One more point, give her a chance

Jiang Lan Zhi listened to Xiao Fan and Yu Yue conversing, knowing that Xiao Fan had matters to attend to, and said, "My husband has important business to deal with, so let's not disturb him, sisters."

Jiang Lanzhi smiled as she spoke, and the other women glanced at Xiao Fan, understanding tacitly.

Yu Yue said, "Young Master, then we shall take our leave first."

Xiao Fan nodded, and the five women immediately exited the palace, presenting a beautiful scene of harmonious coexistence.

But Xiao Fan could sense that this was merely superficial.

Zhao Linger, with her delicate maiden's heart, was somewhat wary of Jiang Lan Zhi, as if Jiang Lan Zhi's appearance would steal Xiao Fan's affection for her.

To be anxious about gains and losses is the nature of a young woman.

Xin Xi was much the same; her personality was lively, but she smiled only because she didn't want to make things difficult for Xiao Fan.

Yu Yue was gentle and considerate, obeying Xiao Fan's commands one hundred percent; though she didn't say it aloud, she must have yearned for Xiao Fan to spend more time with her.

Ning Bing, who neither contended nor vied, was well-behaved and adorable; how could one not cherish her?

Jiang Lan Zhi was Xiao Fan's fiancée, personally chosen by Xiao Fan's mother, and Xiao Fan also held affection for Jiang Lanzhi; the two were even of one mind and body, so it was not an exaggeration to say they were the most intimate of people.

Their love for Xiao Fan was real.

Their desire to possess Xiao Fan was also real.

No one would be generous enough to share Xiao Fan's affection with others.

Xiao Fan also understood that it was very difficult to treat everyone equally.

These five women were not like Demoness Nana and Chen Miaoli, who simply desired possession for carnal pleasure.

As the saying goes, it is hard to conquer an empire, but even harder to maintain it.

Xiao Fan could also say: it is easy to make different women fall in love with oneself, but it is very difficult to manage the relationships between them.

"So, I need to create a career for each of them, just like Shen Biru."

"As they grow stronger, my own influence can also extend to control numerous worlds through them."

Xiao Fan had an idea in his mind.

Just as he was pondering, Ling Yan entered the palace.

Ling Yan had a graceful figure, her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her beautiful legs were faintly visible beneath her purple dress.

She was tall and slender, her jade fingers like green onions; her privileged royal status gave her an inherent noble aura.

Her features were exquisite, her eyebrows delicate, and her fair, jade-like face made her appear lovely, with a gentle smile gracing her rosy cherry lips.

Facing Xiao Fan, she bowed slightly and said, "Ling Yan of the Celestial Devil race greets Young Master."

Xiao Fan looked at the beauty before him; her face, so similar to Nana's, made Xiao Fan's imagination run wild.

Ling Yan's countenance was elegant and noble; if the two stood together, wouldn't they look like sisters?

Xiao Fan said, "There's no need to be formal; just call me Xiao Fan."

Ling Yan said, "Ling Yan dare not. Even Palace Master Yu Yue does not dare to call Young Master by his name; what virtue or ability does Ling Yan possess to dare call Young Master by his name?"

Ling Yan was very surprised.

In her imagination, a person who could earn Yu Yue's complete devotion, besides possessing such unparalleled immortal beauty, must also have extraordinary strength and an awe-inspiring, domineering presence that looked down upon the world.

At the very least, he should be an supreme expert, high above, looking down on all living beings.

However, the Young Master before her seemed somewhat different from her imagination.

He wasn't aloof; instead, he was rather easygoing, which significantly eased Ling Yan's tense nerves.

Xiao Fan said:

"Yu Yue said you want the Celestial Devil race to guard near the Yaochi Immortal Palace to avoid harassment from Cultivators from other realms?"

Ling Yan took a deep breath; now that she finally had the opportunity to discuss a deal, she had to present her best demeanor. She said softly:

"Yes."

As if afraid Xiao Fan wouldn't understand the terms and would reject her proposal, she said softly with a beaming smile:

"Young Master, rest assured, we have come with utmost sincerity this time and will absolutely not let you suffer any loss."

"Tell me, what do you want to do? And what do you want to gain?" Xiao Fan asked, feigning ignorance.

He looked at Ling Yan's delicate face with interest, unconsciously comparing her to Nana.

She had less of Nana's youthful innocence and more of a noble aura; most importantly, he had not yet possessed her, which temporarily preserved a unique sense of mystery.

Ling Yan felt Xiao Fan's gaze and thought he was observing her expressions, trying to discern her bottom line for the price.

She showed no timidity, her smile growing wider.

Ling Yan said, "It's like this: I presume Young Master is aware that a great formation from Outer Space Stars has descended upon the Eternal Immortal Domain recently."

"Many Cultivators from other realms have passed through these great formations from Outer Space Stars, plundering and committing all sorts of evil in the Eternal Immortal Domain."

"The Yaochi Immortal Palace is also greatly troubled by this."

She did not state her request directly; instead, she first explained the facts, then described the difficulties faced by the Yaochi Immortal Palace.

The implicit meaning of these words was: we are here to help you solve a problem.

