Furnace Fortress, interstellar communications hall.
Mu Lei stood respectfully in the hall, none of the authority-wielding majesty he had displayed in the conference room remaining on his face. His eyes were fixed tightly on the communications screen.
Buzz!
The screen suddenly rippled, and an image unfolded. It showed a resplendent circular hall of golden light, with twelve enormous platinum thrones within it. At that moment, twelve elderly men in platinum robes sat upon those thrones.
They all appeared to be over a hundred years old, their bodies withered, yet they possessed an invisible majesty. The energy crystals atop the golden scepters symbolizing their authority glimmered with a cold, eerie light beneath the lamps.
These were the Mechanical Empire's twelve Star Glory Elders, the people who held its highest authority.
Mu Lei's pupils abruptly contracted. He had not expected that he would not be speaking with Elder Zhan, but that all twelve elders would appear at once. This showed just how seriously the elders regarded the matter of the Heavenly Dao Alliance.
His body visibly hunched further as he said respectfully.
"Mu Lei pays respects to the twelve elders. I have disturbed your cultivation!"
Elder Zhan, seated in the chief position, looked toward Mu Lei with pale blue eyes. He lightly shook the scepter in his hand, and his majestic voice rang out. "Mu Lei, we have reviewed the intelligence you sent back. The Elders' Council has also discussed it, but no final conclusion has yet been reached. The council wishes to hear your opinion!"
Thud!
His scepter lightly struck the crystal floor as he said in a deep voice, "Mu Lei, you are in the Ancient Realm, on the front lines. You understand the situation best. We need to know your truest thoughts. Have no reservations. War or peace—state your