However, the astonishment he had anticipated did not materialize.
Chapter 425 The Unimaginable Spirit Hall Empire
Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat... strange.
Ning Rongrong blinked her big eyes, her tone tinged with uncertainty. "Level 68... Soul Emperor?"
Xiao Wu tilted her head and looked at Tang San: " Xiao San, all these years, have you been so focused on building the Tang Sect that you haven't been cultivating properly?"
Although Zhu Zhuqing did not speak, a hint of doubt flashed in her cool eyes.
Tang San was taken aback by their reactions. A level 68 Soul Emperor —wasn't that astonishing enough? His father, Tang Hao, at that age, hadn't achieved what he had.
Just then, a dazzling nine-colored light suddenly shone from Ning Rongrong's body, and a powerful surge of Soul Power was released without reservation! That profound aura was... at the Soul Douluo level!
"I'm level 83 now," Ning Rongrong said with a grin.
Immediately afterwards, pink light flowed around Xiao Wu, and an even more powerful Soul Power, imbued with a resilient Life force, erupted—Level 85 Soul Douluo!
Zhu Zhuqing's figure blurred slightly, her shadowy aura filling the living room, cold and sharp—a level 84 Soul Douluo!
The three girls were all around the same age as Tang San, or even a little younger than him, but their cultivation levels had all reached the Soul Douluo realm!
Moreover, judging from the solidity of his Soul Power, it was definitely not forcibly enhanced by drugs, but rather achieved through genuine cultivation!
Tang San was completely dumbfounded.
He stared blankly at the three powerful young women before him, his mind completely blank.
The twenty-two-year-old Soul Emperor had a very high probability of breaking through to Soul Saint at the age of twenty-three. He originally thought he was a chosen one of heaven and the pinnacle of his peers.
But now... Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, they've all become Soul Douluo?!
How is that possible?!
Even if the Spirit Hall poured all its resources into nurturing him, it would be impossible for someone's cultivation to leap so dramatically in just seven years! This completely exceeded his understanding of the laws governing Soul Master cultivation!
Seeing Tang San's dumbfounded expression, as if his worldview had been turned upside down, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but chuckle, "Scared, aren't you? Our experiences these past few years... have been rather unique."
Xiao Wu covered her mouth and chuckled, "Yes, the assessments on Sea God Island were tough, but the progress was also rapid."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, which was taken as tacit agreement.
They didn't explain the Sea God Island and the God's Trial in detail, but those few words, along with their genuine Soul Douluo cultivation level, were enough to say everything.
Tang San opened his mouth, but found himself unable to say anything. An indescribable sense of loss and a huge gap in their relationship surged into his heart like a tide. The distance he thought he had narrowed now seemed so vast.
He looked at Xiao Wu, and seeing her confident and bright smile, he felt a mix of emotions.
She's become so powerful; what has she gone through all these years? And what role does she play in the Spirit Hall Empire now? And what is her relationship with that Xuan Ming...?
Countless questions and complex emotions weighed on his chest, making him feel a suffocating heaviness.
This reunion was far more impactful than he had imagined.
Seeing Tang San's worldview seemingly completely overturned and his utterly dejected appearance, Ning Rongrong felt a little guilty and even secretly glad that she had only shown her Soul Power Level and hadn't revealed her Soul Ring.
If Tang San were to see her current "four purple, three black, and one red" Soul Ring Configuration, especially that eerie red one symbolizing a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, wouldn't Tang San's mentality probably collapse on the spot?
There's also Xiao Wu's "purple-purple-black-black-black-black-red", Zhu Zhuqing's "yellow-yellow-purple-purple-black-black-red"... Any one of these Soul Ring Configuration would be enough to shake the entire Soul Master World! Especially that Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, which is a legendary existence!
The Sacred Pillar Trial they underwent on Sea God Island, though fraught with peril, yielded astonishing rewards.
Not only did his Soul Power Level skyrocket, but the age of his Soul Ring was also directly blessed and increased by the Sea God, which is why he possessed such an incredible configuration.
However, seeing Tang San's dejected expression, Ning Rongrong felt a pang of sympathy. Her eyes darted around, and she smiled, suggesting, "Alright, alright, stop standing there like an idiot! We've come all this way to Spirit City, let's show you around! Spirit City has changed so much, it's completely different from when we had our competition!"
Xiao Wu immediately chimed in, "Yes, yes! We haven't been back long, let's go out and see some new things!"
Although Zhu Zhuqing didn't speak, she nodded.
Tang San was pulled back to reality by their voices. Looking at the three women's sincere smiles, the disappointment and shock in his heart lessened slightly. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his turbulent emotions, and nodded. "Okay... okay."
He genuinely wanted to see what Spirit City had become.
The group left the embassy and arrived on the streets of Spirit City.
Just as Ning Rongrong said, the current Spirit City is completely different from what it was seven years ago.
The city's size has increased several times over, and a more magnificent outer city area has been built outside the original city walls.
The streets are wide and clean, with a well-planned layout. Many new buildings that incorporate Soul Tool technology stand on both sides, radiating a unique luster of metal and energy.
