Cloud Mountain Empire Negotiations

While the Flying Dragon Army was working at full throttle in Azure Cloud Sect, Xu Bai finally returned to the imperial city.

Even though he was in the Nascent Soul Realm, after fighting at Azure Cloud Sect and then flying such a long distance without rest, he was still utterly exhausted.

When Xu Bai announced that he wished to see the emperor, the emperor was dumbfounded.

"Where is my Flying Dragon Army? Where is Third Junior Brother?" Emperor Li Shiqing glared at Xu Bai. "Why are you the only one who came back?"

A very bad feeling had already risen in his heart.

Xu Bai wore a mournful expression as he said, "Your Majesty, Third Prince and the Flying Dragon Army have both fallen into Azure Cloud Sect's hands."

"What?" Li Shiqing cried out.

He had several sons. Losing one Third Prince was nothing much.

But that Flying Dragon Army had been cultivated by the entire empire at enormous expense over several decades.

Even for an empire as vast as Cloud Mountain Empire, selecting several thousand people capable of cultivation had been no easy task.

Because the best-qualified batch had long since been recruited by the sects.

Those with poorer aptitude—if they could find a path forward in a sect, who would be willing to join the imperial court as soldiers?

More importantly, the destruction of the Flying Dragon Army had shattered the emperor's ambitions.

He had been counting on this army to grow stronger, then slaughter its way in all directions once every one of them reached the Golden Core Realm!

And now they were simply gone?

At that thought, Li Shiqing was so furious he wanted to cough up blood. He slammed the dragon desk so hard it shook the heavens. "Azure Cloud Sect has some nerve! I sent people to discuss matters with them, yet they dared lay hands on my people? Summon the Imperial Adviser. Have him find a way to destroy Azure Cloud Sect, or I will never swallow this anger!"

Xu Bai hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the Flying Dragon Army is still alive, and so is Third Prince. Azure Cloud Sect captured them and demands that we pay ransom."

"They can be redeemed?" The emperor, who had been in a towering rage, froze again. He let out a breath, adjusted his expression, and shot Xu Bai a fierce glare. "Why have you not clearly explained what happened?"

Xu Bai recounted the events, then said bitterly, "We never imagined that Azure Cloud Sect had concealed such terrifying power. No one had any ability to resist, and we all fell into Azure Cloud Sect's hands."

The emperor snorted coldly. "That Third Junior Brother is still as flamboyant and overbearing as ever. I clearly instructed him to negotiate properly with Azure Cloud Sect, yet that damned thing handled matters like this?"

Xu Bai said nothing. If you had not secretly instructed Third Prince to make a move, would he have dared?

Moreover, he had even sent Eunuch Xi, one of the imperial family's few Nascent Soul Realm cultivators. And he still claimed he had not wanted to move against Azure Cloud Sect?

He had kicked an iron plate and merely needed a scapegoat.

After venting his temper, the emperor asked Xu Bai, "Estimate it for me. What level is Azure Cloud Sect's strength at?"

Xu Bai gave an embarrassed smile. "Your Majesty, this humble subject is merely in the Nascent Soul Realm. How could I possibly discern what kind of power Azure Cloud Sect truly possesses? But judging from what happened to the Flying Dragon Army, Azure Cloud Sect's power surpasses the Nascent Soul Realm. I simply do not know whether it is the Primordial Spirit Realm or the Dao Integration Realm, nor do I know how many people possess such power. Azure Cloud Sect's history is simply too long; its true depths cannot be fathomed. Therefore, this humble subject believes that attacking Azure Cloud Sect would be an extremely unwise decision."

The emperor's face hardened. "I do not know how Third Junior Brother made such a decision. Once he returns, I will punish him properly. As for redeeming the Flying Dragon Army, what do you think of this matter?"

Xu Bai shook his head helplessly. "Your Majesty, this humble subject does not dare speak rashly on this matter."

He was the commander of the Flying Dragon Army. Matters involving the Flying Dragon Army naturally had to be decided by the emperor.

If he appeared too concerned with the Flying Dragon Army, it would instead become a source of disaster.

