No one objected to Qian Renxue's decision. They all had families and friends of their own. As a high-ranking official of the Wuhun Empire, she could not escape. She could not let these people be buried with her.
Just as everyone was discussing how to negotiate with the Star Luo Empire and Bibi Dong was sitting in her seat watching the show, a soldier in armor suddenly burst in.
Such a hasty action made Qian Renxue immediately stand up. She thought the Star Luo Empire had launched a war, but to her surprise, the soldier brought good news — extraordinarily good news.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Second Priest has returned!"
Before the soldier even finished speaking, Golden Crocodile Douluo entered through the door. His tattered clothes were covered in scars, and a large, ugly wound stretched from his neck to his back.
Even Bibi Dong was slightly moved when she saw him. She hadn't expected that the man besieged by many powerful Douluo could escape the mouth of sea soul beasts after falling into the ocean.
Their battle had taken place at the seafloor. There were many sea beasts thousands of years old, so they should have been able to defeat him.
How much of what happened did he actually witness?
Bibi Dong played with her slender jade-like fingers, staring at Golden Crocodile Douluo with a mix of amusement and sharpness in her eyes.
Not to mention, she had only taken action after the Golden Crocodile fell into the sea seriously injured and dying. Even if he saw her kill Qian Daoliu, would he dare to speak of it now?
There were no unmatched Douluo left, but he couldn't stay — could the Spirit Empire afford to lose him now? It would be better to hand the empire over to someone else.
Qian Renxue didn't notice the change in her expression at all. She was overjoyed and had already walked up to Golden Crocodile Douluo, pulling him to sit in front of the group.
"Second Priest, you're finally back! Where is my grandfather? Did he return with you?"
"I don't know. I fell into the sea and lost consciousness before the final battle. I only heard about your grandfather after I returned."
Golden Crocodile Douluo wanted to tell Xiaoxue the truth, but he couldn't. Now wasn't the time. The Wuhun Empire still needed Bibi Dong's strength.
Back then, he had indeed seen everything — including Qian Daoliu being stabbed in the heart by Bibi Dong.
At that time, after being besieged by Xu Chunxing and other Titled Douluo and falling into the sea, he hadn't passed out right away. Relying on his strong physical body, he managed to survive.
Moreover, with various powerful energies clashing on the battlefield and so many mighty Titled Douluo present, sea soul beasts didn't dare approach. So he barely survived with his severely injured body.
At that time, Xu Chunxing and the others rushed to help Xu Mingxi and didn't inspect him carefully, so he drifted unconscious in the sea.
He had witnessed everything that happened afterward. When Qian Daoliu died, he knew that things had taken a turn for the worst.
Badly injured and dying, with only a trace of soul power left, he could only take a risk, using his remaining soul power to protect his body and let himself drift with the ocean currents.
Fortunately, there was always a way out. After drifting for an unknown time, he was rescued by a group of soul masters who had gone to sea to hunt soul beasts.
After learning from them that the Wuhun Empire and the Star Luo Empire were on the verge of war, Golden Crocodile Douluo rushed back and finally arrived at Zhenxing City shortly before the battle.
"Xiaoxue, what's the current situation? What's your plan?"
"It's not optimistic…"
Qian Renxue told Golden Crocodile everything they had previously discussed, and even he — a level 98 Super Douluo — was left speechless.
He wasn't afraid of death, but he feared the collapse of the Wuhun Empire's foundation, which had stood for ten thousand years. But now, it seemed like they had reached a dead end.
Perhaps what Xiaoxue said was right. Even if those in power failed, the soul experts under them could still be protected.
Golden Crocodile Douluo's aura dropped sharply for a moment. The breath of energy gathered in his heart suddenly dispersed, but in the next instant, his momentum surged again. The powerful pressure shocked everyone present, and a few with weaker minds unconsciously stepped back.
Even if the Wuhun Empire was not the stronger side, they had to uphold the dignity of the empire and the glory of the Spirit Hall that had lasted for ten thousand years.
"Xiaoxue, let me negotiate with the Star Luo Empire."
"No, I'll go myself."
Without giving anyone a chance to object, Qian Renxue made a decision on the spot. As long as the Star Luo Empire was still rational, they wouldn't kill her as a diplomatic envoy.
And that was indeed the case. The White Tiger Duke, who was guarding the city walls, frowned as he saw Qian Renxue flying straight toward him. He forcefully restrained his urge to act and personally escorted her to the Lord of Tianxing City's residence.
Feeling the strong pressure of Titled Douluo around her, Qian Renxue wasn't afraid in the slightest and looked directly at Xu Mingxi seated above.
"Star God Douluo, I'm here on behalf of the Wuhun Empire to discuss a matter. I hope you'll agree."
"Oh~? Go ahead."
Xu Mingxi looked at Qian Renxue below with great interest. If he remembered correctly, this was their second meeting.
He had heard the news that Bibi Dong attacked the military camp last night and took away several soul guides in the morning, but it hadn't changed the overall situation, so he had ignored it.
Unexpectedly, just one day later, one of the Wuhun Empire's top leaders personally arrived at Tianxing City and stood in front of them, the top officials of the Star Luo Empire. What was she trying to do?
"Star God Douluo, on behalf of the Wuhun Empire, I propose a limited war, restricted only to Titled Douluo and Soul Douluo. Whichever side loses this confrontation, their army will surrender and accept governance by the victor. The winning side may not slaughter defeated soul experts without cause. How about it?"
This proposal was completely unexpected for the Titled Douluo of the Star Luo Empire. The corner of Xu Mingxi's mouth under the mask lifted slightly. He figured it was likely related to the soul guide theft last night.
But this was good. The Wuhun Empire had a larger population, and a peaceful takeover would be more conducive to spreading faith in the Star God.
"Qian Renxue, as far as I know, the strongest in the Wuhun Empire is Bibi Dong. Are you saying this with her consent?"
"Of course. I swear in the name of the Angel God that all I said is true."
"Very well. I agree to your terms. Three days from now, we will decide the victor on the battlefield — life or death!"
"Life or death!"
The two representatives of the two empires clenched hands and made a vow under the witness of most of the high officials of the Star Luo Empire.
The Titled Douluo of the Wuhun Empire did not fear battle — and how could the Star Luo Empire, currently in the stronger position, be afraid? They accepted the challenge.
The end of the book is already on my Patreon [patreon.com/Devsen]