After returning from the Tang Sect's headquarters, Li Yunzhe immediately sent a message to Emperor Xue Yuntian of the Douling Empire, arranging a meeting at the imperial palace!!
At this moment, outside the imperial palace!
Li Yunzhe, at the forefront, glanced at the Tang Sect Members behind him, "You all wait here!"
The Tang Sect Members nodded slightly, "Yes!"
Then, Li Yunzhe walked up to the soldiers holding long spears and wearing golden armor, and said, "Please report that Li Yunzhe, the head of the Tang Sect Branch of the Douling Empire, seeks an audience!"
Upon hearing this, the soldiers' faces became alert and they did not immediately let him pass!
"Please present an item that can prove your identity!"
Seeing this, Li Yunzhe did not get angry, "I think the Emperor's decree should suffice as proof?"
Saying this, he handed over the decree of Emperor Xue Yuntian...
The soldiers carefully scrutinized it and, after confirming its authenticity, returned it to him with unchanged expressions...
"That was just a routine check; please do not take offense, sir!"
"His Majesty the Emperor is already waiting in the main hall, please..."
Only then did Li Yunzhe nod and step into the imperial palace...
...
Upon arriving at the main hall, the first thing he saw was Xue Yuntian sitting on the throne!
He immediately bowed and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, Li Yunzhe, head of the Tang Sect Branch, is here for an audience!"
His gaze quickly scanned the surroundings...
He thought to himself, "In this main hall, there is not a single person present. With such lax security, if I wanted to take this emperor's life, it would likely be of no difficulty at all?"
Xue Yuntian's eyes were filled with fervor, but he forced himself to remain calm and said, "No worries, I heard that the Tang Sect's headquarters agreed to my proposal?"
That concerns the core technology of soul tools, crucial to the national strength of the Douling Empire; to say I'm not excited would certainly be a lie!
Li Yunzhe calmly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, the Sect Leader has agreed to sell the core technology of soul tools to the Douling Empire!"
Xue Yuntian clapped and laughed heartily, "Good, very good! The Tang Sect is truly our ally of the Douling Empire!"
He initially held a try-it-and-see mindset, not expecting the Tang Sect to actually agree!
This was an enormous surprise for him!
Li Yunzhe's eyes narrowed, "Your Majesty jests; it's all for mutual benefit."
His previous statement was clearly attempting to win over the Tang Sect; as a neutral force, they naturally could not take sides!
However, Xue Yuntian, with deep meaning, said, "Eh, you can't say that. With this first collaboration, there'll be more possibilities in the future!"
Li Yunzhe did not intend to entangle over this issue, changing the subject, "Your Majesty, although the Sect Leader agreed to sell the core technology of soul tools to the Douling Empire, there is one condition!"
Hearing this, the former's expression changed subtly...
A few seconds later, he said again, "Feel free to speak, as long as it's within my capability, I certainly won't refuse!"
Li Yunzhe took a deep breath, "There's only one requirement, and that's for future manufactured soul tools, the last step needs to be installed by the Tang Sect Branch!"
"The reason is that the assembly involves many of the Tang Sect's hidden weapons knowledge!"
Xue Yuntian frowned deeply, "This, allow me some time to think it over..."
This request is, without a doubt, unfavorable to the Douling Empire!
Because once war occurs in the future, mass production of soul tools will be required, and at that time, if the Tang Sect is unwilling to assist, the consequences are evident!
But if they don't agree, the Douling Empire truly has no means to acquire soul tools from other forces!
He took a deep breath and gritted his teeth, "Can't it be another request?"
Li Yunzhe shook his head, "Your Majesty, this is the Tang Sect's bottom line! If not for the need for a large number of resources for development, they would never sell the core technology of soul tools!"
After careful consideration, with no way out, Xue Yuntian had no choice but to agree...
"Alright, I agree!"
As long as before the war, soul tools are disseminated to the Douling Empire's army, even if they face Tang Sect's sanctions, it won't have too great an impact!
Li Yunzhe's lips curled slightly, "Then, in three days, I will lead the Disciples of the Tang Sect Soul Guidance Hall to come and impart the core technology of soul tools!"
"Of course, I also hope that Your Majesty will have the items prepared for the transaction!"
...
Xingluo Empire, within the imperial palace!
One of the soldiers bent over and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, Li Yunzhe, the head of the Tang Sect Branch, the Spirit Pagoda Branch Master, and members of the Federation Investigation Team seek an audience!"
Hearing this, the faces of the Daijin were filled with anger, "The three major forces sent people at the same time, it seems they suspect our Xingluo Empire of colluding with the Holy Spirit Cult!"
"Damn, this accursed Holy Spirit Cult, to slander and frame us like this, do they really think we are pushovers?"
"The more this situation, the calmer we must be, we absolutely cannot fall for the Holy Spirit Cult's schemes!"
Sitting on the throne, Dai Yueyan said in a deep voice, "Let the representatives from the major powers come in, we might as well explain this matter once and for all!"
But just at this moment, an elder hidden in the shadows suddenly appeared, came to the side, and said some words with a grave expression...
After listening, Dai Yueyan's pupils shrank sharply, "What?? You mean... Yun'er was captured by the Holy Spirit Cult?"
The elder nodded, "Yes, the Holy Spirit Cult's people want you to go to the designated place immediately, or else they will..."
Dai Yueyan clenched his fist and shouted in anger, "Damn! Of all times, it had to be now!"
Yun'er, didn't I tell you not to return to the Xingluo Empire without permission?
If something happens to you, how will I explain to Father Emperor!
The elder hesitated, "Your Majesty, what should we do?"
Dai Yueyan was still somewhat reluctant, "Can you confirm Yun'er was captured by the Holy Spirit Cult?"
The elder affirmed, "Yes, from the appearance, it is undoubtedly Her Royal Highness the Princess!"
Thinking of this, Dai Yueyan immediately stood up, his expression serious, "Daijin, I have urgent matters to attend to, you will meet with representatives from the three major forces!"
He knew the Holy Spirit Cult was deliberately luring him away, but for the safety of Dai Yue'er, he had no choice but to do so!
In the next second, their figures instantly vanished from the hall...
Soon after, representatives of the three forces all entered the imperial palace...
Upon discovering the absence of Dai Yueyan, this emperor, their expressions subtly changed...
The leading Daijin, seeing things were not good, explained, "Representatives, His Majesty the Emperor had urgent matters to attend to, please wait a moment!"
A high-ranking federation official coldly rebuked, "Urgent matters? Is there anything more important than our federation team being attacked?"
"Could it be, as rumored, the Xingluo Empire is already controlled by the Holy Spirit Cult!"
This remark directly infuriated the Daijin present...
...