Deliberation

Holy Dragon Douluo En Ci followed the man as he flew toward the West Mountain Range in Ming City, the station of the War God Temple.

During the journey, an old man clearly caught his attention.

The old man was, like him, a Limit Douluo.

He felt to be about the same age as En Ci, yet En Ci could sense an upward-surging aura within him that he himself lacked.

This old man was currently transitioning from the Demigod level toward the realm of a Quasi-God.

The old man also sensed En Ci's aura and offered a polite greeting: "Yuanen Zhentian, currently serving in the War God Temple."

"Holy Dragon Douluo En Ci."

Yuanen Zhentian nodded in acknowledgment: "The Temple Master is waiting for you ahead."

Soon, En Ci encountered a young man; although he was a step behind Yun Ming, his Quasi-God aura was undeniably authentic.

En Ci hurriedly stepped forward to bow: "Holy Dragon Douluo En Ci of the Star Luo Empire, pays respects to the War God Temple Master."

To his surprise, the young man shook his head and smiled: "I am not the War God Temple Master."

"I am War God Temple Vice Temple Master Guan Yue; the Temple Master is waiting for you inside."

With that, Guan Yue gestured for him to enter.

En Ci was already feeling a mix of numbness and dread.

Up to this point, the strength displayed by the War God Temple was already comparable to Shrek Academy.

If the Vice Temple Master was already at the Quasi-God level, then the Temple Master himself...

Seeming to notice En Ci's hesitation, Guan Yue smiled: "Your Excellency Holy Dragon, there is no need to be nervous; our Federation currently has no intention of starting a war."

"The Temple Master simply wishes to meet you."

Hearing this, En Ci felt a sense of relief; if the Douluo Federation were determined to destroy the Star Luo Empire, there would be no need to resort to such underhanded tactics.

Furthermore, according to the custom that envoys should not be harmed during diplomatic relations, even if they were to go to war, it would only happen after the Star Luo Empire delegation had returned home.

Having realized this, En Ci regained the composure befitting a Limit Douluo and stepped into the reception room.

The reception room was small, containing only two chairs and a table in the center.

On the table sat a freshly brewed pot of tea and two cups.

Just as En Ci waited in some confusion, Xie An appeared silently beside the table.

He sat down directly in the main seat at the table.

En Ci was truly terrified now.

Whether it was the old man in the War God Temple earlier or the Vice Temple Master at the entrance.

Or even the Sky-Piercing Douluo Yun Ming, whom he had fought previously at Shrek Academy.

That old man named Yuanen Zhentian might break through, but it was only a possibility; as both were at the Demigod level, the outcome of a fight remained unknown.

And as for the previously fought Yun Ming, or the man claiming to be the Vice Temple Master, Guan Yue.

Although there was a chasm-like gap in strength, that gap was something he could perceive.

But the person before him was different.

From his appearance to his sitting down, had he not seen it with his own eyes, his Demigod-level senses would have suggested that no one was there at all.

Perhaps it is a martial soul specialized in concealment, En Ci thought, clinging to a shred of wishful thinking, though he knew it was highly unlikely.

"Sit. Let me introduce myself: I am the newly appointed War God Temple Master, Xie An."

Xie An poured the tea one by one and continued: "You came at a good time; this is tea from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well that the Tang Sect just sent me."

"Have a taste."

Xie An pushed the tea toward En Ci.

After all, he was someone who had achieved the rank of Limit Douluo; he had seen his fair share of grand situations.

En Ci quickly adjusted his mindset, sat in the chair, and reached out to take the tea Xie An offered.

The fragrance of the tea wafted up; it was not bitter on the tongue, and after swallowing, a lingering sweetness remained in his mouth.

"Good tea." En Ci set the cup down and praised it sincerely, and the tea was refilled.

"I wonder why the Temple Master has summoned me here."

Xie An smiled slightly and said: "Before answering your question, I would like to ask Your Excellency Holy Dragon a question first."

"The Temple Master may just call me En Ci."

After hearing this, Xie An continued: "En Ci, how do you think the strength of the Star Luo Empire compares to the Douluo Federation?"

