"Zaixing, Hu Jie and Zang Xin are pressuring Holy Dragon Douluo to agree to join forces. Although I didn't hear everything, that's the gist of it."
Han Tianyi's voice transmission reached Feng Zaixing's ears, relaying the fruits of his eavesdropping.
As a dignified Divine Origin Realm expert, it would be a waste not to utilize his advantage at this time.
"I understand, it's not surprising." Feng Zaixing nodded slightly, a sharp light flashing across his eyes.
He knew this day would come sooner or later. Let them come; all the enemies jumping out at once would be the perfect chance to see how many he could clean up this time.
Night fell.
In the side hall, the distressed Dai Tianling and Holy Dragon Douluo discovered an uninvited guest's arrival.
"Coming deep in the night is quite presumptuous. I hope Your Majesty and the Light Holy Dragon wouldn't mind."
Feng Zaixing slightly cupped his hands toward these two highest rulers of the Star Luo Empire, dispersing the mental force that concealed him to reveal his night-traveling attire.
He observed their expressions, comparing them with the known intelligence in his mind.
Dai Tianling's expression flickered with surprise, but he immediately displayed the composure of a monarch, saying calmly, "The Federation Envoy is willing to come to my palace to discuss major matters; I am quite pleased. However, I wonder what exactly the Envoy wishes to discuss that cannot be talked about during the day?"
He was suspicious. Could it be that this Feng Zaixing was just like the rumors—hating evil as if it were a mortal enemy, unable to wait even a day, and rushing to slaughter the entire Green Skeleton organization?
Feng Zaixing shook his head and said, "That matter has already been mentioned publicly. Why would I bring it up again in the middle of the night? Both I and the Federation delegation believe in Your Majesty's royal promise."
"My visit this time is more for the sake of the Light Holy Dragon."
His gaze fell upon Holy Dragon Douluo, one of the only two Limit Douluos in the Star Luo Empire and the only Four-Word Battle Armor Master. A faint smile played on his lips.
The man possessed the Light Holy Dragon Spirit. His cultivation was slow before the age of thirty, only reaching the level of a Spirit Elder. After thirty, his progress was rapid: Spirit Emperor in five years, Titled Douluo in another five, Super Douluo in five more, and a rank ninety-eight Super Douluo after another five years.
Subsequently, he completed his Three-Word Battle Armor alone and, after reaching the Limit Realm, nurtured it into a four-word battle armor. His life story was a true legend.
Holy Dragon Douluo's eyes were filled with confusion, seemingly not having expected the target to be himself. He asked with a smile, "What does the envoy mean?"
Feng Zaixing didn't want to beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "I know Shrek Tang Sect hates me to the bone. Coming to Star Luo, I will certainly face assassination attempts, perhaps from certain people in the Spirit Transfer Pagoda as well as the entire Holy Spirit Cult."
"The Star Luo Empire cannot remain uninvolved and will surely be coerced by them. However, I hope you can put in the effort without actually doing anything; it would be even better if you could provide me with some intelligence."
Holy Dragon Douluo's pupils contracted instantly. He almost suspected his conversation from earlier that day had been overheard. Suppressing the shock in his heart, he feigned composure and said, "The envoy is overthinking. Our country has always adhered to good neighborliness and friendship. How could we do such a thing?"
Feng Zaixing looked up and countered, "Do you really want me to say that I have special channels to keep an eye on the traitor, Smiling Tiger?"
Holy Dragon Douluo was suddenly speechless: "..."
This person really played outside the box, just like the legends said, giving no one the chance to play Chess with words.
Feng Zaixing said clearly, "Since I dared to come, I have the confidence to deal with them. This matter originally had nothing to do with Star Luo, so I don't want you to truly get involved."
"Otherwise, while it would be a bit more troublesome for me, it would be a catastrophe for you. It would give the Federation a reason to start a war for free."
"Whether the war starts early or late, it's still a war. But since you've just taken in Shrek Tang Sect, you surely hope the war comes as late as possible—ideally, never at all."
Dai Tianling laughed and decided to be candid, saying, "Indeed. We are very indignant at the Tang Sect's actions, but as the Tang Sect said, even if we do nothing, your assassination will still become an excuse for the Hawk Faction to start a war."