The pedestrians were bustling about, most of them looking hurried, exuding a busy yet energetic atmosphere.
What caught Tang San's attention even more was that the soldiers patrolling the streets were well-equipped, and many of them carried uniquely designed Soul Tool, which were clearly not just for show.
"Look over there," Ning Rongrong pointed to a towering building in the distance, its top inlaid with a huge blue crystal, "That's the newly built Soul Guidance Communication Tower. Through it, messages can be transmitted to all parts of the Empire very quickly, much faster than using carrier pigeons or Soul Master before!"
She then pointed to the occasional horse-drawn vehicles that drove by Soul Power on the street. "Those are soul-guided freight cars. They have a large carrying capacity and run fast, making them very convenient for transporting supplies."
Xiao Wu pointed to some small soul-guided devices placed at the entrances of shops that could automatically clean the streets, and some constant-temperature Soul Tool provided in public areas that relied on Soul Power to maintain their temperature, chattering away as she introduced them.
Although Zhu Zhuqing was a woman of few words, she would sometimes pause in front of certain soul guidance facilities that were clearly used for vigilance or defense, and signal to Tang San with her eyes that he should pay attention.
Tang San walked silently, watching and listening.
He saw orderly city management, Soul Tool Technology beginning to integrate into the lives of ordinary people, the actual constraints imposed on the Soul Master class, and the hope for the future on the faces of the lower classes.
All of this was far removed from his perception of the "tyrannical empire," and even from the negative propaganda about the Spirit Hall that he had come across.
As Ning Rongrong walked, she casually introduced the Spirit Hall Empire's strengths and advancements in areas such as Soul Tool Technology, improvement of people's livelihoods, and institutional reforms.
Tang San wasn't stupid; he could naturally understand the guiding meaning in Ning Rongrong's words. But he had to admit that what he saw before him had indeed brought him a huge shock.
An empire that rose to power through military force is now heavily investing in domestic affairs and technology? This defies all logic!
On the other hand, a terrible thought began to grow in his mind: if the path taken by the Spirit Hall Empire truly succeeds, then the attraction it brings will far surpass that of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empire, which rely on the old system of nobles and Soul Master privileges! If this continues, the two great empires may even lose the hearts of their people!
"So, Xiao San, isn't Spirit City quite different now?" Ning Rongrong asked with a smile, a hint of barely perceptible anticipation in her eyes.
Tang San was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, his tone complex. "Indeed... beyond imagination."
His doubts and vigilance did not diminish; on the contrary, they deepened. The "soft power" displayed by the Spirit Hall Empire was more unsettling than a simple military threat.
The incredible advancements in cultivation of Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing, along with the completely renovated Spirit City, seemed like a fog shrouding Tang San's mind, causing him to have even deeper concerns about the prospects of this peace talks and the future direction of the continent.
He must be more cautious and find a way to uncover the hidden truth behind this.
Chapter 426 Negotiation
As night fell, the Spirit City was illuminated by lanterns, the colorful lights from the Soul Tool making the city as bright as day. Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing escorted the somewhat absent-minded Tang San back to the embassy entrance.
"I had a great time shopping today, Xiao San, you should get some rest!" Ning Rongrong said with a smile and waved goodbye.
Xiao Wu smiled at him and said, "See you tomorrow, Xiao San."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Tang San forced a smile, watching the three women disappear around the street corner before turning and entering the embassy. The smile vanished instantly, replaced by deep solemnity and an undisguised weariness.
The amount of information today was overwhelming. The terrifying cultivation levels of Ning Rongrong and the other two, the earth-shaking changes in Martial Spirit City, and those unheard-of Soul Tool technologies... all of this struck his understanding like a heavy hammer.
"Finally done..." Ning Rongrong rubbed her slightly sore calves, then, as if suddenly remembering something, slapped her forehead, "Oh dear! I forgot to ask Oscar how they are doing!"
Although she didn't have a good impression of Yu Xiaogang and Dai Mubai, she still cared about the other teachers and classmates at the Shrek Academy.
I remember Oscar once vowed to cultivate diligently so that he would be qualified to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in the future.
"Never mind, it's getting late. I'll find another opportunity to ask the Xiao San tomorrow." Ning Rongrong shook her head, putting the matter aside for the time being.
Her main task for the day—to show Tang San around Spirit City and demonstrate the empire's "new look"—was basically completed.
As for the outcome, that depends on what Tang San thinks.
The following afternoon.
After a day of rest and internal discussions, the formal peace talks between the Heaven Dou Empire delegation and the Spirit Hall Empire were held in the central council hall of Spirit City.
The venue was decorated in a solemn and dignified manner. On the side of the Spirit Hall Empire, Prime Minister Ning Fengzhi the leader, flanked by important officials from various departments of the empire, as well as several members of the Elder Hall with profound auras, forming a powerful lineup.
On the side of the Heaven Dou Empire, King Blue Clear Sky Tang San members of the Education Committee as his assistants. Although the number of people was small, they represented the face of the Heaven Dou Empire.
