The four directors of the Sun and Moon Royal Academy hurried over to where Yun Ze was. Their breathing was rapid, their faces flushed red — whether from the earlier battle or sheer excitement, it was hard to tell.
"Yun Ze, that… that soul tool…" Yang Fan stammered, his words stumbling as if he were a stutterer.
Although the four were excited and eager to learn more about that mysterious soul tool, they didn't dare approach too closely.That was because Yun Tian (Di Tian) was exuding a faint but unmistakable pressure. If they took even one more step forward, they feared they might provoke him.
"That soul tool was developed by the Yun family's soul engineers. It won't be shared lightly," Yun Ze said, instantly cooling the four men's excitement.
They exchanged glances. After a brief hesitation, Yang Fan looked directly at Yun Tian and said, "This may sound presumptuous, but I still wish to make a proposal."
"We are willing to pay a sufficient price in exchange for your family's soul tool technology."
"Name your conditions. As long as they're within reason and within our means, we will agree."
This was a serious matter. Yang Fan didn't dare continue through Yun Ze, so he addressed the top powerhouse directly.
Di Tian instinctively turned to glance at Yun Ze, who gave a subtle nod of permission.After a moment's thought, Di Tian gave what he considered a measured and reasonable response:
"You understand how important soul tool technology is. Normally, it's impossible for us to share such techniques."
The four directors, being experienced men, immediately heard the implication behind his words — and their hearts leapt in hope.
There was room to negotiate. They nodded eagerly and looked at Di Tian with anticipation, waiting for his follow-up.
"However," Di Tian continued slowly, "the Sun and Moon Royal Academy, the Yun family, and the Dragon Phoenix Hall have all maintained very good relations. Recently, we've also reached a long-term partnership."
"As partners, it's not impossible for us to share this technology with you."
"That's great!" one of the directors blurted out in excitement.
Yang Fan shot him an annoyed glare, and the others looked at him with disdain — Old Wang, so impulsive.
"I'm just too happy, far too happy!" the man said sheepishly.
Yang Fan took a deep breath to calm himself and spoke earnestly to Di Tian."Please, state your terms. We can discuss anything."
"This matter will have to wait until I've returned and consulted with our clan leader," Di Tian replied plainly."So for now, I can't say what our terms will be. But rest assured — they won't be excessive. They'll be within your capacity to bear."
It was better to be direct with smart people. If they wanted the technology, they had to pay the proper price — it certainly wouldn't be given away for free.
"Very well. We'll discuss this in detail once we return," Yang Fan said with a smile, suppressing the urge to start studying the soul tool immediately.
The recent attack had caused catastrophic casualties.Those who hadn't jumped out of the train in time were all dead.Some were still barely breathing when rescued, but none survived long enough — every last one perished.
After more than seven hours of rescue operations, it was confirmed that everyone who had remained in the carriages had died without exception.The explosions of the shells, followed by the violent overturning of the train cars, killed them all.
Only the agile soul masters who had jumped out early survived.But after the intense battle that followed, many of them also perished.Now, barely over a hundred people remained alive.
In total, over 1,400 people — both soul masters and civilians — had boarded that soul train. Fewer than one in ten survived.The casualties were beyond tragic.
Of the Federation's diplomatic envoys, only a little over sixty remained; more than five hundred had died.Pan Wen, the secretary general, was so furious that he nearly fainted.
Of course, that number referred only to those aboard this particular train to Star Luo City.If you included those assigned to other locations, the total still came to nearly five hundred people.
"The Federation will never forget this hatred," Pan Wen roared, trembling with rage.
As the chief envoy, he bore direct responsibility for this disaster.When he returned home, the parliament would certainly hold him accountable.He had once been a strong contender for the next position of Speaker of the Federation — but after this, his chances were shattered.
For someone so obsessed with power, how could he possibly accept that? How could he not be furious?
Beside him, Luo Yuhang looked grim as well.He had been responsible for the mission's safety — yet with such heavy losses, it was clear he had failed.Though he didn't fear punishment, the shame of appearing incompetent was unbearable.
Worse still, he had earlier declared that he would kill the pilot of the red mecha — yet in the end, he'd failed.When the Ghost Emperor himself descended from the sky, his aura had been so terrifying that Luo Yuhang had no choice but to retreat.He had been forced to abandon the pursuit.
The disastrous ambush and his failed pursuit left him fuming, as though he'd just been slapped twice across the face.
The attack had shocked the entire Star Luo Empire.The emperor immediately ordered two hundred mechas to provide full protection.
Even with such losses, the delegation couldn't simply turn back now — they had traveled for more than two months to reach this point.Returning home now would be a national embarrassment.
Pan Wen ordered the incident reported to the Federation as quickly as possible, while he himself led the remaining members onward to Star Luo City.
They abandoned the destroyed soul train and switched to soul-powered aircrafts, escorted by two hundred mechas all the way.
In the imperial palace of Star Luo City, the Star Luo Emperor erupted in fury when he heard the news.He hadn't expected the Green Skull organization to be so audacious.
"Transmit my decree!" he thundered."Nationwide manhunt for the Green Skull organization!Anyone who reports information about them will be rewarded with ten taels of gold!"
"If the information is significant, the reward will be a hundred taels — even official titles may be granted. No informer will go unrewarded!"
"At the same time, order the White Tiger Legion and the Night Legion to annihilate the Green Skull organization at all costs!This time, I will erase them completely from the Star Luo Continent!"
With a furious slam of his hand — purely physical strength, not soul power — the thick wooden table before him shattered into pieces.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the ministers responded quickly, terrified that even a moment's delay might draw the emperor's wrath.
"We must give the Federation an explanation," the emperor said coldly."If this matter isn't handled properly, it could spark a war between our two continents."
At that, the court fell silent.The word war hung in the air like a heavy weight.The ministers all grew solemn and began suggesting possible responses and diplomatic measures.
The rest of the journey passed without further attacks.After more than ten hours of flight, the delegation finally arrived in Star Luo City in the middle of the night.
Both the envoys and their escorts exhaled in relief.
Star Luo City, the empire's capital, sat at the heart of the continent — its architecture steeped in ancient grandeur, complete with towering city walls.
(End of Chapter)