Chapter 484: Mu En Gives Up
After Oscar bluntly laid out the harsh reality, Mu En finally understood that they had no grounds to negotiate a partnership. A true partnership required both parties to be at least somewhat equal. But what did the Douluo Two continent have to offer?
Soul tools? The soul tool civilization of Douluo One was far more advanced and powerful.
Cultivation techniques and soul master training methods? White Cloud City had the God Ring Master cultivation system, which led directly to divinity. They had no use for outdated techniques that had already been discarded.
Soul rings, soul bones, rare herbs, or valuable mineral resources?
Sure, those might hold some value, but why would White Cloud City need to trade for them? Why not just take them? Why waste resources on cooperation when they could simply seize what they wanted without giving anything in return?
Did Mu En really expect them to hand over their knowledge for free?
At last, Mu En was shaken from his blind worship of Shrek's past glory. He realized the sheer weakness of their position. As for the idea that Shrek Academy had the backing of the Sea God and other deities what a joke. Would the Sea God really risk offending White Cloud City and its many god tier powerhouses for their sake?
And as for Tang San, the deity they had worshiped for centuries, was he truly some benevolent savior? There was no way he would go out of his way to protect them.
Mu En was over two hundred years old, not a fool. And he certainly wasn't a good person. The only reason his darker nature hadn't been revealed in the original story was that he had died too early. But could anyone who had climbed the ranks in Shrek Academy, become the Pavilion Master of the Sea God's Pavilion, and won Tang San's approval truly be a pure hearted man?
Now, fully aware of their weak position, Mu En had no doubt that their continent was already crawling with spies, just waiting for the right moment to strike.
The only reason no one had made a move yet, Mu En quickly deduced, must be because of White Cloud City. The fact that they had formally requested an audience had likely made others hesitate, uncertain of White Cloud City's stance.
But if they failed to secure an alliance or protection today, their fate was sealed. Their homeland would be carved up, its riches claimed by outsiders, and their people left powerless to resist.
A cold sweat broke out on Mu En's back. He now fully understood that they were at the brink of life and death. This meeting was their final chance. If they failed here, their fate was as good as decided.
But what could they offer in exchange for White Cloud City's protection?
Mu En racked his brain, but in the end, he came to a bitter realization unless White Cloud City suddenly had a change of heart and decided to help them out of sheer goodwill, there was no solution.
From the moment these two worlds had merged, one side was destined to fall.
Of course, if they willingly submitted to White Cloud City, they might be able to retain some power and influence as loyal followers. But they didn't have the freedom to make that choice not with Tang San watching over them. If they openly defected, divine punishment would surely follow.
Wait!
Mu En suddenly had a new realization. They did have a powerful backer after all.
According to the information they had, wasn't Tang San treating their world as his personal backyard? If someone tried to invade his private territory, would he really just stand by and do nothing?
So perhaps things weren't as hopeless as they seemed. They still had options.
If Douluo Two was invaded, there was a high chance that Tang San would intervene. And if he didn't step in, that would mean even he feared White Cloud City's power. If that was the case, then things would actually be easier for them.
After all, if even their so called divine protector didn't dare to oppose White Cloud City, then wouldn't it be perfectly reasonable for them to submit?
Mu En quickly convinced himself of this logic. He didn't even consider whether White Cloud City would actually want them as subordinates. Or perhaps he did, but he was too afraid to dwell on the possibility of outright rejection. He could only allow himself to think positively otherwise, the despair would be unbearable.
And so, the meeting ended inconclusively.
Oscar simply told Mu En to think carefully about what they could offer in exchange for what they wanted. With that, he dismissed him.
When the office door opened and Mu En stepped out, his expression was calm and composed.
Xuanzi and the others, seeing this, were overjoyed, mistakenly believing that he had successfully negotiated a deal. They had no idea that Mu En had merely come to terms with the truth that resistance was futile and that there was no point in struggling anymore.
If the sky were to collapse, there were taller people to hold it up.
If Douluo One's forces truly invaded their continent, then so be it. If Tang San intervened to protect them, great things would continue as before. If he didn't, then it would prove that even he feared White Cloud City's power, making their eventual submission all the more justified.
As for their so called faith in the Sea God?
Mu En had lived for over two centuries. He was nearly at the god level himself, and he understood the reality of divinity gods were simply beings stronger than mortals. Once you understood the truth about them, how could you truly worship them anymore?
His power had come from his own cultivation, not from the Sea God's blessings. Naturally, he believed in his own strength above all else.
You are stronger than me? Fine, I'll follow you.
But if one day I surpass you? Then I am the god now.
Back at the hotel, Xuanzi and the others immediately swarmed Mu En with questions. How had the negotiations gone? What would they receive?
Mu En remained calm and simply replied, "The negotiations fell through. White Cloud City refused to cooperate and made many unreasonable demands, so I rejected them outright." He subtly altered the truth, making himself look better in the process.
Hearing this, Xuanzi and the others were deeply disappointed. But failure in one approach simply led them to consider another.
If White Cloud City refused to cooperate and wouldn't willingly share the secrets of godhood, then they would just have to take them by force.
Yes, these fools, completely oblivious to their own weakness, were now seriously considering infiltrating White Cloud City and stealing its secrets.
They acted as if the countless god tier powerhouses in the city were mere decorations.
Or rather, in their minds, god level powerhouses were strong, but not that strong. The gap between them and an Ultimate Douluo couldn't be that overwhelming, right?
They also assumed that the god tier experts of Douluo One were different from the legendary ascended gods of their world. After all, if these beings were truly gods, why hadn't they ascended to the Divine Realm? Clearly, they hadn't reached the real level of divinity.
In short, their arrogance was simply the result of pure ignorance.
Sometimes, ignorance and arrogance were one and the same.
The people of Douluo Two had a tendency to make bafflingly foolish decisions, almost as if they had no common sense at all.
(End of Chapter)
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