News that the Sun Moon Diplomatic Mission had reached the Star Luo Empire's border and was making its way toward the capital arrived in Star Luo City ahead of the delegation, sending a considerable shock through the imperial palace.
From the Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei down to every civil and military official at court, no one could believe that Sun Moon's request for peaceful diplomacy was actually genuine.
After the Soul Master Tournament ended and the Three Kingdoms' competing teams successfully escaped Mingdu, nearly all the Star Luo intelligence agents stationed there had withdrawn as well. For the past few months, the Star Luo side had known almost nothing about developments in Mingdu.
Only recently had they learned of the old Sun Moon Emperor's death. They had assumed that, barring any surprises, Xu Tianran would inherit imperial power and collude with the Holy Spirit Cult, jackals in the same den plotting war together.
Yet no one had expected Xu Tianran, who held the greatest advantage, to lose the struggle for power. The newly enthroned Sun Moon Emperor was a staunch advocate of peace, and had even made history by sending an official diplomatic mission to Star Luo for the first time.
In the Star Luo Imperial Palace, Xu Jiawei went to the empress's chambers as soon as his discussions with the ministers ended. Only before this beautiful woman, whom he regarded as his confidante, could he speak freely.
"I never imagined any of this would actually be true. This isn't a scheme to conceal the Sun Moon Empire's preparations for war, nor is it a short-term Armistice Agreement. It's a promise of comprehensive peace throughout his entire reign."
Everything around Xu Jiawei still felt somewhat unreal. Only in the presence of his beloved empress did he find a trace