307: Why didn't Commander Su come to court again?

"What?! Three slots? Why don't you just rob us?!"

Even the wealthy Yao Emperor couldn't help but curse after hearing the Empress's demand.

The Secluded Heaven is another world that emerged from the Tian Shang Continent; there are even rumors that it is the remains of the ancient Immortal Realm.

It contains countless treasures, each of which is enough to stir up a bloody storm.

But none of that is the most important thing; the most important thing is that to Breakthrough to the Second Realm, one must go to the Secluded Heaven!

All existing Second Realm cultivators have, without exception, been to the Secluded Heaven.

As for those Peak First Realm cultivators who haven't been to the Secluded Heaven, no matter their talent, they will be confined to the First Realm for their entire lives.

There seems to be some special substance inside that is essential for a First Realm cultivator to Breakthrough to the Second Realm.

However, the Secluded Heaven has a limited number of slots each time it opens, and these are divided among the major nations, making each slot extremely valuable.

After all, it's possible that a Second Realm cultivator could emerge from one of those released slots.

The Second Realm is the true combat power that can determine the outcome of a war; everything else is just an embellishment.

For the Empress to demand three slots right away, this was no longer just an exorbitant demand, but outright robbery!

"One, this Emperor can at most concede one slot."

The Yao Emperor raised a finger, his chest heaving with anger.

The Empress glanced at him and said indifferently, "Two."

"Just for a mere competition, you want two slots from my Yao Race? Why don't you go *&^%*!" The Yao Emperor had completely lost his imperial demeanor, resorting to foul language.

After all, his true form was a violent Black Dragon, and although he possessed extremely high intelligence, his violent nature was ultimately difficult to eradicate.

"Heh, if even this reason cannot be accepted, then there's no need for I to compete with you. If you're not convinced, you can lead your troops to attack my Great Zhou."

"However..." The Empress slightly tilted her gaze, a majestic golden glow flickering in her pupils, " I will not be as cowardly and incompetent as the late Emperor, compromising and agreeing to reconciliation."

"If you lose, the Yao Race can just wait for extermination!"

"If others don't offend me, I won't offend them; if others offend me, even if they are far away, I will kill them!"

Her voice was resolute, revealing a deep sense of dominance.

"Good! Well said! If others offend me, even if they are far away, I will kill them!" The ministers below were filled with enthusiasm, each of them silently cheering.

Especially the old ministers who had experienced the era of the late Emperor, they wished they could grab their weapons and fight right now!

Only they knew how suppressed the people of Great Zhou had been during the late Emperor's reign.

The late Emperor, fearing the power of the Yao Race, frequently offered tributes and sacrificed young boys and girls to curry favor with them.

Yet, despite this, the borders were still often raided by the Yao Race, and the common people lived in utter misery.

As for whether the Human Race was truly inferior to the Yao Race?

Perhaps there was a slight difference, but the gap was not as large as imagined.

The results of Moye Chen leading the South Campaign later had already explained everything.

Of course, much of this was Moye Chen's individual contribution; his record of slaying eight Yao Kings alone was unprecedented!

Compared to the timid late Emperor, the Empress appeared more domineering.

And this was the proper demeanor for the leader of a great nation.

The Yao Emperor's eyes narrowed; it was only at this moment that he truly began to take this young Emperor seriously.

If a military offensive were to truly occur in the future, she would likely be an extremely difficult opponent.

"Hmph!" He suppressed the anger in his heart. Even though he knew the Empress was making an exorbitant demand, he had no choice but to fall into her trap.

Two slots, gritting his teeth, were barely within his acceptable range.

Anyway, even if they entered the Secluded Heaven, only a handful would be able to advance to the Second Realm, so what if he gave them away?!

He comforted himself in this way.

"Alright, I agree," he said in a deep voice, his gritted teeth barely audible.

The Empress's lips curved slightly, "Good! The Yao Emperor is also a straightforward Yao."

"Chief Sun, the arrangements for the martial arts arena will be left to you."

"Your subject obeys!"

The Yao Emperor's face flushed with anger when he saw the Empress's triumphant smile.

"Hmph!" He flicked his large sleeve, and his phantom disappeared.

Not long after, the people of the Southern Demon Envoy were also ushered out, told to wait outside for the arena arrangements.

After everyone had left.

Only the Empress and Moye Chen remained in the great hall.

And the Empress's raised lips slowly relaxed, replaced by a deep solemnity.

"Uncle Mo, what are our chances of winning the competition with the Southern Demon Envoy?" she asked.

Moye Chen pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke, "The only sure wins are Su Xiaobai, Dongfang Qian Yue, and Li Luo. The other four matches are all uncertain."

"Overall win rate, less than forty percent."

The solemnity in the Empress's eyes deepened. Don't be fooled by her confident demeanor when facing the Yao Emperor; that was to intimidate him.

She knew very well in her heart that if it came to a real competition, their side's win rate would be even lower.

"What should we do?"

Across from her, Moye Chen remained silent for a long time, then slowly shook his head, "At this point, there isn't a much better solution. The Yao Race Prodigies they brought this time are indeed not weak."

"Tomorrow, we'll give it our all. Try not to lose too badly, just enough to make the Yao Emperor wary and not dare to act rashly."

"My true form is currently working hard on Breakthrough, aiming to emerge before the next opening of the Secluded Heaven." A rare hint of solemnity appeared in his eyes.

"...I understand." The Empress closed her eyes wearily. The pressure she endured from confronting the Yao Emperor for so long far exceeded what ordinary people could imagine.

Moye Chen smiled and nodded, his figure slowly fading away.

On the Dragon Throne, the Empress's fists were clenched, a hint of unwillingness subtly revealed.

If she could, she truly didn't want to lose.

With two slots to enter the Secluded Heaven, Su Xiaobai should be able to Breakthrough to the First Realm, or even Peak, before it opens.

If he enters, he will most likely be able to Breakthrough to the Second Realm.

At that time, even if war broke out with the Yao Race, so what? She had been eyeing the Yao Race's territory for a long time! Who would win or lose was still uncertain!

Su Xiaobai's current strength was at the First Realm Peak, just one step away from the First Realm.

Moreover, he could have actually broken through earlier, but he had been suppressing his Realm.

When asked why he suppressed his Realm?

He said that the protagonists in books all did this, and he no longer wanted to be the tail-ender among his peers.

This reason made her a little exasperated, but what he said was also true; his Realm had grown too quickly, even surpassing her own progress back then.

Suppressing his Realm now was a good way for him to settle himself.

Just then, she seemed to think of something and slowly opened her eyes, "Eunuch Zhao."

"This old servant is here!" Eunuch Zhao quickly walked in from outside the Golden Luan Hall. He was not qualified to listen to the Empress and Moye Chen's conversation earlier.

"Why hasn't Commander Su come to court again? How many times has he missed court now? Does he really think the court is his home, and he can just not come if he doesn't feel like it?!" she said displeased.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Commander Su requested a month-long leave. He said..." Eunuch Zhao looked up at the Empress.

The Empress frowned slightly, "What did he say? Just say it."

"He said he was hurt by love, betrayed, and from today onwards he wants to maintain distance from Your Majesty and be a good man who doesn't flirt with others. He hopes Your Majesty won't contact him unless it's something important," Eunuch Zhao stammered.

The Empress's lips twitched. This fellow was clearly angry that she had forced Dongfang Qian Yue to stay in the Tianji Pavilion.

"Forget it, I will personally go and invite him."

She stood up, her figure disappearing from the great hall...