The outcome is decided.
Or rather, the outcome is already decided.
At this moment, An Zhen was surrounded by twelve Ninth-Level Soul Engineers. Adding Jing Hongchen, who remained in Mingde Hall, that made thirteen. The entire Sun Moon Empire now only had four Ninth-Level Soul Engineers leading the Soul Guidance Corps outside, and five Ninth-Level Soul Engineers in front of him, including Kong Deming.
Thirteen against nine.
Judging from these numbers, the victory may not be a complete one.
However, at this moment, Kong Deming was "captured." The other four elders of the Hall of Enshrinement were seriously injured. If An Zhen hadn't tried to avoid losing four technical talents, they might already be severely injured, or even at risk of death. But even with deliberate control, their situation wasn't much better. Now surrounded by twelve Ninth-Level Soul Engineers, plus Electrolux and Di Tian lurking in the shadows, they could be easily "eaten up."
Even now, the few remaining variables— the Holy Spirit Church and the powerful individuals recruited by the Sun and Moon Royal Family—cannot change this already established situation.
Inside the Hall of Enshrinement.
"Now, death or submission!"
A cold voice rang out, issuing this final ultimatum. An Zhen raised his magnificent staff, and the black-haired youth stepped forward, the staff, gleaming with spiritual light, aimed at Kong Deming's brow.
" Kong Deming, I admire your talent. The new Sun Moon Empire still needs you, the father of spirit tools."
"Or, to threaten you from another angle, you also have a quarter of the Sun and Moon royal blood in you." The deathly power of the undead spread out, like an invisible gray flame, instantly enveloping the entire room. The terrifying and dangerous mental force constantly put pressure on Kong Deming and the others.
An Zhen's voice grew even colder. After unleashing his necromantic power, it was as if his soul was facing the biting cold wind in winter. "If you agree, then as I just said, the new emperor will be someone with the bloodline of the Sun and Moon royal family. Otherwise, my first order will be to massacre the remnants of the previous dynasty!"
No matter what, he was the first Level 10 Soul Master in the original story, and being hailed as the father of spirit tools shows his exceptional talent in this area. Although An Zhen has a biased view of his grandfather, he has to admit that his grandfather is indeed inferior to Kong Deming in this regard.
Moreover, Kong Deming is like a mentor to the other Ninth-Level Soul Engineers in the Sun Moon Empire. If Kong Deming is captured, the other Ninth-Level Soul Engineers will have less resistance and will be able to work for him better!
Kong Deming:...
This was the first time this man, who had lived for over a hundred years, had experienced such a great storm.
"If we trade away even our only bargaining chip, then—"
"Do you think you, as a prisoner, still have the ability to stand on the same level as me?!" An Zhen interrupted Kong Deming, slowly lowering the staff he was holding, his dark eyes calmly fixed on Kong Deming. "All you can do is believe that I will keep my promise."
"Master Kong!" A Ninth-Level Soul Engineer glared at An Zhen, his ferocious expression as if he wanted to devour him, and shouted, "We can't agree to his request—"
"So noisy!"
The instant An Zhen's voice rang out.
"Buzz—"
An extreme darkness burst forth, swallowing even the light, and its speed across space was so great that even Kong Deming couldn't react in time.
There was no time to notice.
The Ninth-Level Soul Engineer who had just spoken felt, in that instant, as if he had been running his Level 9 flight spirit tool and Level 9 propulsion spirit tool at overload without any defense, crashing into an indestructible wall at top speed.
If he were still conscious, perhaps his only consolation was that during this standoff following a fierce battle, his level nine defensive spirit tool had remained activated. However, the level nine defensive spirit tool that the Ninth-Level Soul Engineer was so proud of, which should have provided maximum emergency protection in case of unforeseen circumstances upon contact with the dark dragon scales, was now like a piece of waste paper, squeezed and torn apart by a seemingly effortless yet terrifying force. It couldn't even hold on for a single breath, and the Ninth-Level Soul Engineer was sent flying along with it.
Black Dragon Claw moved swiftly, knocking away the Ninth-Level Soul Engineer. Before anyone else could perceive it, it rippled through the space like a fish swimming on water before returning to the void.
"boom!"
The unknown Ninth-Level Soul Engineer was sent flying backward like a burst of light, crashing heavily into the thick metal wall, creating a huge shockwave, and barely breathing.
"Old Zhao!" The other Ninth-Level Soul Engineers looked over there with concern, wanting to go and check on their friend's injuries. However, because of the sudden attack, which they had not noticed at all, they had to be more vigilant. An unprecedented sense of crisis and fear of the unknown enveloped them.
And, confusion.
Deeply confused.
The Sun Moon Empire's royal family, enshrined in the Hall of Enshrinement, found themselves in this predicament on their home turf. The Ninth-Level Soul Engineers, with their vast experience and diverse combat skills, were utterly helpless in the face of this situation.
What should we do next?
Several Ninth-Level Soul Engineers looked at their leader— Kong Deming.
A look of surprise appeared on Kong Deming's face.
