King Pingxin, Zhao Zhen, looked at the young man before him, his feelings a tangled mess.
He had lived nearly two hundred years and seen countless prodigies, but never one so... difficult to handle.
Several factions were eyeing Li Yun like tigers stalking prey, and three Martial Kings stood right in front of him. Anyone else would have been trembling too hard to stand.
Yet Li Yun remained perfectly at ease. He spoke freely and even dared to make demands of his own.
That courage, that composure—Zhao Zhen himself had fallen far short of it in his youth.
"What do you want, Chief Lin?" Zhao Zhen asked gravely.
Li Yun smiled and raised two fingers.
"First, the Black and White Dynasty gives up all designs on Dragon Soul. From this day forward, you will not set your sights on him again, nor join forces with any faction against Eastern Splendor Stronghold."
Zhao Zhen frowned slightly but did not answer at once.
Li Yun continued, "Second, the Black and White Dynasty takes my side. When Great Yan and Imperial Court Mountain join forces to pressure me, I want the Black and White Dynasty behind me, advancing and retreating alongside me."
The expressions of the two Martial Kings behind Zhao Zhen changed sharply.
"Impossible!"
"Chief Lin, don't you think you're being too bold?"
"You say a few words about something we don't even know is true, and expect the Black and White Dynasty to help you stand against the Great Yan Dynasty and Imperial Court Mountain? How could that be possible?"
Li Yun did not spare them a glance. He only watched Zhao Zhen.
After a long silence, Zhao Zhen spoke slowly.
"Chief Lin, those terms are too steep."
He took a few steps forward and faced Li Yun at close range.