"In the current Federation, the dove faction exists in name only, and the neutrals have leaned toward you. You played a huge role in that, didn't you?"
Feng Zaixing nodded, admitting it without evasion: "Correct. I am an expert at internal strife and an expert at external conflict. I am most annoyed by the dove faction's propositions, and I hate even more that they are merely mouthpieces supported by the Tang Sect. If I don't kill them, what am I waiting for?"
"Everything the Federal Investigation Bureau does, you can pin on me; because in my view, their harm is not much less than that of an Evil Soul Master."
"But as for whether my assassination will become a pretext for war, you needn't worry."
Dai Tianling asked, "Why?"
Feng Zaixing looked at him and said, "My subordinates and I have not yet entered the military high command. If the military starts a war, we won't get any military merit or benefits. Therefore, I will certainly stop the military from starting a war quickly until I can take power."
"I am a very rational person. You can view me as a moderate within the Hawk Faction. In my eyes, war is just a means to achieve an end, not the result I seek. Why fight a war that brings no benefits?"
"When I take power and want to help my subordinates advance, I won't need an excuse at all; I'll just lead them to attack."
As his words fell, the faces of Dai Tianling and Holy Dragon Douluo twitched violently. Their expressions froze, and their eyes widened, not knowing what to say.
You really don't treat us as outsiders; you're speaking your heart out completely!
After a moment of silence, Dai Tianling spoke again with a speechless face: "Since you've made things so clear, can I know why I should help you? Just because you can help me get rid of the Green Skeleton?"
Feng Zaixing shook his head: "You can propose conditions that aren't too excessive. Additionally, I want to give you both a piece of advice. I act with a clear distinction between gratitude and grudges. I can understand Star Luo being coerced, but if you put all your effort into helping Shrek Tang Sect, I will have no choice but to treat you as mortal enemies."
"When the army points its blades in the future, if my killing intent is hard to restrain, I won't stop certain people's radical actions. Conversely, I will naturally hold back some of the madmen in the Hawk Faction and use the mildest means possible to complete the unification of Douluo Star."
"Of course, you can take this as a threat. Because if I wanted to, I could go back right now and wipe out the Shen Family, one of the four major military families, and seize control of the Federation's Northern Sea Legion."
Dai Tianling and Holy Dragon Douluo fell silent once more. Their facial muscles twitched repeatedly as a myriad of emotions surfaced in their hearts.
Powerful, too powerful. The feeling Feng Zaixing gave them was like a sky-piercing sharp sword—sharp, revealing, and incomparably dominant.
After a long time, the Star Luo monarch and official reached a consensus through mental force transmission. Dai Tianling said, "We can help you within a limited scope, but I have two conditions. First, you must join forces with us to wipe out the Green Skeleton. Second, I hope you can participate in our country's Spirit Master Competition's individual tournament."
"The first condition is easy to handle. The main issue is intelligence; I don't know where the Green Skeleton headquarters is."
Feng Zaixing frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled: "The second condition is even simpler for me to agree to, but do you really want me to compete? Not to boast, but there are very few people in the Star Luo Empire qualified to fight me."
Holy Dragon Douluo thought to himself that this kid was even more arrogant than Long Yue. He smiled and said, "Of course. However, this is a friendly match. I would like to ask you not to use battle armor or mechas and to give some guidance to my disciple, Long Yue."
Feng Zaixing gave him a deep look and said, "Fine. But I have a word of caution: I will only fight in the finals. Moreover, among the few people I brought, there is no shortage of those who can fight Long Yue."
"Rest assured, if Long Yue is defeated beforehand, I will just ask you to fight him privately," Holy Dragon Douluo said.
"Good, I agree."
With the agreement reached, Feng Zaixing took his leave.
The palace fell into an eerie silence. A bitter smile of a headache quickly emerged on Holy Dragon Douluo's face.
"Your Majesty, I now know why the Tang Sect is so determined to eliminate him in advance. This boy's talent is terrifyingly strong, and his pride is equally terrifying; he doesn't deign to hide his thoughts at all."
Dai Tianling clicked his tongue: "Indeed. I've seen many geniuses who are arrogant because of their high talent, but him... no matter which aspect, he has taken it to the extreme."
"Talking to him, I even had the feeling that I wasn't facing a young Genius, but another powerful and iron-blooded emperor. It's truly hard to imagine the Federation would have such a young man."
