Devour

Min Wushuang was shocked when he heard this and hurriedly tried to dissuade him, "Your Majesty is my lord. How could he, of such noble status, venture into such a dangerous place? The saying 'don't kill envoys' has always been a matter of etiquette, but in reality, on the battlefield, etiquette is completely broken, and life-and-death struggles are common. Negotiators often have to keep their heads tucked into their belts."

Nie Ziqiong analyzed the situation, "I understand the stakes. The Beiling Sword Sect and the Snow Fox Nation both have legitimate reasons to attack the Tumin Society. Since I'm nominally the Crown Prince of Beiwei, it's more appropriate for me to intervene. Furthermore, the Tumin Society has never openly acknowledged me as their lord, so I have ample room to maneuver when speaking to Queen Yao."

Min Wushuang was a smart man and immediately understood the intention: "From the perspective of the major cultivation sects, the secular relations of the vassal states are obviously alienated. But it is really too risky!"

Nie Ziqiong said resolutely: "As the emperor's son, I aspire to conquer the world. This is a golden opportunity that comes once in a lifetime."

Min Wushuang knew that what he said was true, so he could only say: "If I find the situation critical, I will definitely rush onto the spirit boat with the two elders and protect you to the death."

Nie Ziqiong said confidently, "Don't act rashly. I can handle it with just one junior follower."

Min Wushuang thought for a moment and called out, "Is Min Lu'er here?"

Min Lu'er stood outside the door and responded, "I am here to follow the Dragon Head's orders."

Min Wushuang said, "You are the most accomplished disciple of your generation. You must follow the Crown Prince's lead and obey his orders."

Min Lu'er hurriedly said, "As you wish!"

……

Cheng Bai piloted the Black Blade Flying Armor and gradually approached the spirit boat team. He flew past the guard formation and slowly docked on the largest flagship-class Sky Patrol Spirit Boat.

It is about four hundred meters long, and is only taller than the one Ningxiang has anchored in Shanhui City. It hovers in the air like a flying fairy bird, and its elegant and kingly demeanor makes it stand out among the fleet.

Cheng Bai led his team out of the flying armor, leisurely put away his magic weapon, and bowed to the Beiling Sword Sect disciples who came to greet him, saying, "Please inform us that the Empress Ningxiang, the Ranger Association, and the Swallowing Heaven Sect have arrived together for a visit."

Listening to the resounding reports, Cheng Bai felt satisfied. "My spiritual sense has detected that Nie Ziqiong has already arrived. We'll have to move the talks to our home venue. Without the support of the Tumin Society, proposing a marriage alliance will be much more difficult. Let's see what the son of Ksitigarbha has the guts to brag."

Led by waiters, the group slowly entered the towering bridge tower, which resembled a castle. Along the way, the luxurious scenery was comparable to that of a palace. In the hall, the guests and hosts took their seats in turn.

Sitting on the throne in the hall was the Snow Fox Queen Yao Yingying, wearing pearly white cloud steel silk armor, outlining a heroic image.

She faced the lower part of the hall. To her left were four seats. First up was the new head of the Beiling Sword Sect, Saint Master Li Yijian, followed by Elders Wen, Feng, and Tu. To her right were only two seats, occupied in that order by Nie Ziqiong and his companion, Min Lu'er.

Everyone took another look at Elder Tu. It was obvious that it was no longer Min Xu in disguise. However, he looked haggard and pale, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.

Cheng Bai thought to himself, "I gave Sister Yingying a life-threatening pill not long ago, and now I'm going to use it on him?"

The waiters quickly set up the new banquet tables on the existing ones. Except for Queen Yao, everyone else sat on the floor.

After Cheng Bai was led to the left-hand seat of Elder Tu, Ningxiang, Wenjin, Kua Eyang, Zhai Xufei, and Bei Tingjun followed suit. Three more people filled the right-hand seat: Jinlian, Zixuan, and Qian Buduo were led methodically to the table behind Min Lu'er.

Yao Yingying's clear and moving voice echoed in the hall: "Everyone is here, and you are my guests. I am in a hurry to entertain you, so I will not distinguish between high and low seats. Please take a seat as you please."

Nie Ziqiong observed the details of the arrangements with great interest, his eyes twitching slightly as he mentally weighed the pros and cons. "A seat best reflects the weight held in the master's heart. 'No distinction between high and low' is just a polite statement. The Heaven-Swallowing Sect is a new weapon-refining sect, and its leader dares to call himself 'White Emperor.' In Beiyin's eyes, he's superior to both the Imperial Daughter and the leader of the Ranger Association. He's considered a vital ally and is being actively wooed!"

Cheng Bai's gaze met Nie Ziqiong's, and he thought, "Emperor Nie is truly a hero. He didn't bring any of the higher-ups of the Min Society with him, and he openly showed his weakness. He has the courage to burn his boats."

The food and drinks were served on the table one after another, and the atmosphere at the table was a little solemn.

