On the second day, after a series of solicitations, three final assessnt items were determined. The first is a combat competition, where each of the four parties sends six people, including the candidates, to fight each other. The rankings are determined by points; winning one match earns one point.
The second type of competition is a strategic simulation exercise, testing the candidates’ military command abilities. The sand table soldiers’ numbers are fixed, and their combat power has been strictly standardized, appearing quite fair and just. The winner can earn twenty points.
As for the final type of competition, it involves gathering votes, with the final number of supporters divided by ten to tally the points.
After three assessnts, candidates will be ranked according to their points. The one with the highest points will undoubtedly beco the Lord of the Constant Domain.
A battle at the level of Heavenly Gods?
Nuoshan had no interest in watching such battles and prepared to leave.
"Aren’t you going to watch?"
"Watch what? I don’t even understand it." Nuoshan shrugged. "Instead of wasting ti, I might as well return and study carefully on how the Star Sea should position itself after the Eighteen Realms invasion."
"Alright, I’ll escort you first." Lu Hong was not at ease with Nuoshan acting alone. Although Nuoshan currently had Third Transition strength, his safety wasn’t guaranteed near Plum Mountain where Heavenly Gods were nurous.
After Lu Hong escorted Nuoshan back to the inn, Lu Hong returned having missed the first two Heavenly God battles.
Upon entering the inn, Nuoshan saw a figure and imdiately beca alert. "Who are you?!"
Saying this, he reached for the door, ready to flee at any mont.
Hearing this, the waiting elder smiled slightly. "No need to panic; I ca especially to have a chat with you. I’ve long admired you, the strategist of the Star Sea."
Hearing the other party’s words, Nuoshan slightly relaxed. "May I ask who you are, sir?"
"You can just call Old Du."
"Old Du? Are you the Dukeesa family patriarch?!" Nuoshan imdiately recognized the person’s identity and was surprised why this patriarch of the Sky Domain’s foremost family, stationed in the Nine Realms Dynasty’s Imperial City, would appear here.
"The Nine Domains have been relatively stable recently, so I ca out for a stroll." The Dukeesa family patriarch smiled, picking up a wine pot on the table and pouring two bowls of fine wine. "Want to try so?"
Hearing this, Nuoshan stepped forward, sat opposite the Dukeesa family patriarch, and drank the wine in one go.
Feeling the fiery liquor going down his throat, Nuoshan couldn’t help but exclaim, "Good wine!"
The Dukeesa family patriarch nodded. "It is indeed good wine. My parents buried it underground the year I was born; it’s probably hundreds of years old."
"Since we’ve had so wine, shouldn’t we discuss so serious matters?" Nuoshan looked at the Dukeesa family patriarch with a wary eye. Lu Hong had told him this guy is sly, always calculating others, not an easy person.
"Haha, Nuoshan, you might be overthinking. As I said, I’m just out casually; I happened to hear about the Constant Domain’s upcoming alliance leader election, so I ca to have a look. Then I found out you and Lu Hong ca here, so I’ve been waiting."
"Then may I ask, patriarch, how did you know Lu Hong and I ca back to Plum Mountain?"
"Because of yesterday’s voting." The Dukeesa family patriarch laughed. "Surely you know, Nuoshan, this Constant Domain’s election is already manipulated by three forces behind the scenes. That’s why I specifically gave a vote to Pifu World. Was I not correct?"
Hearing this, Nuoshan nodded. "You have sharp eyes, patriarch. Please excuse us for disrupting."
"Haha, naturally not." The Dukeesa family patriarch poured Nuoshan another cup of wine, then said, "Actually, this Constant Domain alliance election is another two forces’ blockade of my Nine Realms Dynasty. I no longer have hope for this election’s outco. Your disruption actually brings joy."
"Oh?" Nuoshan questioned. "Since you, patriarch, already know about others’ interference, have you thought of a way to break the impasse? Would you really let the Constant Domain fall into others’ hands?"
"It won’t fall." The Dukeesa family patriarch smiled. "As long as you and Lu Hong are here, I believe this Constant Domain alliance won’t gain montum. In the end, it will head toward destruction, and the Constant Domain will beco Star Sea’s territory, so...."
