Cede Half the Empire to Establish a Nation for the Great Sun Prince Mansion? Qian Renxue: Xu Zhao, You're Asking for a Lot!

When he heard Golden Crocodile Douluo's words, which had clearly softened and even carried a hint of compromise,

Zhao Lai, who had been sitting quietly to the side like a background prop, couldn't sit still any longer.

He might only be a Soul Saint, but he was still an envoy of the Star Luo Empire, representing the dignity and interests of its imperial family.

Given Xu Yu's impassioned "woe-is-me" speech, not to mention the terrifying strength he had displayed,

it was now all but certain that the Great Sun Prince Mansion would put down roots on Douluo Continent.

Linhai City was already completely under their control.

To take it back by force, the Star Luo Empire would have to commit the strength of the entire nation—and even then, it would need the Spirit Hall to join the fight.

Otherwise, it was nothing but a fool's dream.

But if this group of "powerful outsiders" were allowed to expand unchecked,

wouldn't the territory of the Star Luo Empire end up riddled with holes?

"Ahem..."

Zhao Lai forced himself to cough loudly twice, trying to draw everyone's attention and bolster his own courage at the same time.

He stood up and first bowed respectfully to Xu Yu and Golden Crocodile Douluo.

Only then did he carefully choose his words and speak with great caution:

"Your Highness...

Since your side seeks nothing more than a place to settle down, our Star Luo Empire, as the host, can naturally be understanding."

As he spoke, Zhao Lai secretly studied Xu Yu's expression.

Seeing that Xu Yu showed no obvious displeasure,

he relaxed a little and continued to sound him out:

"Though Linhai City is an important stronghold of our empire, it has already been occupied by your side, and you have such difficult circumstances to contend with..."

"When I return, I will certainly make a forceful case to His Majesty.

I will ask him to formally grant Linhai City and the surrounding hundred li to the Great Sun Prince Mansion!"

At this point, Zhao Lai seemed to think he had come up with a brilliant idea, and his voice gained a little confidence:

"Then the Great Sun Prince Mansion can exist as a vassal principality of the Star Luo Empire, with a high degree of autonomy.

You could even be exempted from taxes, as long as you pledge nominal allegiance to the empire."

"That way, your side would have a legitimate place to live and wouldn't need to worry about the major factions joining forces against you.

Meanwhile, the Star Luo Empire would save face, and our two nations could trade and prosper together. Wouldn't that be a win-win?"

The more Zhao Lai spoke, the more feasible his plan seemed to him. He was already imagining how he would claim credit from Dai Tianfeng when he returned.

Trading a city they had already lost for a powerful "ally"—

even if the allegiance was only nominal, it was still a deal that could only benefit the Star Luo Empire!

However,

before Xu Yu could respond,

"Heh."

Xu Zhao stepped forward slowly and gave a scornful laugh.

"A vassal principality? Nominal allegiance?"

Xu Zhao's lips curled in mockery, his gaze sharp as a blade:

"Envoy Zhao, you certainly have quite the plan."

"But Linhai City..."

Xu Zhao extended a finger and lightly tapped the ground beneath his feet, his voice icy:

"was taken by our shells, one blast at a time. We seized it through overwhelming strength!"

"We didn't get it as a handout from that so-called emperor of your Star Luo Empire!"

"You..."

Zhao Lai's face stiffened.

He was about to retort, but the sudden pressure of Xu Zhao's aura left him struggling to breathe.

Only then did he remember that this man was a Titled Douluo too!

His heart sank.

Watching his son radiate such domineering confidence, Xu Yu's eyes flashed with undisguised approval.

That's my Xu family blood! What presence—and what perfect timing!

Since the boy was playing the bad cop, Xu Yu would stay right where he was, sipping his tea and watching the show unfold.

"Besides..."

Xu Zhao didn't stop there. He turned and looked toward Golden Crocodile Douluo, who had remained silent all this while,

then dipped his head slightly and spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly:

"Golden Crocodile Douluo has witnessed this today. Surely you understand the reasoning behind it."

"My Great Sun Prince Mansion possesses the power to shatter a continent, as well as Soul Guidance Technology far beyond this era."

"Does Envoy Zhao truly believe that beings like us seek nothing more than to rule a remote corner of the world as a vassal principality, forever having to watch others' expressions?"

"What's more..."

A trace of disdain flashed across Xu Zhao's eyes:

"a principality with just one city to its name?"

"Isn't that underestimating the Great Sun Prince Mansion—and underestimating Golden Crocodile Douluo, who can speak with us as an equal?"

With that one remark, he had drawn Golden Crocodile Douluo into the argument and subtly flattered the Spirit Hall as well.

Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyelid twitched slightly at his words.

This young man was remarkably calculating for his age.

Still...

Golden Crocodile Douluo looked at Zhao Lai, who had gone deathly pale and was dripping with cold sweat,

then at Xu Zhao, whose imposing presence left no room for compromise. He quickly formed a plan.

For the Spirit Hall, the more turmoil in the Star Luo Empire, the better. The greater its losses, the better.

If they could use the Star Luo Empire's territory to appease this terrifying Great Sun Prince Mansion and secure peace across the continent for the time being—

perhaps even buy the Spirit Hall time to grow stronger—

then it would be an excellent deal.

Give it a dozen years or so, and once the young mistress, Qian Renxue, inherited her divine position...

By then, forget the Great Sun Prince Mansion—even if the Sun Moon Continent still existed, the Spirit Hall could sweep it away too!

With that in mind, Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded calmly. Though he didn't say so outright, his stance was clear:

"Heir Prince Xu is right."

"Strength deserves to be rewarded with the treatment befitting strength."

"Given the Great Sun Prince Mansion's power, forcing it to confine itself to a single city and pay homage to the Star Luo Empire

would indeed be... asking too much."

At Golden Crocodile Douluo's words, Zhao Lai's vision went black. He nearly fainted on the spot.

It was over.

Even the Spirit Hall was siding with the other party.

The Star Luo Empire would probably have to pay dearly this time!

Zhao Lai was drenched in sweat.

The Spirit Hall's position was already clear.

They were sitting on the mountain to watch the tigers fight!

They had even gone so far as to give the Great Sun Prince Mansion a helping hand.

A sense of helpless isolation engulfed Zhao Lai.

He abruptly turned to the delegation from the Heaven Dou Empire, seated on the other side.

There stood a young knight commander in silver armor, with a strong, handsome face.

"General!"

Zhao Lai's voice trembled, almost pleading:

"If our lips are gone, our teeth will be cold!

The Great Sun Prince Mansion has seized our Linhai City today; tomorrow, they could be at the gates of Heaven Dou City!"

"Surely the Heaven Dou Empire won't stand by while they destroy the balance of the continent and treat imperial sovereignty as meaningless!

Please, General, speak up for justice and join me in opposing them..."

However,

faced with Zhao Lai's tearful accusation and plea for help,

Qian Renxue remained unmoved.

To Qian Renxue, Zhao Lai's words were nothing but a joke.

If our lips are gone, our teeth will be cold?

No.

In her eyes, this was clearly a case of "the snipe and the clam fight while the fisherman benefits."