Chapter 1599: Fire Spirit Princess

What Xu Yang and his group of powerful cultivators didn't expect was that the cooperation between their side and the Barbarian Empire wouldn't be as smooth as anticipated. All these obstacles were concentrated within the seemingly spacious royal city of the Barbarian Empire.

The grand doors of the royal palace hall were gently pushed open. Guided by Changdao Laosan, Xu Yang led the Four Demon Sages, Xiaohua, and Long Kun into the hall. Dozens of the Barbarian Empire's most powerful cultivators, emanating formidable auras, stood aligned on both sides. Seated on the high throne was the current Queen of the Barbarian Empire, adorned in resplendent feathers, exuding a wild and captivating allure.

"Esteemed Xu Yang, this is Her Majesty Huoling Ji, Queen of our Barbarian Empire," Changdao Laosan announced. As he spoke, Changdao Laosan knelt on one knee before the Queen on her elevated throne. Unbeknownst to Xu Yang, during their journey to the imperial city, Changdao Laosan had already dispatched his dedicated rescue and communication team to report everything that had occurred on the main battlefield. Consequently, Queen Huoling Ji, already aware of Xu Yang's identity as a supposed invader, adopted an unexpectedly defiant stance towards Xu Yang's core team.

"Changdao Laosan, how dare you! Did I promote you to vanguard general so you could act on your own initiative? How could you bring these invaders and their hundreds of thousands of demon beasts into our empire without first reporting such a significant matter to me? Do you realize such a transgression is punishable by death a hundred times over!"

Changdao Laosan, appearing terrified, prostrated himself on the ground with his hands clasped, displaying utmost reverence. "Your Majesty, I acted on my own because the situation was critical. Esteemed Xu Yang possesses immense power; if we can secure his assistance, the future of our Barbarian Empire will undoubtedly be bright!"

"Impudence!" Queen Huoling Ji erupted in anger on the spot, unleashing a powerful jet of flames with a flick of her hand, directed at Changdao Laosan's head as he knelt.

Seeing this, Xu Yang subtly shifted his foot, and instantly a brilliant protective halo appeared above Changdao Laosan's head. In an instant, it neutralized the Queen's descending flame attack. Xu Yang was the master of the Sea God's Domain! Playing with fire in his presence was like showing off one's axe before Lu Ban, merely inviting humiliation.

Nevertheless, this was still Huoling Ji's territory. Protecting a defiant subordinate so openly in front of Queen Huoling Ji was, to her and her people, indeed somewhat impolite. But Xu Yang's power was so immense it could alter everything.

"Queen Huoling Ji, isn't it? You have no reason to punish Changdao Laosan. His actions have, in fact, brought hope to your entire Barbarian Empire. Although we are labeled as invaders, I will be your best partner. Along the way, Changdao Laosan told me about your Barbarian Empire. Your lineage has always held a belief: that successive monarchs wish to assert dominance over the Central Plains, acquiring the territories of the Black Armored Empire and the Brocade Empire to fundamentally resolve the stagnation plaguing the Barbarian Empire's development. This would also allow your subjects to enjoy a superior quality of life in the wildlands! Since you possess such aspirations and desires, gaining the support of my hundreds of thousands of demon beast army is essential for fulfilling your great ambition."

Queen Huoling Ji sneered at Xu Yang, then, with her slender figure, slowly descended from the high throne, gradually approaching him. It must be said that up close, the Queen's enchanting and wild allure was truly striking. However, to Xu Yang, she was nothing more than common beauty. After all, he had encountered far too many breathtakingly beautiful women. Attempting to attract Xu Yang with mere beauty was an almost impossible feat for someone of his experience and power.

"You outsider, how dare you be so audacious in my royal palace! It seems I need to teach you a lesson."

Xu Yang chuckled softly and, without warning, extended two fingers, tapping them onto Queen Huoling Ji's shoulder. In that instant, Huoling Ji found herself completely unable to mobilize any of the cultivation power within her meridians. She stood frozen in place, utterly helpless, able to do nothing but widen her alluring eyes and gaze at Xu Yang's handsome face.

"Your Majesty!" The powerful cultivators surrounding them, who considered themselves ministers, all prepared to attack Xu Yang. Unfortunately, they couldn't even get within dozens of meters of Xu Yang, as Long Kun and the Four Demon Sages effortlessly defeated and subdued them all. In mere moments, the combined might of Xu Yang and his astonishing team of experts completely astounded everyone present. It also made the Barbarian Empire's cultivators realize that Xu Yang and his group were indeed not to be trifled with. And now, it was precisely Changdao Laosan who had helped the Barbarian Empire gain the trust of these formidable experts and establish a cooperative relationship in advance.

"Well, Queen Huoling Ji, are you able to calm down and communicate with me now? If not, I can make you suffer even more. But doing so would undoubtedly tarnish your esteemed image as Queen in the eyes of your subjects."

Queen Huoling Ji gritted her teeth, enraged by Xu Yang's words, yet what could she do? If Xu Yang wished, she could be prostrate on the ground in moments, or even turn to ash in an instant. Of course, Xu Yang did not inflict further pain on Queen Huoling Ji. The moment his spiritual power was released, the suffocating restraint on the Queen vanished completely, and she regained her freedom of movement.

"Your power is too great; I cannot possibly communicate with you on a relatively equal footing."

Xu Yang's smile deepened. "Whether you receive equal treatment depends entirely on your own attitude. If you can be like Changdao Laosan, there will be no obstacles to our communication. Your power far surpasses Changdao Laosan's, yet why have he and I even become friends? Have you not considered that?"

As expected, Xu Yang's insightful words immediately caused Queen Huoling Ji's agitated emotions to gradually subside. "Perhaps you are right! In this world, the strong are indeed revered. You possess the power to control everything, so there's nothing more to be said. Since Changdao Laosan has secured your cooperation for me, I should not only refrain from punishing him but also reward him handsomely! From now on, Laosan will be responsible for all negotiations with you, our foreign allies, representing the entire Barbarian Empire. His decisions will represent my will."

With this single decree, Changdao Laosan's status within the Barbarian Empire soared, almost making him the most powerful figure below Queen Huoling Ji herself.