Led by Tang San and the three members of the Education Committee, they formally requested the Spirit Hall Empire to allow them to closely observe and learn about the Spirit Hall Empire's Soul Tool technology, expressing their great curiosity about such novelties.
This request was exactly what Bibi Dong had anticipated. She didn't care about it at all, and even welcomed it.
Demonstrating the advanced and powerful nature of Soul Tool technology is itself a form of intangible deterrence, allowing the Heaven Dou Empire to more clearly recognize the insurmountable gap between the two sides.
Therefore, Bibi Dong ordered that Prime Minister Ning Fengzhi personally accompany them, and that the newly promoted Level 99 National Preceptor from the Sun Moon Empire personally lead the reception and explanation, to demonstrate her "high regard" for the Heaven Dou delegation's "desire for knowledge".
When Tang San and the three members of the Education Committee, led by Ning Fengzhi and the Sun Moon National Teacher, stepped into the Soul Tool Research Institute, the core of the Spirit Hall Empire, and part of the Soul Tool Testing Grounds that were on public display, they felt that their worldview had been shocked like never before.
They saw soul-guided communication arrays capable of ultra-long-distance real-time communication; they saw Fixed-Installation Soul Cannon with immense power, enough to threaten even Soul Saint and Soul Douluo; they saw personal Soul Tool Thruster enabling short-range flight; they saw soul-guided farming tools used for large-scale agricultural cultivation; they saw sophisticated soul-guided medical equipment...
The principles, effectiveness, and industrial systems behind these Soul Tool were completely beyond their comprehension, as if they came from another, more advanced world, and were seriously out of touch with the Douluo Continent era they were familiar with, which was dominated by individual martial arts and cold weapons.
The three education commissioners, who had lived for decades and considered themselves well-informed, were now dumbfounded, muttering to themselves, "This... this is simply a miracle..."
Tang San's expression was even more solemn. His proud Tang Sect Hidden Weapons seemed so primitive and weak in the face of these systematic, large-scale, and incredibly powerful Soul Tool.
For the first time, he realized so clearly that the power of an individual, on some level, might not be able to compete with a highly developed technological system.
The shock and disbelief felt by the members of the Heaven Dou delegation, however, became a source of immense psychological satisfaction and pleasure for the Sun Moon Empire's Soul Engineer were responsible for the demonstration and explanation.
Since arriving in the Douluo Continent with Xuan Ming, they've discovered it's practically a paradise for Soul Engineer!
Even the most ordinary Level 3 Soul Engineer can enjoy far more courtesy and respect here than in the Sun Moon Empire, and obtain valuable research resources and practical opportunities.
What excited them even more was that, judging from the subtle hints from the high-ranking officials of the Spirit Hall Empire, the empire was actively planning to open a stable sea route connecting the two continents and to establish long-term trade and exchanges with the Sun Moon Empire.
This means that the generous treatment and development opportunities they receive here are not just a fleeting moment; in the future, they may even bring their families here and settle down in this new continent full of opportunities.
This stable expectation and broad prospects for the future have greatly motivated these Soul Engineer from the Sun Moon Empire, and their enthusiasm for research and development has soared to unprecedented heights.
After all, in the Sun Moon Empire, the Soul Tool industry has become saturated after many years of development, and competition is fierce.
On the Douluo Continent side, it is almost a fertile land that has not yet been cultivated. Any capable Soul Engineer can find a place to use their skills and be valued and promoted.
Such an opportunity is extremely rare.
After the visit, Tang San and the three education committee members returned to the embassy with heavy hearts and profound shock.
They need time to process what they have seen today, and they also need to reassess the real challenges facing the Heaven Dou Empire.
The Spirit Hall Empire demonstrated not only military superiority, but also a technological and institutional advantage that represented a future direction and was akin to a game-changer.
Pope's Palace, Xu Hong, the Grand Preceptor of the Sun Moon Empire, respectfully reported to Xuan Ming on the recent situation of leading the Heaven Dou delegation on a tour.
