"Oh? What kind of cooperation?" Li Xun looked at Qian Renxue with confusion.
The initial cooperation between the two sides had already been established, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was about to enter a honeymoon period with the Spirit Hall. Even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School were to merge with the Spirit Hall, that would be something to consider after a period of collaboration.
He truly hadn't expected there to be any immediate cooperation matters at this stage.
Qian Renxue's eyes showed appreciation: "Would you be willing to join the Spirit Hall?"
She had taken on the identity of Xue Qinghe, and as Li Xun's senior brother, she had naturally inquired about his cultivation level.
Although she hadn't been able to determine his exact rank, the information indicated that her junior brother was now a genuine level 40 Soul Honour. Such talent, apart from her own God-level Spirit, was rare across the entire continent.
Moreover, her junior brother was not only exceptionally gifted but also someone who never treated his words lightly, even those spoken casually years ago. If she could bring such a person under her wing, it would undoubtedly be a reliable pillar for the future empire.
Li Xun looked at Qian Renxue's strong-woman demeanor and silently released her hand. He hadn't expected Qian Renxue to be more anxious than he was, but perhaps this was for the best.
"Sister Xue, we've only just begun our cooperation. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Spirit Hall still need time to adjust to each other. Isn't this a bit too hasty?"
Li Xun pondered for a moment and tactfully said, "It's not that I'm unwilling to join the Spirit Hall, but what would happen to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School if I did?"
"Now is a critical moment for our cooperation. If there's no one to balance the relationship, the two major forces might revert to their original state at any time."
"I knew you wouldn't agree so directly."
Qian Renxue's eyes were filled with admiration; she liked Li Xun's loyal and righteous character: "If you're worried about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, you can discuss joining the Spirit Hall together with the sect. I have long admired Sect Leader Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo."
Through their interactions over the years, she had gained some understanding of Li Xun.
Although her junior brother had a clear view of the continent's situation, due to his emotional ties, even if he knew the future advantages the Spirit Hall would have on the continent, he would not betray his sect.
Her invitation was merely an opportunity to probe the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's current attitude towards the Spirit Hall. After all, the two sides had already begun to establish cooperation, and she felt there was a high likelihood of further progress in the future.
"Sister Xue, I know you're the Young Master of the Spirit Hall, but can you really make decisions on such significant matters as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School joining the Spirit Hall?" Li Xun laughed, amused by Qian Renxue's naivety: "And what kind of treatment would we receive if we joined the Spirit Hall?"
She might not yet realize that she was currently just a mascot for the Spirit Hall, with little authority before becoming a deity.
Even her previous promise to Tang San to kill Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo would be difficult to fulfill, as Qiandao Liu generally supported Bibidong and would not abandon his principles just because of Qian Renxue's whims.
But this was exactly the situation Li Xun wanted. If the Spirit Hall were a unified and harmonious entity, it would indeed be troublesome for him.
It was precisely for this reason that Li Xun was confident that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would eventually replace the Spirit Hall. After all, wasn't the struggle for imperial power always initiated by a fallen prince?
The idea of controlling the emperor to command the lords was undeniably alluring.
"My words carry weight within the Spirit Hall. Although the current situation is not entirely clear, I can promise you this," Qian Renxue smiled faintly, her demeanor exuding an air of pride. "In the future, you will stand second only to me, above all others."
"Although Senior Ning Fengzhi has been stuck at the 79th level due to a flaw in his Martial Soul, he, along with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, can also join the Elders Hall."
"The Elders Hall?" Li Xun looked at Qian Renxue with confusion.
"Hehe, you might not know this yet, but the Spirit Hall is divided into the Pope's Hall, the Elders Hall, and the Douluo Hall," Qian Renxue's smile faded slightly, but her gaze remained intense as she stared at Li Xun. "The current Pope resides in the Pope's Hall, while I am in the Elders Hall, which stands above the Pope's Hall."
"Unlike the Pope's Hall, only the strongest can enter the Elders Hall. Only those who have reached the Title Douluo level are invited to join."
"I never imagined that the Spirit Hall harbored such a powerful force within," Li Xun feigned astonishment, though inwardly he was amused. "Sister Xue, if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School joins the Spirit Hall, would we need to relocate?"
"No," Qian Renxue shook her head with a gentle smile. "After joining the Spirit Hall, all necessary resources will be provided by the Elders Hall, and you won't need to follow the Pope's orders."
Compared to key figures like Li Xun and Ning Fengzhi, she didn't particularly care about the rest of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
"Sister Xue, I must admit, the conditions you've offered are quite generous, but..."
Li Xun paused, calculating in his mind, then glanced at Dugu Bo. "Grandpa Dugu once had an unpleasant encounter with two of the Spirit Hall's elders. I promised him that one day, I would bring those two elders before him to settle their grievances. Of course, this wouldn't involve their lives."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo's gaze snapped toward Li Xun. His heart was filled with mixed emotions.
He never expected that the casual remarks they had exchanged in the Sunset Forest would be brought up by Li Xun at this moment, and in front of the Spirit Hall's Young Master, no less.
"Xiao Xun, forget it. It was just a joke back then," Dugu Bo said, touched but also sighing inwardly. "Let bygones be bygones."
Over the years since joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, the sect had treated him and his grandson well, and his temperament had long since mellowed. With the prospect of continued stability, and given that his conflict with Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo wasn't a matter of life and death, he didn't want to ruin things because of himself.
Qian Renxue frowned slightly. "May I ask which two elders you're referring to?"
Li Xun's condition had truly stumped her. She had considered many possibilities, but this was one she hadn't anticipated.
"The Spirit Hall's elders, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo," Li Xun narrowed his eyes and spoke slowly. "If Sister Xue finds this condition too difficult, then forget it. I can propose another condition instead."
Li Xun wasn't naive enough to think that the Spirit Hall would simply abandon two of its elders at his request. His intention was to propose a higher demand to raise the stakes during negotiations, to test his own value in Qian Renxue's eyes, to provide some emotional support to Dugu Bo, and to create a bit of tension between Qian Renxue and Bibidong.
If the Spirit Hall actually agreed to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's demands, it would have been a real problem. If they didn't, Qian Renxue would come to understand her true position and authority within the Spirit Hall.
Qian Renxue frowned and lowered her head, deep in thought, weighing the pros and cons.
She thought about how Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo usually obeyed Bibidong without question, and how she had been sent to the Heaven Dou Empire as a spy for so many years. Gradually, her brows began to relax.
"Alright, I can agree to your terms," Qian Renxue looked up, her gaze fixed on Li Xun. "But I need you to demonstrate more value. That way, I'll have enough reason to suppress any opposing voices."
"You can count on it."
Li Xun smiled confidently and stood up, extending his hand to Qian Renxue for the second time. "Since we've agreed on the terms, I'll go back and make some preparations. There are still matters to discuss with my Teacher regarding the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's integration into the Spirit Hall, so I won't stay long."
Due to her upbringing, Qian Renxue had a somewhat admiration for strength. If he wanted to maintain his importance in her eyes, he would have to show corresponding strength. Li Xun was just worried that he might end up scaring her.
Qian Renxue also smiled and gently grasped Li Xun's large hand. "Then I'll be waiting for your good news."
She hadn't expected such a significant gain from this meeting.
With just the loss of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's support, the Heaven Dou Empire was already firmly within her grasp.
"There's one more thing," Li Xun looked at the delicate hand in his palm. "Next time we contact each other, it won't have to be through Salas, will it?"
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