Deep within the Imperial Palace of the Gama Empire, inside the solemn and heavily guarded Imperial Study, the atmosphere was unusually heavy.
Jia Xingtian sat in the main seat, his back straight, his hands resting on the dragon-carved armrests. His gaze swept slowly across the three figures seated opposite him, his expression calm on the surface, yet stormy beneath.
Ning Fengzhi was the first to break the silence.
"Your Excellency," he said gently, his tone mild but carrying an undeniable weight, "if you continue to hesitate, the opportunity will slip away. Only if our three parties join forces can we seize the greatest share of the coming benefits."
Jia Xingtian's brows tightened slightly.
"Is it truly confirmed," he asked slowly, "that the Sacrificial Shop will open a branch within the Gama Empire?"
This was the crux of the matter.
The prosperity of Sacrifice City had already shaken the entire Black-Corner Region. If that same commercial giant descended upon Gama, it would completely rewrite the empire's economic structure.
But precisely because of this, Jia Xingtian felt uneasy.
The pie falling from the sky was simply too big. Too sudden.
Big enough that it made him instinctively suspect a hidden snare beneath the sweetness.
Ning Fengzhi seemed to see through his hesitation. He did not rush, nor did he press aggressively. Instead, he smiled faintly and spoke in a reassuring manner.
"The source of the information is indeed inconvenient to disclose," he admitted frankly, "but Your Excellency can rest assured of its accuracy."
He paused briefly, then added at just the right moment:
"If Your Excellency fears that the Douluo Alliance or the Snake-People Tribe harbor ulterior motives, we are willing to sign a binding agreement—one that clearly states that all cooperation will be strictly commercial, and that we will never interfere in the internal governance of the Gama Empire."
Jia Xingtian did not relax because of this.
On the contrary, his wariness deepened.
"The Douluo Alliance and the Snake-People Tribe are both massive powers," he said gravely. "Once they establish themselves within my empire, will the situation still remain under my control?"
This concern was not unfounded.
Ning Fengzhi did not evade the question.
Instead, he looked directly at Jia Xingtian, the faint smile at his lips slowly fading as he spoke a sentence that struck straight at the heart of the issue.
"Your Excellency worries too much."
"If we truly intended to encroach upon Gama," Ning Fengzhi continued calmly, "why would we bother negotiating with the Imperial Family at all? Why not simply cooperate with the Yunlan Sect instead?"
He met Jia Xingtian's eyes without flinching.
"I presume," he said lightly, "that Your Excellency would be equally powerless to stop that outcome."
The words were gentle—but the implication was icy.
In an instant, Jia Xingtian felt as though a cold current surged up his spine. Cold sweat seeped out across his back.
After Yun Shan broke through to Dou Zong, the Yunlan Sect had grown increasingly arrogant. Although Jia Xingtian himself had also stepped into the Dou Zong realm, the balance between them was precarious at best.
If the Yunlan Sect truly gained the support of the Douluo Alliance and the Snake-People Tribe…
He did not dare to continue that line of thought.
After a long silence, Jia Xingtian finally spoke again, his voice noticeably heavier.
"…Then what exactly do you intend to do?"
"Join forces," Ning Fengzhi replied concisely.
"The Imperial Family holds legitimacy and authority. We provide manpower, resources, and protection."
"We can replicate the operating model of the Snake-People Tribe's Holy City. The profits will be divided equally among our three parties."
As he spoke, he flipped his palm. A contract scroll made from special high-grade beast hide appeared, its surface etched with complex runic seals.
"We are also willing to formalize this in writing," Ning Fengzhi said calmly. "Absolute non-interference in Gama's internal affairs."
Jia Xingtian glanced at the contract.
In truth, he did not place much faith in such documents. Contracts meant little once one side was powerful enough to tear them apart.
But he also understood something very clearly.
The Gama Imperial Family had no real choice.
Rejecting them would not prevent the Sacrificial Shop from entering Gama—it would only push these forces straight into the arms of the Yunlan Sect.
Between two poisons, one had to choose the lesser.
With a heavy sigh, Jia Xingtian raised his hand and pressed his palm firmly onto the scroll.
"The Gama Imperial Family," he said slowly, "agrees."
Half a month later.
Outside the Imperial Palace, Mo Jiao appeared quietly, requesting an audience.
When he was ushered into the Imperial Study, he immediately saw Ning Fengzhi, Gu Yuena, and Medusa already present.
Mo Jiao paid them little attention. After a brief nod of courtesy, he went straight to the point.
"The Sacrificial Shop intends to purchase land in Qingshan Town," he said calmly. "We plan to construct a Gama Empire branch there. Since it lies within your territory, we are here to formally seek approval."
