With a smile on his face, Kong Xuan steadily handed the jade box, which carried the dream of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect for ten thousand years, to Ning Yuanshan.
Ning Yuanshan almost instinctively reached out his hands, which trembled slightly with extreme excitement. He carefully accepted the jade box as if holding the most fragile and precious treasure in the world.
The jade box felt warm and smooth to the touch, but what he felt was a scorching weight that could burn his soul.
The sect's long-cherished wish of ten thousand years, the opportunity that countless predecessors dreamed of but could never obtain, is now... truly in his hands.
This profound sense of mission and honor overwhelmed him, making it difficult for him to contain his emotions.
He lowered his head and stared at the jade box for a moment, as if trying to see through the lid and confirm the existence of the " Aromatic Silk Beauty " once again.
After a long while, he forcibly circulated his Soul Power to suppress his surging blood and agitated mind, allowing himself to calm down again.
He raised his head and looked at Kong Deming, who remained calm and composed, and Kong Xuan, who had a gentle smile. A bitter smile, tinged with embarrassment and self-deprecation, appeared on his face.
His voice was still slightly hoarse. "I... lost my composure, please forgive me."
However, the next moment, all the complex emotions on his face vanished, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity and determination.
He took a deep breath, looked firmly at Kong Deming, and said, "Words cannot express our gratitude for this generous gift; the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will never forget this kindness!"
"From this day forward, our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is willing to dedicate the entire strength of the school to join the great cause of building the Federation!"
"We are willing to work together with the Worship Hall to promote the implementation of the Federation system on the mainland!"
Kong Xuan's gift truly touched Ning Yuanshan's heart.
This Aromatic Silk Beauty tulip was far too important to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, making it impossible for Ning Yuanshan to refuse it.
However, in response to Ning Yuanshan's statement, Kong Deming simply smiled and waved his hand, saying, " Sect Master Ning, you flatter me. Although this item is rare, it is merely a gift that my grandson specially prepared for you. There is absolutely no intention of... seeking repayment for a favor."
Kong Deming's words were not merely politeness or calculation, but rather a strategy he and Kong Xuan had already devised.
This is not due to blind trust in Ning Yuanshan's character, but rather because a gentleman can be deceived by reason.
Based on their understanding of Ning Yuanshan, the sect leader of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, he was not a shameless scoundrel like Yan Shaozhe.
For someone like Ning Yuanshan, such an immense favor would not be met with mere verbal thanks; he would certainly repay it with corresponding, even unimaginable, concrete actions.
As expected, even though Kong Deming had said so, Ning Yuanshan still spoke up, saying, "Your Majesty the Silver Moon is so kind, I am deeply grateful! But precisely because of this, my Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect must make our intentions clear!"
"The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has been able to endure for ten thousand years and stand firm not only because of its Martial Soul talent and accumulated wealth, but also because of the courage and decisiveness of its sect leaders at crucial moments! To remain stagnant and complacent will only lead to being swallowed up by the tide of time."
His gaze was solemn as he looked at Kong Deming and said resolutely, "The continent is currently experiencing turbulent undercurrents, a period of great upheaval unprecedented in thousands of years! I, Ning Yuanshan, also have the courage to change course!"
"I believe in the future that Federation represents! I believe in Her Majesty the Silver Moon's talent and decisiveness! And I believe even more in my own judgment at this moment!"
Ten thousand years ago, the ancestor Ning Fengzhi saw hope for the sect's further advancement because of a Immortal Herb given to him by Tang San. He chose to give his all to support it, which ultimately laid the foundation for the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's eternal prosperity.
Ten thousand years later, Ning Yuanshan received the Aromatic Silk Beauty from Kong Xuan and saw an even more magnificent future blueprint for the sect. He also chose to believe in it wholeheartedly!
Kong Deming finally stopped being modest. He slowly stood up and extended his hand to Ning Yuanshan: "Very well! In that case, welcome to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. May we both join hands and create a brand new era!"
At this moment, nothing concerns the Sun Moon, nothing concerns the Dou Ling, only the future.
Kong Xuan watched this scene with a satisfied smile on his face.
Under his intervention and influence, the course of history naturally did not unfold as Tang San had planned.
However, the joining of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is just the beginning. To truly promote the Federation system, more forces need to join.