The emperor frowned deeply, pondering whether he should summon the Imperial Adviser for discussion.

After thinking for a long time, he instructed a eunuch at his side, "Go invite the Imperial Adviser!"

This time, Cloud Mountain Empire would certainly have to bleed heavily in compensation to Azure Cloud Sect. It was the perfect opportunity to reduce the tribute paid to Heavenly Profound Sect.

The Imperial Adviser arrived quickly. Upon hearing what had happened, he hurriedly asked, "Commander Xu Bai, who from Azure Cloud Sect made the move?"

"I did not see anyone. I only saw a giant hand manifested from a mass of white clouds," Xu Bai answered honestly.

The Imperial Adviser's expression turned grave. "This was not the work of any one person, but the power of Azure Cloud Sect's sect-protecting formation—the Azure Sky Ultimate Cloud Formation. Therefore, Azure Cloud Sect itself should not be quite so powerful. Perhaps it has Primordial Spirit Realm cultivators, but it certainly does not have Dao Integration Realm cultivators who surpass the Primordial Spirit Realm.

Azure Cloud Sect has been in decline for many years. If it had a mighty Dao Integration Realm expert, Azure Cloud Sect would not be in its current state.

Only those great Holy Lands and super sects have Dao Integration Realm cultivators. For example, Elder Tan Qiushui of the world-renowned Langya Sacred Land is a Dao Integration Realm mighty expert."

Emperor Li Shiqing shook his head helplessly. "Imperial Adviser, even if Azure Cloud Sect only has Primordial Spirit Realm cultivators, it is still a huge problem.

This time, the Flying Dragon Army has fallen into Azure Cloud Sect's hands, along with my most beloved Third Prince... Sigh, Azure Cloud Sect has named its terms and demands that I redeem them. As ruler and as father, I have no choice but to agree. Therefore, the tribute for Heavenly Profound Sect will likely have to be greatly reduced."

The Imperial Adviser's gaze sharpened, then he said, "Your Majesty, why not let me report this matter to the sect? If our sect mediates, perhaps we can retrieve Third Prince and the Flying Dragon Army at very little cost."

The emperor smiled happily. "If that can be done, it would naturally be wonderful."

The Imperial Adviser smiled as well. "Then the tribute for Heavenly Profound Sect cannot be reduced."

"Of course," the emperor agreed.

He did not care. In any case, he would have to hand over a large amount of resources.

Soon afterward, the Imperial Adviser rose into the air and departed.

The emperor snorted coldly. After pondering for a long time, he gave another order. "Go invite Prince Zhennan, Shen Jun."

Once Prince Zhennan arrived, the emperor had Xu Bai explain the events to him. Then the emperor said in a deep voice, "This time, you will take the lead in going to Azure Cloud Sect for negotiations. You must bring back the Flying Dragon Army."

Prince Zhennan Shen Jun looked at Xu Bai, then turned to the emperor and asked, "Your Majesty, negotiations must have a bottom line. What is ours?"

"If Azure Cloud Sect wants resources, negotiate as you see fit! Take the Spirit Stones and resources we have prepared. If they are not enough, we can owe them the rest." The emperor gritted his teeth and continued, "The absolute bottom line is the thousand-mile territory of Azure Province around Azure Cloud Sect!"

Even if he had to cede land, he would reclaim the Flying Dragon Army.

If he could not defeat Azure Cloud Sect, could he not attack others instead?

"This subject understands," Prince Zhennan said gravely.

His heart was heavy. If he ceded Azure Province, he would likely bear an enormous infamy.

But he had no way to refuse.

The emperor sighed and said, "Wait for news from the Imperial Adviser. When the time comes, Heavenly Profound Sect will send people to accompany you to Azure Cloud Sect and discuss this matter in detail. Heavenly Profound Sect can assist with the negotiations, but the true decision-making power will rest with you."

"This subject understands!" Prince Zhennan nodded.

Two days later, Heavenly Profound Sect sent two Primordial Spirit Realm cultivators. Together with the Imperial Adviser, the three of them boarded Heavenly Profound Sect's flying vessel with the negotiation party and flew toward Azure Cloud Sect.