Jia Xingtian's eyes lit up instantly.
The arrival of the Sacrificial Shop's envoy confirmed everything Ning Fengzhi had predicted.
"Approved!" Jia Xingtian said without hesitation. "The Gama Empire warmly welcomes the Sacrificial Shop. The Imperial Family will provide full support."
Ning Fengzhi quietly exhaled in relief.
His conjectures had been correct—but until this moment, they were still only conjectures.
Only one detail surprised him.
Qingshan Town.
He had originally expected Gama Holy City… or perhaps Wutan City.
"Lord Mo Jiao," Ning Fengzhi interjected at an opportune moment, smiling politely. "Once the shop is established, the flow of people will be enormous. Without proper planning, congestion and chaos are inevitable."
"To ensure safety and long-term operation," he continued smoothly, "we intend to rebuild Qingshan Town into a brand-new city. Manpower and materials are already prepared—"
"The matter of city construction is your concern," Mo Jiao interrupted flatly. "My instructions are only to build a branch in Qingshan Town."
He did not object.
That alone was enough.
Ning Fengzhi, Medusa, and Jia Xingtian exchanged glances. A spark of joy flickered in their eyes.
Another half a month passed.
Outside Qingshan Town, the land had been completely transformed.
What was once a quiet frontier settlement now roared with life.
Massive stone blocks were hauled and stacked by Douluo Alliance personnel, forming the foundations of towering city walls.
Elite Snake-People warriors patrolled the site with cold, vigilant expressions, maintaining strict order.
Countless craftsmen and laborers from the Gama Empire widened roads, leveled terrain, and laid foundations, ensuring the future city would be accessible from every direction.
A colossal city skeleton was rising at an astonishing speed.
On a temporary high platform, three massive banners fluttered in the wind—symbols of the three ruling forces.
Ning Fengzhi stood by the railing, gazing over the bustling scene below, already contemplating expansion into neighboring empires.
Medusa stood nearby, her gaze sweeping across the Snake-People Tribe warriors. With both the Holy City and Qingshan New City drawing manpower, her tribe was already stretched thin—a concern she did not voice aloud.
Jia Xingtian stroked his beard, eyes gleaming with uncontrollable excitement.
This city represented the future of the Imperial Family.
High above, within the clouds, faint powerful auras lingered.
They belonged to observers from the Yunlan Sect, the Mittel Family, the Nalan Family, and other major forces.
Yet faced with the oppressive presence of the three existences on the platform and the combined forces below, none dared approach.
On Yunlan Mountain, inside the Sect Hall.
Yun Shan sat high upon the throne, his expression dark enough to drip water.
His newly advanced Dou Zong aura leaked unconsciously, pressing down on the hall and forcing many disciples to turn pale.
Below, Yun Yun stood silently, exhaustion faintly visible in her eyes.
Yun Leng slammed the armrest violently, shattering it.
"This is bullying!" he roared. "Qingshan Town lies within Gama territory—our Yunlan Sect deserves a share!"
"The Sacrificial Shop, the Imperial Family, those outsiders… even Mittel Tengshan got more than us!" another Elder shouted furiously.
"And those Snake-People!" someone sneered. "What right do cold-blooded beasts have to stand beside us?!"
Yun Shan slowly raised his eyelids.
Anger burned in his eyes—but so did restraint.
That day outside Qingshan Town, the multiple Dou Zong auras had crushed his arrogance.
Strength decided everything.
Since he was not stronger, he could only endure.
After a round of negotiations, the four great forces forced a concession—profit-sharing talks would be held.
"Hmph," Yun Leng said coldly. "Tomorrow is Yanran's three-year agreement duel. Ning Fengzhi chose this timing deliberately."
His voice dropped.
"To be safe… perhaps we should eliminate Xiao Yan beforehand."
"Nonsense!"
Yun Shan's cold gaze snapped to Yun Leng.
"A victory won through filth only invites ridicule. Do not mention this again."
Then his eyes turned to Yun Yun.
"Yun'er," he asked calmly, "does Yanran have confidence?"
Yun Yun straightened.
"Master, rest assured," she said firmly. "Yanran has mastered the Earth-tier technique Wind Spirit Split Form Art and its Dou Skill Wind Aspect: Shadow Split."
"I also ordered two third-tier spirit tools for her."
Her tone was unwavering.
"That Xiao Yan will not win."
_____________________
https://[email protected]/mrSOMEONE01234? [replace @ with a]
>>>>>I'm a student, and I'll try my best to keep uploading chapters regularly <<<<<
thanks for your support
[[READER TIER 1: translates stories {15$} ]] { RECOMENDED }
[[[[Please at least visit my patreon so I can have some traffic]]]]]