Cooperation? Why Not Just Join Us! (4,000 Words)

Huo Yuhao lifted his teacup, looking at the tea leaves inside. "Finding information about the future Lord of the War God Temple shouldn't be a problem, right? Besides, a child adopted by a god is always a bit intriguing."

"The Lord of the War God Temple? I appreciate your kind words."

Rong Lingji chuckled at first, then shook his head. "Tianling isn't anything special. If I had to say, it's just that we're destined to meet. After all, I've lived in seclusion for many years, so the probability of meeting a child I click with is quite low."

Huo Yuhao looked up at Rong Lingji opposite him. Seeing that he didn't intend to explain in detail how he adopted Rong Tianling, he didn't press him for details, but simply smiled slightly.

"Fate is something that can't be explained."

With that, Huo Yuhao stood up. "I've troubled you today, and after talking for so long, I should take my leave."

Rong Lingji slightly taken aback.

They're leaving already?

He thought Huo Yuhao would continue to ask questions or bring up the topic of the Abyss. He was surprised that the other party left so abruptly and decisively.

"Wait, we've covered most of the information. Shouldn't we talk about the Abyss and cooperation next?"

Huo Yuhao stopped and turned around, looking at Rong Lingji with a strange expression.

"Cooperation? When did we say we wanted to cooperate?"

Rong Lingji taken aback by this sudden question that he almost didn't know what to say.

"You came to me and said so much, was it just to find out about my and Tianling's origins?"

Rong Lingji.

Huo Yuhao looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Otherwise what? What do you think I'm here for? I'm just curious about the sudden appearance of a god, so I've come to investigate. I've never mentioned cooperating to fight the Abyss; that's your idea."

Rong Lingji momentarily speechless.

Yes, from beginning to end, Huo Yuhao never mentioned cooperating to fight against the Abyss.

It was he himself who, because of the threat of the Abyss and Rong Tianling's desire to be reborn, had prepared in advance to contact these two reincarnated gods. He originally planned to take the initiative to contact them after the selection began, to learn about their origins, and to discuss the important matter of fighting the Abyss together.

I never expected that Huo Yuhao would come to me directly.

But now that you've come knocking, shouldn't we be discussing serious matters like fighting the Abyss?

You're actually going to chat with me about everyday things?

We talked all afternoon about my origins, the origins of Tianling, and the past of the Divine Realm. I was almost starting to consider you a friend, and then you tell me you were just dropping by?

Is this correct? Is this appropriate?

Rong Lingji speechless.

It feels like you've prepared a feast for a distinguished guest, only for them to come in, have a cup of tea, and then leave.

You're left alone, staring blankly at a table full of food.

"This place is very close to the Abyss Passage. I've been there myself, and I'm quite certain that the Abyss Plane is no weaker than the Douluo Continent. The Plane Master is probably an extremely powerful being."

Rong Lingji breath and looked at Huo Yuhao seriously, "Faced with such a threat, you're not worried at all? Are you already confident you can deal with him?"

Huo Yuhao smiled without changing his expression, "Whether or not you are confident in dealing with the Abyssal Sage King doesn't seem to have anything to do with cooperation, right? After all, your daughter is about to join the Federation. When facing the Abyss, you will definitely take action, won't you? After all, you don't want to see your adopted daughter get hurt, do you?"

Whether we discuss cooperation or not, you'll still make a move, so what's the point of talking? Why don't you just join the Federation? What's the point of discussing anything else?

Rong Lingji:

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That makes so much sense; he was speechless.

Huo Yuhao continued, "Furthermore, although you didn't Rong Lingji say so before, after being forced to stay in the Douluo Continent, you didn't go to other planes to find your relatives—it shouldn't be that you were unwilling, but rather that your cultivation level wouldn't allow it, right? Your cultivation level was suppressed by the plane; you're not at the God Rank now—"

Huo Yuhao paused here, not finishing his sentence, but his meaning was already clear.

The Federation has no shortage of a powerhouse below the God Rank, that is, a Peak Quasi-God.

Even if this Quasi-God could temporarily break through to the God Rank, he wouldn't be a necessary existence for Huo Yuhao and the others.

Cooperation is based on the premise that the two parties are not too far apart in strength and that each party has something the other needs.

With the strength of Rong Lingji... is there any need to discuss cooperation?

Don't be too confident just because you think you're a god.

After understanding Huo Yuhao's meaning, Rong Lingji remained silent, feeling that he had truly learned something new today.

