Entering the Celestial Sanctuary

Divine Lady Lucia Lu: "The Divine Lady of Cangwu is always so exalted. Would she really lower herself beneath another, just to be a concubine?"

"The Celestial Empress Grace likes her," Yin Shu replied. "Second Prince also likes her. But at the end of the day, she's just a daughter of a concubine. To be Second Prince's main wife is a bit of a stretch for her status—being a secondary consort wouldn't exactly disgrace her."

"True enough..."

......

They waited most of the afternoon, but still, no one showed up.

Ian Yan grew more anxious and asked, "Divine Lady Lucia Lu, do you think they might be setting some kind of trap?"

Divine Lady Lucia Lu held her Entwined Heart flute, gently tapping her palm. "I doubt it! Serena Tang isn't that reckless."

Normally, when small kingdoms go to war, their upstream nations step in to mediate, and the Divine Race doesn't get involved.

But when super-empires like the Heavenly Moon Empire and Southern Xuan Kingdom start fighting, with billions of lives at stake, the Divine Race usually can't just sit back and watch.

If they anger His Majesty the Celestial Emperor, they're never going to get off easy.

Divine Lady Lucia Lu wasn't sure if Baxa understood this, but Serena Tang definitely did.

Sure enough, after a while, Serena Tang appeared.

Divine Lady Lucia said, "Serena, you really know how to make an entrance! You had us waiting here all afternoon!"

"Sorry about that!" Serena Tang bowed. "We had to check for any tails—wouldn't want to expose the entrance."

"You don't even trust me?" Divine Lady Lucia asked.

"It's not that I don't trust you, Divine Lady Lucia Lu," he said. "It's just that they're shameless! Who knows if they'd try to use you."

"Alright, alright! We know if anyone's following us," Divine Lady Lucia Lu said. "So, how do you want to talk? Right here?"

"Please, follow me." Serena Tang led them into a hidden Celestial Sanctuary.

The entrance to the Sanctuary was so well hidden, no wonder nobody could find the camp.

Inside, they met Baxa and several major demon beasts.

And there was Ethan Fang, the young monarch of the Silver Clementine Kingdom, whom Divine Lady Lucia Lu had met on a previous mission.

Now, standing with his elder brother Baxa, he seemed much more refreshed—not nearly as anxious as before.

With Divine Lady Lucia already familiar with Serena Tang and Ethan Fang, the atmosphere was relatively calm.

"...His Majesty the Celestial Emperor sent us to mediate," Divine Lady Lucia said. "His Majesty has always cherished all living beings and strives for a peaceful, prosperous age. He won't allow you to keep fighting like this. So the best solution is peace talks. Are you willing to negotiate with us?"

Serena Tang glanced at Baxa.

Baxa just sneered.

"Baxa," Divine Lady Lucia Lu called out. "Last time, when Fifth Highness and I went to the Primeval Demon Wilds to find you, we wanted to talk! But you tricked us and let that demon flower almost eat Fifth Highness. Are you still refusing to talk this time?"

Baxa said, "Divine Lady Lucia, of course we can talk! On one condition: you help me rescue my brother Bifang. Deal?"

Divine Lady Lucia asked, "So you gathered all these demon soldiers just to save your brother?"

"Not entirely. Even without Bifang and Lana He's situation, I might've done this anyway."

"Why?"

The major demon beasts of the Wildlands aren't like you gods—always worrying about the world, the people, or some grand ideal! Most of them just carve out their own territory, raise families, and live their quiet little lives." Baxa asked, "With a bunch like that, do you know why I was able to rally them all together?"

Divine Lady Lucia shook her head.