Xue Qinghe's gaze sharpened, "Your Holiness, you should be well aware that the power of the abyssal creatures has grown increasingly massive, and no single force on the Continent can counter them!"
"Therefore, only through cooperation is it possible to contend with them!"
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong both nodded in agreement, clearly endorsing the former's words!
Bi Bidong chuckled softly, "Hmm... the matter of cooperation is precisely the purpose behind the Martial Soul Hall's release of information on the abyssal creatures."
"However, the situation on the Continent is already tense, and cooperation may require thorough planning."
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi frowned, sensing that the other party might propose unreasonable conditions!
He immediately spoke up, "Your Holiness, what do you mean by this? The entire Continent is currently in imminent danger of being attacked by abyssal creatures; there's no time for long-term planning."
If not for this, they wouldn't have chosen to come to the Pope Hall after being attacked!
Bi Bidong waved her hand patiently explaining, "Sect Master Ning, you've misunderstood, what I mean is, cooperation between the Martial Soul Hall, the royal household, and the upper three families is naturally not an issue."
"But what about the Four Lower Sects and the other sects? As far as I know, their attitude towards the Martial Soul Hall seems less than friendly!"
"If we cooperate, it might indeed bring considerable trouble, wouldn't it?"
Ning Fengzhi promptly stated, "Regarding this matter, Your Holiness can rest assured, the upper three families can handle it!"
Compared to the Martial Soul Hall, these sects have more faith in the upper three families!
Xue Qinghe added, "Your Holiness, the royal household can also offer help in this matter!"
Bi Bidong didn't dwell further on this point, "Is that so, since Sect Master Ning and the Crown Prince say so, I have no more to say."
"Since it's about cooperation, I presume you've already discussed a reasonable plan, haven't you?"
Xue Qinghe nodded slightly, "Naturally!"
After speaking, he detailed the agreed-upon plan word for word...
"Your Holiness, what do you think of this plan?"
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong expected to receive affirmative feedback, but the result disappointed them!
Bi Bidong's expression turned a bit darker, "This plan is indeed good, but... asking the Martial Soul Hall to dispatch so many soldiers and soul masters, isn't that a bit too much?"
Regarding cooperation with the royal household and the upper three families, she was sincere!
But unexpectedly, the other party presented such a plan!
Ning Fengzhi immediately responded, "Your Holiness, the number of soul masters in the Martial Soul Hall far exceeds that of the royal household, upper three families, and most sects combined. Isn't that justified?"
The Martial Soul Hall has the most soul masters, so in battles against abyssal creatures, naturally, their involvement is greater!
All for the sake of humanity!
Xue Qinghe also concurred, "Your Holiness, I find this plan very reasonable, considering the royal household's soul master numbers are not ideal."
However, Bi Bidong closed her eyes...
"If that's the case, forgive me for being powerless!"
It's not about unwillingness, but because although she is the Pope, she cannot completely command the Martial Soul Hall!
After all, the Worship Hall is still watching closely!
Without their permission, she could at most deploy only half of the Martial Soul Hall's soldiers and soul masters!
Ning Fengzhi's tone also became serious, "Your Holiness, you should know the importance of this cooperation!"
"I implore you to consider the bigger picture!"
The distant Gui Mei observed the situation and secretly communicated to Xu Sheng, "Xu Sheng, aren't you going to say a few words? Otherwise, I sense that this cooperation might also fail."
However, Xu Sheng didn't show an anxious expression, but remained unusually calm...
"Elder Gui, rest assured, this cooperation will definitely succeed, though the process might be convoluted."
He had just discerned the underlying implication in Bi Bidong's words!
Presumably, Qian Renxue should soon figure it out too!
Sure enough, just as he said, Xue Qinghe suddenly realized something...
"Teacher, I probably know why Your Holiness disagrees."
Ning Fengzhi looked somewhat puzzled, but out of trust, he remained calm....
Even he couldn't figure out what scheme Bi Bidong was hatching, yet Qing He had seen through it?
Immediately, Xue Qinghe looked towards Bi Bidong before him, "Your Holiness, if I'm not mistaken, the reason you rejected this plan is because of the Worship Hall, right?"
Though the Worship Hall and the Pope Hall both belong to the Martial Soul Hall, the relationship between these two factions isn't good!
Her thoughts exposed, Bi Bidong's expression remained unchanged.....
"Indeed, although I am the Pope of the Martial Soul Hall, dispatching such a number of soldiers and soul masters requires the nod from the Worship Hall!"
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong came to a sudden realization...
So that's it, they had actually forgotten about this matter!
The Martial Soul Hall is not a one-woman show for this Pope!
The Worship Hall's Grand Elder, Qian Dao Liu, likely holds the real power!
Taking in a deep breath, the former said, "I see, Your Holiness, earlier I did misunderstand your meaning, for which I apologize."
Bi Bidong glanced at him, simply murmured "Hmm"...
"Your Holiness, I believe that in this matter, the Worship Hall should make a decision consistent with the Pope Hall."
She had already hinted clearly!
Bi Bidong seemed to also detect something, "Is that so? However, as for cooperation, let's discuss once I've reached a consensus with the folks at the Worship Hall."
Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe immediately clenched his fist...
The former's words clearly implied distrust, either towards himself or towards the Worship Hall!
At this moment, Xu Sheng, who had been silent all along, finally spoke, "Your Holiness, if I may interject, this cooperation is indeed crucial, but the situation is also urgent. No one knows when the abyssal creatures might initiate a war!"
"Why not let the Crown Prince and others rest in Martial Soul City for a day, and during this time, send someone to inquire about the situation at the Worship Hall, how does that sound?"
Everyone's gaze immediately turned to Xu Sheng.....
Besides Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong, the others knew that Xu Sheng was the one with the most authority regarding the battle against abyssal creatures!
Bi Bidong paused for a moment, then first expressed, "Indeed, a good suggestion!"
It seems Xu Sheng has understood her meaning!
Ning Fengzhi then looked at Xue Qinghe, "Qing He, what do you think?
Xue Qinghe nodded slightly, using a highly appreciative tone, "Teacher, I also think Xu Sheng's suggestion is very logical, let's stay in Martial Soul City for a day, after all, leaving now might lead us to a returning abyssal creature!"
Ning Fengzhi naturally had no objection, "Alright, let's decide on that."
Then, he turned his gaze to Bi Bidong, "Your Holiness, we hope to lean on your generosity today!"
Bi Bidong agreed without hesitation, "Alright, then we shall discuss the details of the cooperation once we receive word from the Worship Hall tomorrow."
...