Cede Half the Country, Build a Nation for the Great Sun Royal Mansion? Qian Renxue: Xu Zhao, Your Appetite is Truly Big!

Hearing the words from Golden Crocodile Douluo, which were clearly softening and even carried a hint of compromise.

Zhao Lai, who had been sitting on the sidelines acting as background scenery, could no longer sit still.

Although he was only a Soul Saint, he was, after all, an envoy of the Star Luo Empire, representing the face and interests of the royal family.

Following Xu Yu's emotionally charged "sob story" speech, combined with the terrifying strength he had displayed.

The Great Sun Prince Mansion taking root in the Douluo Continent was already a foregone conclusion.

Linhai City was now completely under the other party's control.

To take it back by force, unless the Star Luo Empire poured the strength of the entire nation into it and dragged Martial Soul Hall along to fight to the death.

Otherwise, it was simply a pipe dream.

But the problem was, if they allowed this group of "powerful outsiders" to expand at will.

Wouldn't the territory of the Star Luo Empire be gnawed into a riddled mess?

"Ahem..."

Zhao Lai bit the bullet and coughed heavily twice, attempting to draw everyone's attention while also bolstering his own courage.

Zhao Lai stood up and first bowed respectfully toward Xu Yu and Golden Crocodile Douluo.

Only then did he carefully weigh his words and speak cautiously:

"Your Highness...

Since what your side seeks is merely a place to settle down and make a living, then we, the Star Luo Empire, as the host, are naturally reasonable."

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

Seeing that the other party did not show any obvious displeasure.

He breathed a slight sigh of relief and continued to probe:

"Although Linhai City is an important town of our empire, since it has already been occupied by your side, and your side has such unspeakable difficulties..."

"When I return from this trip, I will certainly argue the case to His Majesty.

I will request that His Majesty officially enfeoff Linhai City and the surrounding hundred miles of land to the Great Sun Prince Mansion!"

Having said this, Zhao Lai seemed to think he had come up with a brilliant idea, and his tone became slightly more confident:

"At that time, the Great Sun Prince Mansion can exist as a vassal principality of our Star Luo Empire, enjoying a high degree of autonomy.

We can even exempt you from taxes, as long as you nominally submit to the empire."

"In this way, your side will have a legitimate place to reside and no longer need to worry about being besieged by major forces.

And our Star Luo Empire will have preserved its face, and the two sides can trade and benefit each other; isn't that the best of both worlds?"

The more Zhao Lai spoke, the more feasible he felt it was, and he was already conceiving in his mind how to claim credit from Dai Tianfeng upon his return.

Using a city that was already lost to trade for a powerful "ally."

Even if it was only in name, it was a profitable deal for the Star Luo Empire!

However.

Before Xu Yu could express his stance.

"Heh."

Xu Zhao slowly stepped out with a mocking smile.

"A vassal principality? Nominal submission?"

The corners of Xu Zhao's mouth curled into a sneer, his gaze sharp as a blade:

"Special Envoy Zhao, your abacus is certainly clicking loudly."

"But this Linhai City..."

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

"Was blasted down by us, one cannon shot at a time; it was 'taken' through absolute strength!"

"It was not something bestowed upon us by that so-called emperor of your Star Luo Empire!"

"You..."

Zhao Lai's face stiffened.

Just as he wanted to retort, he was crushed by the aura that suddenly erupted from Xu Zhao, leaving him unable to catch his breath.

Only then did he remember that this man was also a Title Douluo!

His heart skipped a beat.

Watching his son's domineering display, a flash of undisguised appreciation crossed Xu Yu's eyes.

Worthy of being of my Xu family bloodline; this aura, this timing, it was simply perfect!

Since this kid wanted to play the bad cop, he would continue to sit comfortably and drink tea, watching how this play would unfold.

"Furthermore..."

Xu Zhao did not stop there; he turned around and cast his gaze toward the silent Golden Crocodile Douluo.

He bowed slightly, neither humble nor arrogant, and said:

"With Golden Crocodile Douluo here to witness today, you surely understand the logic behind this."

"My Great Sun Prince Mansion possesses the power to shatter the continent and soul guidance technology far beyond this era."

"In the eyes of Special Envoy Zhao, do you truly believe that an existence like ours..."

"seeks nothing more than to be a vassal principality, huddled in a corner and forced to live at the mercy of others?"

"Furthermore..."

A flicker of contempt flashed through Xu Zhao's eyes:

"A principality that consists of a mere single city?"

"That would be looking down on our Great Sun Prince Mansion far too much, and it would also be looking down on...

Golden Crocodile Douluo, who is capable of engaging in an equal dialogue with us, would it not?"

This sentence dragged Golden Crocodile Douluo directly into the fray while simultaneously flattering Martial Soul Hall with great finesse.

Upon hearing this, Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyelids twitched slightly.

This brat, despite his young age, has a very deep mind.

However...

Golden Crocodile Douluo glanced at Zhao Lai, whose face was deathly pale and drenched in cold sweat.

Then he looked at Xu Zhao, who was imposing and unyielding, and quickly weighed the situation in his heart.

For Martial Soul Hall, the more chaotic the Star Luo Empire was, and the greater its losses, the better.

If they could use the territory of the Star Luo Empire to appease this terrifying Great Sun Prince Mansion and trade it for temporary peace on the continent...

Or even for time for Martial Soul Hall to develop.

That would be a deal that could not be more cost-effective.

As long as they could drag this out for a dozen years or so, until the young master Qian Renxue inherited the godhood...

By then, let alone a Great Sun Prince Mansion, even if the Sun Moon Continent were still truly there, Martial Soul Hall could sweep them all away!

Thinking of this, Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded with a calm expression. Although he did not state it explicitly, his attitude was already clear:

"Heir Prince Xu speaks with reason."

"The strong, naturally, should receive the treatment of the strong."

"If, with the strength of the Great Sun Prince Mansion, you were to be relegated to a single city and still have to pay homage to Star Luo, it would indeed be... asking too much."

Hearing these words from Golden Crocodile Douluo, Zhao Lai felt his vision go black, and he nearly fainted on the spot.

It was over.

Even Martial Soul Hall was standing on the other side.

Now, the Star Luo Empire was truly going to suffer a massive loss!

Zhao Lai was drenched in sweat.

The stance of Martial Soul Hall was already very clear.

They were sitting on the mountain watching the tigers fight!

They were even going with the flow to give the Great Sun Prince Mansion a helping hand.

A sense of panic at being isolated and helpless instantly overwhelmed Zhao Lai.

Zhao Lai looked abruptly toward the seats of the Heaven Dou Empire representatives on the other side.

He looked at the young knight commander, clad in silver armor with a heroic face.

"This General!"

Zhao Lai's voice trembled, even carrying a hint of pleading:

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

If the Great Sun Prince Mansion can forcibly occupy my Star Luo Linhai City today, they could be at the gates of Heaven Dou City tomorrow!"

"Such an atrocity that destroys the balance of the continent and treats imperial sovereignty as nothing—is the Heaven Dou Empire going to just sit by and watch?

I implore the General to speak up for justice and join me in resisting..."

However.

Facing Zhao Lai's tearful accusations and pleas for help.

Qian Renxue remained indifferent.

To Qian Renxue, these words from Zhao Lai were nothing but a joke.

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

No.

In her eyes, this was clearly a case of "the snipe and the clam grapple, and the fisherman reaps the benefit."