Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

……

Deep within the Papal Palace, in a side hall.

Xuanming stood by the window, his gaze calmly fixed on the direction outside the city, as if he could see through the layers of buildings and into the newly arrived delegation from the Heavenly Dou Empire.

Bibi Dong sat in the main seat, holding a detailed file about the mission members in her hand, her purple-gold eyes filled with contemplation.

“You sent Ning Fengzhi to greet them,” Xuanming’s voice rang out calmly, devoid of any emotion, “which is somewhat of a perverse sense of humor.”

Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong raised her head and looked at Xuan Ming's back, a meaningful smile curving her lips: "A twisted sense of humor? No, this is not a twisted sense of humor, but a well-thought-out arrangement."

She put down the documents in her hand, slowly stood up, walked to Xuanming's side, and looked out the window with him: "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is the first and currently the most determined of the three upper sects to side with our Spirit Empire. They not only provided huge financial support, but more importantly, they have become a benchmark for us in the Spirit Master world."

"Ning Fengzhi has obtained the position of Prime Minister, and the influence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School within the empire is far greater than before, with the sect's development flourishing. This is a living example that tells all the Soul Masters and forces that are still observing—choosing to cooperate with the Spirit Empire can bring them the status and development they have dreamed of but could not achieve in the past."

"Let Ning Fengzhi greet the delegation, especially those three highly respected members of the Education Committee in the Heaven Dou Empire's Soul Master community. The point is to let them see with their own eyes what they can gain by siding with the Spirit Empire. This is more convincing than any empty propaganda."

Bibi Dong's tone was tinged with coldness: "Those who stubbornly resisted, like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, their fate is known to all. Those who are pragmatic, like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, have also seen their future. The wise will naturally understand how to choose."

Xuanming listened without comment. He had never doubted Bibi Dong's political acumen. She had indeed maximized the value of Ning Fengzhi and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

“So,” Bibi Dong changed the subject, turning her gaze to Xuan Ming with a hint of inquiry, “what about Tang San? What do you plan to do with him? Or rather… what do you think of Xiao Wu?”

She mentioned that sensitive name: "Lan Haowang, a representative of the younger generation of the Haotian Sect, is exceptionally talented. According to the intelligence we have, the Tang Sect he founded produces incredibly powerful hidden weapons that can even effectively suppress Soul Master legions. If we can recruit such a talent, it will be twice as effective in dismantling the Heaven Dou Empire's will to resist."

Xuanming remained silent for a moment, then said calmly, "He is Tang Hao's son."

A simple sentence, yet it contains a heavy past.

Bibi Dong naturally understood Xuan Ming's meaning. Tang Hao had a deep-seated hatred for the Spirit Hall, which stemmed from the murder of his wife and forced him to live in anonymity and close his sect. Even though the mastermind was the deceased Qian Xunji, the Spirit Hall, as the executor, could hardly let this score go unresolved.

"Qian Xunji is dead," Bibi Dong said calmly.

"Tang San is a smart man. He should know the consequences of being an enemy of the Spirit Empire. He should also be able to see that the path the Spirit Empire is taking now is different from that of the Spirit Hall in the past. The power of the empire is far beyond what the Heaven Dou Empire can contend with. If it weren't for your wishes, I would have already sent troops to crush Heaven Dou."

She paused, then continued, "As for the Haotian Sect, if they are willing to set aside past grievances and sincerely submit, I can guarantee they will receive the status and respect they deserve within the empire, and be treated equally. But if they remain stubborn..."

Bibi Dong didn't finish her sentence, but her chilling killing intent was already self-evident—those who don't know the times will only face destruction, just like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Xuanming turned around and looked at Bibi Dong: "Hatred is never so easy to let go of. Especially when it becomes a person's motivation and belief to live."

"You know this best."

He didn't directly answer the question about Xiao Wu, but he knew that Tang San's hatred for the Spirit Hall was deeply rooted in his bones and could not be easily resolved by a simple weighing of interests or a comparison of strength.

Bibi Dong frowned slightly; she understood Xuan Ming's meaning. Recruiting Tang San would likely be far more difficult than she had anticipated.

“In any case,” Bibi Dong sat back in her seat, regaining her imperial dignity, “this peace talk is an opportunity. Even if we can’t recruit Tang San, we should try our best to find out their trump cards and divide the forces within the Heaven Dou Empire. As for their final decision… that’s up to their own wisdom.”

“By the way, I sent Ning Rongrong over there. She knows Tang San too, they’re even classmates. Her intervention might be effective.” “…” Xuanming.

"you sure?"

Wuhun City, the embassy district where the Heaven Dou Empire delegation is staying.

Following a brief but formal welcoming ceremony hosted by Ning Fengzhi, the two sides held a basic courtesy meeting.

Ning Fengzhi did not linger and soon left with Chen Xin and Gu Rong. The specific details of the peace talks would need to be discussed in a formal setting later.

There was a quiet, secluded courtyard inside the embassy, ​​which was the residence prepared for Tang San, the chief envoy.

He had barely settled in when he heard footsteps and familiar voices outside the courtyard gate.

"Mistress! Is the mistress here?" a clear and lively female voice rang out.

Tang San's heart skipped a beat. That voice... it was Ning Rongrong!
He quickly got up, walked to the courtyard gate, and opened it. Standing outside were three young girls: Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing!
The moment Tang San saw Xiao Wu, his heart skipped a beat, and he almost stopped breathing.

After many years, Xiao Wu had grown into an even more graceful and beautiful young woman. Her brows had lost some of their former playfulness, replaced by a more serene air, but her large eyes remained clear and bright. She wore a light pink dress, her posture upright, her aura restrained yet powerful.

Ning Rongrong was dressed smartly, her wheat-colored skin looking healthy and vibrant, and her smile was radiant. Zhu Zhuqing was still dressed in black, as aloof as ever, but her eyes were more determined than before.

"Rongrong, Xiaowu, Zhuqing!" Tang San suppressed his excitement and complicated emotions, a delighted smile appearing on his face. "Please come in!"

Tang San welcomed the three women into the living room and personally poured them tea. The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment, as they hadn't seen each other for many years and their current status and positions were different.

Ning Rongrong, seemingly trying to break the awkward silence, smiled and said, "Little San, it's been so many years, and you've become the Blue Prince of the Tian Dou Empire! You're really amazing!"

Tang San smiled, somewhat wistfully, "It was just a coincidence. But you guys... you've really changed a lot."

His gaze involuntarily fell on Xiao Wu again.

Xiao Wu gave him a familiar, slightly mischievous smile: "Long time no see, Xiao San. You look a lot more mature."

Hearing Xiao Wu still affectionately call him "Xiao San," Tang San felt a surge of warmth in his heart, as if he had returned to his days at Shrek Academy. He nodded: "Yes, we've all grown up."

Ning Rongrong picked up the conversation and asked curiously, "By the way, Xiao San, what level have you reached in your cultivation? It's been seven years!"

Mentioning his cultivation level, Tang San felt a surge of confidence. Over the years, he had endured countless hardships and fortuitous encounters, and with the support of the Heaven Dou Empire and the Clear Sky Sect, his cultivation speed far surpassed that of ordinary people. He didn't hide anything, releasing a trace of soul power fluctuation and smiling, "I broke through by chance; I'm now a level sixty-eight Soul Emperor."

At twenty-two years old, a level sixty-eight Soul Emperor! This is considered top genius in the entire Soul Master world, and his future achievements are limitless.

Tang San was confident that his cultivation level was enough to amaze anyone.

However, the astonishment he had anticipated did not materialize. (End of Chapter)