The First God Cult Master fell into thought.
The Great Heng Empress was powerful, with cultivation at the peak ascension realm and strength that surpassed the ascension realm. Even he might not be able to defeat her.
If the conditions the Great Heng Empress proposed were acceptable, there was no harm in sitting down to talk.
"What conditions?" the First God Cult Master asked.
The Great Heng Empress pointed at Zhang Yuan and said:
"Although this man is your First God Cult's Holy Son, he is now also the emperor of the Great Heng Dynasty. A nation cannot go a single day without its sovereign. Leave him in the Imperial City, and I can spare him for now. As for what happens afterward, that will depend on whether you can find a solution that satisfies both sides, fellow Daoist."
"Leave the Holy Son in the Imperial City?" Tan Duanchang's expression changed sharply.
Deputy Cult Master Gao urged, "Cult Master, you absolutely cannot do this. If we leave the Holy Son in the Imperial City, won't he be entirely at her mercy?"
Tan Duanchang agreed. "Yes, Cult Master. We absolutely cannot allow this."
The First God Cult Master pondered, seemingly oblivious to the two Deputy Cult Masters' words. He waved a hand and said:
"Agreed. However, the Empress must also contribute to finding a solution that satisfies both sides. If we truly cannot find one, then we will each have to rely on our own abilities."
He was not afraid of the Great Heng Empress killing her hostage.
At their level, as long as they left contingencies in advance, killing a hostage was meaningless.
"Of course."
The Great Heng Empress was remarkably accommodating and readily agreed. Then she fixed her burning gaze on the black-robed Zhang Yuan and said:
"If the