The Final Obstacle

The Heaven Sect lived up to its words. 

With the declaration of a draw, it lived up to the outcome that it promised.

It would agree to cooperate with Solution of Harmony in exchange for the Hellbringer model and the breakthroughs.

This was good enough.

"You should have done this from the start instead of risking my son's life." Emperor Rael's rich voice was unyieldly firm. 

His tone was powerful.

His sharp golden eyes bore deep into Elder Diana's gaze.

He had not been pleased when Rui challenged a Martial Sage, but he understood that his son was simply indulging his desire to fight. What he didn't appreciate was the Heaven Sect not only accepting the battle, but not making any attempt to guarantee his son's safety from a Martial Sage who clearly wanted to kill him. 

If his son had died, he would not have been as gentle with the Heaven Sect as he had been with the Nest of Terra.

There would have been hell to pay.