Chapter 1295 - Persuasion
Tang Wulin spoke in a deep voice, “Now that Your Highness has seen the heavy ion beam, I hope you’ll understand my insolence earlier. Our intentions are sincere. Although the Tang Sect makes all kinds of soul devices, we’re peace-loving at heart. Wars will only bring misery and suffering to the people where the evil lurking in darkness prevails. Thus, we don’t want a war to take place, be it a war against the Federation or the Star Luo Empire. No one should die because of a war.”
“At any rate, I realized that the Star Luo Empire doesn’t truly understand the implication of the impending war after meeting Your Highness. The Federation comprises three army fleets in addition to the Sea God Army Corps. Their total military force is perhaps not much more powerful than Star Luo Empire’s, but in modern warfare, the number of people or even soul masters is no longer the determining factor for victory. The crucial element is technology. If the Star Luo Empire is capable of competing against the Douluo Federation’s technology, the Star Luo Empire wouldn’t have been on this continent.”
Tang Wulin’s harsh words infuriated the Star Luo Empire’s powerhouses. However, they had to admit that there was some element of truth to it.
The Star Luo Empire was aware of the disparity between the Douluo Federation’s soul technology and theirs. However, the Star Luo Empire’s soul technology had improved over the years. A few of their large scale research centers had made brilliant achievements which demonstrated their ability to catch up to the Douluo Federation. It was not until today that the firepower of the heavy ion beam which they had never heard of was revealed to them. Only then did they realize that there was an insuperable gap between their soul technology and the Federation’s.
In most cases, the truth of a situation was usually difficult for people to accept. Nonetheless, they had no choice no matter how unwilling they were as they could not continue deceiving themselves anymore.
“How about Tang Sect’s technology? Is it comparable to the Douluo Federation’s?” asked Dai Yueyan in a deep voice.
Tang Wulin shook his head. “There’s no comparison at all. It’s almost like living in a fool’s paradise. However, the Tang Sect has over twenty thousand years of experience, so we can help the Star Luo Empire overcome this obstacle at the very least. Besides, the price we’re asking for is not high. The most important point is that the empire is not allowed to utilize these weapons to wage an offensive war. I believe that the empire has set a price of its own. The Tang Sect will definitely not demand a high price on this matter.”
Dai Yueyan understood Tang Wulin very well. Even without extorting a high price, it was still an astronomical figure. At the same time, consenting to the Tang Sect’s terms would mean that they would be bonded to the Tang Sect which might offend the other forces.
“Can the Tang Sect make these heavy ion beams?” asked Dai Yueyan.
Tang Wulin shook his head, “There’s no way we can mass produce them. We’ve done some research and found that the weapon’s design is strongly encrypted because it’s highly valuable to the Federation. Any attempt to reverse engineer it will result in its self-destruction. Furthermore, we’ve only brought a single unit of the weapon for this trip. Hence, we can’t offer it to the empire.”
“I’m not sure if Your Highness is aware of the incident that took place in the Dou Spirit Empire. The Tang Sect has officially waged war on the Spirit Pagoda for a simple reason. The Spirit Pagoda colluded with the Holy Spirit Cult’s evil soul masters. Hence, we’ve lost hope of ever working with the Spirit Pagoda. Under such circumstances, we have no other choice.”
Evidently, Dai Yueyan knew of that. The Star Luo Empire had a close relationship with the Dou Spirit Empire to fight against the Douluo Federation. The palace would receive the latest information from its ally. They also learned that the Dou Spirit Empire had already chosen to collaborate with the Tang Sect.
It was precisely for this reason that the Star Luo Empire was unwilling to let Tang Wulin lead them by the nose.
“I understand Sect Master’s intention. I’ll inform His Majesty what I witnessed here today and request His Majesty for a decision. My father will have the final say. That’s all for today. Dai Yueyan bids farewell.”
It would be pointless to remain here. He was keen to return and discuss the matter with his father after witnessing the heavy ion beam’s power. However, he would first need to consult the empire’s research center whether such a weapon could possibly be produced.
A weapon that could launch a fatal strike on a black mecha master or a powerful battle armor master would certainly turn the tide of a war.