Elder Wen seized the opportunity and spoke, "Rumors are circulating that the Tumin Society will soon be under the command of Prince Nie. It seems this is true. The Beiling Sword Sect is planning a war against the Tumin Society, and surprisingly, the Prince himself has been invited to act as a peace envoy."

Elder Tu's face was filled with rage as he shouted, "There has never been any deep hatred between our Beiling Sword Sect and the Tumin Society. Who could have imagined that the former assassin leader would dare to murder me? If it weren't for the generous gift of the Life-Slaying Pill from the White Emperor Saint Lord, how could I even be sitting here?"

Elder Feng said with a sullen look, "Even worse! The Tumin Society led a hundred thousand troops, equipped with Thunder Chariots and Howling Wind Spirit Boats, and invisibly approached the Snow Fox Kingdom's capital, Yinsheng City, and launched a surprise attack, nearly causing a devastating disaster. They also caused the Ladder of All Things to go on a killing spree, which had an extremely negative impact on the cultivators of the Five Continents! Why doesn't Min Wushuang Longtou step forward and offer an explanation?"

Nie Ziqiong raised his wine glass and said loudly, "Everyone, please listen to me."

He calmly surveyed everyone present, his voice strong and sincere, "The circumstances surrounding this matter are profoundly complex, and starting a war was never the Tumin Society's original intention. Please allow me to drink three cups as a token of respect and apology."

Cheng Bai sat quietly and watched coldly, thinking to himself, "He must be feeling a little guilty, so he's looking for an excuse to drink to boost his courage."

Nie Ziqiong drank three cups in a row, using the wine to moisten his throat as he spoke, "To be honest, the Massacre of the Mercy Society is the biggest victim! The Sun-Chasing Divine Lord possessed the body of a younger member of the village, lurking in the shadows to murder key members of the Council of Elders, impersonating the names of past leaders, and threatening the lives of their families, using every possible means. Fortunately, Yinsheng City didn't suffer too much damage, and Elder Tu is safe and sound. However, Tianning Village suffered this catastrophe, and over 90% of its population has perished!"

His words revealed deep regret and heartache, and he sincerely appealed: "Everyone, please do not make enemies without authorization, so as not to cause pain to your loved ones and joy to your enemies!"

Cheng Bai used his keen eyes to take a closer look, and he seemed to see Nie Ziqiong sitting cross-legged like a tall and majestic god, with a soft light yellow glow emanating from his body, which soaked every living being in sight like the warm sun, giving people an inexplicable sense of warmth and security.

"Could this be the unique vision of Nie Ziqiong?" Cheng Bai carefully felt the vague power. The light seemed gentle and harmless where it shone, but it was like mercury pouring on the ground and penetrating every pore. Even the spiritual shield could not block its penetration effect.

"His vision can take effect unconsciously. What kind of effect does it have?" Cheng Bai calmly took out the inheritance magic cube and placed it on the table. His left hand seemed to stroke it casually, and he communicated with it secretly with his spiritual thoughts.

Li Tong explained, "That's the 'Compassionate Light of Universal Salvation' phenomenon from Ksitigarbha's sacred body realm. It has no offensive power itself, but it is adept at inspiring good will and promoting harmony and beauty. It can also, in turn, stir up ill will, leading to conflict and large-scale war."

Cheng Bai asked, "Is there any way to crack it?"

Li Tong pointed out, "Compared to your secret art of communication, it has a similar effect, influencing the mind to guide actions. Those with profound spiritual cultivation can effectively resist it, and spiritual nourishment pills can also increase resistance."

"It is indeed similar to Tongyan in function, pointing directly to people's hearts but reaching the same goal through different paths. But compared with the two, Ci Guang Pu Du is suitable for large-scale and wide-ranging preaching or brainwashing, and it is easier and more effective to educate a large number of people." Cheng Bai understood the secret and picked up the cup and pretended to drink.

In reality, at an angle unnoticeable to others, he held a Nourishing Spirit Pill between his fingers and deftly placed it in his mouth. A cool aura enveloped his purple palace, the medicinal power minimizing any negative external influences that might intrude upon his mind.

"The secret of communication is not limited to understanding the truth!" With the help of the medicine, Cheng Bailingtai became clear-headed and his mind became sharp. He further deduced the runes he mastered. Countless mysterious runes in his blood were reborn and continued to evolve into new forms.

"Understanding the profound principles of the mind, spirit, soul, will, and aspirations of the human heart, and guiding intelligent life to cope with various outcomes, is only the foundation. If applied to combat, it can even directly influence behavior, this is the true mystery!"

In a flash, Cheng Bai used his spiritual eyes to see that Nie Ziqiong was surrounded by a brilliant light, and a golden lotus of the Great Dao blossomed in the void, containing the true meaning of the magical power of benevolence and salvation, which corresponded with the Tongyan rune and produced a mysterious resonance.