Wang Hao's question hung in the air, casting a momentary hush over the assembled group.
All eyes turned expectantly towards Hong Meilin, awaiting her response, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Drawing a steadying breath, Hong Meilin mustered the courage to address the pressing matter at hand.
Her voice, though slightly wavering, carried a firm resolve. "I want to make it unequivocally clear that my relationship with His Highness Seventh Prince is purely personal, devoid of any alliance between his faction and the Church."
As her words resonated throughout the meeting, a sense of relief began to wash over the attendees.
However, their relief was short-lived, as Wang Jian, wearing a calculated smirk, interjected with his characteristic confidence. "Not yet anyway. But my dearest Meilin has kindly agreed to arrange a meeting with the Pope. I am confident that through our discussions, we can forge a mutually beneficial agreement."
His unexpected statement sent shockwaves rippling through the room, leaving the participants stunned and wide-eyed.
Their gazes shifted towards Hong Meilin, silently questioning her reaction.
To their surprise, she remained composed, offering no resistance or objection to Wang Jian's bold declaration.
Wang Jian's piercing gaze swept across the room, his voice carrying an air of authority as he inquired, "Is there anything else to be addressed?"
Wang Hao, exuding an icy detachment, responded curtly, "No."
Before the weight of the tension could settle, Wang Ying interjected, deftly shifting the topic to a matter of strategic importance. "So, when should we unveil this vital information? Time is of the essence."
Wang Jian allowed a thoughtful pause to permeate the atmosphere, his mind working swiftly behind his calculating eyes.
Finally, he unveiled his decision, his voice carrying a note of determination, "Let us not delay any further. Since you are already present, second sister, I implore you to take the lead. Share with us every bit of information you possess about Ye Chen."
With a nod, Wang Ying embarked on her account, delving into the well-known abilities of Ye Chen. However, the information she shared held little surprise, as it was already common knowledge among those gathered.
Ye Chen's prowess resided in his masterful Sword Techniques, his fluidity in wielding the Heavy Sword as if it were weightless. Such skills had earned him a fearsome reputation on the battlefield.
Another crucial piece of insight provided by Wang Ying was the presence of a substantial collection of King Realm talismans in Ye Chen's possession.
These potent artifacts were bestowed upon him by his master, the esteemed Emperor Realm expert, Old Chu.
Yet, with Ye Chen now aligned with the demonic forces, it was highly unlikely that Old Chu would continue supporting him or replenishing his talismans.
Thus, it was only a matter of time before Ye Chen's arsenal of talismans depleted.
Seizing the opportunity to interject, Wang Jian's tone turned grave as he shared his astute observation, "Let us not underestimate him. While the talismans provided by Old Chu may dwindle, we must consider the possibility that the Nether Curseweaver Devil Princess may supply him with artifacts and powerful talismans."
Wang Hao, in agreement, added his voice to the conversation, "Indeed, seventh brother. We must remain vigilant. The Nether Curseweaver Devil Princess is a formidable and cunning opponent, and her assistance to Ye Chen should not be underestimated. She must have recognized the value Ye Chen holds. With two inheritors of the Ancestral Totem's power now among the demonic forces, their survival becomes crucial for the rise of the demonic factions."
Wang Ying's voice carried a weighty seriousness as she added, "In light of this, we must preserve our own cache of talismans to ensure we are not caught off-guard."
In unison, the gazes of everyone in the meeting, except for Wang Jian, gravitated towards Hong Meilin, comfortably seated on Wang Jian's lap, her body embraced by his arms.
Their closeness was evident, prompting curiosity and speculation among the onlookers.
Their attention turned to Hong Meilin for a specific reason – if their factions were to confront Ye Chen and the Nether Curseweaver Devil Princess, they would require Holy Artifacts or Holy Talismans from the Church of the Divine Light.
And with the potential alliance between Wang Jian's faction and the Church, the assumption arose that the Church would exact a steep price for their assistance.
This prospect did not sit well with Wang Hao, Wang Ying, and even Wang Chen, for they recognized the implications.
The battle against the demons could potentially yield exorbitant profits for Wang Jian and the Church, an arrangement that they found intolerable.
Noticing the concern etched on the faces of the attendees, both Wang Jian and Hong Meilin understood the apprehensions lingering in the room.
Hong Meilin wanted to voice her thoughts, but she opted to remain silent, unsure of Wang Jian's intentions and wary of any potential profiteering.
