"Y-you, why would you do this?!"
The appalling slaughter stunned the Plant People emperor. He rushed over in fury and confronted Xi Yan. "We already accepted your terms! Why are you still attacking us?"
Xi Yan gave him an indifferent glance, his icy gaze sending a chill through the Plant People emperor's entire body.
"What does destroying you have to do with you?"
Xi Yan's projection walked over, placed a hand on the Plant People emperor's short body, and patted the leaves atop his head. "The universe isn't a game, little plant," he said softly. "It's a desperate place where you'll be bullied if you aren't strong."
"I'm leaving. I hope you can fulfill my demands soon."
Xi Yan turned away, and the Plant People emperor hurriedly shouted, "I-I can do it! But is there a time limit?"
"That's up to you. Any time will do, but I can't promise I won't bomb a few cities."
Xi Yan spoke without looking back. The drone instantly shut off the projection, then flew into the distance. The enormous frigate adjusted its orientation as well and rose into space.
It was as though none of it had ever happened. Only the vast ruins and raging fires in the capital bore witness to what had occurred.
Thud!
The Plant People emperor finally collapsed helplessly, slamming his barrel-shaped body onto the ground. His tentacles lashed the earth in fury.
"That damned alien!"
"Your Majesty, what are we Plant People supposed to do now?"
What could we do? We couldn't beat them, and we couldn't escape. What other choice did we have?
The Plant People emperor vented his fury on the ground for a while before finally rising slowly. "We have no choice. We can only accept their terms."
"Issue a notice immediately. Have all Plant