Dai Hao turned his head and said reassuringly, "Your Majesty Xue Beng need not be concerned. I believe in the sincerity of the Heaven Dou Empire's cooperation. If it weren't for King Lan Hao traveling thousands of miles to arrive in time and turn the tide, repelling the Seventh Enshrined of the Spirit Hall, even more people would have met misfortune." Su Dan Novel Network
Saying this, he looked gratefully at Tang San and cupped his hands, "Dai Hao is here to thank King Lan Hao again for your timely intervention."
Tang San was startled and quickly dodged Dai Hao's bow. He said, "Your Majesty Dai Hao, please do not. This is my duty as a subject of Heaven Dou."
Xue Beng looked at Tang San with relief and also said, "Teacher, you need not be so humble. Your current strength is also close to the Titled Douluo level. Such speed of growth is indeed beyond our reach. I only hope you advance to Titled Douluo soon, which will be a great fortune for our Heaven Dou and the allied Star Luo Empire."
Xue Beng proactively placed the Star Luo Empire in the position of an ally, subtly displaying his "strength and foundation" to the Star Luo Empire.
Dai Hao secretly nodded his head, accepting Xue Beng's words on the surface, and continued to speak as he stepped down from the platform Xue Beng offered.
Tang San was not adept at this kind of commercial mutual praise and merely stood by, responding with a smile.
It was not until he caught sight of Tang Sui waving at him out of the corner of his eye, his gaze pausing on the dried dark bloodstains on Tang Sui's dress, that he excused himself from Xue Beng and Dai Hao and strode quickly towards his sister. He nervously pressed Tang Sui's shoulders, turning her around to examine her, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, brother," Tang Sui said helplessly, allowing Tang San to check her over.
With no visible wounds confirmed, Tang San's heart settled. He glanced around, pulled Tang Sui to a secluded spot with few people, and inquired about the situation in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Tang Sui truthfully recounted her battle with Gui Mei and her suspicions.
Upon hearing this, Tang San's expression grew grave. Like Xiao Wu, he was now filled with immense relief.
"Fortunately, four years ago, when we left the continent to settle Father and Mother, we also brought... Da Ming and Er Ming."
Otherwise, it would have been a different story.
Tang Sui deeply agreed, "I don't think Bibi Dong will easily give up searching. After all, both Da Ming and Er Ming are overlord spirit beasts of the hundred-thousand-year level. If a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast dies, it not only drops a spirit ring but also an exquisite spirit bone. It's not impossible that Bibi Dong might search elsewhere. I think after the summit of the two great empires is completed, we should go and settle Father and Mother and Da Ming and Er Ming as soon as possible."
"That's precisely what I intend," Tang San said, his brow furrowed, "But there's still one problem. Of the three conditions from the sect elders, we have only fulfilled two. One remains: killing a Titled Douluo of the Spirit Hall."
Tang Sui was indifferent to this. "It doesn't say that only Titled Douluo killed after the conditions were set count. Brother, you can show your left arm spirit bone then. After all, that spirit bone is indeed from a Titled Douluo of the Spirit Hall."
Tang San showed hesitation. "Wouldn't that be a bit like cheating?" After all, the ninety-sixth level Limit Douluo was, strictly speaking, killed by the 'King of Slaughter.' Even though Tang Sui delivered the final blow, the main contribution was not theirs.
"Brother, for me, the process is not important. I care more about the result," Tang Sui said, looking at her brother. "If you are really bothered, why not use the token given by our great-grandfather?"
"But then the Clear Sky School will certainly not accept Father and Mother from the bottom of their hearts... Forget it, then let's use the left arm spirit bone of that Titled Douluo. Anyway, once the sect sends people to investigate the news of the other party's death and verify the truth, it should be proven."
After all, Father and Mother would have to stay at the Clear Sky School, and the preparatory work must be thorough to win their heartfelt approval.
In the end, Tang San chose to concede.
Tang Sui was indifferent.
While the siblings were chatting in a corner, three elders, their clothes stained with blood, sat on the platform of a broken fountain pool in the distance, their gazes fixed in this direction.
The tall and slender elder Meng Shenji looked at the energetic siblings and sighed, "That should be Tang San's sister, Tang Sui, right? In just a few years, Tang San has grown into a Spirit Douluo, and even I cannot discern his sister Tang Sui's spirit power level. I tested them both back then; it's truly a case of the waves behind driving on the waves before."
The slightly chubby elder Bai Baoshan displayed a knowing smile on his plump face. "Isn't that the truth? The Shrek's Seven Devils now each possess unique skills and formidable strength."
"Haha, isn't the rise of the younger generation the hope for the future?" Elder Zhi Lin, always calm in demeanor, also wore a smile, his eyes filled with expectation.
Meng Shenji nodded, then looked to the other side, where Xue Beng and Dai Hao were walking side by side, his eyes deep. "His Majesty Xue Beng and His Majesty Dai Hao will also begin their discussions. Although this summit suffered heavy losses, its purpose has been achieved, which can be considered a good outcome."
Elder Zhi Lin shook his head. "An outcome? If you ask me, now is just the beginning. How the Star Luo and Heaven Dou will join forces to resist the Spirit Hall in the future is still a troublesome matter."
Two hours later, Heaven Dou soldiers and Star Luo soldiers jointly tidied up the City Lord's Mansion. The Spirit Sage level powerhouses, who represented different factions and their respective positions, also took their seats to participate in the meeting.
The monarchs of the two great empires sat at the head table, one on the left and one on the right. The seats on Xue Beng's side were then filled.
Tang San, Tang Sui, the three elders, and Ning Rongrong – six people directly filled the seats.
On Dai Hao's side, Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Weisi, Zhu Zhuyun, and General Peng Fei, the Protector of the Nation, were seated in that order.
After everyone was seated, Dai Weisi stood up and walked to the newly made war sandbox, initiating the topic of today's meeting:
"Your Majesties, as shown on the sand table, the Spirit Hall's expansion has been vast, and the current situation is unfavorable to both of us great empires. Every time we engage in direct confrontation, the Spirit Hall overwhelms us with its doubled numbers of spirit masters, which is very troublesome."
"Our borders are now surrounded by the Spirit Hall's heavy troops. If we fall..."
"Prince Dai Weisi," Tang San suddenly interjected, rising from his seat.
Dai Weisi, who was speaking, paused and looked at the standing Tang San along with everyone else.
"I believe that while the current situation is dire, it has not yet reached complete despair. The Spirit Hall's actions, though seemingly invincible, actually expose a fatal weakness."
A flash of inspiration crossed Xue Beng's mind. "Teacher, you mean?"
"Foundation."
Tang San uttered these two words.
"War is not just about combat ability; it's also about comprehensive national strength. Although the Spirit Hall possesses immense spirit master power, its other reserves and technological development are merely derived from the two great empires by exploiting their people and resources."
Tang Sui chimed in with agreement, "It's like the situation in Geng Xin City back then. When I went to support Geng Xin City, the Spirit Hall's spirit master army's first thought was not to launch a direct attack and take Geng Xin City, but to send people to negotiate and stall. The blacksmiths captured during the fighting were all kept alive, not slaughtered."
-- Author's notes--
Appetizer update complete~ Tonight, Mo Li will strive to release it all at once,啵啵~