All present were top-tier beings, their abilities unfathomably profound. Naturally, they could see that Du Wei wasn't lying and could sense the injuries he bore.
Moreover, Du Wei and Lan Xiao and Chen Fan were true friends, their bond akin to that of life-and-death comrades. How could such a friendship allow him to falsely accuse his friends for no reason?
Thus, the people from the Chen Clan and Lan Clan present, though emotionally struggling to accept the truth, nonetheless believed Du Wei's claim.
They looked at each other, speechless, feeling that this whole situation was absurd.
In their view, a seemingly certain matter was unexpectedly messed up...
According to Du Wei, Chen Fan was too impulsive, as though he didn't comprehend the importance of the situation. Du Wei defended his friends slightly in his words, saying that the Heavenly Emperor Chu was extremely forceful and strong-headed. He had no intention of negotiating anything with them.
As a result, a great battle ensued where the Heavenly Emperor Chu demonstrated terrifying, unmatched combat prowess, defeating all three of them outright.
"I think Chen Fan and Lan Xiao aren't merely seeking to survive but want to stay by Chu Mo's side to complete this task." Du Wei explained further, "The reason I returned is that I'm afraid this matter might affect the overall situation, so I must let the esteemed seniors know what happened..."
"You've done well, you're very composed. This matter has wronged you. Don't worry about your injuries; we have ample resources. Go to the warehouse now and directly retrieve ten thousand crystal stones," a Senior Elder Lan looked at Du Wei, sighed, and directly said.
Ten thousand crystal stones!
Two of these stones are equivalent to a year's output of the Pangu world! Ten thousand... equivalent to five thousand years' output of the Pangu world! Using them to heal Du Wei is extravagantly lavish!
Even Du Wei didn't expect, despite the failure of this mission, to gain such a benefit. His face showed gratitude, though his heart harbored regret. If he had been more courteous to the Heavenly Emperor Chu earlier, the task might have been accomplished, and he would have obtained even greater benefits!
But, there's always next time!
Now, I'm the one who understands the situation over there the best. Next time, they'll undoubtedly have me negotiate with that Heavenly Emperor Chu!
At that time, the benefits gained will solely belong to me.
Du Wei clasped his hands and headed to the warehouse to collect the crystal stones.
The remaining senior figures from the Three Major Clans gathered there, all looking somewhat vexed.
Eventually, it was Senior Elder Lan from the Lan Clan who spoke first, saying, "We misjudged the reaction from over there. As a human clan's Heavenly Emperor, ruling over countless beings in a vast world, and being so young, his ambition must be exceptionally high. This time, we should've sent mature, experienced elders to negotiate with him."
At this moment, someone interjected, "Senior Elder Lan, what if they have no intention to negotiate?"
"No intention to negotiate?" Senior Elder Lan furrowed his brows, "There isn't such a foolish major figure in the world, is there? If he doesn't want to negotiate, what does he intend to do? Lead the entire vast world's countless beings to fight to the death with the Divine Clan? Don't be ridiculous; that's impossible."
"What if it is?" The person pressed earnestly, his status not low, being an elder of the Chen Clan.
Senior Elder Lan furrowed his brow, saying, "If that's truly the case, there's nothing further to say. We'd simply march over, crushing it. At that point, casually uniting the Beast Clan's formidable armies should make crushing the underworld an easy task."
"Right, that's what I mean too. If those humans are really that oblivious, there's no need for nonsense. We march over outright. But this would result in considerable casualties for us too. I agree with Senior Elder Lan's suggestion of preparing for both possibilities, just in case. If they are truly oblivious over there, we'd unite with the Beast Clan directly."
"In this scenario, the Beast Clan would definitely seize the opportunity to make excessive demands," someone commented.
"Excessive demands? Doesn't the establishment of the Divine Realm involve them?" someone sneered.
However, someone also voiced concerns: "Recently, whether it's the Beast Clan or the rune forces, everything seems unusually calm. But this shouldn't be the case. Firstly, they might unite. Secondly, there's a chance they might seek cooperation with that human clan's Heavenly Emperor."
"The Beast Clan and rune forces uniting is out of the question. Between them... they're mortal enemies! There's no possibility of collaboration," Senior Elder Lan said.