Are there still stronger individuals?
Space, that is undoubtedly the power of space.
Limit Douluo?!
"Mr. Kong, you don't have much time to think." An Zhen pointed to the Ninth-Level Soul Engineer who had collapsed unconscious among a pile of instruments.
Kong Deming turned his head and glanced at the faintly breathing, unconscious Ninth-Level Soul Engineer, then at the three seriously injured Ninth-Level Soul Engineers behind him. Finally, the old man's gaze fell on the Ninth-Level Soul Engineers behind An Zhen, who had already raised their weapons and were being controlled.
There was even someone lurking in the shadows who resembled Limit Douluo.
There was no way to reverse the situation.
Kong Deming couldn't think of a way to solve his current predicament.
An unprecedented sense of powerlessness enveloped him.
A struggle flashed across his eyes, eventually settling into a look of helplessness.
Sigh~
A helpless sigh rang out.
A hero's twilight?
Or it could be a compromise with reality.
"I have only one question." Kong Deming suddenly raised his head, looking at An Zhen with an extremely serious expression, "What do you intend to do with Holy Spirit Church?"
Kong Deming's resolve wavered.
He didn't trust this sudden newcomer and knew very little about him. That eerie, deathly power, capable of controlling the abilities of a Ninth-Level Soul Engineer, was clearly more terrifying than an Evil Soul Master.
Who would trust someone like that?
However, the other side has already taken control of more than a dozen Ninth-Level Soul Engineers, and given the current situation, they could easily wipe them out.
Just as the other party said, he had long since run out of leverage for a fair exchange. He had no choice but to trust them. It was a last resort.
If the other side truly intends to wreak havoc on the Sun Moon Empire, his absence won't make much of a difference. The royal family still has some trump cards, but they're no match for over a dozen Ninth-Level Soul Engineers, and the other Beast King Soul Guidance Legion commanders won't be able to return in time. The lunatics at the Holy Spirit Church would probably be more than willing to help him, and the Original Douluo Three Kingdoms on the other side are almost certainly willing to watch his Sun Moon Empire be destroyed.
"Killing them and turning them into puppets wouldn't be bad," An Zhen said.
As someone destined to inherit the mantle of the Holy Necromancer, how could he not even have a single undead summon?
The Spirit Douluo and Titled Douluo of the Holy Spirit Church are not only powerful but also a scourge. Eliminating them would be doing a service to the people. Besides, they have done so many evil deeds that simply killing them would be too easy for them. It would be a good opportunity to contribute to the future of the Sun Moon Empire.
"Establish a member of the Sun and Moon royal family as the new emperor, and destroy the Holy Spirit Church. I hope you can do what you say."
Kong Deming cast his vote, and a sense of relief crept into his previously heavy, aged voice.
"Master Kong!" A Ninth-Level Soul Engineer seemed unable to believe what he was hearing. The Sun Moon Empire's First Soul Guide Kong Deming, is he willing to submit to the traitors who want to overthrow the current emperor?!
"Give up the resistance," Kong Deming said in a deep voice, like an elder earnestly advising him.
"Don't make sacrifices that have no meaning."
"The three of you are completely incapable of fighting against the enemy. Dying here will have no practical significance for either the Emperor or the Empire. Think of your families, think of your relatives and friends."
Kong Deming was never someone who feared death.
He could die on the battlefield, for the Empire. He could die protecting the Emperor, fulfilling his duty as a subject.
But dying here now, aside from that vague loyalty, has no real meaning whatsoever.
"I…" The three Ninth-Level Soul Engineers exchanged glances, each seeing the wavering in the other's eyes. Protecting their homeland was the glory of the people of the Sun Moon Empire, but to die here like this was truly humiliating.
"Thump—"
The three Ninth-Level Soul Engineers placed their level-nine spirit tools on the ground one by one. The spirit power flowing through their meridians gradually subsided, and apart from some spirit power used to suppress their injuries, they could be said to have let down all their defenses.
If even the top teacher has voted, what are they still persisting for?
"Clap clap clap".
An Zhen clapped his hands lightly, "It's good to communicate with smart people."
The matter was resolved smoothly.
An Zhen got the result he wanted.
"In that case, relax and don't resist what's coming next." An Zhen raised the staff he was holding, a playful look in his eyes. "Or, you can try to ambush me."
Kong Deming remained silent, closed his eyes, and did as An Zhen instructed. As if remembering something, he spoke, "Help the person you just hit. I'll persuade him."
"Of course." An Zhen didn't want to lose a Ninth-Level Soul Engineer as a subordinate. A dense mass of Life Force gathered in his palm and shot it toward the Ninth-Level Soul Engineer lying among a pile of instruments, barely breathing. The next second, after the Life Force was injected, the other party's breathing improved at an extremely fast speed, and he was out of danger of death.
On the other side.
An Zhen raised the staff, which was made of black, white and gold, and pressed the other end against Kong Deming's forehead. A terrifyingly powerful mental force erupted from it and invaded Kong Deming's spiritual sea.