"Of course. As I said, the choice is yours, Your Majesty."
"If you cannot accept being drawn into such a relationship, you are entirely free to choose the first option."
"In fact, even if you choose the first option, you need not worry about anything happening to the Heavenly Snake Empire. I will act immediately, and Hui Jiuyin's retaliation will amount to nothing."
Watching Hui Tianshuang fall silent, her expression shifting, Chu Zhou elaborated.
"A mere Two-Star Dou Zun. If he really lashes out in desperation, I will deal with him for you."
"The Heavenly Snake Empire will simply have to provide me with more resources."
Two choices, two entirely different paths, lay clearly before Hui Tianshuang.
On one path, Chu Zhou would forcibly break the seal. The risks were potential internal unrest and the loss of an opportunity to advance, but with Chu Zhou present, the problem could be resolved swiftly as long as the Heavenly Snake Empire was willing to spend the resources.
The other meant forging a profound bond, gaining an opportunity to advance and a powerful future ally. The price was Hui Tianshuang herself.
Hui Tianshuang's consciousness stood there quietly. Even the churning emerald mist around her seemed to freeze.
A fierce struggle raged within her.
Reason told her that Chu Zhou's second proposal was more beneficial to both her and the empire.
Not only would it resolve the immediate crisis and allow her to advance, but it would also forge the strongest possible alliance with an Eighth-Tier Alchemist and soul expert of limitless potential.
Emotionally, however, a bargain that verged on selling herself left her, an empress, with an inexplicable sense of humiliation.
The only consolation was that either method would succeed.
And Chu Zhou had not forced her.
Everything had a clearly stated price.