"I need to think about this some more," Dai Tianling said. "Teacher, Tower Master Zhang, you should go back first. I will summon the ministers to discuss this further later."
En Ci stood up and nodded slightly to Dai Tianling.
Zhang Geyang also got up.
After the two left the Council Chamber, Zhang Geyang suddenly asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, do you think His Majesty will change his mind?"
En Ci did not answer immediately.
He walked unhurriedly down the palace corridor, and after a while spoke, "Although His Majesty is my student, I am not sure about his decisions. Tiandou Empire's surrender showed him the worst possible outcome, so he is inclined to surrender. But if given a possibility of holding out, perhaps he will reconsider."
He smiled, but clearly, while that's what he said, only heaven knows what the actual situation was.
"That's good." Zhang Geyang didn't think much of it. " The Spirit Pagoda has been operating in the Star Luo Empire for twenty-seven years; we can't just give up like this."
En Ci glanced at him. "Ge Yang, are you thinking about the Spirit Pagoda or about yourself?"
Zhang Geyang paused for a moment, then continued walking forward, "Your Majesty is joking. The interests of the Spirit Pagoda and Star Luo Empire are aligned, aren't they?"
En Ci smiled, but said nothing.
The two walked out of the palace gate; Zhang Geyang turned left, and En Ci turned right.
Zhang Geyang took a few steps, stopped, and glanced coldly back at the direction of the palace before continuing forward.
"If we weren't desperate, would you really think I'd cooperate with a bunch of guys just waiting to die?"
Back at the Spirit Pagoda, before he could even sit down and catch his breath, a travel-worn figure rushed out from the side.
"Uncle Zhang, what did the Star Luo Emperor say? He wouldn't really surrender so easily, would he?"
Zhang Geyang sighed and patted the newcomer on the shoulder, "Nephew Zhang Ting, don't be impatient. The Dai Family family has a strong backbone, unlike the royal family of the Heaven Dou Empire who are all cowards. As long as you give them a little hope, there will still be some hope."
Indeed, the visitor was none other than Qiangu Zhangting.
Just before Mo Yuan attacked the Spirit Pagoda, Qiangu Dongfeng happened to send the fastest ship to transport Qiangu Zhangting to the Star Luo Continent, and also sent a message to Zhang Geyang.
But to everyone's surprise, not long after Qiangu Zhangting left, his beloved grandfather and great-grandfather died, and the entire Qiangu Family was packed up and sent to the Heaven Dou Continent by Leng Yaozhu.
Although, due to the Federation army's swift attack, the Heaven Dou Empire had already changed hands before the ships carrying these people even reached the Heaven Dou Continent, so they were actually still within the Federation when they arrived.
But Qiangu Zhangting was different. Because it was just a small boat that pursued speed, the signal on board was not very good, so information was quite limited. It was not until it landed on the Star Luo Continent that Qiangu Zhangting learned of the tragedy that happened at the Spirit Pagoda and the deaths of Qiangu Dongfeng and Qiangu Dieting.
He was filled with grief and indignation on the spot, and was about to fight back when Zhang Geyang, who was prepared, grabbed him and took him away.
In fact, Zhang Geyang's life wasn't easy either. After all, although Leng Yaozhu worked for Mo Yuan, she was still the Tower Master. Within the Spirit Pagoda, she could easily do whatever she wanted to other families. Moreover, Mo Yuan was more than happy for Leng Yaozhu to bring down all these families. So, when Leng Yaozhu started using underhanded tactics, she became even more ruthless.
The first to be affected are naturally the Zhang Family behind Zhang Geyang, a family that is not much different from the Leng Family.
Zhang Geyang knew that in this level of turmoil, the possibility of him safely returning to the Spirit Pagoda was almost zero. The only way to protect himself was to rely on the Star Luo Empire and establish his own power base.
With his connections in the Star Luo Empire, he could stir up quite a storm even without relying on the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters.
That's why he fully supported the Star Luo Empire's resistance. After all, if the Star Luo Empire were annexed by the Federation without any resistance, wouldn't Leng Yaozhu be able to come and settle scores with him in the next second?
That's absolutely unacceptable.
Qian Zhang Ting was clearly still hesitant. "But Uncle Zhang, can the Star Luo Empire really withstand the Federation's offensive?"
"What else can you do? Besides helping the Star Luo Empire, there's no other way. Leng Yaozhu can't possibly let you, the heir of the Qiangu Family, wander outside, can she? Moreover, as far as I know, besides En Ci, the Star Luo Empire also has a Limit Douluo in the shadows. If Yu Guanzhi dares to be arrogant, he might really suffer a great loss." Zhang Geyang glanced at him sideways, then explained softly.
"One more limit? That's wonderful!" Qiangu Zhangting was overjoyed.
In any case, having another Limit Douluo would have a huge impact on the game.
"Alright, don't worry, we'll just wait patiently."
The next morning, Dai Tianling convened a military conference of the Star Luo Empire.
Those attending the meeting included En Ci, Zhang Geyang, and a large number of high-ranking military officials.
"After much agonizing deliberation last night, I have finally decided to resist," Dai Tianling said bluntly. "History teaches us that surrender brings no dignity. Xue Yuntian signed the surrender document, only to be imprisoned in a mansion near the port—what a humiliation!"
No one objected.
After all, the Star Luo Empire's royal family was established through martial prowess, and every Imperial Capital a powerful Soul Master, so they were naturally not so easily opposed.
"Prime Minister," Dai Tianling first looked at the head of the Civilian Official, "You are responsible for stabilizing the internal situation. All Noble and officials who wish to stay, register them and assign them wartime tasks. Those who do not wish to stay, I will not force them; let them leave. But before they leave, they must hand over their fiefdoms and all assets, understand?"
"Your subject understands."
"Furthermore, the army is entering Level 1 combat readiness effective immediately. All port cities on the West Coast and south coasts are under martial law, with civilians evacuated and docks cleared. The coastal defense line is deployed in three lines, centered on the port cities. The first line is along the coastline, the second outside the ports, and the third within each city. The three lines of defense are connected by Soul-Conducting Communication to ensure smooth communication."
"Yes."
How many ships does the Star Luo Empire currently have as its main force?
The naval commander stood up and replied, "Four battleships, twelve cruisers, over thirty frigates, and several transport ships and auxiliary vessels. The main fleet is currently deployed at Star Luo Empire Port in the west."
"Move half of them to the south coast," Dai Tianling said. "Complete the deployment before the Federation Fleet arrives. Do not launch any attacks; remain in port and await orders, relying on coastal artillery and land-based Soul Tool to create crossfire. Do not act rashly."
"Yes."
After the meeting, Dai Tianling had Enci release Qilin Douluo Tongyu as well, but he didn't let him reveal himself. This was his trump card, prepared to catch people off guard.
Not only that, he also took out some Soul Tool that he had bought from the Tang Sect before.
Although Zang Xin stopped the Tang Sect's export of Soul Tool to the two continents under Mo Yuan's order, a considerable amount of inventory was still left behind.
"Hmph... Mo Yuan, I'd like to see if your Federation's army can take down my Star Luo Empire." Dai Tianling thought of the opponent he imagined and said softly.