Nine-level fixed Soul Guidance Devices were weapons that only the Sun Moon Empire could produce, and they possessed the power to decide the outcome of battles on the battlefield.
In terms of sheer destructive force, other nine-level Soul Guidance Devices were far inferior. The fact that Shrek Academy could now produce nine-level fixed Soul Guidance Devices meant that although the Soul Guidance Device technology of the original Douluo Continent still could not compare to that of the Sun Moon Empire, it was already catching up.
After all, no one could have predicted that Shrek Academy possessed the ability to use mental force to probe the interior of Soul Guidance Devices. Even with the Sun Moon Empire's many precautions, the secret of the nine-level fixed Soul Guidance Devices was ultimately leaked.
At this very moment, Shrek Academy's Soul Guidance System had already moved the humanoid Soul Guidance Devices obtained from Xu Tianyuan and the others onto the research table. Of course, in order to keep these humanoid Soul Guidance Devices, the Academy still paid Wang Nan a considerable reward, as they were, after all, his spoils of war.
While Shrek Academy was enthusiastically researching Soul Guidance Devices they had never seen before, the Sun Moon Empire was in a completely opposite situation.
Xu Tianran finally emerged from his study. As a Titled Douluo, not resting for several days did not significantly affect him, but his eyes were bloodshot, and a lingering aura of gloom surrounded him.
Looking up at the dazzling sun, Xu Tianran slowly closed his eyes. The Soul Master legions had suffered heavy losses, and the Hand of the Nation was left with only one finger. Without top-tier combat power, relying solely on national strength, even with the Sun Moon Empire's vast territory and huge population, it could not withstand the combined forces of the Three Great Empires.
"Someone," Xu Tianran said, his voice extremely hoarse.
"Your Majesty."
"Summon Ju Zi."
"Yes."
Compared to the territory of the Tianhun Empire, Yu Ming City was much calmer. Since Wang Nan arrived here, the Sun Moon Empire's army had completely withdrawn into Tianming City and had not taken a single step outside.
This gave Wang Nan much more peace. At the moment, he was staying in a courtyard specially prepared for him.
As his spirit power rose and fell, the surrounding elemental forces of heaven and earth visibly gathered toward him.
Having reached the Super Douluo level, the cultivation method he had tailored for himself, combining Electrolux's magic, had become increasingly refined.
While meditating, his mind suddenly stirred. Wang Nan guided the spirit power within his body to gradually settle and let out a long breath, just in time to hear footsteps approaching outside the courtyard.
"Marshal."
Before Marshal Dai Hao could knock, Wang Nan had already opened the courtyard gate.
Marshal Dai Hao was not surprised. He had not deliberately concealed his aura, so it was natural that Wang Nan's senses would not be fooled.
"Duke Heaven's Equal, news has just arrived from the north. The Sun Moon Empire has sent Empress Ju Zi to the border to negotiate peace with the Three Great Empires."
Marshal Dai Hao handed Wang Nan the letter containing the frontline report.
Wang Nan quickly scanned through it.
In just a few days, the allied forces of the Douling, Tianhun, and Star Luo Empires had pushed the front line all the way to Heaven Dou City.
However, unlike before, it was now the Three Great Empires that had Heaven Dou City surrounded, while the Sun Moon Empire relied on its Soul Guidance Devices to desperately defend the city.
Unfortunately, after losing too many top-tier combatants in Shrek City, the Sun Moon Empire lacked Soul Master legions capable of coordinated offense and defense. Without the Titled Douluo of the Holy Spirit Cult, Heaven Dou City was quickly breached again by Super Douluo like Du Busi.
It was at this time that the Sun Moon Empire's peace proposal was delivered to the Emperor of the Tianhun Empire.
"The Sun Moon Empire is willing to return all territory belonging to the Tianhun Empire, as well as all land taken from our Star Luo Empire, from the Mingdou Mountain Range to Yu Ming City, in exchange for an end to the war."
What Marshal Dai Hao said was not written in the letter, presumably because it was only a general proposal. Specific details and additional compensation would be discussed later, once the Three Great Empires expressed their willingness to agree.
"Will His Majesty agree?"
"Most likely." Marshal Dai Hao sighed. "No one likes war."
Wang Nan nodded slightly.
His mental force spread outward, allowing him to "see" the soldiers outside. The ordinary citizens within the city had long since fled to seek refuge elsewhere. The soldiers who remained showed no expression other than sadness and worry.
They had likely been longing for peace for a long time.
"If peace can truly be negotiated, the Marshal can also take this opportunity to rest for a while."
"Yes. I have been campaigning for many years and have neglected my family matters. Even with my own flesh and blood before me, my heart is filled with their resentment."
Wang Nan's eyes paused briefly at these words. Marshal Dai Hao's statement clearly carried deeper implications.
Dai Yueheng was on the front lines with him, Dai Haobin was still at Shrek Academy, and even Dai Luoli, born of a concubine, could not be said to hate him. The "flesh and blood" Marshal Dai Hao referred to likely meant Huo Yuhao.
Wang Nan's expression remained calm. He understood how much power a Duke of the Star Luo Empire held.
Moreover, Marshal Dai Hao and Emperor Xu Jiawei were as close as brothers. Calling him a prince would not be an exaggeration. With such strength and status, even if the Duchess had a strong background, Marshal Dai Hao would not have been constrained by it.
If he truly harbored deep feelings for Huo Yuhao's mother, Huo Yuner, then even if marriage was impossible due to status, she could at least have become a concubine. There was no reason for her to be reduced to a position worse than that of a servant.
Although Marshal Dai Hao treated his soldiers like his own children, no one was perfect. He was, after all, born into nobility, and his way of thinking was fundamentally different from that of ordinary people.
For the esteemed White Tiger Duke, his youth was naturally filled with romantic escapades. His interest in a maid was likely nothing more than a momentary whim, something indulged in and then discarded. Perhaps, while whispering sweet words in private, he might casually gift her a captured Soul Guidance Device.
Yet how much value that gift truly held in his heart, and how sincere those words were, was difficult to say.
Coupled with the fact that Huo Yuhao had not awakened the White Tiger Spirit, the mother and son were naturally insignificant in Marshal Dai Hao's eyes.
Allowing them to leave the mansion and live elsewhere without disturbance was already an act of consideration for past affection.
Unfortunately, those sweet words had been taken seriously by a woman in love.
Now that Marshal Dai Hao brought up the matter again, Wang Nan did not know whether it stemmed from genuine remorse or from learning of Huo Yuhao's current talent and hoping Wang Nan would mediate. Regardless, he had no intention of interfering.
"I am aware of the situation in the north. If His Majesty intends to negotiate peace, there should still be many matters to handle here in Yu Ming City. I will not detain the Marshal."
"Very well."
Marshal Dai Hao looked at Wang Nan, nodded, said nothing further, and turned to leave.
Watching his figure gradually disappear, Wang Nan sighed softly. Although he now held a ducal title and was considered a top-tier noble of the Star Luo Empire, with memories of his previous life, he ultimately could not resonate with these so-called true nobles like Marshal Dai Hao.