151: Unreasonable demands from two great dynasties!

The calm Void Realm, where Xia Xuan's gaze rested, rippled like a lake.

Divine light blossomed, and two scenes gradually became clear.

The blinking golden eye pupils continuously shrank, eventually transforming into a Magical Artifact, landing in the hand of a purple-robed man with black and white hair at his temples and a chiseled face in the picture.

Another scene revealed the interior of a magnificent, golden palace.

At the highest point of the palace, behind a screen embroidered with a flying Xuan Nü, a graceful figure reclining could be vaguely seen.

“That is... the Great Qian Imperial Dynasty’s Imperial Advisor!”

“And Empress Gu Hua of the Heavenly Maiden Imperial Dynasty!”

Prince Jin exclaimed when he saw the two scenes reflected in the Void Realm.

The Great Qian Imperial Dynasty’s Imperial Advisor—Shang Wudao—was the Great Qian Imperial Dynasty’s most powerful official, wielding immense authority. He was enfeoffed by the Qian Emperor and, by harnessing the power of the Imperial Dynasty’s destiny, achieved the Divine Lord realm.

Empress Gu Hua, needless to say, her ability to rule an Imperial Dynasty and contend with the Great Qian Imperial Dynasty was proof of her extraordinary nature.

Prince Jin was now drenched in cold sweat.

He had thought too simply before; even if the Noble Families or Holy Land people succeeded in their rebellion, what then?

Who would willingly submit?

At that time, the situation would fall into chaos, Xuanling would completely disintegrate, and perhaps no one would be able to suppress the entire realm.

And the two Imperial Dynasties might have already reached a consensus, just waiting for an opportunity to “set things right.”

Caught in the Imperial Dynasty’s game, their ultimate fate would likely be utter destruction!

“This Shang saw abnormal Origin Qi fluctuations in the Huangji Domain and was curious to investigate, with no intention of prying into Your Majesty’s affairs.”

Shang Wudao, neither humble nor arrogant, cupped his hands and said, “Congratulations, Your Majesty, on gaining another Divine Lord realm assistant.”

He had witnessed Xia Xuan manipulate the Chi You and flatten Blood God Mountain with a single palm, which had stirred immense waves in his heart, but he controlled his expression well, not revealing too many unusual emotions.

Everything was suppressed deep within his heart.

He understood that when facing such a powerful individual, neither subservience nor arrogance was advisable.

Xia Xuan’s gaze was deep as he looked at Shang Wudao, recalling an old acquaintance.

The predecessor of the Great Qian Imperial Dynasty was also named Heaven and Earth Merchant Guild.

From the intelligence collected by Net of the World and The Unworthy over the past few days, it seemed that this Heaven and Earth Merchant Guild was indeed the origin of the Heaven and Earth Merchant Guild in the Four Seas and Five Regions.

However, after the Spiritual Emperor sealed Mystic Spirit, contact between the two sides was completely severed.

And the Heaven and Earth Merchant Guild, which controlled vast wealth, split into two factions during the chaotic times.

One was the conservative faction, struggling to operate in an era of war.

The other was the radical faction, using various resources and connections to seize territory and contend for supremacy.

From a small country, it grew step by step into the behemoth it is today, the Great Qian Imperial Dynasty!

Mystic Spirit has a total of eight domains and fourteen prefectures.

The Huangji Domain, Qianchuan Domain, Taixuan Domain, Jiuyou Domain, Ice Field Domain, Blood God Domain, Tianyin Domain, and Dragon-Human Domain.

The first three are super-domains, belonging to the three Imperial Dynasties, respectively. The latter Five Domains are autonomously governed by Holy Lands.

Of the fourteen prefectures, the Xuanling Imperial Dynasty occupies four, the Great Qian Imperial Dynasty six, and the Heavenly Maiden Imperial Dynasty four.

However, the Xuanling Imperial Dynasty had long been a nominal entity; within the Huangji Domain alone, there were hundreds of vassal states.

Its control over the prefectures was virtually non-existent.

The Great Qian Imperial Dynasty, on the other hand, was flourishing, with strong national power, firmly holding one domain and six prefectures in its grasp.

In recent years, the Qian Emperor frequently enfeoffed deities and prepared for war, showing a clear intention to annex the world.

In contrast, Empress Gu Hua of the Heavenly Maiden Imperial Dynasty was much more conservative, focusing on development and defense.

“Your Majesty’s emergence from seclusion is a blessing for the people of Xuanling. The Heavenly Maiden Imperial Dynasty is willing to form an alliance with the Imperial Dynasty, forever ending warfare, and will contribute funds and efforts to assist Your Majesty in rectifying the court.”

