In truth, given Zang Xin's amorous nature, by all reason he shouldn't have been so eager to offer a hundred-thousand-year Immortal Herb in exchange for information that even his own conscious mind believed was fake.
But the innate passive nature of Douluo Continent's underlying code had driven Zang Xin to subconsciously hypnotize himself into believing it was true.
To be with his beloved Old Cao, he had to seize this chance, grasp the "future" Leng Wuduan had brought him!
Zang Xin and Cao Dezhi were a pair of star-crossed lovers. Heaven had brought them together, let them meet, and made them the most important people in each other's lives.
Amorous and emotionless were a match made in heaven!
The amorous one gave warmth to the emotionless one, melting the chill that clung to him and teaching him attachment and tenderness;
The emotionless one gave steadiness to the amorous one, tempering his unrestrained passion and teaching him restraint and composure.
A heart full of passion met a lifetime of cool detachment. His ardor could soothe his beloved's pride, while his indifference could embrace that deep affection.
The amorous one didn't cling, and the emotionless one wasn't cold. One soft, one firm; one hot, one cool. They complemented and redeemed each other.
So, when the most passionate and the most emotionless met, it was never a calamity. It was a match made by fate, an irreplaceable union of the highest order.
Of course, that was only what Zang Xin and Cao Dezhi believed. Su Jiu only thought so because he wanted to get an Immortal Herb out of them.
"Vice Sect Master Zang, everything I've said is true. There's no need to rush the payment. You can pay me after you succeed. I'm sure Vice Sect Master Zang isn't one to go back on his word."
Su Jiu looked at Zang Xin, who was lost in thought. A walking, talking Immortal Herb-giving boy?
His favorable impression of Zang Xin rose from "stranger" to "honest man."
After seeing the words on Old Man Chen's banner earlier, Su Jiu had known he'd be working alongside Cao Dezhi in the Abyss.
He'd help Old Cao achieve his heart's desire, too, and make Old Cao one of his own "honest men." One more Immortal Herb, and neither of you would miss out!
From two great gay guys to a pair of lilies. Heh heh heh~
"Vice Sect Master Zang, that's all for later. We've still got plenty of time, and there's a wonderful banquet waiting for us. Let's go enjoy it and shake off this gloom..."
With that, Su Jiu left the balcony, strolling away in the cool breeze.
Chen Xinjie was already on the verge of losing his composure. As the host, he had to go and "properly" entertain him, or Su Jiu would look like a discourteous guest.
The banquet hall.
Su Jiu once again used the "lure them in, then keep them guessing" tactic, keeping Chen Xinjie on tenterhooks.
Chen Xinjie thought, Leng Wuduan doesn't seem like a good person. He just made the rounds at the Tang Sect, and now he's heading over to Shrek Academy. And he even went to see the Federation's ungrateful wretch. Does he not know those two are both tumors of the Federation?
"Her Holiness Holy Spirit, it's a pleasure to see you here today. Please allow me to raise this glass to you!"
"Congratulations, Your Holiness Wuduan!"
Ya Li froze. A professional smile unconsciously appeared on her face as she silently lifted her glass. The sake went down her throat, bitter as ever.
"Her Holiness Holy Spirit, you're truly a force to be reckoned with. Not only can you bring the dead back to life and make bones sprout flesh, your drinking capacity is no less impressive than any man's. I'm in awe!"
Naturally, all that was just polite banquet-table chatter. Su Jiu changed tack and sent Ya Li a direct telepathic message, his tone meaningful.
"Her Holiness Holy Spirit, I've heard your Martial Soul, Prayer Angel, can gather faith. How much do you know about the path of becoming a god through faith?"
Ya Li's pupils trembled, and the glass in her hand stopped halfway to her lips. She couldn't understand how Leng Wuduan knew the most closely guarded secret of her Martial Soul. Only a handful of people knew.
The path to godhood through faith involved far too much. She couldn't let a single word slip!
She immediately went on guard. She no longer looked at Su Jiu as her friend Leng Yaozhu's husband, but as a future enemy coveting her ultimate secret. The last shred of goodwill she'd felt for him vanished, plunging into the negatives.
"Her Holiness Holy Spirit, I only wanted to talk with you about our views on faith. I know a little about it, but not much. If you're unwilling, I won't press you."
Even after Su Jiu explained, Ya Li remained on guard.
Su Jiu sighed. Forget it. I only brought it up in passing. I've said what I needed to say.
Now, it was time to head to Qiangu Dongfeng's table and "properly" raise a glass to his own tower master.
Su Jiu turned to leave. Ya Li's brows knitted even tighter. She could tell Leng Wuduan clearly had no interest in becoming a god through faith, so why had he brought it up to her?
After all, more than ninety percent of the Soul Masters on the continent knew what it meant to offend Holy Spirit Douluo. In many cases, it was no different from losing one's life.
That was why Ya Li held such a lofty position in the Soul Master World. If she made any request that wasn't too unreasonable, countless Soul Masters would volunteer to help, just to win a shred of her favor.
But what was Su Jiu trying to accomplish?
BANG!!!
A dull yet startlingly loud slap rang out across the banquet hall. Everyone looked up. It was Chen Xinjie, surrounded by a crowd of War Gods.
He raised his glass toward Su Jiu. It seemed he was going to approach him and offer a toast, but his face remained stern, without the slightest trace of celebratory joy.
"Ah~ So it's Palace Master Chen."
Su Jiu looked back, his manner utterly perfunctory. He didn't even feel like picking up his glass.
"Leng Wuduan, I've come here today representing the Federation—and Long Yeyue—for two reasons."
Chen Xinjie downed his drink in one gulp. At last, his long-contained smile broke through. In full view of everyone, he held up two fingers.
"First, a matter of public concern. The Abyss front line has recently fallen into crisis. The Abyss is stirring, showing signs of a massive invasion of Douluo Continent. And the frontline forces guarding the Abyss Defense Line are clearly short-handed. So, for the sake of the continent, and even the future of all Douluo Planet, I ask the foremost powerhouse of this age, Your Holiness Wuduan, to go to the Abyss, sweep away the evil and safeguard our peace!"
"Please go to the Abyss, Your Holiness Wuduan! Sweep away the evil and safeguard our peace!"
The eighteen War Gods behind him joined in, their voices solemn and their faces full of pride and honor. They looked as though they meant every word!
The banquet hall fell into utter silence. No one dared to disrupt the scene. Most of those present hadn't yet had their fill of the comfortable life they enjoyed. They didn't want to be forced to the Abyss Defense Line on the spot and die in battle.
Leng Yaozhu, however, only smiled. She didn't step forward to speak for Su Jiu. Instead, she settled in at the table to watch the show.
This was a triple bind of morality, the Federation, and Douluo Planet. If he refused, he'd be cursed by the world and branded the disgrace of the age!
But Su Jiu wondered: Wouldn't agreeing just like that be far too good for Old Man Chen?
Wouldn't that be far too good for everyone here?
Wouldn't that be far too good for the two continents of Dou Ling and Star Luo?
If he had to go, then everyone could go together!
"Haha! Palace Master Chen is absolutely right. If the Abyss Defense Line falls, it'll spell disaster for all of Douluo Continent. We must charge forward without hesitation, face the Abyss together, guard the myriad lights of home behind us, and protect peace for all!"
"I, Leng Wuduan, will gladly go to the Blood God Battalion..."
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