When Xuanzi, the Gluttonous Douluo of Shrek Academy, was captured alive by Kong Deming, Shrek Academy had to reluctantly pay the exorbitant price of four high-quality soul bones to ransom him.
Despite Shrek Academy's best efforts to cover it up, the Sun Moon Empire intentionally or unintentionally used it as a topic of conversation to demonstrate its national power and publicized it extensively.
The news had already spread throughout the mainland, and even the high-ranking officials of the Dou Ling Empire in the northeast were well aware of it.
At this moment, the "lesson from the past" flashed quickly through the mind of Tianyang Douluo Qin Xu.
He quickly weighed the options: Shi Bing was Level 95, and Song Qinghan was level 92.
Although their individual strength and status were far inferior to Xuan Zi, who was at Level 98, the nature of their actions was far more egregious. They directly participated in the assassination of Kong Xuan, which undoubtedly touched a raw nerve.
Judging from Xuan Zi's "ransom" standards, he felt that four Soul Bone would probably be needed to satisfy the other party.
This will undoubtedly be a painful blow to the Dou Ling Empire's royal family, which is not particularly wealthy to begin with, but compared to triggering a war between the two countries, some costs must be paid.
Moreover, they could afford to exchange it for two Titled Douluo.
Having thought this through, Qin Xu had already made up his mind.
He took a deep breath, met Kong Deming's profound gaze, and slowly said, "Palace Master Kong, it is indeed our side that was at fault in this matter."
"We are willing to offer Soul Bone as compensation to redeem Shi Bing and Song Qinghan, and to express the apology of our Dou Ling Empire, hoping to resolve this conflict."
However, what he, Emperor Xue Xin who was listening intently behind him, and the other two attendants never expected was...
Without even a second's hesitation, Kong Deming shook his head, his tone calm yet resolute. "No, I don't want Soul Bone."
When Qin Xu heard this, his brows instantly furrowed, forming a profound "Chuan" character.
He never expected that Kong Deming would refuse so decisively and without the slightest hesitation!
Ten thousand years ago, Soul Bone were known as " Blood River Treasure " in the Soul Master World, meaning that the appearance of any Soul Bone could very likely trigger a bloody and brutal struggle.
Even today, ten thousand years later, Soul Bone are no longer as scarce as they were ten thousand years ago, but they are still top-tier treasures that can directly enhance Soul Master's strength, and a dream that countless Soul Master yearn for but can never attain in their entire lives!
In Qin Xu's view, using Soul Bone as compensation and ransom was already a very sincere offer, worthy of Titled Douluo's status, and could even be said to be a solution that would "satisfy" the other party.
He simply couldn't understand what Kong Deming could possibly demand besides Soul Bone, a kind of "hard currency."
"Lord Kong."
Suppressing his deepest doubts, Qin Xu spoke with unprecedented solemnity, " Soul Bone are the most precious treasures of Soul Master; they are extremely rare and hard to come by."
"Our Dou Ling Empire is willing to offer this as compensation, which demonstrates our sincerity."
"If you don't even value Soul Bone, I truly don't know what else could possibly quell this matter?"
Before coming here, Kong Deming had already discussed the matter carefully with Kong Xuan and determined the true purpose of their trip.
When Qin Xu asked what kind of compensation he wanted, Kong Deming stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "It's simple, I want a city from your Dou Ling Empire."
"What?! You want a city?!"
Emperor Xue Xin of the Dou Ling Sect almost screamed, his body trembling slightly from extreme shock and anger.
He may act irrationally and indulge in pleasure in his daily life, but as the ruler of a country, he still has the most basic political sensitivity!
Ceding territory and paying reparations—what a humiliating thing that is!
This is not just a simple loss of territory; it damages national dignity and tarnishes the dignity of the empire!
If he were to agree, Xue Xin would surely be nailed to the pillar of historical shame by the historians and become a sinner of the Dou Ling Empire for all time!
Compared to sacrificing a few pieces of Soul Bone, which, though painful, at least preserved his dignity, ceding territory was an absolute bottom line he could not accept!