"Your Excellency, the members of the Heaven Dou delegation, especially the three education committee members, were utterly shocked when they saw the Soul Tool in our academy. Their reaction was no different from that of the natives we encountered when we first arrived in the Spirit Hall Empire." Xu Hong's tone carried an undisguised sense of superiority, then he changed the subject, "As for that Tang San you specifically mentioned..."
He paused slightly, organizing his thoughts. "This child is indeed extraordinary. As you instructed, I probed him several times and gifted him some basic books on the principles and structure of Soul Tool. In subsequent interactions, I discovered that this child possesses an almost instinctive and keen insight and understanding of Soul Tool, or rather, of all intricate mechanisms and energy circuits. This... is a talent, an extremely rare talent for Soul Engineer."
Xu Hong's tone even carried a hint of regret. "If this child were in my Sun Moon Empire, with his Soul Master talent, coupled with such a talent for Soul Tool, his achievements would be limitless in the future. To be honest, Your Excellency, I even felt a fondness for his talent and was quite tempted to take him under my wing and teach him carefully."
Xuan Ming sat by the window, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest. After listening to Xu Hong's report, he said calmly, "If you want to take it, then go ahead and try. But he most likely won't accept it."
Upon hearing this, Xu Hong asked with some curiosity, "Oh? Could it be that this child already has a master? I wonder who his master is, that he could teach such a disciple?"
He was indeed curious about the person who could cultivate someone as talented as Tang San.
Xuan Ming glanced at him and casually said, "His teacher is Yu Xiaogang. You can look it up yourself. That guy is now the Grand Preceptor of the Heaven Dou Empire, just like you, a Grand Preceptor."
A hint of surprise flashed in Xu Hong's eyes, followed by understanding.
He understood what Xuan Ming meant. As the Grand Preceptor of an empire, a man of great prestige, Tang San, as his disciple, was indeed unlikely to easily switch allegiances.
"If you're interested, you can go to the Heaven Dou Empire yourself and meet this Yu Xiaogang," Xuan Ming said casually.
Xu Hong bowed and replied, "Yes, I understand."
He will remember this incident, and perhaps in the future, he will have the opportunity to see who this "national teacher" who could teach a genius like Tang San is.
However, a lingering doubt remained in his mind, and he couldn't help but ask, "Your Excellency, please forgive my impertinence, but you seem... to be particularly interested in this boy?"
He was naturally referring to Tang San. Given Xuan Ming's status and strength, he shouldn't be so concerned about a young Soul Master.
Xuan Ming glanced outside the hall. "I wouldn't say I care that much. I'm just a little curious, wanting to see if he'll go back to his old ways."
Chapter 428 Opportunities and Choices
"Back to your old ways?" Xu Hong was taken aback.
"In his past life... or rather, in his original understanding and experience, he was an assassin of the Tang Sect." Xuan Ming did not explain the meaning of "past life" in detail, but Xu Hong could roughly understand that it was a metaphor, referring to Tang San's past special experience related to killing.
"His upbringing shaped his extraordinary way of thinking. I won't judge him by worldly morality; that's meaningless."
Xuan Ming paused, then continued, "But now, he is the King Blue Clear Sky of the Heaven Dou Empire, an envoy representing the empire's honor. His status, position, and responsibilities are all different. Under these circumstances, when faced with temptations or choices, will he still make the same choices as before? I'm quite curious."
"Besides, he's a friend's nephew. I'll give him a chance out of consideration for that friend."
"As for whether he can seize the opportunity, and how he will seize it, that's his own business."
Xu Hong felt a chill run down his spine after hearing this.
He understood that Xuan Ming's attention to Tang San was not out of appreciation or hostility, but rather more like a condescending observation with a hint of amusement.
He gave Tang San an "opportunity" to access Soul Tool and explore another possibility, but behind this opportunity lay tests and choices.
As for what exactly this "opportunity" is, and how Tang San will choose, only time will tell.
"Understood, subordinate." Xu Hong asked no further questions, bowed respectfully, and quietly withdrew from the side hall.
Silence returned to the hall.
Xuan Ming remained standing by the window, his icy blue eyes as deep and unfathomable as an abyss.
