Not in the Mood to Cultivate

Dai Weisi immediately grew solemn. "Yes! Weisi understands! Once we return, I will certainly do my utmost to cooperate with the Duke in advancing this matter!"

Zhu Tianlin nodded, closed his eyes, and leaned back against the soft chair. He appeared to be resting, but his mind was rapidly calculating how he should explain the stakes to Emperor Dai Tianfeng after returning home, how to balance the potential opposition at court, and how to make the greatest possible use of the contact channel established with Ge Duo.

That boy Dai Mubai...

A thought quietly surfaced in Zhu Tianlin's mind.

Ever since Dai Mubai had secretly left for Sunset Forest that night, he had not shown himself again. He had only quietly rejoined the delegation shortly before it departed, his face seemingly somewhat pale, yet his spirits carrying an inexplicable excitement.

Zhu Tianlin instinctively felt that something was off. With Dai Mubai's strength and resources, what could he possibly have gained from Ge Duo?

Could he truly have met Ge Duo and reached some sort of deal?

Though the possibility was minuscule, the instincts Zhu Tianlin had cultivated through years of warfare kept him from completely ignoring this anomaly.

"Perhaps after we return, I should have someone keep a slight watch on Mubai's movements and see what he does next."

The thought merely flashed through Zhu Tianlin's mind. After all, far more important and urgent matters concerning the empire demanded his attention.

The slight irregularities of an insignificant prince doomed to fail were not worth his concern for the time being.

Before long, Zhu Tianlin's thoughts were once again consumed by worries over the empire's future situation and Heaven Dou's rising new forces.

Meanwhile, within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's castle in Heaven Dou City.

Inside a lavish room