Kong Xuan already has a detailed plan for this. There's no rush. Everything will have to wait until the Soul Spirit technology is widely adopted.
That night, Ning Yuanshan warmly entertained Kong Deming and his grandson Kong Xuan with a banquet of the highest honors.
The conversation was very pleasant, and both host and guests enjoyed themselves immensely. Afterwards, arrangements were made for them to stay at the clan's residence, and the host extended the utmost hospitality.
The following day, if Kong Deming hadn't claimed that "an appointment had already been made with the Dou Ling Imperial Family," Ning Yuanshan wouldn't have even been willing to let these two distinguished guests leave.
Kong Deming and Kong Xuan had a very comfortable and pleasant night at the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
In stark contrast, Emperor Xue Xin and his high-ranking officials spent a sleepless night in the Dou Ling Empire's palace, embroiled in endless debate.
Finally, when Kong Deming stepped into the Dou Ling Palace again, he was met with the exhausted but resigned Dou Ling and his ministers.
After a series of perfunctory final negotiations, the Dou Ling Empire "agreed" to "lease" a city called " Heavenly Spring," located in the northern part of the empire near the edge of the Far North, to the Sun Moon Empire's Worship Hall.
Of course, the word "lease" was merely a diplomatic euphemism used to save face for the empire.
After all, the Worship Hall does not require paying a single Gold Soul Coin in rent, and the lease term is as long as one hundred years.
This city, just as Kong Deming promised, will become the foundation for the future establishment of the Spirit Pagoda in the Dou Ling Empire.
We captured Dou Ling City without shedding a drop of blood!
He left after accomplishing his task, concealing his identity and name.
Having resolved the matter of the Dou Ling Empire, Kong Deming and Kong Xuan did not return to the Sun Moon Empire, but instead turned to the Heavenly Soul Empire as originally planned.
The process in the Heavenly Soul Empire was very similar to that in the Dou Ling Empire.
The same powerful entrance, the same presentation of witnesses, the same explanation of the pros and cons, accompanied by the bright prospects of the Soul Spirit System and the cold warning of the threat of war.
After experiencing similar struggles, weighing options, and ultimately making a helpless compromise, Kong Deming royal family of the Heavenly Soul Empire also successfully secured a century-long "lease" for the Worship Hall, located in a small town called " Clear Stream " in the eastern part of the Heavenly Soul Empire.
Thus, Kong Xuan and Kong Deming's trip to the two countries came to a successful conclusion.
Through the clouds, the iconic, towering Soul Guidance Buildings of the Sun Moon Empire's Mingdu came into view.
Kong Deming and his grandson Kong Xuan, riding on the Silver Moon Divine Light Shield, silently returned to the Worship Hall.
After a long and arduous journey, involving continuous battles and maneuvering with the Dou Ling and Heavenly Soul Empires as well as the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect School, even Kong Xuan felt a sense of mental exhaustion.
He thought to himself that this matter was finally over for the time being, and he should now have some peace and quiet to focus on his cultivation.
However, his desire for tranquility was completely shattered less than a quarter of an hour after he stepped into the Worship Hall.
Two figures went straight to the quiet room where Kong Deming handled his affairs. The visitors were not outsiders; they were Du Busi other than Du Busi, the Body Sect, and Starry Sky Douluo Ye Yulin, who was also a retainer of the Worship Hall.
Du Busi remained as carefree as ever, but deep in his eyes lurked a hint of excitement, as if he were enjoying watching a good show.
Ye Yulin, on the other hand, had a serious expression and a hint of solemnity between his brows. Without saying much, he directly took out an item from his Space Soul Tool.
It was a square box, about the size of a palm, made entirely of dark metal, covered with intricate and complex soul-guiding patterns.
Kong Deming's gaze sharpened, and he reached out to take it.
He naturally recognized the object; it was a level-five recording Soul Tool.
Although it wasn't of high rank, its craftsmanship was quite exquisite. It was a little gadget that Kong Xuan had casually suggested earlier, and which was then made by a research institution under the Worship Hall.
It has no offensive or defensive capabilities; its only function is to record sound for extended periods with high fidelity.
Where did it come from?
Kong Deming stroked the cold box and asked in a deep voice.
He realized that the contents recorded here were probably the reason why Ye Yulin and Du Busi come together.