Furnace Fortress, interstellar communications hall.
Mu Lei stood respectfully in the hall, none of the commanding authority he had displayed in the conference room remaining on his face. His eyes stayed fixed on the communications screen.
Suddenly, the screen rippled and an image unfolded, revealing a circular hall resplendent with golden light. Twelve enormous platinum thrones stood within it, each occupied by an old man in platinum robes.
They all looked more than a hundred years old, their bodies withered, yet an intangible majesty surrounded them. Atop the golden scepters they held as symbols of authority, energy crystals gleamed with a cold, eerie light beneath the lamps.
These were the Mechanical Empire's twelve Starshine Elders, the men who held its supreme power.
Mu Lei's pupils abruptly contracted. He had not expected to speak with all twelve elders rather than Elder Zhan alone. Clearly, the elders attached great importance to the Heavenly Way Alliance as well.
He bowed even lower and spoke respectfully.
"Mu Lei greets the twelve elders. Forgive me for disturbing your secluded cultivation!"
Seated at the head, Elder Zhan turned his pale blue eyes toward Mu Lei. His scepter trembled gently, and his majestic voice rang out. "Mu Lei, we have reviewed the intelligence you sent back. The Elder Council has discussed it as well, but we have yet to reach a final conclusion. We would like to hear your views!"
He tapped his scepter lightly against the crystal floor and said solemnly, "Mu Lei, you are in the Ancient Realm, on the front lines. You understand the situation best. We need to know your honest thoughts. Hold nothing back. War or peace—give us your opinion!"
Twelve gazes fell upon him, some calm, some cold, some stern, some appraising. Mu Lei felt immense pressure, and sweat seeped down