Even though he was suppressed by the dimensional barrier, his cultivation level was still that of a god, and he was unharmed. Huo Yuhao, on the other hand, seemed to be merely a reincarnated Divine Officer, his cultivation not yet recovered, yet he was already looking down on him?

But Rong Lingji couldn't refute it.

Although he was unaware of Old Yi's existence, the Federation's strength was undeniable. Not to mention Huo Yuhao, Di Tian, and others, the Federation also possessed Godslayer-level Soul Cannon Shell, making them far more powerful than him, thus rendering him seemingly dispensable.

With Rong Tianling already born and about to join the Federation, he couldn't possibly ignore it. Joining the Federation side as soon as possible seemed to be the best option.

"Wait, you almost got me hooked."

Rong Lingji suddenly realized what was happening.

First, bring up Tianling to make him realize that he cannot remain uninvolved; then, belittle his value and strength to make him doubt himself; finally, conclude that his abilities are limited, there is no need to discuss cooperation, and it would be better to join the Federation directly.

After this series of punches, he almost got caught up in it and started following his opponent's rhythm.

"If my strength were only at the Peak Quasi-God, I could join the Federation directly and follow your orders without any problem. But the problem is that I am not. I am indeed limited by the plane I live in, but my true cultivation level is probably the highest in the Douluo Continent."

Rong Lingji low voice, "Since you didn't turn around and leave, and you've said so much, you obviously don't really think I'm dispensable and just someone who follows orders. Let's talk seriously. I want to know your thoughts and strategies for dealing with the Abyss Plane. Perhaps I can work with you to come up with a better idea based on your suggestions."

He wasn't seeking any personal gain; he genuinely wanted to cooperate with these Divine Realm to fight against the Abyss Plane. Of course, since it was cooperation, he wouldn't be acting as someone who obeyed orders, but as a partner with whom he could discuss and make decisions on equal footing.

After all, in terms of condition, he is currently the most intact god in the Douluo Continent, unharmed and only suppressed by the plane; in terms of knowledge, he has a First Rank God father, and has been influenced by him since childhood, so his understanding of the Divine Realm, the elements, and the rules is incomparable to that of ordinary Divine Officer.

A person like him, by all accounts, is someone capable of discussing important matters with the other party; how could he possibly be someone dispensable?

"Soldier"?

Huo Yuhao looked at the other person's expression and guessed what he was thinking, but hesitated to speak.

Is it possible that in the fight against the Abyss Plane, it's truly optional?

Your elders described you as wise beyond your years, but now you give me the impression of being a shut-in for two thousand years and have truly become dull-witted.

mm

Huo Yuhao shook his head helplessly and turned to leave.

"When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. Rong Lingji surely understands this principle. There's no need to discuss cooperation further; I'll be waiting for you in Mingdu."

He had barely finished speaking when he vanished, clearly indicating he had no intention of saying anything more.

Rong Lingji stood still, gazing at the empty doorway, remaining motionless for Jiujiu.

They're gone.

He's really gone.

It wasn't a ploy to lure him in, nor was it a strategic retreat; it was simply that I genuinely felt there was nothing to discuss.

"They don't seem to care about my existence at all. It seems they're truly confident in dealing with the Abyss —I wonder what gives them that confidence."

Rong Lingji, "So, should I stay here and wait for everything to end, or should I just coast along with them and win without lifting a finger?"

Thinking about it, his gaze turned to the photo of the two of them in the room. Remembering Huo Yuhao's words, "You wouldn't want anything to happen to your adopted daughter, would you?", he couldn't help but sigh softly.

"Unless we bring Tianling back, it seems we have no other choice—"

"Yuhao, he's not that bad, is he?"

On the return journey, the Ice Empress in the Spiritual Sea spoke up, "Even with the suppression of the plane, his strength should not be underestimated. Moreover, given his relationship with Rong Nianbing, he might even be able to contact that former First Rank God. Is it alright to leave like this?"

Even if he can contact Rong Nianbing, we can't place our hopes on them; we still have to rely on ourselves.

Moreover, he has been trapped in the Douluo Continent for two thousand years; whether he can even contact Rong Nianbing is another matter entirely.

Huo Yuhao continued walking, his tone calm.

"Moreover, the more composed we appear, the more likely he is to come to us on his own. If he feels that we desperately need his strength, he will hesitate."

"That's true." Ice Empress nodded.

This logic is not hard to understand. If they lack confidence, and as the stronger party, they have to lower themselves to invite the other party to join them, then Rong Lingji will definitely think that although they seem strong, they actually lack the confidence to face the Abyss and still need to gather their strength.

Rong Lingji will definitely have doubts about their abilities. Perhaps he will still join them in the face of the threat from the Abyss Plane, but at that time, some things will need to be discussed.

