After considering it, Zhang Yu did not immediately compromise. Under the present circumstances, there was still room to contend with words.
He said, "I can comply with the wishes of the five of you and refrain from frequently opening new world domains. I once opened one every year; now I can change that to one every three to five years. What do the five Executive Custodians think?"
There was currently no conclusion as to how long the conflict between Celestial Xia and Origin Xia would take to determine a victor. Yet Golden Court believed that the outcome would very likely become clear within a hundred years, or at least its general direction would be apparent.
At one every three to five years, only twenty or thirty worlds would be opened within a century. This would have virtually no effect on the overall situation.
The five Executive Custodians did not truly wish for Zhang Yu to continue. But this time, they did not want to argue excessively either. An Upper Layer great power—especially one from their own side—could not be publicly humiliated too badly. They could make some concessions. Yet this was only because they had not reached a conclusion on the matter beforehand. Had they already decided, nothing Zhang Yu said would have mattered.
Tai Chu said, "Then let five years be the limit."
Zhang Yu said evenly, "Since the five Executive Custodians deem it so, then five years it shall be." He paused, raised his head, and said, "If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave first."
The five Executive Custodians spoke no further.
Seeing this, Zhang Yu gave a formal salute, then turned and walked out.
After he departed, Tai Ji said, "The number of lower layers is now sufficient to deal with Origin Xia. A