The Dukeesa family patriarch paused and said, "I hope this eting allows my Nine Realms Dynasty to reach an alliance agreent with you and Star Sea, to support each other and seek a chance for survival in this chaotic world."
"An alliance with my Star Sea?" Nuoshan laughed. "Doesn’t the patriarch know about Star Sea’s current situation? Surely the Constant Domain has long been aware that Star Sea is considered spies of the Eighteen Realms."
"So are you and Lu Hong spies of the Constant Domain?" The Dukeesa family patriarch counter-questioned.
To this, Nuoshan shook his head. "Naturally not, but public opinion is terrifying. Doesn’t the patriarch know?"
"The innocent remain innocent. Nowadays, rumors are fragile sheets of paper in front of absolute power."
The Dukeesa family patriarch’s remark was spot on. The reason Star Sea is affected by spread rumors is because it is not yet strong enough, not strong enough to crush the entire Constant Domain. If it could, even if Star Sea truly were spies of the Eighteen Realms, who would dare to make a move?
"Moreover, ti will prove everything. When the Star Sea directly faces the Eighteen Realms, those rumors will naturally be easily dispelled. I’ve investigated you long ago, Nuoshan, and I see great potential in your strategy and ability. But I know you won’t leave Star Sea, so I never extended an invitation. Yet, I can offer you this promise if you’re willing to join my Nine Realms Dynasty, I assure you a second-rank official position, with control over the dynasty’s power."
"Thank you, patriarch, for your kindness, but I’ve been through thick and thin with the Star Lord; the bond I share with him cannot be severed, so I have no affinity for the Nine Realms Dynasty."
Hearing this, the Dukeesa family patriarch smiled. "Did you know that your Star Sea’s Star Lord is also in my Nine Realms Dynasty?"
"This..." Nuoshan was unwilling to admit. If he did, his counterpart would definitely climb the pole and try recruiting again. So, he simply shook his head, "The Star Lord’s whereabouts are unpredictable; even I am not aware of many things."
"Never mind. You can ask him yourself when he returns." The Dukeesa family patriarch surprisingly didn’t dwell on this topic but switched gears. "What is the Star Sea’s next move against the Constant Domain alliance? Can you tell , so I can broaden my horizons, gain so insight?"
"I think the patriarch has already made so guesses, hasn’t he?" Nuoshan didn’t directly answer but countered with a question.
"Yes." The Dukeesa family patriarch nodded. "I believe you might have three thods: First, try to disrupt this Plum Mountain eting. Since you’ve been labeled as spies of the Eighteen Realms, you probably won’t hold back. Your Star Lord might cause havoc at this eting, and with the Netherworld God backing him, it shouldn’t be difficult."
The Dukeesa family patriarch’s assumption is reasonable, but he’s unaware Lu Hong cannot move the Netherworld God, causing this plan to be dead in the water.
"Then what is the patriarch’s second thod?" Nuoshan acknowledged that if the Netherworld God were willing to cooperate, this would be his first choice.
"The second thod is to take advantage of this Plum Mountain summit opportunity, delay the eting as much as possible, and redeploy the army to damage the four great worlds. Or request the Netherworld God’s Divine Lord to strike when the Constant Domain’s various worlds are exposed, delivering them a fatal blow."
"And the third thod?"
"As for the third thod..." The Dukeesa family patriarch slowly said, "It’s exactly like our conversation now: ally with other forces to resist this ti’s attacks by various worlds in the Constant Domain on your Star Sea."
After hearing the three analyses from the Dukeesa family patriarch, Nuoshan smiled. "So, patriarch, you’re advising us to cooperate with the Nine Realms Dynasty?"
"Indeed, if you’re willing to collaborate with the Nine Realms Dynasty, we’ll issue a public notice announcing to the Nine Domains, clearing your Star Sea’s na. This way, you no longer need to worry about this matter. Star Sea’s strength isn’t potent enough now to endure such upheaval. What’s your opinion, Nuoshan?"
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