Holy Dragon Douluo En Ci was somewhat flustered, mainly because the War God Temple Master's question was far too blunt.

"Naturally, it is like comparing the stars to the bright moon, or a pack horse to a qilin."

Xie An nodded after hearing this: "That is not an exaggeration. If my Douluo Federation were determined to destroy the Star Luo Empire, I would only need to lead a few War Gods and a single fleet to do so easily."

"The only reason we have not pursued unification is because we are all human, and many of us are even descendants of those who migrated from the Douluo Federation; we do not wish to see brothers slaughtering one another."

"Secondly, I am thinking that if soul masters develop under different systems, perhaps they might discover an alternative path."

"Thirdly, and most importantly, humanity faces a powerful external enemy; it is not yet the time for internal strife."

En Ci understood the first two points clearly, but he felt somewhat confused by the third.

"May I ask what this external enemy is?"

Although En Ci was a Limit Douluo, because he was in the Star Luo Empire, he did not have a clear understanding of the Abyss Plane.

Xie An simply smiled as he looked at En Ci, not answering his question.

Soon, En Ci realized where the problem lay: "I swear by my Radiant Sacred Dragon martial soul that unless the War God Temple Master permits it, I will not disclose the following conversation."

"Furthermore, I will not use this to do anything detrimental to the Douluo Federation; otherwise, may heaven destroy me and the earth annihilate me."

As if feeling his oath lacked sufficient persuasiveness, En Ci added another line.

A mysterious aura attached itself to En Ci.

"There is nothing that cannot be said; if you were a person of my Douluo Federation, you would also be qualified to know."

Xie An handed a dossier on the Abyss Plane to En Ci.

After reading it, En Ci's expression was exceptionally complex.

"What is the Temple Master's intention?"

"I believe you know, En Ci, that voices have already emerged within my Douluo Federation calling for the unification of the Star Luo Empire."

En Ci did not speak, merely nodding his head.

"I hope that upon returning, you will have your Star Luo Empire royal family prepare for the Abyss Plane."

"Especially you; I hope you can appear on the front lines of the battlefield."

"As for the compensation, it is that I will ensure that at least during my tenure as War God Temple Master, we will not take military action against the Star Luo Empire."

En Ci was silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

The teacups were filled again, and a new pot of tea was brewed.

Xie An continued: "Now that the official business is finished, I think we should discuss some private matters."

"En Ci, I heard that you oversee the Monster Academy in Star Luo, which seeks to compete with Shrek?"

En Ci nodded.

"I wish to borrow two people from you."

"Dai Yun'er and Long Yue."

Upon hearing this, En Ci's expression changed, and he wanted to erupt, only to find an invisible force of soul power mixed with spiritual power forcing him to sit back down.

At this moment, En Ci knew that the War God Temple Master before him had already traveled the furthest among all the Limit Douluos in humanity.

"Don't be so impatient; rest assured, I will not do anything to harm those two."

"As a dignified Limit Douluo, I would not stoop to such things."

"I am simply borrowing them for a few years to have them come here as exchange students, and their resources will be fully provided."

"Furthermore, I have heard that Long Yue possesses the rare Mountain Dragon King martial soul, which requires extremely strong spiritual power to advance."

"I specifically requested a stalk of Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew from the Tang Sect."

A jade-green herb with three leaves, each bearing a drop of dew, was brought out.

"What do you think of my sincerity?"

En Ci stared intently, realizing it was the very herb he had been longing to find for Long Yue.

Long Yue was twelve years old this year, but due to his Mountain Dragon King martial soul, he appeared older.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he finally spoke: "I cannot guarantee Dai Yun'er, but I will have Long Yue come over."

Xie An was not the least bit surprised, simply smiling as he said: "Good, it's a deal."

En Ci walked out of the room holding the herb, feeling as if he were in a dream.

"Council Chairman, the discussion is complete; the Star Luo Empire has agreed."

"And if they do not honor the agreement?"

"Dismiss me, and I will go conquer Star Luo myself."