Chapter 933: Ruolan King's Intentions

The entire hall fell silent after Xu Qing took his seat.

More than ten seconds passed. Then, the representatives of the Baize and Sie clans silently stood up and returned to their respective desks, their previous imposing demeanor completely gone.

They felt a mix of fear, hatred, and surprise towards Xu Qing. Overall, fear and surprise predominated.

Especially some of them had witnessed Xu Qing's murderous display in the Mountain and Sea Great Domain during the second trial.

Had it not been for Xu Qing's intention to kill Ji Dongzi, they would not have had any hope of survival.

Ultimately, they only escaped by sheer luck.

Coupled with Xu Qing's series of experiences in the Blazing Moon Mystic Heaven, where he could be said to have dominated his generation, the Blazing Moon side, to some extent, understood his terrifying nature better than the human race.

His battle with Yan Xuanzi was the decisive blow, leaving all those on the Blazing Moon side who still harbored doubts utterly astonished.

The Baize and Sie clans were naturally well aware of this. Furthermore, they had noticed something concerning Fan Shi Shuang; he was clearly avoiding Xu Qing.

So at this moment, with Xu Qing seated there, the Baize and Sie clans each felt bitterness in their hearts.

But the human side was naturally different; all human cultivators were exhilarated. They felt great satisfaction, especially after noticing the current state of the previously arrogant foreign races.

The First Prince, for his part, was not surprised by this and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If it weren't for his excessive reverence for Xu Qing, which prevented him from personally suggesting it to the Human Emperor, he would have long since proposed inviting the Grand Tutor to step forward.

Now with a pillar of support, he lifted his chin, his spirits soaring, but he did not speak immediately.

"We must endure a bit; the best opportunity to exit will be when their pressure reaches a certain point and they only wish to end this day's negotiations immediately."

Thinking this, the First Prince simply got up and respectfully went to Xu Qing's side, personally pouring him tea while kneeling respectfully at his side in the posture of a student.

Indeed, he was a student.

As the Imperial Grand Tutor to the princes, Xu Qing was the teacher of all princes and princesses; any of them had to be under his tutelage.

Xu Qing opened his eyes and glanced at the First Prince beside him.

The First Prince lowered his head.

Though Xu Qing didn't speak, with his experience, he naturally discerned the First Prince's thoughts. He didn't mind, however, and simply raised his hand to pick up the teacup and take a sip.

Time flowed on...

Half an hour passed. Among the human side, there were naturally no foolish individuals participating in these negotiations; they all recognized the current advantage and understood how to maximize it.

So one by one, they remained silent and composed.

King Ruolan simply sat in meditation.

But the Baize and Sie clans were under immense pressure, each suffering inwardly. They, too, naturally saw the signs, but this was not something one could simply ignore just because they noticed it.

The invisible presence emanating from Xu Qing's status caused their pressure to grow increasingly as time passed.

After a full hour, the Heavenly King from the Baize clan sighed softly.

The First Prince also sensed that the timing was about right, so he conveyed a message to the representatives of the Baize and Sie clans.

"The territories your two clans have occupied must be returned within half a month of the contract's signing. Everything within them must remain as it was; any destruction or plundering of resources requires restitution of the original items.

As for the clause on ransoming your clansmen, I have already agreed to it before, and I will not renege on that!

As for the clan's secret techniques trade, it remains as previously stated: thirty for one. If your side agrees, we can finalize the contract today and conclude this soon; after all, it's been over a month."

The First Prince spoke meaningfully.

Upon hearing this, the Baize and Sie clans sighed inwardly. In reality, under the Blazing Moon's command, this war could not continue.

However, according to their understanding of the Blazing Moon, under the premise of a ceasefire, the Blazing Moon would naturally not prevent them from gaining benefits through negotiations with the human race on terms of mutual agreement.

Similarly, if they gained nothing, they could not blame others.

The push and pull, and the sense of proportion within this, were extremely important.

But now... none of that was possible.

Given Xu Qing's status as a Blazing Moon Grand Mystic Heaven, and Fan Shi Shuang's obvious fear, if they dragged this on, Fan Shi Shuang, wanting to end things quickly and leave, might very well agree to even worse terms than what was currently on the table.

It was important to note that Fan Shi Shuang had impatiently urged them multiple times in recent days.

Thinking this, the representatives of both the Baize and Sie clans exchanged glances. Finally, gritting their teeth, they rose and bowed towards Xu Qing, then spoke to the First Prince.

"Agreed!"

"The contract will be signed today!"

Seeing such smooth progress, the First Prince felt exhilarated, as did the other human cultivators. Everyone immediately began adjusting the contract terms and preparing quickly.

Xu Qing remained with his eyes closed, contemplating his insights.

Thus, another incense stick's time passed. The human race and the two allied Blazing Moon clans signed the contract, sealing the fate of their clans. Afterward, the Baize and Sie clans bowed once more to Xu Qing, then swiftly departed one by one.

At this point, Xu Qing also opened his eyes and politely declined everyone's invitations.

Just as he was about to leave the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, King Ruolan suddenly stepped forward.

"King Zhencang, please wait."

Hearing this, Xu Qing turned and looked at the only female cultivator among the Heavenly Kings.

"May I ask what King Ruolan needs?"

