Yellow Springs Dew Again

Yu Tianshuang: "It seems that what Qian Renxue said back then was not an exaggeration. If it weren't for the Spirit Hall mediating and balancing between the two empires, the Star Luo Empire might really have had the strength to destroy the Heaven Dou Empire."

Following Dai Weisi, Zhu Zhuyun entered the Star Luo Empire's palace. Along the way, the heavily disciplined patrol guards, including the soldiers guarding each palace gate, were all of a Soul Ancestor level. Moreover, the two rows of guards standing neatly on the left and right sides in front of the main hall of the palace were all Soul Emperor level experts. This reminded Yu Tianshuang of what Qian Renxue had said when they first met many years ago.

Shui Bing'er: "That's the truth. But even without the Spirit Hall, the Star Luo Empire wouldn't act easily. The Heaven Dou Empire still has far more ordinary soldiers than the Star Luo Empire, and there are two major Upper Three Sects within its borders. I believe they could wipe me out, but to say it's easy would be to underestimate the Heaven Dou Empire."

Hearing their conversation, Zhu Zhuyun, a native of the Star Luo Empire and a member of a family that had served as the empresses for generations, couldn't help but speak up, "You are Soul Master, so your perspective on war is different from that of ordinary people. But war is never that simple. If it were just a matter of comparing national strength, military power, and the quantity and quality of Soul Master, then what would be the point of fighting? The weaker of the two empires would simply surrender."

As the group chatted quietly on the way, the entrance to the main hall of the Star Luo Empire's palace came into view. Eight large, vermilion doors adorned with golden patterns led into the hall. Seated at the head of the room was a burly man with a golden beard. In his prime, his eyes were deep and penetrating. He waved to the group as they slowly entered, and several palace attendants quickly led them to their seats below.

Besides the emperor of the Star Luo Empire, a man and a woman sat on the left side of the main hall. The woman, veiled in red, was in front, her fair hands adorned with a string of gold bracelets that extended from a ring on her middle finger to her forearm. Her eyes, the only part of her face visible, were very lively. She nodded slightly as she saw the group enter, appearing extremely elegant. In contrast, the man below her seemed noticeably out of place, resembling a burly, imposing figure.

Dai Weisi: "Father, these are the envoys from the Spirit Hall: Yu Tianshuang, Shui Bing'er, Ye Lingling, and... and Zhu Zhuqing."

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire!"

After all, it was their territory, so Yu Tianshuang and the others stood up and bowed when they heard Dai Weisi's introduction.

"Haha, Zhu Zhuqing, you little girl, I used to hold you when you were little. I never imagined that after all these years, we would meet again and you would no longer have any connection with my Dai Family, but would become a member of the Spirit Hall. It's quite a pity."

"Come, come, let me introduce our distinguished guests. These two are Ye Yuxuan, the leader of the Holy Spirit Cult, the state religion of our Star Luo Empire, who is also the empire's national advisor, and Zhong Meng, the vice leader."

Dai Weisi: "Father... how come I don't know when our Star Luo Empire established a state religion?"

Seeing the puzzled yet amused looks in Yu Tianshuang and the others' eyes, Dai Weisi suddenly felt like a fool and immediately asked.

"Haha, haven't you been busy with the relocation of the Crown Prince's residence lately? There are many things your father hasn't had time to tell you yet. I'll tell you about the Holy Spirit Cult later. By the way, I wonder what brings the envoy from the Spirit Hall here this time?"

The emperor of the Star Luo Empire waved his hand magnanimously, laughed heartily, and spoke to Dai Weisi indifferently. Then, he looked at Yu Tianshuang and asked as if it were a casual conversation.

Yu Tianshuang: "It's nothing important. I've always been on good terms with His Highness the Crown Prince of your country, and I just came to visit him since I had nothing else to do. There's nothing important here."

Even without Shui Bing'er's reminder, the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire had already made his stance clear from the start. Bringing up anything about submission at this point would be pointless. After all, their purpose this time wasn't to assert sovereignty, but mainly to find out about the mass production of Soul Douluo. Now, he had directly invited the Holy Spirit Cult to the scene and stated that the Holy Spirit Cult was their state religion, which was tantamount to putting the matter out in the open. The mass production of Soul Douluo was indeed the work of the Holy Spirit Cult. It was just unclear what gave them the confidence to confront the Spirit Hall so openly.

"I see. I thought the envoy from the Spirit Hall had come to discuss important national affairs with me. But it doesn't matter. Since you've come to reminisce and enjoy yourselves, then you should experience the customs and culture of my Star Luo Empire. Weisi, Zhu Yun, you two must treat them well and fulfill your duties as hosts."

