After shaking hands with An Jing, whose guardian spirit had appeared behind him, the Chief Engineer smiled wryly and invited An Jing's companions to settle in around the main hall. He then led An Jing himself inside.
The Silver Metal Conference Room was neat and tidy after a bit of cleaning. Its four walls were lined with Spirit-Glimmering Crystal Screens, displaying countless scenes and data from inside and outside the Grotto-Heaven.
"Please, sit. The Grotto-Heaven's conditions are rather primitive. I'm afraid we have nothing decent to offer you."
Despite his words, the tea served by the Yankui was worthy of being called a top-grade brew. An Jing took a sip. It had a delicate fragrance and a faint sweetness with a bitter edge. But on closer examination, the bitterness wasn't ordinary bitterness. Rather, countless tiny Spirit Rhinoceros Crystals had flooded him with more information than his sense of taste could process in an instant, so all he could perceive was bitterness.
If he patiently unraveled it, bit by bit, his Divine Soul would receive abundant Nourishment of Spirit Rhinoceros and quickly become active. It was Enlightenment Spirit Tea that nourished the Divine Soul and enhanced Computing Power.
This was clearly the best hospitality the Grotto-Heaven could offer. An Jing understood their sincerity, so he cut straight to the point. "Though we've had our share of conflicts, and you wanted to attack me, the ignorant are not to blame. I believe it was all a misunderstanding. There's no fundamental conflict between us."
For An Jing, who was hardly a master of social graces, offering this olive branch was the best he could manage. But who knew the Chief Engineer would be even more blunt? "Actually, there is a fundamental conflict. We need the Grotto-Heaven's highest authority, and the authority within the