146: Chapter 146 The dragon grins wickedly, and Xiao Yan is being manipulated.

"..." Upon seeing the Deep Sea Flood Dragon's expression, Xiao Yan had a bad premonition. After a moment of silence, it gave an awkward smile and scratched the back of its head:

"Actually, I think it's better if I stay. I won't leave after all."

"Why aren't you leaving now? It couldn't be that you're afraid I'll eat you, could it?" The Deep Sea Flood Dragon leaned in toward Xiao Yan with a mischievous smile.

"How could that be? Don't overthink it; I just genuinely want to stay. Hahaha." Xiao Yan gave a few awkward laughs and tried to make excuses.

With the Deep Sea Flood Dragon looking like that, it would be strange if it weren't afraid. It wasn't afraid of being eaten, but of being set up. It was better to stay put so it wouldn't encounter any frame-ups or similar issues.

"Is that so? That's a bit of a pity. I had originally planned to take you to a good place." The Deep Sea Flood Dragon put on an expression of genuine regret.

It clearly didn't have any good intentions. This was so difficult and tiring; it just wanted to go home.

It made Xiao Yan want to go home early and never come out again:

"There will be opportunities in the future. Let's talk about it later."

"Actually, there's nothing for us to do right now, so going for a stroll is fine. Besides, Brother Bai has already agreed, so what are you still worried about? You don't suspect that Brother Bai would make a move against your friends, do you?"

The Deep Sea Flood Dragon continued to dig a pit for Xiao Yan.

"No, I don't think that at all." Xiao Yan quickly shook its head, denying it repeatedly, then looked at Bai Xuan's expression, fearing that Bai Xuan might be angry.

"Don't tease it until it cries." Bai Xuan smiled helplessly.

"Understood." The Deep Sea Flood Dragon left dejectedly. It seemed there was no more fun to be had. Teasing this guy was quite interesting; it would be even better if it could scare it into crying.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the Eagle Emperor wasn't angry, and it had managed to save its own life.

Xiao Yan stopped speaking. The more one says, the more mistakes one makes; it was better to say less and just wait until it was over.

However, every second was torture for it.

Meanwhile, Jiali and her group finished their discussion and returned.

"Your Excellency Eagle Emperor, is there really no room for reduction?" Jiali asked, bracing herself. If she could haggle, that would naturally be best, but if not, they would have to surrender the resources according to what Bai Xuan had said.

"I already said just now, at least 50%. If you don't agree, you can leave at any time. However, if I have to come to you personally, I won't be so easy to talk to."

Bai Xuan appeared magnanimous, letting them return safely, but his actual tone carried a threat, forcing them to agree.

"Fine, we are willing to hand over 50% of our resources." Jiali sighed helplessly in her heart. Humanity had reached a point of extreme weakness and was suppressed by the fierce beasts, leaving them no choice but to compromise.

They had to change this situation. Even if they couldn't defeat Bai Xuan, they at least needed the ability to contend with him. Nuclear weapons were now useless against him; only martial artists or the development of more powerful weapons offered a chance to turn the tide. For now, the most important thing was to survive.

"Very well, that's a pleasant agreement then. Within three days, deliver the resources here." Bai Xuan nodded slightly.

Gaining another substantial income was quite good.

"If there's nothing else, we'll head back now. Goodbye, Eagle Emperor."

Xiao Yan couldn't wait to leave. Seeing that matters were settled, it quickly spoke up.

"No rush, we still have matters to discuss with the Eagle Emperor." Jiali shook her head gently and said.

"Don't be in such a rush. Come on, sit down." The Deep Sea Flood Dragon used its tail to pull Xiao Yan and pressed it back down onto the ground.

Xiao Yan felt like crying but had no tears; it could only sit back down.

"If you have something to say, speak." Bai Xuan looked at Jiali and spoke indifferently.

"I would like to ask, Your Excellency Eagle Emperor, how did you crack the Zerg space artifacts?" Jiali asked the question that had been puzzling her.

She had previously witnessed the function of space artifacts and had experienced using them from the Dragon Kingdom. Later, they had obtained space artifacts from the Zerg, but until now, they had no clue how to crack the restrictions.

"No comment."

"Eagle Emperor, could you give us a hint? We are willing to offer resources in exchange."

Jiali did not give up. As long as she could crack the principles of the space artifacts, they would surely rise in the future. Even if they couldn't rise, they would at least have a foothold in that field.

"No." Bai Xuan resolutely refused to inform her.

"Since the Eagle Emperor is unwilling to say, then so be it." Seeing that Bai Xuan's attitude was so resolute, Jiali did not ask any further.

That was true; this was a very important ability, so how could it be casually disclosed to others? Since Bai Xuan was unwilling, she couldn't force it.

"If there's nothing else, go back. Remember to hand over the resources within the stipulated time."

"There is one last question we would like to ask Your Excellency Eagle Emperor."

Jiali wanted to understand more, but judging from Bai Xuan's current attitude, he didn't seem very willing to continue answering her questions.

Therefore, she could only ask the most important question, hoping Bai Xuan could provide clarity.

"Let's hear it." Bai Xuan still gave her one last chance to ask something.

"I want to know, Your Excellency Eagle Emperor, why are you so magnanimous and tolerant toward the Dragon Kingdom?"

Jiali took a deep breath and asked the final, and most important, question.

They had all seen Bai Xuan's magnanimity toward the Dragon Kingdom and were very envious, while at the same time, they were even more confused.

Countries like theirs, which had never harmed Bai Xuan, received forceful suppression, had to hand over 50% of their resources, and even faced the risk of national annihilation. But what about the Dragon Kingdom?

Previously, during the forest bombing, they were forced to flee to the Far East Region. Later, not only did he not attack the Dragon Kingdom, but he instead indirectly helped them resolve the Zerg disaster and even traded space artifacts with them. This was truly baffling.

After a moment of silence, Bai Xuan responded unhurriedly:

"Don't ask what you shouldn't."

"Since the Eagle Emperor is unwilling to answer, then so be it. If there's nothing else, we'll leave now." Sensing the ill intent in Bai Xuan's tone and that the situation was not good, Jiali quickly said.

Xiao Yan was already prepared and jumped behind the group, ready to leave at any moment.

At this moment, Xiao Yan was anxious internally, thinking to itself: "Holy crap, holy crap, could she have angered him? Why ask so many questions? Isn't living good?"

"Go." Bai Xuan did not make things difficult for them and let them leave.

"Your Excellency Eagle Emperor, until we meet again." Jiali and the other officers breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, then said respectfully.

After saying this, they jumped onto Xiao Yan's back and sat down. Xiao Yan flapped its wings and took them away without stopping, looking somewhat disheveled.

Bai Xuan watched their retreating figures in silence.