Soon, they gradually came to their senses and couldn't help but say in a trembling tone, "We must have taken a wrong turn… Why would we come to a place filled with the stench of blood?"
"Yes… Yes, this is the execution ground of the Xingluo Empire, where unforgivable criminals are dealt with!"
"His Majesty the Emperor had already promised to spare our lives, you… you can't be thinking of exacting private revenge, can you??"
The leading soldier sneered, "It's almost your turn, don't be anxious!"
The other guards responsible for the escort also showed no expression, firmly controlling the Daijin ahead...
As traitors, to actually believe that they could survive, how could that be possible!!
Hearing what the former had said, they finally panicked and anxiously said, "I want to see His Majesty the Emperor, I want to report you all!!"
"That's right, if you know what's good for you, release us immediately. If His Majesty the Emperor finds out, none of you will live!!"
"His Majesty the Emperor has already spared us, how dare you do this!!"
The soldier in charge frowned and said impatiently, "Such a nuisance, pull them down immediately, not one spared!"
The other guards responded in unison, "Yes, captain!"
But just as they were about to act, a steady voice suddenly rang out from not far away…
"What are you doing? Why are you escorting these people to the execution ground?"
The newcomer was none other than En Ci, the State Preceptor of the Xingluo Empire!
The Daijins's faces lit up with joy, and excitedly said, "State Master, please save us, these people are insane!"
"Yes, they want to kick us while we are down, they're trying to kill us!"
"Great, with the State Preceptor here, these people won't dare to make a move!"
Seeing this, the Xingluo Empire soldiers addressed him with faces full of respect, "State Master!"
En Ci nodded and then asked, "What exactly happened?"
The leading soldier took a deep breath and explained, "These people are traitors who betrayed the Xingluo Empire. We are acting on His Majesty the Emperor's command to dispose of them all!"
En Ci's eyes grew colder as he looked toward the Daijins, "Traitors??"
Everyone swallowed and answered tremulously, "State Master, we had no choice but to betray, and moreover, His Majesty the Emperor has decided to spare our lives!"
"Yes, State Master, we all realize our mistakes, and from now on we will serve the Xingluo Empire with all our heart and soul!"
"State Master, we swear on our lives there won't be a next time!"
With each statement that followed, En Ci's expression grew increasingly ugly…
This undoubtedly confirmed their act of betrayal!!
With that realization, En Ci suddenly spoke out, "Hand these people over to me, you all may leave!"
The soldier, on seeing this, was somewhat troubled and said through clenched teeth, "But… State Master? This is His Majesty the Emperor's command to dispose of them. If we let them go…"
To his surprise, En Ci glanced at them and said, "Who told you I was going to release them? Since they betrayed the Xingluo Empire, they should have anticipated this outcome a long time ago!"
"I will personally escort them into the execution ground!"
He himself also loathed traitors, so how could he possibly speak of letting them go!
The leading soldier was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood and said, "I see, it was a misunderstanding on my part of the State Master!"
Immediately after, he gestured to the other soldiers to release the Daijins and they quickly dispersed…
Only then did En Ci look at the Daijins, devoid of any emotion, "Alright, go in by yourselves. It will at least save you from the torment of flesh and blood."
"No, no, I don't want to die here!!"
"State Master, we treated you with such respect, yet I never imagined you could be this cruel!"
"Run, run quickly, as long as we find His Majesty the Emperor, we might still find a way to live!"
"Right, even the State Preceptor can't go against His Majesty's orders!"
Seeming to realize that escape was futile, they suddenly turned around, intending to flee from the place...
However, how could they possibly stand a chance against an opponent of the Limit Douluo Level?
Before they had run a hundred meters, they were successively enveloped by a tremendous pressure and turned into puddle after puddle of blood...
"Why bother, forcing me to act personally? Now not even a whole corpse will be left," he lamented as he looked over the carnage.
...
The Douling Empire!
A subordinate responsible for delivering messages was kneeling with his head down before Xue Yuntian...
With a grave expression, he reported, "Your Majesty, recent intelligence indicates that the Soul Master count within Soul Land's Spirit Pagoda has surged, surpassing the number within the federation!"
Xue Yuntian raised his eyebrows, intrigued, "Oh? Could it be that the Spirit Pagoda has invented something new?"
Because the federation had lifted the technology embargo against the Douling Empire, his mood had been quite good...
The former shook his head, "No, it seems that the Spirit Pagoda has employed some unsavory tactics to have these Soul Masters join voluntarily!"
Xue Yuntian propped up his chin, "Now, that's strange. If the Spirit Pagoda hasn't invented anything new and hasn't used benefits as bait, why would these Soul Masters join the Spirit Pagoda so eagerly?"
He found it utterly baffling!
An Ultimate Douluo by his side offered a suggestion, "Your Majesty, do you think the federation lifted the technology embargo because the Spirit Pagoda is growing stronger and could possibly challenge their status?"
Xue Yuntian nodded slightly, "You make a good point; I did say the federation wouldn't be so generous without reason!"
"It seems they hope to use this to draw our Douling Empire closer, to maintain their status among human forces!!"
"If I'm not mistaken, the Xingluo Empire is also doing the same, am I right?"
The subordinate revealed a surprised expression but still replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, the Xingluo Empire has also recently sent a large number of Soul Masters to the federation, presumably to learn Soul Guidance Technology!"
The Ultimate Douluo cautiously inquired, "Your Majesty, should we take any action?"
Xue Yuntian waved his hand, decisively rejecting the suggestion, "No need. This has nothing to do with our Douling Empire. On the contrary, the greater the pressure the Spirit Pagoda puts on the federation, the more we stand to gain. Why wouldn't we want that?"
The federation had only recently taken a significant amount of resources from the Douling Empire; it was time to return the favor!
The Ultimate Douluo agreed, "Your Majesty's words are most astute. However, there remains one issue?"
Xue Yuntian remained unperturbed, "Speak!"
The latter did not beat around the bush, reminding, "The stockpile of Spirit Souls in our Douling Empire is nearing exhaustion. If we don't purchase more from the Spirit Pagoda soon, we risk discontent among the Soul Masters!"
Xue Yuntian placed a hand over his forehead, feeling a throbbing pain in his head...
"Why does this have to happen now? It seems we must make contact with the Spirit Pagoda!"
Due to past conflicts, the supply of Spirit Souls from the Spirit Pagoda to the Douling Empire was extremely limited!
That the supply was running out within a few years was simply inevitable!
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