Douluo Continent: Starting with a Heavenly Fire Judgment

Chapter 408 Private Meeting

Ji Lin nodded and said, "She's someone I rescued on a whim. She has some status in the Sun Moon Empire, so I suppose only she would send us a message to remind us."

Wang Qiu'er snorted coldly and said, "So it's a hero saving a damsel in distress. You're getting more and more cunning."

Nan Qiuqiu asked curiously, "Somewhat influential? Who is it?!"

Ji Lin glanced at Nan Qiuqiu and said indifferently, "The Crown Princess of the Sun Moon Empire."

"Princess!?"

Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong'er looked at each other in bewilderment.

Nan Qiuqiu went even further, making a shocking statement: "You cuckolded the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire?!"

Ji Lin's lips twitched, and he grabbed Nan Qiuqiu's cheek in an annoyed tone, "What are you saying? I saved someone's life, and they're just repaying a debt of gratitude. What are you thinking about all day long with that little head of yours?"

Nan Qiuqiu struggled desperately, and said in a muffled voice, "I don't believe it. You guys are definitely up to something. Sister Gu Yi, save me."

Ye Guyi shook her head helplessly, thinking to herself, "You brought this on yourself, so don't blame me! Qiuqiu, good luck!"

Seeing that Nan Qiuqiu was still spreading rumors, Ji Lin was speechless. This time, he was really wronged. He really didn't mean to flirt with Ju Zi. He just saved her as a matter of course for his future plans. It's normal for her to inform him once in order to repay the life-saving grace.

In the end, it was Wang Qiu'er who couldn't stand it anymore and rescued Nan Qiuqiu from Ji Lin's clutches.

Wang Qiu'er took the letter from Ji Lin and said, "Regardless of what the Crown Princess means, we appreciate her willingness to risk her life to deliver this letter to us at such a crucial moment. We will remember this favor."

Wang Qiu'er was referring to "us," not Ji Lin.

Everyone present knew her little scheme. Xiao Xiao sighed inwardly, thinking that Qiu'er had grown up. She wouldn't have used such words before.

Wang Qiu'er gently flicked the letter in her hand, then carefully read the words again. She asked疑惑地, "It's normal for the Holy Spirit Cult to be targeting us, after all, we killed so many of their outstanding disciples. But this letter says the West is safe, which contradicts our previous assumptions!"

Ji Lin shook his head and said, "In some respects, the west is indeed safer than the other three directions, but for us, the west is more dangerous than the other directions. Although the other three directions have level nine fixed-position soul missiles, with our combat strength, it's not that we can't retreat unscathed. We can only waste her good intentions."

While the Level 9 Fixed-Mount Soul Missile is powerful, the Level 9 Fixed-Mount Soul Guided Artillery Shell is priceless. Even in the Sun Moon Empire, the number of Level 9 Fixed-Mount Soul Guided Artillery Shells would not exceed fifty. Some are openly available, while others are hidden. Only the emperor of the empire knows the exact number, but it is certain that one Level 9 Fixed-Mount Soul Guided Artillery Shell is enough to destroy a small city, and two would wipe out a medium-sized city.

Even a continent-leading city of Mingdu's scale could not withstand the explosion of more than ten cannonballs. Therefore, the Sun Moon Empire would not dare to use too many level-nine fixed-position soul-guided cannonballs. As long as the number is not large, Ji Lin and his group can still handle it.

The fact that the Sun Moon Empire dared to confront the three kingdoms of the former Douluo Continent with only a small territory, and was never invaded by them, is largely due to its level-nine fixed-position soul-guided cannonballs.

The Sun Moon Empire will not easily resort to force unless it is absolutely necessary.

The silence in Mingdu lasted until noon, when the people who were overly excited yesterday gradually came to their senses, and everything seemed to return to normal.

However, after yesterday's great battle, the final match tomorrow seems to have lost some of its luster due to the battle between Zizaimen and Shenglingzong, but that's normal.

After all, the audience had already seen the result of the final, so naturally they didn't have much expectation.

As time passed and the sun gradually began to set in the west, the atmosphere in Mingdu seemed to become more enthusiastic again.

Ji Lin, dressed in a black robe, concealed himself completely, and followed Meng Hongchen, who was also dressed in black.

The city at night has a unique charm.

The brightly lit street was bustling with activity, and the shops along the road were teeming with people.

Ji Lin and Meng Hongchen arrived at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

Even at night, adorned with gold and silver patterns, the symbolic totems of the Sun and Moon Empire—the golden sun and silver moon—still radiate a soft glow, exuding a sense of nobility amidst their solemnity and majesty.

The Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy is undoubtedly the most outstanding national academy among the four great empires.

The only institution that surpasses it is Shrek Academy, which is independent of any nation.

This is not just a Soul Master Academy, but also represents the future path of Soul Masters.

Compared to Shrek Academy, which boasts top students from three countries, Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy has already won in some respects, given that it only has students from one country.

As Ji Lin walked through the heavy academy gates, he looked around curiously. This was his first time visiting the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

The area of ​​the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy is larger than that of Shrek Academy, referring to the area of ​​Shrek Academy including Seagod Island.

The Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy is mainly divided into three areas: the teaching area, the dormitory area, and the experimental area.

The experimental zone occupies more than two-thirds of the area, which is divided into sections with many different buildings.

Upon entering the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, Meng Hongchen took Ji Lin directly to the experimental area.

Mingde Hall is located at the very center of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy's experimental area. The spacious hall is entirely decorated in a metallic style, predominantly in pale gold tones. While not luxurious, it exudes a sense of quality. A plaque hangs high above the entrance, its dark gold characters conveying an aura of authority. This is the true core of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy; one-third of the nation's soul tools originate here, making it a crucial institution within the Sun Moon Empire.

A person was sitting upright on a chair in the center of the inner side of the hall.

It was none other than Jing Hongchen, the true leader of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy and the head of the Mingde Hall.

Standing next to Jing Hongchen was Xiao Hongchen, who was calmly observing Ji Lin with a slight smile on his lips.

Ji Lin lifted the black hood on his head and looked calmly at Jing Hongchen.

After a moment of silence, Jing Hongchen said in a deep voice, "This should be our first formal meeting."

Ji Lin nodded without speaking. He was a little embarrassed, after all, he had slept with someone's granddaughter and still had no official status. Compared to Jing Hongchen, Ji Lin was inherently inferior.

Jing Hongchen's lips curled into a meaningful smile, seemingly in a good mood. "I heard from Meng that you were the one who asked to come see me. Why aren't you saying anything now?"

Meng Hongchen glanced at Ji Lin secretly, ran forward, grabbed Jing Hongchen's arm, and said sweetly, "Grandpa, Ji Lin came to see you with important business. Let's talk about it first."

Jing Hongchen shook his head helplessly. It's true what they say, daughters grow up and leave home. He hadn't even started to make things difficult for Ji Lin yet, and Meng Hongchen was already giving him a heads-up.

Getting straight to the point implies a difference in status. If we only discuss serious matters, then Ji Lin won't feel inferior to Jing Hongchen.

Ji Lin raised his head, looked directly at Jing Hongchen, and said calmly, "The reason I came to see Master Hongchen in secret this time is to seek cooperation with the Hongchen family."

"Oh! Cooperation? How so?"

Jing Hongchen became interested but did not correct Ji Lin's form of address. This was the time to discuss serious matters. Ji Lin's current identity was the leader of the Zizai Sect, not his grandson-in-law.

This is why Meng Hongchen wanted them to talk about serious matters first; she was afraid that her grandfather would use his status to deliberately make things difficult for Ji Lin.

"Before we discuss cooperation, I'd like to ask Master Hongchen a question," Ji Lin said, not getting straight to the point.

Jing Hongchen frowned, then nodded and said, "Go ahead and ask."

Ji Lin remained calm and asked indifferently, "What are the Red Dust Hall Master's views on the cooperation between the Sun Moon Empire and the Holy Spirit Sect?"

Jing Hongchen's eyes narrowed, and the atmosphere in the hall gradually became heavy.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Meng Hongchen looked anxious and kept giving Xiao Hongchen meaningful glances.

Xiao Hongchen rolled his eyes speechlessly. He dared not speak at this moment; he was not going to be a shield.

Jing Hongchen also noticed her granddaughter and grandson's little actions, and sighed inwardly again, thinking to herself, "This little girl has completely taken someone else's surname."

His furrowed brows relaxed, and he said noncommittally, "Although I don't like evil soul masters either, I have to say that for the Sun Moon Empire at present, cooperating with the Holy Spirit Cult is a good move. Although it carries the risk of dealing with a tiger for its skin, the Sun Moon Empire needs the combat power of evil soul masters."

If it weren't for the relationship between Ji Lin and Meng Hongchen, he wouldn't have answered Ji Lin's question so easily. The fact that he chose to answer meant that he considered Ji Lin one of his own.

Meng Hongchen was overjoyed, realizing what her grandfather meant.

Ji Lin understood Jing Hongchen's meaning, and he spoke again: "Then, does Hall Master Hongchen believe that the Sun Moon Empire can defeat the other three great empires and unify the Douluo Continent?"

"able."

Jing Hongchen answered without hesitation, his tone resolute, expressing his unwavering belief that the Sun Moon Empire could defeat the three great empires.

Ji Lin nodded and said, "I think so too."

Jing Hongchen was taken aback upon hearing this. He thought Ji Lin would refute him, after all, he knew that Ji Lin had a close relationship with the Star Luo Empire's royal family.

Ji Lin noticed Jing Hongchen's confusion and chuckled, "Although I am from the Star Luo Empire, I am also well aware of the power of the Sun Moon Empire. The three great empires today are no match for the Sun Moon Empire."

He asked again, "May I ask, Master Hongchen, once Xu Tianran ascends the throne and becomes the emperor of the Sun Moon Empire, and leads the Sun Moon Empire to unify the Douluo Continent, will the Hongchen family still have its current status?"

Jing Hongchen fell silent. He had thought about this problem long ago. Once the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked; once the birds are gone, the good bow is put away. If the Sun Moon Empire successfully unifies the continent, then the Soul Masters will have no place to use their skills. Without external enemies, Xu Tianran will definitely take action from within.

(End of this chapter)