At the same time, the army where Xue Qinghe and his companions were located had already arrived outside Martial Soul City...
However, when they intended to enter, they were immediately stopped by the Martial Soul Hall soldiers responsible for guarding...
"Who are you? What is your purpose in coming to Martial Soul City?"
With such a vast army, how could they possibly allow it to come and go freely...
Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi and the others also got down from their carriages....
Xue Qinghe glanced at these Martial Soul Hall soldiers and said, "I am Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of the Tiandou Empire, please inform the Martial Soul Hall Pope!"
The eyes of these Martial Soul Hall soldiers widened in shock, exclaiming, "What? Crown Prince of Tiandou Empire?"
They thought it was just an ordinary royal army, but unexpectedly even Crown Prince Xue Qinghe came in person!
The leading Martial Soul Hall soldier reacted promptly, speaking with an apologetic tone, "Crown Prince, please forgive our previous rudeness, we will send someone to report to His Holiness the Pope right away!"
Although the Martial Soul Hall wasn't afraid of the royal household, he himself was just an insignificant ordinary soldier within it and wouldn't dare to stir up trouble!
Xue Qinghe remained calm and replied, "No harm done!"
His true identity also belonged to the Martial Soul Hall, there was no need to make things difficult for the other side!
The former breathed a sigh of relief, then pointed at two soldiers beside him, "You, and you, go to the Pope Hall as quickly as possible and report the arrival of the Crown Prince and others to His Holiness the Pope!"
They naturally dared not object and immediately turned to enter Martial Soul City...
Afterwards, the leading soldier spoke again, "Crown Prince, please wait a moment!"
Xue Qinghe nodded slightly, saying nothing further...
Beside him, Ning Fengzhi pondered while holding his chin, "Unexpectedly, Martial Soul City has been put under such strict lockdown, presumably to prevent an attack by abyssal creatures."
Gu Rong nodded in agreement, "Indeed, especially after the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect suffered heavy losses from an abyssal creature attack; one cannot afford not to take it seriously!"
After a pause, he added, "However, if they really encounter an attack, it would be difficult for these ordinary Martial Soul Hall soldiers to hold up."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head, "Uncle Bone, you're probably mistaken, these ordinary Martial Soul Hall soldiers are just the first layer of defense for the Pope Hall."
"If I'm not wrong, the true elite troops of the Martial Soul Hall are already lurking inside Martial Soul City, ready to provide reinforcements at any time!"
Once the abyssal creatures attack, the number of Martial Soul Hall soldiers defending will far exceed the current amount!
Gu Rong seemed to understand, "Fengzhi, are you saying this is just a diversion by the Martial Soul Hall to confuse the abyssal creatures?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly, "Exactly"
Beside him, Xue Qinghe was somewhat surprised to hear the former's words, considering that the other, as Sect Master of the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect, seemed to be quite knowledgeable about the Pope Hall!
"Teacher, you seem to know a lot about the Martial Soul Hall."
Ning Fengzhi denied it, "I can't say I know it well, it's just that the upper three families have coexisted with the Martial Soul Hall for so long, we can more or less guess some things."
He dared not claim his words were absolutely correct!
However, everyone knew the importance of Martial Soul City to the Martial Soul Hall, how could it be that only ordinary soldiers were responsible for guarding it?
As the discussion continued, Gui Mei led a large group of Martial Soul Hall soldiers out of Martial Soul City.....
Upon seeing Xue Qinghe, he immediately recognized him...
Immediately he frowned, "Crown Prince, what's the purpose of sending so many soldiers by the royal household?"
Though he anticipated the royal household would dispatch troops, he hadn't expected so many!
Those unaware might think they were coming to seize Martial Soul City's territory!
Xue Qinghe calmly explained, "Elder Gui, it's a misunderstanding, I am here to represent the royal household to discuss cooperation with the Pope."
"In addition, Sect Master Ning and Bone Douluo are accompanying me."
The former should be aware of his true identity, but he said this mostly to avoid Ning Fengzhi and others from noticing!
Gui Mei, upon hearing this, glanced at Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong...
He obviously saw the two, but just didn't want to engage in conversation!
"I see, but to maintain Martial Soul City's stability, I'd ask the Crown Prince to leave some royal soldiers outside the city."
Xue Qinghe nodded slightly, "Naturally"
Then, he nodded towards the leading soldier behind him...
The latter understood immediately, "Everyone, set up camp on the spot!"
Subsequently, he also selected some royal soldiers to follow behind...
Xue Qinghe then spoke again, "Elder Gui, is this arrangement acceptable?"
Gui Mei said nothing more, gesturing with his hand, "Please, everyone"
...
Inside the Pope Hall!
Sensing the presence of Ning Fengzhi and others, Xu Sheng looked up to Bi Bidong, "Your Holiness, the Crown Prince and his party should have arrived"
Bi Bidong just responded softly with an "Hmm", then, with a meaningful tone, said, "Xu Sheng, if I'm not wrong, you have a good relationship with the Crown Prince of Tiandou Empire, right?"
Xu Sheng seemed puzzled, "Your Holiness, why are you asking this question?"
Regarding Qian Renxue being Xue Qinghe, the former should be more aware than himself!
Bi Bidong shook her head, "It's nothing, just asking casually, don't mind it"
At this moment, the voice of Gui Mei came from outside...
"Your Holiness, the Crown Prince and his party have arrived"
Immediately, he led Xue Qinghe and others inside...
Seeing Xu Sheng there, Xue Qinghe's eyes lit up dramatically for a moment but soon regained composure...
Then he spoke, "Your Holiness, sorry for the intrusion today, please forgive us"
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong nodded as a gesture...
Bi Bidong waved her hand, "It's fine, everyone please take a seat"
Hearing this, everyone sat down in the prepared positions...
Ning Fengzhi glanced sideways at Xu Sheng, and they exchanged simple pleasantries....
"Xu Sheng, we meet again"
"Yes, Sect Master Ning, how is Ning Rongrong?"
"Thank you for your concern, Ning Rongrong is well"
Seeing this, Xue Qinghe also smiled and said, "Xu Sheng, we haven't seen each other in a while, have we?"
Xu Sheng pursed his lips, "To answer Your Highness, we probably haven't met since I left the imperial palace"
Xue Qinghe continued, "How has your time in the Martial Soul Hall been?"
Xu Sheng nodded, "Not bad, His Holiness has treated me well"
Up above, Bi Bidong frowned slightly, considering she was the Pope of the Martial Soul Hall, yet these people were engrossed in conversation, completely ignoring her!
Xu Sheng seemed to notice this and coughed lightly, "Crown Prince, let's reminisce later, I think you and Sect Master Ning are here to discuss matters with His Holiness, right?"
Xue Qinghe snapped back to clarity, nodding, "Indeed, Sect Master Ning and I have come to discuss cooperation with His Holiness"
Bi Bidong feigned ignorance, "Cooperation? What kind of cooperation does the royal household and Seven Treasures Glaze Sect want with Martial Soul Hall?"
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