Compromise from the Jia Ma Empire's Royal Family!

However, before he could enjoy the moment for even two seconds, five more figures arrived upon hearing the news.

The newcomers were none other than Fama, President of the Alchemist Guild, along with Frank and Master Otto, the heads of the Black Rock City Alchemist Guild.

They were not the type to wake up early without profit; likewise, they had brought their respective disciples, Lin Fei and Xue Mei.

Seeing that the others had the exact same idea as him, Jia Xingtian's old face darkened instantly. "Fama, what is the meaning of this?"

Bringing two female disciples—were they planning to throw themselves at him?

Wasn't this being a bit too desperate for quick success?

Hearing this, Fama's aged face merely chuckled, and he retorted, "You have the nerve to ask me that?"

Their eyes met, and as they exchanged glances, it was clear they were all seasoned schemers.

Xiao Ze's fondness for beautiful women could naturally not escape their sharp eyes; they had intended to cater to his tastes, but they hadn't expected others to arrive even earlier.

Xue Mei and Lin Fei exchanged looks, sighing inwardly.

If it is a blessing, it is not a disaster; if it is a disaster, it cannot be avoided.

After half a day of fermentation, the news of Xiao Ze's exploits had naturally reached Black Rock City: a young man who possessed the terrifying cultivation of a Dou Zong and had personally slain the former Misty Cloud Sect leader, Yun Shan.

Anyone could see that this young man was destined to soar to great heights.

They had already missed the first round of investment, and now they could only try to remedy the situation.

However, just as they waited for a moment, a servant of the Mite'er Family came to report.

"Please return, everyone. Young Master Xiao Ze said he is seeing no one."

Hearing this, Jia Xingtian's old face stiffened, and he asked in confusion, "Why?"

Regardless of anything else, he was the representative of the Imperial Family; surely he was worth at least that much face?

The servant remained silent, merely glancing at Yaoye beside him.

The implication was self-evident: he had no interest in her...

Jia Xingtian's face turned as black as coal, yet he found himself unable to refute it.

"Great-granddaughter, your grandfather is powerless here." Jia Xingtian gave a bitter smile.

He had originally intended to secure a good match for his great-granddaughter, but it seemed he had only made a superfluous effort.

Facing the rejection, Yaoye did not show much annoyance. To her, the two were strangers; a forced melon would not be sweet, and being rejected was perhaps for the best.

"Great-grandfather, I won't go in. You go ahead yourself."

With that said, Jia Xingtian sighed deeply; Xiao Ze was even harder to deal with than he had imagined.

Fama was naturally the same; after exchanging a few words with Frank and Master Otto, he had them leave first.

Arriving at the council hall.

They finally saw the new hegemon of the Jia Ma Empire, Xiao Ze.

"Jia Xingtian, right?" Xiao Ze looked at the two old men; one possessed the cultivation of a Dou Emperor, while the other was an alchemist.

"That is correct." Jia Xingtian smiled, followed by a string of flattery.

"I have come today to congratulate you on successfully taking down the Misty Cloud Sect and removing a long-standing tumor from our Jia Ma Empire. On behalf of the Imperial Family, I thank you."

Xiao Ze waved his hand, signaling him to stop; he had always disdained such sycophantic words.

"You came at the right time, saving me the trouble of looking for you."

Xiao Ze turned his gaze toward Queen Medusa beside him and said, "This is Queen Medusa of the Tagor Desert. I believe you have seen her before."

Jia Xingtian tilted his head slightly and replied, "I have indeed seen her."

Single-handedly matching the four-star Dou Zong Protector Wu—such ferocity was truly invincible under the heavens.

"Since you have met, that makes things easier." Xiao Ze pondered his plans and continued, "Find a piece of territory in the Jia Ma Empire for the Snake-People Tribe to live in. I leave this matter to you to handle."

