The military parade had lasted only three hours before it ended, mainly because there were too few branches of the ard forces, with many relying on sheer numbers for compensation. However, even with such arrangents, the forces mobilized to the royal city could not have been too abundant.
The troops did not march in formal step; they simply walked neatly past. Upon reaching the edge of the city walls, these soldiers who did not march in strict formation would burst out with a powerful shout of their slogans and then subdued their aura.
The guests from various regions who were present on the viewing platform were quite overwheld by the forcefulness of each burst of aura.
So of the less powerful attendees were red-faced as if they were drunk.
After the ceremony, Shaliya invited everyone to a banquet. Du You made only a brief appearance and soon disappeared. Those who wished to exchange a few words with King Du You were unable to do so.
"Have you ever made an estimate before, just how many tier-five masters does the Shenghai Kingdom really have?" soone suddenly whispered.
"We haven’t made specific calculations, but I’m afraid it might be around two to three thousand."
At this mont, the Third Prince shook his head, stating, "Not two or three thousand, but more than five thousand. Since the first tier-five formation passed, we’ve been counting; there are at least five thousand at the city gates."
The Third Prince’s eyes glead slightly, not yet counting the guards scattered around the city defending the royal palace. Including those, the royal city housed over seven thousand tier-five forces—a trendous power that was terrifying.
Moreover, he believed that the ones included in the formations definitely weren’t everyone; Shenghai Kingdom certainly had hidden more. Thus, the preliminary calculation of Shenghai’s tier-five masters would probably number over ten thousand.
"At least ten thousand of tier-five, that is Shenghai’s military strength," Huoli whispered as well.
The two left the group and quietly discussed this while eating.
"Yes, to train so many tier-five existences in such a short ti, even if it costs vast resources, is truly terrifying. And they are so obedient; it’s impossible for us to make tier-five masters assemble and parade like that."
Tier-five masters held pride, how could they perform for others?
What Shenghai Kingdom had achieved was no simple feat. "Their strength is great. Ford in battle formations, traditionally, a thousand can take on a tier-six, which ans they could handle ten."
"Who knows what the legend really entails? Maybe it’s even higher, after all, no one has seen a tier-six in action, have they?"
"What then do you suggest, Your Highness?"
"I don’t suggest anything specific, but for the sake of the empire, we need to make contact with him."
The banquet was far from over, but Du You had already left and returned to his palace, though it was the first ti he was residing in this particular place. Before this, Du You had always resided in his core territories.
"Your Majesty, soone wishes to see you." At that mont, Shaliya approached and whispered.
Du You nodded, "Let him in." Since Shaliya hadn’t intercepted the visitor himself, it ant the visitor was far from ordinary.
Soon after, a young man entered, about the sa age as Du You. "It turns out to be His Highness, the Third Prince. Please, have a seat," Du You gestured without rising from his seat.
Though a prince of the empire held a rank equivalent to his own, Du You, as a tier-five master, held a slightly higher status. The Third Prince didn’t seem to mind this and slightly bowed before taking a seat next to him.
"The military strength of Shenghai Kingdom is indeed frightening, but even more terrifying is your ability to train masters."
"What do you an by that, Your Highness?" Du You noted the underlying implications in his words.
The Third Prince didn’t conceal his thoughts: "What your kingdom showed in terms of power was perhaps intended to intimidate the surrounding regions and prevent rash actions from the empire. However, this could backfire."
It was no secret that tensions had been increasing between Shenghai Kingdom and the Divine Fla Empire, and anyone of importance knew that the Divine Fla Empire felt threatened and wanted to suppress Shenghai Kingdom. Perhaps in their eyes, this military parade was also to showcase their strength to the empire.
Du You responded indifferently, "Then, your Highness, what do you suggest?"
The Third Prince said calmly, "The way Shenghai Kingdom trains its forces is definitely sothing my emperor and elder brother would be interested in acquiring. But I know you surely won’t hand it over easily; you’re hiding even greater strength."
Du You simply nodded and didn’t speak, so the Third Prince continued, "But do not underestimate the depth of the empire’s resources. If the empire truly decides to move against you, they would deploy far greater forces than those used against the Quicksand Empire. After all, there’s no benefit in dealing with them, but attacking you is different. I’m here to propose a cooperation."
The Third Prince thought for a mont then added, "Regardless of whether we cooperate or not, the Divine Fla Empire will attack you. You’ve pushed too far this ti." Du You understood that – it was precisely to provoke an attack from the Divine Fla Empire.
Hearing this from the Third Prince reassured Du You; Shaliya’s plan was indeed flawless.
"So, how do you wish to cooperate?" Du You asked once more.
"My father is aging, and now is the ti to pave the way for my elder brother. My brother is currently in the north, so Duke Moriyun is the only one left who could attack you. Duke Moriyun’s youngest son is betrothed to my niece, aligning him with my brother’s faction. I can provide you with intelligence, please take him out."
Family conflicts were typically ruthless, Du You thought with a slight amusent, spared from such pettiness himself.
"What’s in it for you?" he probed.
"Of course, there’s sothing. When my brother has completely failed, I’ll take over the fight, turn the tide, and discuss specific territorial adjustnts after the battle. I can help you control the imperial troops, ensuring they don’t too severely harm your interests, while you help secure the throne. I can promise, as long as I live, the Divine Fla Empire and Shenghai Kingdom will never invade each other."
"You might think your strength sufficient, but the empire has tier-six masters, and for a tier-six to assassinate a king is not a difficult task. Moreover, reaching tier-six isn’t just a matter of cultivation."
In this world, that would be the case, but Du You was different.
However, after so thought, Du You finally said, "Alright, I agree to the cooperation. I think we need a contract."
Without this contract, neither party would trust the other, so hearing Du You’s agreent, the Third Prince finally relaxed. "The contract is already prepared; you can check if there’s anything that needs to be added." The Third Prince produced a contract.
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