The emperor of the Star Luo Empire seemed to truly believe Yu Tianshuang's words, speaking with great magnanimity. He then raised his wine cup, gestured, drank it all in one gulp, and continued:

"But since you're already here, I have some important national matters I'd like to discuss with you."

After finishing her drink, Yu Tianshuang said, "Your Majesty, please speak."

"I won't beat around the bush with you anymore. I know your Pope Bibi Dong has grand ambitions. First, she attacked the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the Upper Three Sects, forcing them to abandon their sect and move to the Heaven Dou Empire. Then she stirred up the Crown Prince's mutiny. We all know what your Spirit Hall is trying to do, so..."

He glanced at the elegantly seated veiled woman below him, and seeing that she remained poised and composed, he continued, "I think we can join forces to destroy the Heaven Dou Empire, and then we can divide the world equally. What do you think?"

Hearing his words, Yu Tianshuang was somewhat incredulous. She looked at Shui Bing'er beside her with a questioning gaze. After a moment of contemplation, Shui Bing'er slowly spoke:

"Your Majesty, there is something I do not understand. Why would you consider joining forces with our Spirit Hall? What benefits would this bring you? To divide the continent equally? Even if you destroy the Heaven Dou Empire, wouldn't the territory of your Star Luo Empire still be the same?"

"Haha, my Star Luo Empire's territory is already large enough. We don't need that much land, and no one can manage it all anyway. After things are settled, what's wrong with giving the former Heaven Dou Empire's territory directly to your Spirit Hall? What I need is for your Spirit Hall to submit to us and become a vassal state of my Star Luo Empire."

At this moment, he suddenly stood up, displaying the full strength of a Titled Douluo. White Tiger phantom appeared behind him, exuding a strong sense of oppression, and he Lengleng looked at Yu Tianshuang and the others.

Yu Tianshuang was amused by his sudden action. Ignoring the pressure he was exerting, she asked with a wry smile, "Your Majesty, we've only come here to chat with Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun. The sisters haven't seen each other in a long time, and my senior sister has always wanted to experience the scenery of the Star Luo Empire. We are merely elders and cannot handle such important matters. However, I can convey Your Majesty's message to our Pope. How you decide is between you and me."

Yu Tianshuang paused, looking at the Star Luo Empire emperor who had put away his imposing aura and sat down, and still couldn't help but ask with some puzzlement, "However, Your Majesty, could you satisfy my curiosity? Why do you think that the Star Luo Empire possesses the strength to make the Spirit Hall submit?"

"Haha, of course it's about strength, little guy. Do you think the Spirit Hall is very powerful? But let me tell you, the Star Luo Empire is much stronger than you imagine. Your Spirit Hall currently only possesses one city. How many soldiers and resources can you have? Although you have an advantage in the number of Soul Master, my Star Luo Empire has a million soldiers. That's enough to erase that advantage. Besides... in terms of Soul Master strength, your Spirit Hall may not even have the upper hand."

His words carried an air of composure and immense confidence. As he finished speaking, he glanced subtly at the veiled woman below.

Shui Bing'er: "In that case, we will report this matter to His Holiness the Pope. However, I wonder if His Majesty could satisfy my curiosity? I don't know if it's because I'm ignorant or just shallow, but your country's state religion, the Holy Spirit Cult, I've never heard of it before?"

Zhong Meng: "Young lady, you're so young. I think we just mentioned that this is your first time visiting our Star Luo Empire. It's normal that you haven't heard of our Holy Spirit Cult. After all, our Holy Spirit Cult has always kept a low profile and doesn't have much of a reputation. However, your junior brother should know about us."

After the burly man in black finished speaking, he waved his hand, and soon several palace servants poured in like fish intestines, carrying trays with a wine cup covered with a red cloth on them. They then respectfully placed the cups in front of Yu Tianshuang and the others.

Without even removing the red cloth, Yu Tianshuang felt the familiar scent emanating from the wine glass before her. Her pupils dilated slightly as she pulled off the red cloth, revealing the bright red liquid reflected in her eyes.

"The Yellow Springs Dew, is it truly so..."

Zhong Meng: "Young friend Yu Tianshuang, do you still recognize this item? Does it evoke any fond memories? Do you know how difficult it is to obtain a cup of Yellow Springs Dew these days? Isn't it all thanks to you?"

Zhong Meng watched Yu Tianshuang and the others unveil the red cloth, a sinister purple light uncontrollably shone in his eyes. He looked at the person opposite him and spoke in an icy tone.