However, Wang Jian, sensing the unease, spoke with a grave tone, his words carrying a sense of determination. "I give you my solemn assurance that even if an alliance is formed between the church and my faction, we will never impose exorbitant prices for the holy artifacts or talismans needed to combat the demons. Our foremost priority is cleansing our Empire of these vile creatures. I trust that everyone present in this meeting shares this sentiment."
His resolute words visibly eased the furrowed brows of Wang Hao, Wang Ying, and the others. Wang Jian's sincerity in eradicating the demons left a profound impression on them.
Even Hong Meilin, with her mixed feelings toward Wang Jian, couldn't help but view him in a more favorable light. His unwavering commitment to vanquish the demonic forces resonated with her, and a glimmer of admiration for his resolve emerged within her heart.
With the tension somewhat diffused, Wang Ying redirected the discussion. "Well, those were the extent of the abilities I was aware of concerning Ye Chen. However, Jian, as you have recently engaged in combat with him, I believe you have firsthand knowledge of his latest capabilities."
Wang Jian's expression turned serious as he responded, fully aware of the importance of his answer. "Ye Chen has acquired the powers of the Storm Element. His physicality now mirrors that of the Oceanic Tempest Storm Devil Clan, but I suspect his regenerative abilities surpass even theirs. Additionally, his mastery of the Wind, Water, and Lightning Elements far exceeds his proficiency in Sword Techniques. From my observations, his command of the Storm Element falls within the medium level of understanding. Furthermore, he possesses a peculiar body cultivation technique that enables him to withstand devastating assaults. To defeat him swiftly, we must employ attacks infused with elemental forces, targeting his spirit or causing internal organ injuries."
Wang Jian's words resonated throughout the room, prompting contemplation among those present. The complexity of Ye Chen's abilities and the strategies required to overcome them weighed heavily on their minds.
Wang Ying interjected with a sudden inquiry, her curiosity piqued. "What about his Spirit? Do you have any insights on that?"
Wang Jian shook his head, indicating a lack of knowledge. "During my encounter with him, Ye Chen never utilized his Spirit, even when he teetered on the brink of defeat. It's possible that he lacks a combat-oriented Spirit."
Wang Hao seized the opportunity to contribute to the discussion. "The elder from the Heavenly Blade Sect may possess the details regarding Ye Chen's Spirit. I will personally consult with him and share the information with all of you."
Wang Jian offered a grateful nod and a smile, acknowledging his elder brother's support.
However, a spark of curiosity lit up his eyes as he shifted his gaze towards his second sister, Wang Ying.
"In fact, I've heard another rumor that I haven't had a chance to verify. Is it true that Ye Chen accompanied Elder Hua of the Lotus Blossom Sect in acquiring the Heavenly Moon Blossom Flowers? It is said that he somehow multiplied these rare flowers from one into four."
Wang Ying's eyebrows arched in surprise as she recalled such rumors circulating. However, she had yet to verify them personally with Elder Hua.
"I shall make it a point to inquire about this matter directly from Elder Hua," Wang Ying responded with a serious tone, acknowledging the importance of validating these rumors.
"Let us proceed without delay. It is imperative that we acquire this information swiftly," Wang Jian proposed, his voice resonating with determination.
Slowly, Hong Meilin rose from his lap, followed by Wang Jian himself, gracefully standing up from his royal throne.
In unison, Wang Ying, Wang Hao, and their respective subordinates also stood up, ready to accompany them.
Wang Chen and his entourage joined the procession, all of them driven by the urgency to seek answers from Elder Hua.
Their first destination was the abode of Elder Hua, belonging to Wang Ying's faction.
Unbeknownst to the others, a wicked grin gradually crept across Wang Jian's face as his gaze fell upon Elder Hua.
His eyes gleamed with a sinister delight, a calculated anticipation that went unnoticed by those around him.
Elder Hua, a woman of exceptional beauty, captivated Wang Jian's attention.
Unlike the other women in his company, she possessed a subtle allure, not defined by an overly buxom figure but by an impeccable physique.
Her slender frame boasted perfect curves in all the right places, exuding an aura of grace and sensuality.
Her lustrous, flowing locks of silky light blue hair cascaded down, framing her face as her entrancing brown eyes surveyed the world around her.
Every feature seemed to be meticulously crafted to enhance her exquisite beauty, capable of captivating the heart of any man who beheld her presence.