The Star Luo Empire felt confident because they advocated military force. There were numerous soul masters and soul guide masters in the Star Luo Empire. Moreover, the soul masters received absolute support from the empire. They believed that even if the Star Luo Empire’s powerhouses were not on par with the Federation’s, they were not too far behind. On the other hand, the powerhouses in the Federation were definitely not as united as the Star Luo Empire’s powerhouses.
The benefit of a monarchy was that it could take good care of its official personnel’s welfare. The federal empire, on the other hand, could not do the same, if at all. Naturally, the Star Luo Empire had the goodwill of its people.
The Smiley Face Douluo bid farewell to Dai Yueyan’s group of people at the door. It was only then that he gave Tang Wulin a big thumbs up. “Sect Master is truly impressive! A weapon is good enough to convince the crown prince to change his mind. As a matter of fact, it’s my first time to see the weapon. Is it true that even a black mecha is incapable of withstanding the power of this heavy-ion beam?”
Tang Wulin nodded. “Of course, it’s true. Otherwise, the palace’s numerous powerhouses which His Highness brought along would not have been convinced so easily.”
The Smiley Face Douluo frowned deeply and spoke, “If that’s the case, even if our plan is completed, the Star Luo Empire may not necessarily be able to stop the federal army, right?” With such a powerful weapon, the Federation had a choice of different battle strategies. For example, they could choose between launching a stealth operation or a decapitation strike. What other forces were capable of withstanding a weapon that even a black mecha failed to resist?
Tang Wulin smiled. “Even though the heavy ion beam is powerful, it has drawbacks too. For example, its striking distance. It’s only effective when used within the range of a thousand meters. Hence, the weapon will need to approach a black mecha to at least five hundred meters before launching an attack. Anyway, the most important point is…”
His lips hummed. Only the Smiley Face Douluo could hear what he was about to say.
The Smiley Face Douluo expressed interest upon listening to Tang Wulin’s explanation.
“No wonder… Sect Master, you’re truly one of a kind. Haha, people are calling me out for having a kind face but a wicked heart. They’ve yet know you, Sect Master.”
Tang Wulin smiled. “I’ve just not revealed everything about myself. None of my spoken words are lies. Is that not good enough?”
Hu Jie raised his brows. “We’ll see how His Majesty decides tomorrow. However, His Majesty is not so easily dealt with. He has a firm and unyielding temperament, so he may not necessarily feel threatened despite knowing that the enemy is powerful. The tactic used on the crown prince can’t be used on him. He may be an emperor, but he’s also a recalcitrant man who would rather break than bend.”
Tang Wulin nodded. The Smiley Face Douluo’s reminder was important. In reality, he worried about the situation tomorrow when he would face His Majesty. He would like it to be over as soon as possible. After all, he had no idea when the federal army would come.
It had already been four months since he left the Federation. According to the information he received when he was at the Dou Spirit Empire, the areas around the Skysea City’s naval port were under siege. No one could see the situation inside the military station. All the Federation’s satellites and detection equipment were not allowed to operate over the maritime area.
It was apparent that even the Boundless Sea Douluo could not prevent the war from happening as it was still ongoing. Also, no one could tell when the federal army would arrive.
The army’s arrival was imminent so they had to complete the mission as soon as possible. They needed to execute their plans soon to prevent the war from happening.
“Big brother, do you think that His Highness will bring along his Eight Great Heavenly Kings to spar against us? If that’s the case, it’d be awesome. I’m a resentful person,” said Xie Xie with an evil grin.
They were younger than the Eight Heavenly Kings. Although they achieved victory in the Star Luo Empire’s competition, it turned out to be an agonizing win. If not because of Tang Wulin’s and Gu Yue’s final efforts to turn the tide, they would have lost the competition. Shrek Academy’s honor was at stake.
Time had passed and circumstances had changed. Everyone had progressed to a higher level. The Shrek Seven Monsters felt confident of themselves, especially now that their captain had become powerful to such an extent.
Tang Wulin darted him a look and said, “We’re here to discuss the state affairs. Can’t you let go of that little enmity from before? Moreover, they suffered losses too.” The Fox King Su Mu’s tail was almost severed by him. He was sure that their opponents bore grudges against them as well.