"King Zhencang, after the ancestral worship ceremony, I will leave the Imperial Capital and head to the border with the Soul Wolf Celestial Demon race to guard it."

"I would like to invite King Zhencang to accompany me and reside there for a period..."

Xu Qing frowned. Her words were an invitation, yet there was no preamble; it was simply too abrupt. Especially considering King Ruolan's reputation, how could Xu Qing agree?

He then spoke calmly.

"My cultivation is low, so my presence there would be meaningless. Furthermore, I have other important matters to attend to."

Xu Qing politely refused.

But King Ruolan completely ignored Xu Qing's refusal and continued to speak regardless.

"Though the Soul Wave Celestial Demon race is not a powerful one, they possess many resources vital for the rise of our human race. I plan to find a pretext there to provoke them into action, thus initiating a military campaign against them."

"As a Human Heavenly King and a Grand Mystic Heaven, your strength isn't important. What I need is for you to leverage your Grand Mystic Heaven status when the time comes."

King Ruolan's words were as blunt as before, and she even made arrangements for Xu Qing.

Xu Qing had met quite a few Soul Nurturing experts, but this was the first time he encountered one like King Ruolan.

Deciding to simply ignore her, he swayed his body, about to depart.

But just then, King Ruolan frowned.

"King Zhencang, this matter benefits the human race. Why do you refuse? Do not leave yet; let us discuss it in detail."

As she spoke, she actually raised her hand and reached out towards Xu Qing.

With that grab, laws immediately shimmered around them, and a restraining force abruptly erupted.

Seeing this scene, the First Prince and others who were now emerging from the hall behind them, instantly changed their expressions. The First Prince even shouted in alarm.

"King Ruolan, what are you doing!"

"I'm not doing anything; I'm merely asking King Zhencang to stay and talk."

King Ruolan spoke indifferently, her raised right hand not pausing in the slightest, still reaching out.

Heaven and earth trembled. The laws unleashed by King Ruolan formed a giant hand, poised to fall upon Xu Qing. The next instant, a tender green vine suddenly shot out from Xu Qing's palm with incredible speed.

An ancient aura immediately emanated, accompanied by the scent of the starry sky, transforming into astonishing might that lashed out at the giant hand formed by laws.

It was precisely the Sacred Heavenly Divine Vine, which Xu Qing had absorbed two months prior!

After two months of nurturing, this vine had begun to form a preliminary combat capability and had also revealed its terrifying aspect. With a single lash, it astonishingly disregarded laws.

With a bang, the giant hand instantly collapsed, shattering into pieces.

Xu Qing coldly glanced at King Ruolan.

King Ruolan frowned, gazing back at Xu Qing.

Seeing this, the First Prince and others quickly stepped forward to intervene. The First Prince glared furiously at King Ruolan.

"King Ruolan, though you are a Heavenly King, to proactively attack the Grand Tutor within the Imperial Capital is a matter I will surely report to my Imperial Father!"

King Ruolan remained silent.

Xu Qing narrowed his eyes. He instinctively felt that King Ruolan's move must have held a deeper meaning, but he couldn't immediately grasp the truth. So, after a moment of thought, he turned to leave.

But King Ruolan, for reasons unknown, actually stepped past the First Prince and ascended into the sky.

"King Zhencang, I bear you no ill will. My previous action was merely to make you stay. Now, I reiterate: remain, and let us discuss the matter I just proposed."

As she spoke, King Ruolan's right hand rose again. This time, as her cultivation circulated, more law power converged from all directions, forming a cloud of mist that manifested into a giant face moving towards Xu Qing.

But just as it drew near, a shocking sword intent erupted from Xu Qing's body.

The shadow of an Emperor's Sword shimmered in the sky. With a single strike, the mist-face formed by laws was instantly sliced into two halves, each rolling back in a destructive, unstoppable force.

The sword shadow, without pause, descended from above, falling swiftly towards King Ruolan.

At this moment, King Ruolan's expression, which had been calm from beginning to end, drastically changed.

"Emperor's Sword!!"

Her body rapidly retreated.

But the sword shadow was unstoppable, its speed astonishing. Not only did it not slow down, but it became even faster, about to fall.

Just then, a sigh came from the void, and the figure of King Zhenyan appeared between Xu Qing and King Ruolan. With his back to Xu Qing, he was actually going to use his body to block the attack.

Xu Qing held King Zhenyan in high esteem. Seeing this scene, he sighed inwardly, and with a lift of his hand, the sword shadow instantly vanished, leaving only wind sweeping across the surroundings.

King Zhenyan did not turn around, but instead coldly gazed at King Ruolan.

"I don't care if you genuinely wish King Zhencang to assist you, or if you intend to use him as bait to secure victory in a war you wish to initiate.

Or perhaps this is what the power behind you wants to test.

However, King Ruolan, I warn you and those behind you: if there is a next time, I will suppress you!"

King Ruolan was silent, said nothing, and turned to leave.

King Zhenyan narrowed his eyes and spoke faintly.

"I said I would suppress you next time; I didn't say you could get away without paying any price this time. One arm, and it cannot be restored for a hundred years, unless a major war erupts within the human race!"

Mid-air, King Ruolan paused, raised her right hand, and directly tore off her left arm. With a flick, her figure vanished.