Obey or Die

Gu Yuena's brow furrowed even deeper. A flicker of disappointment flashed through her eyes, but more than that, there was defiance. Her violet eyes stared fixedly at Situ Xuan.

"I'm not asking you to submit to anyone. What I'm talking about is joining forces, cooperation, an equal relationship."

Situ Xuan shook his head, leaned forward, and braced both hands on the table as he met Gu Yuena's gaze. His eyes were calm and cold, his voice not loud, but every word was clear and forceful.

"Joining forces? Cooperation? Equality? Gu Yue, you're too naive. There has never been any such thing as equal cooperation in this world. There's only who devours whom, who suppresses whom, who rules whom."

Gu Yuena's lips moved, as if she wanted to say something, but Situ Xuan gave her no chance to speak.

"You say there are worlds beyond this world, gods above the limits. Fine, I admit that. But so what? Those gods are hiding deep in this plane's core, clinging to life, not even daring to show their faces. What right do they have to stand on equal footing with me?"

His voice suddenly rose, exploding through the hall.

"What I, Situ Xuan, intend to do is not join forces with anyone, not cooperate with anyone. What I intend to do is rule this plane, crush the Abyss, slaughter those rats, and become the one and only master of this plane!"

Gu Yuena's face flushed crimson. Her lips trembled, and she wanted to refute him, but not a single word came from her throat.

Situ Xuan leaned back against his chair again, crossed one leg over the other, and looked at Gu Yuena, his gaze calm and cold.

"Leave. For the sake of our old acquaintance, I won't kill you today. But remember