However, they have their own plans and sufficient strength. They don't need to discuss things, nor would they come up with specific plans to discuss with people they're not close to. They only need executors, not collaborators!

They must hold the reins!

Huo Yuhao demonstrated precisely this attitude.

If you're willing to join, they welcome you; if not, then forget it.

"Yuhao, you're getting more and more assertive."

Ice Empress remarked with emotion.

"Perhaps."

Huo Yuhao smiled. "Anyway, there's no need to worry about Rong Lingji; he'll come sooner or later. What we need to focus on now is something else entirely. The Federation selection is about to end, and so much time has passed; it's time to deliver Yehui's message to the Holy Spirit Cult."

A glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.

After dealing with Yehui and Lan Fozi, I will go into seclusion to refine weapons!

As Huo Yuhao predicted, Rong Tianling emerged victorious in the final selection, Yuanen Zhentian suffered a regrettable defeat.

The Federation was overjoyed that a Quasi-God could take over the position of Temple Master of the War God Temple. Without much hesitation, they kept their promise and granted the position of Temple Master of the War God Temple to Rong Tianling.

Of course, the Federation didn't give up on winning over the others, especially the two Limit, Yuanen Zhentian and Qian Gu Qingfeng, offering them high-ranking positions. Qian Gu Qingfeng declined after consideration, but Yuanen Zhentian accepted.

In addition to job rewards, other rewards such as Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, Soul Tool, and Battle Armor were also distributed.

The Four-Word Battle Armor was naturally also arranged for Rong Tianling and Yuanen Zhentian.

--

The two newest Limit of the Federation, aside from everything else, should at least be equipped with Four-Word Battle Armor.

If Sima Jinchi eliminated in Titled Douluo quarterfinals, the Federation would have wanted to reward this newly promoted member of Federation elite with Four-Word Battle Armor.

The Divine Craftsman will suffer even more, and the Federation will bear the infamy!

Zhen Hua:

Na'er, come quick and help!

Teacher, I might get struck by lightning!

The Federation was overjoyed to have so many powerful figures join their ranks. However, those in the Star Luo Empire and Dou Ling who learned of the news were filled with deep sorrow.

Although they lost the core Undercover Agent like the Possession Demon who had infiltrated the Federation, there was still some Holy Spirit Cult power within the Federation. Even without Lan Fozi, a "core Undercover Agent," they could still obtain information about this selection process that was being watched by the entire Federation.

They even watched almost the entire Federation selection competition.

Faced with the continuous emergence of prodigies and Titled Douluo powerhouses in the Federation, the high-ranking members of the Dou Ling Imperial Family and the Star Luo Federation felt a chill run down their spines.

This is their opponent, the Douluo Federation!

The Douluo Federation has been operating for Ten Thousand Years, and its scale and foundation are ultimately beyond what they can compare to.

Even after experiencing internal strife, they were able to quickly muster such a formidable force—do they really have a chance of winning?

This is a source of worry for the Star Luo Federation. On the Dou Ling Empire's side, besides worry, there is also confusion.

"This Limit named Rong Tianling looks so much like that imperial concubine from back then?"

Dou Ling Kao, a Titled Douluo, looked at the intelligence in his hand, then glanced at the emperor frowning and deep in thought in the palace. His mind was filled with mixed thoughts, and he finally decided to put this matter into his heart's oath.

While Dou Ling and Star Luo Empire were undergoing their trials, the Ghost Emperor of the Holy Spirit Cult received good news after seeing all the bad news.

"Have you found any news about Yehui?"

Ghost Emperor Ling looked at the photos sent back by Lan Fozi, the Undercover Agent, with a hint of surprise.

That was a couple that Yuanen encountered after he finished his competition in the daily selection and stepped off the stage. The man was Yuanen Tiandang, and the woman was none other than Yehui, the former supporter of the Fallen Angel Martial Soul.

"Yes, it really is her."

Looking at the similar faces of Yehui and Yuanen Yehui, the Ghost Emperor felt a surge of joy.

This is a Titled Douluo Fallen Angel Martial Soul user; if they can capture him, their Holy Spirit Cult will gain a powerful ally.

but----

After the initial joy, the Ghost Emperor became somewhat suspicious.

Why did Yehui, who had been missing for many years, suddenly return to the Yuanen Family and even seem to have reconciled with them?

Has the problem with the Fallen Angel Martial Soul been solved? If so, how did Yehui manage to do it?

Thinking this, the Ghost Emperor turned his gaze to the message sent back by Lan Fozi ----