He did give Tang San an opportunity—an opportunity to come into contact with Soul Tool and the "new world" presented by the Spirit Hall Empire. If Tang San was smart enough to see the bigger picture, he might have been able to find a different path.
But the prerequisite is that he must let go of the hatred that is already deeply rooted in his bones, and his obsession with the past.
This is difficult. Xuan Ming knows it very well.
But he still gave him the opportunity. Partly because of Tang Yuehua and Xiao Wu's relationship, and perhaps partly, it was just a trivial... idle act in his long Life.
He didn't care about the outcome. Ultimately, he had to walk his own path.
The main hall of the Pope's Palace.
The hall was brightly lit, but it felt less somber than usual, and more like a busy place where government affairs were being handled. A mountain of scrolls and documents was piled on the enormous desk.
Hu Liena sat upright in the secondary seat on one side of the desk, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, intently reviewing memorials. She wore the exclusive dress of the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall Empire, exuding both nobility and majesty, and her once charming eyes now held a calm and capable air.
Since returning from Sea God Island and being officially appointed as the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall Empire and the first in line to inherit the throne, her identity and status have undergone earth-shattering changes, along with an immense workload.
After confirming that Hu Liena was capable of shouldering great responsibilities, Empress Bibi Dong unceremoniously entrusted her with two-thirds of the empire's daily administrative affairs, euphemistically calling it "training."
Bibi Dong herself retreated behind the scenes, focusing more on mastering the Asura Demon Sword and refining her own power.
At this moment, Bibi Dong stood by the window of the main hall, holding the dark red demonic sword that exuded endless killing intent— the Asura Demon Sword. Her fingertips gently brushed across the blade, feeling the terrifying power contained within, and a complex emotion flashed in her purple-gold eyes.
After a period of dedicated training and adaptation, she has become quite proficient in using the Asura Demon Sword and can mobilize most of its power.
However, she could always sense a faint sense of distance, as if the sword did not fully acknowledge her as its master.
She knew the reason— the Divine Power of the Rakshasa God still existed within her.
The Asura God, who wields judgment and slaughter, represents a Destruction force that represents a relative "order".
The Rakshasa God symbolizes the darkest evil thoughts and depravity in the human heart; it is the embodiment of chaos and Evil.
These two Divine Power are inherently conflicting and mutually exclusive.
The Asura Demon Sword instinctively repelled the power belonging to the Rakshasa God within her body. This repulsion prevented her from truly achieving the highest level of unity between herself and the sword, where they could be used as one.
But there was nothing she could do about it. The power of the Rakshasa God had long been deeply integrated with her, an indispensable part of her power system, and the foundation upon which she relied for survival and revenge in her desperate situation. She could not give it up.
Now, she is like a collection of contradictions, wielding both the Rakshasa power that breeds evil thoughts and the Asura sword that judges evil thoughts.
These two diametrically opposed forces achieved a delicate and dangerous balance within her.
Perhaps only through the combination of these contradictory forces can she truly master the vast and complex machine of the Spirit Hall Empire, balance the various factions, and implement the radical and risky new policies.
She sighed softly and put down the Asura Demon Sword. Turning to look at Hu Liena, who was working at her desk, her gaze softened.
" Nana," Bibi Dong walked to the desk, casually picked up a document she had finished reviewing, glanced at it, and asked in a casual tone, "How have things been between you and Xuan Ming lately?"
In the past, she would never have asked such a private question so bluntly.
But now, having experienced so much, she has long since let go of those unnecessary inhibitions and awkwardness.
Upon hearing this, Hu Liena paused slightly in her hand, raised her head, and a helpless smile appeared on her usually cool face, "Teacher, why did you suddenly ask this?"
She put down her pen, rubbed her slightly sore wrists, and said frankly, "What else can I do? Same as before."
"The same?" Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," Hu Liena sighed, "Don't you know Xuan Ming? He's completely clueless about romance, let alone initiating sweet talk with girls. Most of the time, he's passive, or you could even say... oblivious."
She paused, her tone tinged with a hint of complaint and heartache. "Besides, ever since the God's Trial began, he's been so busy he barely has time to breathe. He's either dealing with the God's Trial tasks or researching those profound rules and powers. He barely has any time to rest, so how could he possibly have the mind or energy to think about those romantic things?"