"Ah?" Jia Xingtian was slightly stunned, thinking that he was already being ordered around, but Xiao Ze's tone was not a request; it was an instruction.

It was as if he were saying that if you don't do it, there are plenty of others who will.

"I will restrain my tribesmen; we will not cause you any trouble," Queen Medusa spoke up upon seeing this.

Jia Xingtian looked at Xiao Ze's clear, calm face, and his heart sank.

He knew that coming here would bring nothing good, and sure enough, it hadn't.

He knew even better that this was Xiao Ze giving their Imperial Family a chance to prove themselves. If you don't do it, others will—unless you don't care about the official cap on your head.

After all, supporting a puppet Imperial Family in this Jia Ma Empire was no difficult task for the other party.

Therefore, after careful consideration, Jia Xingtian agreed without hesitation, "I will arrange for men to handle this immediately."

Xiao Ze nodded with satisfaction. "Those who understand the times are wise."

Subsequently, he turned his gaze toward Fama, the thin, frail old man.

Under such a stare, Fama immediately felt uneasy.

"Fama, you shall remain as the President of the Alchemist Guild, but I require thirty percent of the Alchemist Guild's profits."

Alchemists were a highly sought-after profession, and this group was the wealthiest of all; having conquered the Misty Cloud Sect, how could he possibly abandon such a cake that had already been delivered to his mouth?

Hearing this, a subtle twitch appeared at the corner of Fama's eyes. He desperately wanted to retort, but before the words could leave his mouth, they were stifled by the aura radiating from the other party.

Don't joke around; if you dare to say a single word of dissent, you can forget about continuing as the president of the Alchemist Guild.

"Fama has no objections."

"Mm." Xiao Ze nodded in satisfaction.

You really have to admit, being a leader is just different; when you speak, no one below dares to utter a single word of refusal.

"Alright, that's all for today. You may all go down and prepare."

Jia Xingtian and Fama exchanged a glance, knowing that further talk was useless, and could only retreat obediently.

They had come here hoping to build a relationship, but not only did they fail to do so, they had suffered a massive loss instead.

Outside the Mite'er Family gates, Jia Xingtian sighed and said, "I fear the days ahead will not be easy."

"But at least it's better than during Yun Shan's reign, isn't it?" Fama chuckled.

"You old fellow are still as optimistic as ever."

"Xiao Ze, This Queen must inform my clansmen of this good news, so I will not accompany you any further." With that, Queen Medusa vanished before his eyes in an instant, not even giving him a chance to speak.

There was no helping it; she had waited too long for this opportunity. Had she not achieved the rank of Dou Zong, she truly would not have known how much longer she would have had to wait.

She had long since grown tired of that godforsaken place in the Tagor Desert.

"You..." Xiao Ze had just wanted to ask her to stay, but Queen Medusa's figure had already disappeared.

"Thank you."

Finally, he heard a gentle voice drift over, a sound that made his very bones feel soft.

"That's more like it." Xiao Ze laughed.

As his woman, Xiao Ze had never been one to favor one over the other, and he had always kept this matter in mind.

Therefore, he had taken this opportunity to demand a territory from that old fellow Jia Xingtian, confident that the man would not dare to refuse.

Afterward, Xiao Ze brought Yun Yun to his room.

"Yun'er, you don't blame me for what happened today, do you?" Xiao Ze wrapped his arms around Yun Yun's waist from behind and whispered softly.

Yun Yun was silent for a moment before saying in a low voice, "My master aided the tyrant and acted as a lackey for the Soul Hall; to end up in such a state is only what he deserves."

"I knew you were the most understanding. You were wronged during the day, so let me slowly compensate you tonight." As he spoke, Xiao Ze picked Yun Yun up.

He then changed her into a peculiar outfit.

"What is this?" Yun Yun's cheeks turned bright red; she had never felt so ashamed.

"A little game; you'll find out in a moment." The corners of Xiao Ze's mouth curled upward.