a teacher and dared not switch allegiance."
This left Xu Hong both depressed and annoyed.
He was the esteemed National Teacher of the Sun Moon Empire, a Level Ninety-Nine super Douluo, and a Level Ten spirit tool Master, yet he lowered himself like this, only for the other party to show no appreciation.
But at the same time, this also greatly piqued Xu Hong's curiosity.
What kind of teacher could make Tang San so devoted, even willing to give up such an Opportunity to ascend to the heavens in one step?
In his eyes, the Heaven Dou Empire was already declining, and for Tang San to stay there as King Lan Hao was tantamount to ruining his own future.
Therefore, during the farewell, Xu Hong told the Heaven Dou mission that he was quite interested in the customs and culture of the Douluo Continent and intended to travel to the Heaven Dou Empire with the mission in a personal capacity.
The Heaven Dou Empire side was naturally overjoyed and welcomed him warmly.
A Level Ninety-Nine super Douluo, who was also the leader of the spirit tool system—if they could befriend him or even establish cooperation, it would undoubtedly be a glimmer of hope in resisting the Spirit Empire's oppression.
Naturally, they had no idea of Xu Hong's true thoughts.
This National Teacher of the Sun Moon Empire, possessing the Purple Radiance Heaven Destroying Dragon Spirit, had unfathomable strength. Even when facing a powerhouse who had touched the Divine Rank, like Spirit Hall's High Priest Qian Daoliu, he was confident he could fight.
However, only after personally experiencing Xuan Ming's bottomless, god-like power did he truly understand the difference between heaven and earth.
If he knew the Heaven Dou Empire harbored the thought of using his strength to "counterattack" the Spirit Empire, he would probably scoff and wouldn't even bother with the journey.
Xuan Ming did not comment much on Xu Hong's decision.
Xu Hong's main task here was to stabilize and lead the Sun Moon Empire's reinforcements. Now that this batch of spirit tool Masters was deeply integrated into the Spirit Empire's spirit tool development system, his temporary departure would not have a major impact.
As for what variables his trip to the Heaven Dou Empire might cause, perhaps it could even bring some unexpected "fun," which Xuan Ming was happy to see happen.
Upon hearing that Xu Hong intended to travel with the Heaven Dou mission to the Heaven Dou Empire, Bibi Dong pondered briefly and came up with a new idea.
She summoned Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Shui Binger, Huo Wu, and others, and said to them, "National Teacher Xu intends to travel to the Heaven Dou Empire; you should go with him."
Seeing their confusion, Bibi Dong explained, "Rongrong, you are the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile... no, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect now. You have deep-seated connections with the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial Family and nobility, and many old acquaintances. The few of you were also the champions of the previous Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, representing the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Returning now with a brand-new identity and strength is, in itself, a strong signal."
Her gaze swept over the girls: "Letting the people of the Heaven Dou Empire, especially those Spirit Master Families and academies, personally witness the growth and power you gained in the Spirit Empire is more convincing than any amount of propaganda. This might achieve unexpected results in dividing and attracting the Spirit Master forces within the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Furthermore," Bibi Dong looked at Xu Hong, "with National Teacher Xu, a super Douluo, accompanying you, plus your own Spirit Douluo strength, your safety is assured. Since your Godly Trial is to 'Assist Xuan Ming in Reshaping Order,' you should actively participate. This is an Opportunity for experience and contribution."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong and the others exchanged glances, seeing the eagerness in each other's eyes. They had been away from the Heaven Dou Empire for many years and indeed wanted to go back and see it, especially with this attitude of "Returning Home in Splendor."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the girls responded in unison.
Shui Binger and Huo Wu also volunteered. They originated from the Five Element Academy and held considerable influence in the Heaven Dou Spirit Master's world. Going back now would be a perfect Opportunity to showcase the Spirit Empire's tolerance and high regard for Spirit Masters who did not originate from Spirit Hall.
Thus, in a slightly strange atmosphere, a special team joined the Heaven Dou mission's return journey: led by the new Sect Master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong, the members included Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Shui Binger, Huo Wu, and a group of young, beautiful yet astonishingly powerful maidens, as well as the unfathomable National Teacher of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Hong.
The Heaven Dou mission felt extremely conflicted about the addition of this group.
On one hand, the identities of Ning Rongrong and the others were sensitive, and their appearance would undoubtedly stir up the internal situation of the Heaven Dou Empire.
On the other hand, Xu Hong's presence was the "external aid" they had desperately sought.
This conflicting mindset permeated the entire return journey with subtle tension.