The most effective way to approach a negotiation is to put oneself in the other party's shoes.

Ling Yan was well-versed in this principle.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Fan couldn't help but look at her in a new light.

Not bad. Compared to Demonic Blood Emperor, that old fool who only knows how to fight with his fists, your argument is very pleasant to listen to.

Xiao Fan gave her two extra points in his heart: one for her noble elegance, and one for her wisdom.

Ling Yan continued, "Young Master, our Celestial Devil race made a mistake last time by harassing the Eternal Immortal Domain. This time, we have specifically come to apologize."

"How about this, you see? Our Celestial Devil race will ensure the safety of the Yaochi Immortal Palace and absolutely will not allow any Cultivator from another realm to cause trouble for the Yaochi Immortal Palace."

"We will not charge any fees; it is entirely out of a need for atonement, voluntarily clearing out Cultivators from other realms."

"Of course, to facilitate our clearing out of Cultivators from other realms, we just have a small request."

"We humbly ask the Yaochi Immortal Palace to permit our Celestial Devil race to establish a foothold in the Eternal Immortal Domain."

"Many of the forces near the Yaochi Immortal Palace have been besieged and killed by Cultivators from other realms, and those places have become ownerless land. We only need two of these ownerless lands for our Celestial Devil race."

Ling Yan clearly stated her request.

It was very simple: she wanted territory.

The Celestial Devil race was entrenched in Outer Space Stars, where the land was barren and Spiritual Qi was scarce.

Now that the great tribulation was approaching, the Spiritual Qi in Outer Space Stars was even cut off; how could they develop? They had to find a fertile land.

Moreover, her request was not excessive. If the Yaochi Immortal Palace simply agreed, they would gain a capable enforcer to protect the surrounding peace.

The other party had no reason to refuse!

However, Ling Yan also understood that no matter how eloquently she spoke, she was essentially asking for a favor.

She didn't rule out the possibility of the other party raising the price; as long as the cost was reasonable, she could agree.

But to her surprise, Xiao Fan did not agree to her request.

"Your terms are very good, completely considering the Yaochi Immortal Palace. Won't you suffer a loss?" Xiao Fan said with a smile.

Ling Yan said with a beaming smile, "We came here to apologize, so suffering a bit of a loss is normal."

Xiao Fan's smile faded, and he shook his head, saying, "I think you're thinking a bit too simply."

Ling Yan's smile stiffened. As expected? He was going to raise the price.

Xiao Fan said, "You need to understand that you are entering the Eternal Immortal Domain because you seek something from me. Without the permission of my Yaochi Immortal Palace, you cannot enter."

"We are clearly making a transaction, so why do you make it sound like you are purely suffering a loss and we are purely benefiting?"

"Furthermore, saying that killing Cultivators from other realms will bring peace to my Yaochi Immortal Palace is misleading."

"Those Cultivators from other realms have been plundering, burning, and killing for quite some time now; they must have accumulated a large amount of wealth."

"When you clear out Cultivators from other realms, whose do the equipment dropped from them belong to?"

"You didn't say, so you're implicitly assuming they're yours, right?"

"In other words, you are killing prey in the Eternal Immortal Domain. How can you call that a loss?"

"Without saying much else, just these two points: you are only providing security for the Yaochi Immortal Palace, but you are gaining wealth and territory. By any measure, it's a sure profit without loss."

Xiao Fan said with a smile, appreciating this woman more and more, wanting to possess her for himself.

This woman truly knew how to speak; no wonder she was sent to negotiate.

Ling Yan had long been prepared; bargaining was inevitable, as long as there was room for discussion.

She said, "Then how about this: the Immortal Palace can send Disciples to act with us. The Immortal Palace's Disciples do not need to take action; they only need to record the gains when tallying the harvest."

"At that time, the acquired wealth will be split sixty-forty, with the Immortal Palace receiving sixty percent."

Concession, compromise.

Her most important goal for this trip was territory.

Everything else could be conceded.

The rise of the Celestial Devil race required a fertile land imbued with Immortal Qi.

Xiao Fan shook his head and said, "No."

Ling Yan's expression stiffened, and she continued:

"Seventy-thirty is not impossible either."

Xiao Fan still shook his head.

She said, "Young Master, you must at least give us a sip of the soup, otherwise, where would the motivation come from?"

Xiao Fan smiled and said, "Not so."

"I mean, you might not be entirely clear about the situation outside right now."

"The teleportation array is broken."

"Now, the Cultivators from other realms in the Eternal Immortal Domain are one less for each one killed."

Ling Yan's face grew solemn, lost in thought for a long time.

This...

If the great formation was destroyed, then her claim of guarding the Yaochi Immortal Palace would become nonsense.

Only if the great formation was still in chaos would there be a possibility for the Celestial Devil race to intervene.

"Young Master, is this true?"

"Of course, I was the one who dismantled the great formation."

Hearing this answer, Ling Yan completely gave up hope. It seemed the Celestial Devil race could only remain in Outer Space Stars; their luck was truly bad.

Xiao Fan watched her disheartened expression, feeling it was almost time to give her an opportunity, something for her to grasp.

But the price, well, that needed to be discussed in detail.