♂,
"Everyone, why get so angry? Didn't I say it already? I'm keeping them here to tour the mountains and enjoy the scenery of my Ghostly Way! How did that turn into taking hostages when it reached your ears? This is utterly unreasonable. I'm even providing them food, lodging, and entertainment. Did you think any of that came free?" I said, my expression dark.
"That still doesn't change the suspicion that they're hostages! Tu Ming, you've gone too far! Prince Jin, let's go!" Duke Sky Tiger had a fierce temper. No matter what I said, he remained furious and stepped forward to drag Prince Jin away.
King Lingyue was much calmer. After all, such a sudden turn of events might not be without reason. Princess Jing Xiaoman, that willful princess, also seemed somewhat hesitant, looking rather curious about what move I would make next.
"Duke Sky Tiger, why fuss over such details after we've already reached a deal? Besides, there's still cooperation we can discuss, and that will take time to verify. If all of you successors stay here and study it with me, it can count as a form of cultivation, while also allowing you to supervise the orders, can't it? And weren't you planning to build that Star-Wiping Formation outside Ghost Gate Pass? It serves several purposes at once, so why not? A year is nothing to us immortals—it passes like a fleeting cloud before the eyes, like a white colt glimpsed through a crack. What does it amount to?" I smiled and gestured for Duke Sky Tiger and King Lingyue to sit down.
Duke Sky Tiger was still somewhat angry after hearing me out, but my words had clearly tempted him. After all, they really did need to build the Star-Wiping Formation, and they also needed someone