Inside the Worship Hall, golden light spread like a sea.
Di Yao stood at the center of the great hall.
The surroundings were very quiet.
So quiet that his slightly heavy breathing could be heard.
The wound in his chest still hurt.
Falling Devil Douluo's staff pressure had just forced his old wound open a little further.
But Di Yao did not lower his head.
He looked at Qian Daoliu.
Qian Daoliu was looking at him as well.
This Grand Worship of Spirit Hall did not release any pressure.
Yet simply standing there, he was more impossible to ignore than Falling Devil Douluo's staff strike had been.
It was the calm that came from standing at the peak of the continent for far too long.
He did not need to prove he was strong.
Because everyone knew he was strong.
Qian Daoliu slowly spoke. "Outside the hall just now, you said that if Spirit Hall tried to lock you up, you would burn the cage first."
Di Yao nodded. "Yes."
Qian Daoliu asked very specifically, "What if that cage is the price for Spirit Hall giving you resources, status, and opportunities to grow?"
Di Yao did not answer immediately.
He glanced at the Angel Statue.
Then he looked back at Qian Daoliu.
"If the price is restrictions on my conduct, then we can discuss it."
"For example, not massacring cities at will, not betraying Spirit Hall's core interests, and not giving Spirit Hall's resources to its enemies."
"I can accept those."
Qian Daoliu's gaze shifted slightly.
Di Yao continued, "But if the price is making me grow on my knees, making me hand over my martial soul, Soul Rings, Immortal Herbs, and my entire future to the Worship Hall's arrangements, then I refuse."
"I can cooperate."
"I can make exchanges."