The Sea of Star Luo Continent!
The Sun-Moon Federation's military had just approached and had not yet launched an amphibious assault when the Star Luo Empire's Foreign Minister, Sima Lanxiao, boarded the Federation warship to meet with the Federation's army commander, the Vast Sea Douluo, Chen Xinjie.
Indeed, this time, the five major legions of the Federation were led by the Vast Sea Douluo, Chen Xinjie.
"Commander-in-Chief, although Star Luo Continent does not fear any enemy, the suffering and casualties in war are always borne by the common people and soldiers. His Majesty, our Emperor, is wise and mighty. He wishes to offer a suggestion to Commander-in-Chief," Sima Lanxiao said.
"A suggestion? Hahaha, what a joke! The Federation's military is overwhelmingly strong. What suggestions could we possibly need?" Chen Xinjie laughed heartily, as if he had heard the greatest joke.
Since the Star Luo Empire dared to make a proposal, it must have some confidence in its victory.
With the combined strength of the five major armies, the Federation could easily sweep through and conquer the Star Luo Empire. Why would Chen Xinjie consider any proposal that could add uncertainty?
"Commander-in-Chief, I believe it would be wise to hear our suggestion first before making a decision," Sima Lanxiao smiled slightly.
Upon hearing Sima Lanxiao's words, Chen Xinjie's gaze turned sharp. "What, are you threatening me?"
Sima Lanxiao, a civil official, had no guards with him when he met Chen Xinjie. His life and death were entirely in Chen Xinjie's hands. No number of guards would have helped him here.
Chen Xinjie merely gave a look, and without even releasing any aura, he immediately made Sima Lanxiao break into a cold sweat, almost unable to breathe.
But Sima Lanxiao still held his head high, looking directly at Chen Xinjie and saying, "I would never dare to threaten the Commander-in-Chief. I am simply conveying the will of our Emperor. His Majesty has said that if the Commander-in-Chief agrees to our proposal, no matter the outcome of the battle, the Star Luo Empire's army and the Federation's military will have a fair and just confrontation. However, if the Commander-in-Chief rejects our proposal, then the Star Luo Empire's million-man army will be scattered, like sesame seeds across Star Luo Continent. We will not fight you face-to-face. Once you've conquered Star Luo, we will rise up again and wage a guerrilla war across the entire continent. At that point, Star Luo will be able to tie down at least four of your legions, and the Federation will inevitably become mired in a prolonged war. You will not escape for a hundred years."
After hearing Sima Lanxiao's words, Chen Xinjie's gaze turned serious.
Though the Star Luo Empire's land area was far smaller than that of the Federation, its total military strength was not significantly less.
In fact, with the addition of the Tianhu Domain's forces, they could even match the Federation's military in terms of sheer numbers.
However, the Star Luo Empire's and Tianhu Domain's armies were poorly equipped compared to the Federation's.
In a direct confrontation, the Star Luo Empire's military would have the ability to sweep across Star Luo Continent, but if the entire continent resorted to guerrilla tactics, the Federation's army might really be bogged down.
And if the Federation's military got caught in a protracted conflict on Star Luo Continent, what would happen if the Federation's internal situation changed?
For instance, if abyssal creatures broke out or the Holy Spirit Sect launched a large-scale attack!
Even the Spirit Hall, Tang Sect, and Spirit Pagoda could rise up.
At that point, the Federation's army would be too far away to help, like distant water that could not quench a nearby fire.
"Tell me your proposal," Chen Xinjie said coldly, unable to do anything but relent.
Seeing that Chen Xinjie seemed to be compromising, Sima Lanxiao quickly explained, "I've heard that in ancient times, there was an unwritten rule on Douluo Continent that Title Douluo-level experts should not casually attack ordinary people. I'm sure the Commander-in-Chief is aware of this, right?"
"Of course I know. Back then, not even Title Douluos, let alone lower-level soul masters, would casually harm the common people," Chen Xinjie sneered. His family history was long and illustrious, even predating Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect, so he knew far more about this subject than Sima Lanxiao did.
