At the absurd price quoted by the other party, all of the Ten Elders in the conference room looked grim.
That was five million Spirit Coins!
Converted into real-world currency, it came to a full fifty billion!
And that was the price for just one person!
Of course, with Dragon Country's vast resources, that amount of money was hardly an issue.
The problem was that Spirit Coins were far too difficult to obtain!
Even a country as wealthy and powerful as Dragon Country currently held only twenty million Spirit Coins.
"Accept his offer!"
Jiang Daoguo's expression was thunderous as he spoke through gritted teeth.
As far as he was concerned, spending some money was nothing. It was far better than sacrificing human lives!
Wu Guang understood what he meant and immediately said in a low voice:
"Deal! Make the preparations on your end. I'll give you the exact number of people by tomorrow at the latest!"
The National Spirit Bureau was still comparing footage from the instances.
However slowly the work progressed, they would definitely have results by tomorrow.
"Doing business with Dragon Country is always such a pleasure."
A smug laugh came from the other end of the line.
Wu Guang suppressed his fury, gave a cold snort, and hung up.
"Damn it! That bastard is clearly jacking up the price because he has us over a barrel!"
Li Yan shook his head and said slowly:
"Enough. Five million for a player who can clear an instance is absolutely worth it."
"It's just a shame the slots are limited. Otherwise, even if I had to sell everything we owned, I'd fill every slot in that instance!"
Everyone immediately understood what he meant.
Old Li's fear of insufficient firepower was acting up again.
But a moment later, Jiang Daoguo frowned slightly and said worriedly:
"Don't you think they're deliberately making things difficult for us?"
"If I'm right, that price of five million per slot could still change."
"And if they find out about Tang Xiaoling, they might not give us a single slot!"
At those words, everyone fell silent.
How could they not be aware of that possibility?
But the other side could interfere with instances, while they could not.
They simply did not want to face it.
After all, that sense of helplessness was utterly despairing.
It was like being held by the throat, completely powerless to fight back!
Seeing everyone's spirits sink, Jiang Daoguo heaved a deep sigh and said:
"Forget it. Let's just get the Spirit Coins ready."
"As for the final outcome, all we can do is give it our best and leave the rest to fate."
Give it their best and leave the rest to fate...
For such words to come from the Ten Elders, who stood at the very pinnacle of power, showed just how helpless they were.
Yet that only strengthened their determination to forge a connection with Tang Long!
As long as he was willing to help Dragon Country, the Sacred Soul Hall would be nothing.
Even every country on Blue Star combined could not stop Dragon Country from growing stronger!
Yet just as everyone was brimming with resolve...
At the Sacred Soul Hall Headquarters in the Vatican.
Six people in red robes sat around a round conference table.
Each wore a loose hood that concealed their face.
On each person's chest hung a circular ornament resembling a six-pointed star formation.
"They agreed?"
An elderly voice posed the question.
"Very readily!"
The deep voice that had spoken to Wu Guang earlier answered, its tone heavy with mockery.
"These people from Dragon Country are so amusing. Always so naive!"
The elderly speaker laughed derisively, his words dripping with disdain.
But no sooner had he finished than a woman with a shrill voice burst into unrestrained laughter:
"Naive? That's far too kind a word!"
"If you ask me, they're simply stupid!"
"Do they really think we don't know what they're trying to do?"
"Tsk, tsk. They don't deserve such a noble princess. She can only belong to us!"
The others joined in with mocking laughter.
Then the elderly voice spoke again:
"Send some of our people to Dragon Country."
"That little girl may be a princess, and her father, Tang Long, may have the power to interfere with instances."
"But none of that matters to us."
"We only need to prevent Dragon Country from making contact with the father and daughter."
"If necessary, kill Tang Xiaoling!"
By the end, his voice was filled with murderous intent!
Even the atmosphere in the room instantly grew oppressive.
Then the elderly voice rang out again:
"All right, let us return to our earlier business."
"The Holy Lord has issued an order. There is a divine artifact in the upcoming Vatican instance."
"We must find it, no matter what we have to sacrifice!"
"I have already arranged the personnel. Now we need only wait for the next instance to descend."
"To prevent any mishaps..."
At that, the old man looked at the person opposite him. "Li, you have just been promoted to elder."
"You will lead the team this time."
"It will be the perfect opportunity to silence those under us who refuse to accept you."
The man called Li answered in fluent Dragon Country speech:
"Understood, First Elder Sadis."
But no sooner had he spoken than the shrill-voiced woman said with undisguised disgust:
"Li, I've told you many times already."
"Do not use that vulgar language here!"
"Your Dragon Country language is a major reason those people refuse to accept you!"
Faced with her rebuke, Li said nothing and simply sat calmly in his seat.
The woman seemed long accustomed to this and snorted:
"Every time, it's the same. You're like a block of wood!"
But upon hearing that, First Elder Sadis said with slight displeasure:
"Casey, Li is no longer your subordinate. He is now an elder, just as you are."
"Watch your tone when you speak to him from now on."
"You know that the Holy Lord despises people who disregard the rules!"
At those words, Casey seemed to recall something terrifying. She shuddered involuntarily and hurriedly apologized:
"I'm sorry, First Elder. I'll be more careful from now on!"
Seeing her admit her mistake, the First Elder stopped reprimanding her and returned to the matter at hand:
"According to the Holy Lord's guidance, only two days remain before the next instance descends."
"Li, you have my permission to select the Spirit Walkers personally. You must find that divine artifact!"
Spirit Walkers were players who had cleared instances of Extreme difficulty or higher.
Their strength was second only to that of the six elders!
They could be called the very backbone of the Sacred Soul Hall!
As for the six members of the Elder Council, even the weakest had cleared an instance of Nightmare difficulty!
"Yes!" Li answered respectfully before asking:
"First Elder, did the Holy Lord say which Evil Spirit Instance this would be? I'd like to prepare."
Sadis considered briefly before replying:
"No. The Holy Lord only said that this Evil Spirit Instance accommodates five people and is of Extreme difficulty."
"With your strength and four Spirit Walkers, there should be no problem."
"But do not grow careless. Finding the divine artifact takes priority over everything!"
"Even if it means sacrificing those four Spirit Walkers!"
Before you continue