After a brief opening and polite greetings, the meeting got down to business.
However, the "peace talks," which were highly anticipated by both empires, proceeded in an unexpectedly... direct, even bizarre, manner.
As the representative of the Spirit Hall Empire, Ning Fengzhi did not mince words and directly stated the empire's position:
"First of all, on behalf of Her Majesty the Empress of the Spirit Hall Empire, I welcome you all. Regarding relations between our two countries, the Empire can clearly inform you that, in the foreseeable future, at least for the next few years, the Empire has no plans to initiate war."
He glanced around at the members of the Heaven Dou delegation and continued, "As you have seen along the way, the Empire is currently focused on domestic reforms, the promotion of Soul Tool Technology, and the construction of basic industries. Its priority is self-development, and it has no time to attend to other matters."
This opening statement put the Heaven Dou delegation at ease, as it seemed they wouldn't have to worry about war in the short term.
However, Ning Fengzhi's next words made their hearts sink again.
"However," Ning Fengzhi changed the subject, his tone still calm but his words sharp as a knife, "The Empire's long-term goal has never changed. Unifying the continent, eliminating separatism, and establishing a new, unified order are the Empire's established national policies, and will not be shaken by any external factors."
"The empire currently occupies mostly the border regions of the two former empires, far less resource-rich and populous than their heartlands. For the empire's continued development, and to extend the benefits of this new order to more people, future expansion is inevitable."
He looked at Tang San, his gaze profound. "Therefore, please understand that peace is temporary. When the empire completes its internal integration and its strength further increases, the continent will be reunited. At that time, the choice between war and peace may not be in your country's hands."
A hush fell over the hall. The faces of the Heaven Dou delegation members turned grim. Their opponent had so bluntly stated their ultimate goal! This left absolutely no room for negotiation!
Ning Fengzhi seemed oblivious to the change in their expressions, and calmly continued, "However, please rest assured, Your Excellency, and please convey to Your Majesty that the realization of this long-term goal is not imminent. The Empire needs time to complete its internal accumulation and reforms. At least for the next few years, or even longer, the Empire will not initiate war."
"During this period of peace, the Empire hopes to maintain normal trade relations and personnel exchanges with the Heaven Dou Empire. Of course, if your country is willing to engage in deeper discussions on this issue, such as... peacefully merging into the Empire and jointly creating the future, the Empire will also open its doors and guarantee the maximum protection of the interests of your royal family and subjects."
In other words, we'll fight you sooner or later, but not now. We're busy building up our infrastructure and don't have time for war. You can use this time to think carefully: do you want to wait until we're strong enough to wipe you out, or do you want to be sensible and surrender now and maybe even get some benefits?
This "peace declaration," which was almost like an ultimatum, carried a condescending confidence and... contempt.
The members of the Heaven Dou delegation felt a surge of immense humiliation. They represented the Heaven Dou Empire, which dominated the northern part of the continent; how could they have ever been treated so bluntly, almost like a death sentence?
The three education committee members had livid faces and tightly pressed lips. Tang San's hands, which were under the table, unconsciously clenched into fists, his nails digging deep into his palms.
However, they dared not retaliate.
Because they knew that Ning Fengzhi was not lying.
The Spirit Hall Empire does indeed possess such strength, especially with the unfathomable presence of Xuan Ming.
If they react excessively at this moment, giving the other side an excuse, no one can predict what the consequences will be.
They cannot bear the responsibility that could trigger a war between the two countries and cause immense suffering!
The atmosphere inside the venue was so heavy it was almost palpable.
Ultimately, this highly anticipated peace talks ended abruptly in an extremely strange and oppressive atmosphere.
No substantive agreement was reached between the two sides; the Spirit Hall Empire merely unilaterally declared its "peace period" and its ultimate intentions.
The Heaven Dou delegation left the council hall filled with humiliation, worry, and an even deeper sense of crisis.
Meanwhile, the Spirit Hall Empire calmly packed up their documents, as if it had just been a routine daily meeting.
For the Spirit Hall Empire, this peace talk may simply be a gesture, a declaration.
The real game has long since moved beyond the negotiating table.
Chapter 427 Tang San's Talent
The results of the initial peace talks, along with detailed meeting minutes, were urgently sent by the Heaven Dou delegation to Heaven Dou City as a confidential document, to be reported to the ailing Xue Ye.
According to normal diplomatic procedures, if His Majesty the Emperor is not satisfied with the outcome of this negotiation and believes that the expected goals have not been achieved, the mission will prepare for the next round of negotiations based on new instructions.
However, everyone knew perfectly well that this was merely a formality.
The Spirit Hall Empire's attitude was clear and unquestionable, even carrying a sense of condescending final declaration.
Even if we sit down at the negotiating table again, the other side will never change its core position. It will simply be a repetition of the previous process, or some minor adjustments, which will have no impact on the overall situation.
While waiting for a response from Heaven Dou City, the Heaven Dou delegation began to explore the true purpose of their trip.