"Back then, commoner soul masters could cultivate more easily. Many powerful soul masters came from commoner backgrounds, which is why this unwritten rule emerged," Chen Xinjie sighed before continuing, "In those times, commoners had many latent bloodlines. But as time passed, these bloodlines awakened. Nowadays, it's much harder for commoners to awaken powerful martial souls."
With the development of soul tools, communication devices, and mechs, the status of commoners seemed to be slowly reversing.
But the high-ranking officials of Douluo Continent understood that this was only a surface phenomenon.
In the past, when a commoner awakened a martial soul, they didn't need to worry about resources for cultivation. They didn't need to buy soul spirits, rare metals, or worry about tuition fees and living expenses.
But today, even if a commoner soul master awakened a powerful martial soul, they might not be able to afford the soul spirits, let alone the tuition or living costs.
Back then, work-study students could attend school for free and even work to offset their fees. Many resources were available to them.
But now, work-study students paid more than regular students.
This clearly showed that ordinary commoner students were being suppressed.
Though commoners seemed to have a better status now, the truth was it was a hundred times harder to rise up compared to two thousand years ago.
Back then, commoners didn't have to worry about martial soul awakening. Once their martial soul was awakened and they had soul power, they didn't need to worry about school or living costs and could focus entirely on cultivation.
This is why so many powerful soul masters emerged from the common people.
Even a small village could produce a Soul Sage back then.
Because of the immense potential among commoners, most soul masters would never target the common people for minor gains.
As for Title Douluos, they would never attack ordinary people.
Over time, this unwritten rule emerged: Title Douluos should not harm ordinary people.
However, Chen Xinjie was confused as to why Sima Lanxiao was bringing up this point.
"Our Emperor believes that Title Douluos cause too much destruction. If they enter the battlefield against ordinary soldiers, it's essentially a massacre. Therefore, His Majesty suggests that both sides' Title Douluos should stay out of the war. To prevent any harm to ordinary people, all Title Douluos should fight on another battlefield, such as the Crystal Mountain in the Tianhu Domain," Sima Lanxiao said.
"The Tianhu Domain? You've allied with the Tianhu Domain?" Chen Xinjie feigned surprise.
"You are invading Star Luo Continent for no reason. Every Star Luo citizen has the obligation to resist, and the Tianhu Domain is no exception," Sima Lanxiao said coldly.
"Hmph, are you even from Star Luo Continent?" Chen Xinjie sneered.
"You don't need to worry about that, Commander-in-Chief," Sima Lanxiao said indifferently, smiling. "Please consider His Majesty's proposal carefully."
"So, you want to separate the Title Douluos and those below them into two battlefields. The soul masters below Title Douluo will fight alongside the army, and the Title Douluos will fight in the Tianhu Domain, right?" Chen Xinjie asked with narrowed eyes.
"Exactly. What? Are you afraid?" Sima Lanxiao retorted.
"Psychological tricks don't work on me," Chen Xinjie said with a cold glance. At his level, he had long since grown indifferent to both praise and insults. He wouldn't lose his composure over a single word from Sima Lanxiao.
"Then will you agree to our Emperor's proposal?" Sima Lanxiao asked.
"Do you really think that if we remove the Title Douluos from the battlefield, you can win? How laughable. It seems Star Luo Empire still doesn't understand the gap between us and the Federation," Chen Xinjie said with a mocking laugh. "But since you're asking for it, then we shall do as you wish."
"Commander-in-Chief, I'm glad you agreed. In three days, we'll be waiting for you at the Tianhu Domain to witness your arrival," Sima Lanxiao laughed heartily and stood up to leave.
As soon as Sima Lanxiao left, Yu Guanzhi appeared before Chen Xinjie, sneering. "The Tianhu Domain, huh? Let's see who's really scheming here!"
"This expedition will go even more smoothly than expected," Chen Xinjie said, laughing confidently. He knew the Star Luo Empire would try to deceive them, but so what?
The Star Luo Empire dared to choose the Tianhu Domain as the battlefield.
Chen Xinjie wasn't afraid of them scheming.
(End of chapter)