Huo Yuhao's information caused Xu Jiujiu's expression to change drastically.
"What did you say?"
She truly hadn't imagined the Sun Moon Empire would go this far.
Because of the Blacksmith Association's existence, the Star Luo Empire had enjoyed a rare period of peace. Both Spirit Master and Spirit Engineer training seemed to have boarded a high-speed train, rapidly catching up to the Sun Moon Empire.
Not only that, in the field of forging, they had invested heavily. The development of the Star Luo branch and the Gengxin City branch within the country wasn't inferior to the Shrek City branch.
Amidst this flourishing prosperity, they came to Sun Moon Imperial Capital with the mindset of learning, preparing to bring back more advanced technology.
Little did they expect the Sun Moon Empire would lose its patience.
"Although there have been frictions at the border again, it shouldn't be this fast, right?"
Even as Xu Jiujiu said this, her face was deathly pale, devoid of any color.
She believed it.
Because life had been too peaceful in recent years, she had forgotten the need for vigilance in times of peace.
Prompted by Huo Yuhao, she took another look at the current situation in Sun Moon Imperial Capital and suddenly understood.
"The entire younger generation of the Douluo Three Nations is gathered here."
This competition wasn't just about changing the mechanism to make it a purer Spirit Master Grand Competition.
"The team leaders from the major sects are often high-ranking members of their sects. Some are the only Titled Douluo of their sect, some are second-in-command Spirit Douluos. Without exception, they are all high-level combat power, the pillars of the Douluo Three Nations in the event of a real war."
Yet now, these very pillars were all in Sun Moon Imperial Capital.
Xu Jiujiu felt dizzy, as if she might faint at any moment.
The Star Cloud Douluo supported her upon seeing this.
"Your Highness, don't worry. Since we know about the Sun Moon Empire's plan in advance, there's still a chance."
Xu Jiujiu took a long time to recover, realizing Huo Yuhao was still beside her.
"Thank you for informing us of this secret in advance."
Xu Jiujiu didn't dare imagine what their fate would be if Huo Yuhao hadn't warned them and they were caught off guard.
Hearing this, Huo Yuhao gave a bitter smile.
"We are essentially grasshoppers on the same boat. Previous unpleasantries should be set aside for now."
He took a deep breath and said, "I am a citizen of the Star Luo Empire, and I also don't wish to see a rift between my country and my academy. I know the Star Luo Empire previously acted to seize development opportunities, but clearly, all of this was a deliberately created illusion by the Sun Moon Empire, meant only to divide us."
"Your Highness, the seemingly peaceful situation is actually intended to ignite conflicts of desire within us."
"In my view, the real trigger isn't even this Spirit Master Grand Competition, but the rift between the Douluo Three Nations and Shrek Academy. If our relationships hadn't broken down, the Sun Moon Empire wouldn't dare to declare war so blatantly."
Xu Jiujiu nodded in agreement.
"You are right. After returning, I will discuss this with my imperial brother and collaborate with the other two nations, sharing the technologies researched in recent years to jointly resist the Sun Moon Empire."
Her mind worked quickly; she could only promise whatever was feasible to promise for now.
Survive and return first.
Moreover, what she offered wasn't impossible to give away.
Once war broke out, the Star Luo Empire would bear the brunt and need allies the most. So they had to proactively give up some benefits.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Huo Yuhao bowed. "With Your Highness's words, I am also confident in persuading the royal families of the other two nations."
Xu Jiujiu raised her hand, stopping Huo Yuhao.
"Be careful with the Tianhun Imperial Family."
"Hmm?"
"Princess Wei Na of the Tianhun Empire is a disciple of the Body Sect. This is intelligence I gathered not long ago."
Huo Yuhao immediately frowned.
This wasn't good news.
But it couldn't be considered entirely bad news either.
"I will speak with the Tianhun Empire. Their connection to the Body Sect doesn't necessarily mean anything. From my experience of several years in the Sun Moon Empire, I can sense the relationship between the Body Sect and the Sun Moon Empire isn't one of collusion."
"I hope so," Xu Jiujiu said.
After discussing general strategies to counter the Sun Moon Empire's encirclement with Xu Jiujiu, Huo Yuhao left the Star Luo Imperial Family's room, returned to Shrek's room, and compared notes with Xiao Xiao and Xu Sanshi.
"A message from Senior Sister?"
Su Ming glanced at the communication Spirit Tool, finding a message from Wei Na about Xiao Xiao from Shrek approaching them to discuss how to deal with the Sun Moon Imperial Family's encirclement.
"Huo Yuhao's channel? Ju Zi, perhaps?"
Su Ming thought about it. The only person who would take such a risk to tell Huo Yuhao the truth was probably Ju Zi.
Other Sun Moon Empire Spirit Engineers didn't have good relations with Huo Yuhao.
Based on his understanding, Huo Yuhao had contact with the Sun Moon Imperial Family during his exchange period, and the contact person was Ju Zi.
Of course, Huo Yuhao himself might not know Ju Zi was Xu Tianran's confidante.
"Not much change in fortune. No need to bother."
Su Ming glanced at the fortune, then closed his eyes to simulate Heaven Refinement again.
Undercurrents surged.
The seemingly calm Spirit Master Grand Competition was secretly abuzz with rumors that the Sun Moon Empire planned to surround and kill all participants from the Douluo Three Nations.
This reflected in the competition, with many Spirit Masters' performances declining, showing noticeably more mistakes.
A few days later, some teams even approached the Blacksmith Association, asking if, since the Association intended to select suitable teams for cooperation during the competition, they would guarantee their safety in the coming period.
Where there was one team, others followed.
It was as if they all suddenly became enlightened, remembering the Body Sect behind the Blacksmith Association and placing their hopes for survival on the Body Sect.
"Wait, is the Sun Moon Empire sick?" Xu Jiujiu said, puzzled. "How could such a thing become common knowledge? Could Huo Yuhao have been tricked?"
No.
"Could he have made this up?"
Suspicion flashed in Xu Jiujiu's eyes.
It was truly hard to imagine such a serious operation leaking to all its targets over a month before implementation.
This disturbance even caught Su Ming's attention.
He hadn't paid much attention when he saw Wei Na's message, but after being informed by Du Busi that all the sects and academies of the Douluo Three Nations were seeking protection from the Blacksmith Association, he truly couldn't sit still anymore.
"The fortune has changed."
Su Ming's expression shifted slightly.
How could this be?
Ju Zi couldn't be that foolish, could she?
At most, she might inform Huo Yuhao, and then Huo Yuhao would seize the chance to negotiate with the Three Nations' royal families.
Informing all participating teams?
Could Huo Yuhao be that foolish?
Causing chaos in advance would mean the Sun Moon Imperial Family wouldn't need to pretend anymore.
"No, they wouldn't really think the Body Sect is the only way out, so they deliberately ignited public opinion early, hoping my Body Sect would step in and persuade Xu Tianran, would they?"
"Currently, it seems Xu Tianran is indeed hesitant. Public opinion has been fermenting for a day, but the Spirit Engineer Legions under him haven't moved. Everything is calm."
Sun Moon Imperial Palace.
Xu Tianran massaged his temples, momentarily unsure what Ju Zi intended to do.
"Someone, summon Ju Zi here."
***
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