"No! Absolutely not!"
Xue Xin shouted almost without regard for her image, her voice trembling with excitement. "You... you can change your conditions, anything is fine, except for the city, absolutely not!"
Qin Xu, who was standing to the side, was equally shocked, but he calmed down faster than Xue Xin.
He suppressed his anger, his voice low and resolute. "Lord Kong, we absolutely cannot accept your condition!"
"There are no directly bordering territories between the Sun Moon Empire and my Dou Ling Empire."
"If you acquire Dou Ling's city, it will be like driving a nail into the heart of my Dou Ling Empire!"
"At that time, the Sun Moon Empire's army and Soul Tool can be continuously deployed through this city, ready to launch an attack on the heartland of my Dou Ling at any time!"
He took a deep breath and said decisively, "On a strategic level concerning the survival of the nation, there is absolutely no room for negotiation on this condition! I request that Lord Kong propose a different condition!"
Kong Deming's seemingly excessive demand for the city was actually based on Kong Xuan's highly forward-thinking advice.
What the grandfather and grandson valued was not using it as a military stronghold to attack Dou Ling, but rather for a longer-term plan and the promotion of the Soul Spirit System.
To promote this revolutionary system of Soul Spirit across the entire continent, it is necessary to establish Spirit Pagoda in various locations.
If one could possess a city within the Dou Ling Empire that was entirely under their control, then establishing Spirit Pagoda, promoting technology, training personnel, and even managing it would all become perfectly legitimate and unimpeded.
This city will be the strategic fulcrum for influencing the entire Soul Master World of the Dou Ling Empire in the future.
At this moment, Kong Deming looked at the resolute expressions of refusal on the faces of Xue Xin, Qin Xu, and the others opposite him, and knew that it would be difficult to break the deadlock without resorting to drastic measures.
He gave the other party no more time to think or maneuver, his voice suddenly turning cold, carrying an undeniable forcefulness.
"So, you disagree?" He paused, then threw out a blatant threat. "This is the only condition; if you're unwilling to give..."
His gaze, like a cold blade, swept across Xue Xin's pale face. "Then my Sun Moon Empire will take matters into its own hands and conquer a city. This is not a difficult task for my Sun Moon Soul Engineer Legion."
Take it by force!
This is an open threat of war!
Upon hearing this, Qin Xu's heart sank, knowing that the other party had already put a knife to his neck.
His voice instantly became incredibly serious and forceful. "Palace Master Kong! We originally belonged to the Douluo Three Kingdoms, sharing the same breath and the common Sun Moon Empire!"
"If the Sun Moon Empire dares to launch a brazen attack on my Dou Ling, I dare say that the Heavenly Soul and Star Luo Empire Kingdoms will not stand idly by!"
"At that time, a single move will have far-reaching consequences, triggering a full-scale war that will engulf the entire continent!"
"Lord Kong, can you bear this responsibility?! And is the Sun Moon Empire truly prepared?!"
However, Kong Deming simply smiled faintly, a smile that carried a hint of mockery, but also an air of confidence that he was in complete control.
"Start a war?" He shook his head. "That's not quite right. This is not something our Sun Moon Empire initiated."
"It was your Dou Ling Empire that first sent Titled Douluo to assassinate my grandson, and it was also the heir of the Sun Moon Empire's Worship Hall who came first!"
"No matter where this matter is discussed, our Sun Moon Empire is absolutely in the right. We are only asking for a city as compensation, which is perfectly reasonable."
Xue Xin, Qin Xu, and the others were speechless, their faces turning pale and then red.
Yes, they did strike first and were caught red-handed, putting them in an extremely passive position.
Kong Deming was certain of this, which is why he dared to press forward so relentlessly.
Immense pressure hung over the hearts of everyone in the Dou Ling Empire like a dark cloud, making it almost impossible for them to breathe.
To agree would be to surrender our sovereignty and humiliate our nation; to refuse would likely lead to immediate armed conflict, and our side would be completely in the wrong!
What should we do now?