Holy Dragon Douluo sighed: "I observed that his divine radiance is restrained within. I'm afraid he has Cultivated some kind of combat method related to will, which has influenced his Mind. It manifests as being strong and hegemonic way, but with an internal bottom line."
"This kind of Mind is very dangerous, but his talent is too high and his cultivation too fast, such that this Mind and his cultivation complement each other. Maintaining this Mind allows his cultivation to progress at a tremendous pace, so he is unwilling to change it."
"It even looks like he's looking forward to someone coming to assassinate him. It's truly strange."
Dai Tianling said, "So, to what extent should we help him?"
Holy Dragon Douluo said, "I've thought of a suitable candidate. Letting him go out to deal with the Tang Sect while secretly going easy is one way..."
Dai Tianling quickly remembered who the other party was talking about. His eyes rolled, and he sighed, "Qilin Douluo, he was once a top-tier Genius too..."
After leaving the palace, Feng Zaixing flew straight into the Spirit Transfer Pagoda branch, gave his name, and entered through the main gate.
Soon, he met the person in charge here, the Vice Pagoda Master of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, Ghost Flame Douluo Zhang Geyang.
"Haha, I heard from Zhang Ting long ago that you would visit this pagoda, nephew. I didn't expect you to come at night."
Zhang Geyang's face showed a hint of surprise, and his smile was warm. However, in the eyes of Feng Zaixing, who had extraordinary mental force, it was still a mechanical fake smile.
Feng Zaixing replied softly, "The Star Luo imperial Family was too hospitable during the day and insisted on keeping us. As a Junior, I couldn't refuse, so I had to come to see you at night. I hope you don't mind."
"Haha, not at all, not at all. Please, please—"
Zhang Geyang immediately showed an even warmer smile and invited Feng Zaixing into the pagoda. However, the moment he turned around, a flicker of coldness appeared on his face and vanished instantly.
Feng Zaixing noticed this and nodded inwardly.
Clearly, the Spirit Transfer Pagoda under Zhang Geyang was also one of the parties involved in the assassination. His helping Leng Yaozhu must have caused Qiangu Dongfeng great dissatisfaction, and there might also be considerations that his growth would suppress the Spirit Transfer Pagoda.
This old guy shouldn't be kept for long, a thought similar to a villain's psychological activity surfaced in Feng Zaixing's mind.
Having confirmed the position of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, this trip was not in vain.
They went up the pagoda to talk. Tea and snacks were already prepared. Zhang Geyang called him "nephew" with every breath, not treating himself as an outsider at all, his expression very earnest.
"Both His Majesty Heavenly Phoenix and Pagoda Master Qian Gu are on good terms with you, nephew. It's said that His Majesty Heavenly Phoenix's achievement of the Quasi-God Realm was largely due to your help. I won't hide it from you, nephew; I've been stuck at rank ninety-eight for a long time. I wonder if you have any advice for me?"
The true intention was revealed. Zhang Geyang naturally had to execute his big brother Qiangu Dongfeng's order to "connect with all parties, hide in the shadows, and do everything possible to eliminate Feng Zaixing and the geniuses under him," but he also cared about the progress of his own cultivation.
Of the three Pagoda Masters of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, he was still lingering at rank ninety-eight, which sounded inappropriate.
Feng Zaixing ate some snacks and said with a calm face, "I heard that Pagoda Master Zhang's spirit soul quality is even above that of Pagoda Master Qian Gu. The Zhang Family has a deep foundation; how could you not break through to the Limit?"
Zhang Geyang smiled bitterly: "That's true, but my talent is not as good as the other two Pagoda Masters. My Spirit Bloodline has no further room for advancement, and my potential is almost at its peak."
Those who can break through to Limit Douluo usually do so when they are young and wouldn't spend so many years. Zhang Geyang watched the door to the Limit right in front of him but could never push it open, only able to sigh.
Hearing this, Feng Zaixing feigned confusion and said, "The Spirit Transfer Pagoda has the Spirit Ascension Platform. I think Pagoda Master Zhang could perhaps try upgrading your remaining spirit souls to the hundred-thousand-year level?"
Zhang Geyang's face turned ugly for a moment. Is it because he doesn't want to upgrade his spirit soul's years?