Empress Gu Hua lazily rose, moving the screen aside, revealing her peerlessly enchanting figure, making the entire golden hall seem to lose its luster.

Her words were very cautious, not claiming the title of Imperial Dynasty for herself, partly out of reverence, and partly to test Xia Xuan’s bottom line.

“Our Great Qian Imperial Dynasty is also willing to contribute funds and efforts to assist Your Majesty in rebuilding Xuanling.”

Shang Wudao said with a smile.

“Since ancient times, dynastic changes have never ceased. Even divine dynasties and heavenly courts cannot achieve eternal existence. Xuanling has passed; there is no need to rebuild.”

Xia Xuan’s gaze swept across the Void Realm, and he spoke in a calm voice, each word like a heavenly decree, the grand sound of the Dao reverberating through Jade Capital City.

“Since I have returned, this world’s state shall be named Great Xia!”

“A new dynasty, a new atmosphere, it should be so.”

Shang Wudao did not understand the meaning behind this and complimented him with a smile.

“Under the heavens, there is no land that is not the king’s territory...”

Xia Xuan spoke again, and with this one sentence, the expressions of Shang Wudao and Empress Gu Hua in the Void Realm changed subtly.

“What does Your Majesty mean?” Shang Wudao had a bad premonition.

“What do I mean?”

Xia Xuan chuckled, his gaze suddenly turning sharp, “The two Imperial Dynasties, usurping power, plotting against the country, and dividing territory, have committed crimes punishable by extermination.

However, as the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty is newly established, there shall be a great amnesty for the world. I grant you time to consider: within one year, decide whether to submit or be destroyed.

However, this year will require you to pay a price. The Heavenly Maiden Imperial Dynasty must send an Imperial Princess to Jade Capital City as a hostage.

The Great Qian Imperial Dynasty... send the Empress as a pledge.”

The Heavenly Maiden Imperial Dynasty’s Empress Gu Hua had nine daughters. The youngest, the Ninth Princess, possessed an Innate Jade Dragon Body. At her birth, a young Dragon accompanied her.

She was directly designated by Empress Gu Hua as the next successor, the Imperial Princess of the Heavenly Maiden Imperial Dynasty.

As for the Empress of the Great Qian Imperial Dynasty... her identity naturally needs no further explanation.

When this condition was proposed, Prince Jin and the rebels who were still begging for mercy in low voices were all stunned.

One was the future of the Heavenly Maiden Imperial Dynasty, and the other was the current Qian Emperor’s dignity.

How could His Majesty be trying to negotiate in good faith? He was clearly looking for reasons to start a war.

These were simply impossible conditions to accept.

Empress Gu Hua was slightly stunned upon hearing this, then frowned, her face turning slightly cold, but she did not immediately get angry.

She fell into hesitation.

Although the so-called Great Xia Imperial Dynasty currently had almost zero control over its territory, she believed that after the Spiritual Emperor’s return, the situation would quickly reverse. Coupled with these armies that massacred kings and marquises, and the assistance of divine generals, they already possessed the strength to contend with an Imperial Dynasty.

Giving a year to consider was one thing, but to propose such an abominable condition of sending a hostage was another.

“Is Your Majesty joking?”

Shang Wudao’s face was as black as the bottom of a pot. “The Empress’s status is incomparably noble; how can she condescend to come to Jade Capital City as a hostage? Not only would this Shang absolutely not agree, but the Qian Emperor would surely be furious upon hearing of it.

And submission is even more impossible. The people of the Great Qian Imperial Dynasty will fight to the death; there are no cowards who would willingly offer their necks to be slaughtered!

If Your Majesty intends to sign a peace agreement, this Shang could propose to His Majesty the Qian Emperor to send a princess or an imperial prince to Jade Capital City as a hostage.”

If the Empress were truly sent to Jade Capital City, even if the Qian Emperor didn’t mind and could tolerate it, the other citizens of the Great Qian Imperial Dynasty would not agree. The nation’s dignity would be completely lost, and they would not be able to hold their heads high in front of the citizens of the vassal states.

“This is not a negotiation with you. If you are unwilling, then await the declaration of war.”

Xia Xuan’s eyes slightly chilled, and he raised his hand to directly erase the Void Realm scene, preventing Shang Wudao from speaking any further.

Mystic Spirit was in ruins awaiting reconstruction, but his Great Xia Imperial Dynasty in the Five Domains was preparing for war, long ready for conquest.