"But the scenario where both parties decide to cooperate with that human clan's Heavenly Emperor... that possibility exists," Senior Elder Lan said, furrowing his brow, "Thus, we must hasten to address this. Quickly pick suitable individuals, knock on the doors again, and this time make sure to emphasize the importance of this matter... Alas, if unsuccessful, I might have to go personally."
"No way, you're too influential, overseeing numerous affairs here. How could we let you go personally? Besides, once you make a move... countless eyes will be watching, and perhaps our plan will be exposed," someone beside him said, "I think that kid Du Wei is calm enough, on top of having interacted with that Heavenly Emperor Chu before. This time, let's have him go again, and bring those two children back while he's at it. Alas... you all agree it's unreasonable!"
Senior Elder Lan sighed as well; he didn't expect things to turn out this way.
At this moment, a sudden wave came from afar, and three humans had already reported to this group of high-ranking members.
They said Lan Xiao and Chen Fan had returned!
"They've actually returned?"
"What is going on?"
"Didn't they say..."
Everyone was stunned. No one expected Lan Xiao and Chen Fan to return at this moment.
Was Du Wei lying just now?
The face of Senior Elder Lan suddenly darkened. He had just praised Du Wei, even awarding him ten thousand crystals. That was already an impressive reward. But now, he felt particularly uncomfortable. It felt like being played, and even by a junior.
"Go, call that kid Du Wei over here. We need to clarify things face-to-face."
Before the Senior Elder Lan could speak, an elder from the Du Clan directly gave the order. He too wore an expression of intense embarrassment.
Who were the people present? They were the most noble, top-tier beings in the Divine Realm! High in status and power, and also possessed of unimaginable wisdom.
Upon hearing about the return of Chen Fan and Lan Xiao, they instantly judged that even if Du Wei hadn't completely lied, his words could not be fully trusted!
A group of great figures being played by a junior. The anger in their hearts was naturally obvious.
So, the Du Clan directly ordered that Du Wei be brought over.
Especially at such a time, the Three Great Families needed to unite. Any internal conflict would be too severe. By then, in building a new perfect Divine Realm, they might lose the initiative or even be severely trampled by the rune lifeforms and the Beast Clan.
And that, was something no one from the Three Great Families could accept.
So, regardless of who was responsible, any mistakes made by their own people had to be dealt with more severely.
Lan Xiao and Chen Fan had already spotted their silhouettes. Judging from their auras, they were both seriously injured. This aligned with what Du Wei had said.
However, their quick return clearly diverged from Du Wei's account.
After returning, both immediately searched for Du Wei. They wanted to ask him why he abandoned them and fled.
On the way back, Lan Xiao and Chen Fan had decided to speak the truth, because such matters couldn't be hidden from others!
Who were the big figures in the Three Great Families? They were truly wise beings. To lie in front of them required not only courage but also extraordinary acting skills. Du Wei knew they chose to serve Heavenly Emperor Chu. And now he might have already betrayed them. So, they decided to be candid and tell the truth.
Even if they faced punishment, they accepted it.
So, after returning, they didn't wait for questions. Like spilling beans from a bamboo tube, they recounted the entire story in detail without hiding anything.
Lan Xiao and Du Wei even directly projected their memories for everyone to see.
They admitted that it was their own mistakes that led to the mission's failure.
From start to finish, they didn't utter a word against Du Wei. Yet, the more they did so, the more Du Wei appeared small-minded.
Who were these people present? Naturally, they sensed that these two young ones harbored resentment towards Du Wei for abandoning them at the last moment. However, the sincerity they displayed was also genuine.
"Then, based on your judgment of Chu Mo, would he agree to cooperate with us?" Senior Elder Lan asked his junior, Lan Xiao.
No one raised the issue of Lan Xiao and Chen Fan submitting to Chu Mo! Because in their eyes, if cooperation was possible, then even pledging loyalty to a future master of the Divine Realm was not a big deal. If no cooperation was possible, and the entire Divine Realm crushed down, Heavenly Emperor Chu would be the first to die. His death would naturally nullify the contract. So, this matter wasn't significant.
As for integrity and dignity, these top deities of the Divine Realm truly didn't take them seriously.
Gods and humans, can they be the same? The things people care about, gods don't.
At this moment, everyone turned to look at Lan Xiao and Chen Fan. They all wanted to know what attitude Heavenly Emperor Chu held towards the matter.
Meanwhile, Du Wei was nonchalantly chatting with the people guarding the warehouse of the Three Major Clans.