After hearing this, Bibi Dong was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head, "That's true... why would I worry about that kind of thing?"
She walked to the head of the table and sat down, her fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, her eyes somewhat unfocused. "That guy is indeed greedy, and a womanizer at heart. This stems from the unfillable emptiness and lack of love he had in the past. Therefore, it's hard for him to harden his heart and refuse those who are genuinely good to him."
"However," Bibi Dong changed the subject, a hint of understanding in her voice, "Being unable to resist doesn't mean he'll take the initiative. For Xuan Ming, even if he accepts you girls deep down, the actual way he interacts with you probably won't be much different from before."
She even smiled with a hint of doubt, "Sometimes I wonder if he treats girls like Xiao Wu and Ah Yin simply as children who need to be taken care of."
Xuan Ming's boundaries in the realm of emotions have always been blurred and chaotic.
If we're talking about clear, passionate love between a man and a woman, he doesn't possess much of it.
As far as she knew, perhaps only she and Gu Yuena could reach that level.
As for the others, it's more of a habitual closeness and dependence on "family," or an attachment to the older sister and a preference for the younger sister.
Little Ah Yin is the most obvious example. Xuan Ming treated her purely as an older brother caring for his younger sister, and Little Ah Yin completely regarded Xuan Ming as an irreplaceable older brother.
These intricate emotional connections cannot be fully encompassed by the narrow term "love."
It is precisely because Bibi Dong clearly understands this that she has long lost interest in so-called "jealousy and rivalry."
Because she understood that Xuan Ming was probably incapable of even comprehending emotions like "jealousy," let alone dealing with them.
In his complex and chaotic emotional world, there exists a unique set of operating rules that are difficult for outsiders to understand.
Hu Liena listened to her teacher's words and nodded thoughtfully. She had to admit that her teacher's analysis was correct.
Xuan Ming's way of treating them was indeed more like the tolerance and protection of "his own people" than the traditional romantic love between men and women.
"So, teacher," Hu Liena picked up her pen again, a helpless yet relieved smile playing on her lips, "Instead of thinking about all that nonsense, it's better to finish these administrative tasks first. Hoping he'll suddenly become enlightened is like hoping the sun will rise in the west tomorrow."
"That's right. Then... let's get back to work."
Chapter 429 Returning Home in Glory
Three months passed quietly amidst a seemingly calm but actually turbulent diplomatic tug-of-war.
The delegation from the Heaven Dou Empire has finally reached the point where it must return.
Looking back on this trip to Spirit City, it's difficult to simply conclude whether the objective was achieved.
From the perspective of the "peace talks" themselves, it can be said to be "successful" - the Spirit Hall Empire clearly stated that it would not initiate war in the short term, and even announced to the world in the form of an official announcement that it would not launch a surprise attack, and "kindly" suggested that the Heaven Dou Empire no longer need to maintain that huge standing army that costs a lot of money and has boiling public resentment, so as not to drag down the country's strength.
In the propaganda of the Spirit Hall Empire, this announcement is seen as a manifestation of a "responsible major power" and a consideration "for the peace of the continent and the well-being of the people of the Heaven Dou Empire ".
However, in the eyes of the Heaven Dou Empire's high command and the delegation members, this was tantamount to a blatant, humiliating, and contemptuous "charity" and "ultimatum."
The peace of the Heaven Dou Empire actually needs to rely on the "mercy" and "promises" of an enemy nation to be maintained? This is simply a huge joke, an unprecedented disgrace since the founding of the empire!
But what can they do? Protest? Condemn? Or even tear up this "peace agreement"?
They dare not.
The scene of Xuan Ming destroying the border fortresses and capital defenses of the two great empires with absolute violence a few years ago is etched into the minds of every high-ranking official like Nightmare.
That's no longer the traditional idea that " Soul Grandmaster can influence the course of a battle." It's absolute violence that can dominate war and even the order of the human world with one's own power!
Faced with this level of power, any military confrontation would seem pale and powerless.
Titled Douluo wouldn't last more than a few rounds against such an existence.