212: It's better to outsmart than to seize by force!

Following the sensation...

Su Yang and his group concealed their presence, flying at low altitude toward the northeast.

The deeper they ventured into the heart of the Kaiyue Empire, the more what they saw and heard confirmed Su Yang's suspicions.

In the towns and villages along the way, the men, regardless of age, were all physically robust with well-defined muscles; there was no need for oxen to work the fields, as strong men could pull heavy plows with one hand while walking as if they were flying.

While the women's physiques didn't show obvious muscle and appeared no different from ordinary women, their strength still far exceeded that of average females; in the markets, women carried hundreds of pounds of goods while walking normally, even chatting and laughing with others while shouldering heavy weights, their expressions relaxed.

Even the children playing on street corners could make the wind whistle when they threw stones.

The entire Empire was permeated with an atmosphere of strength and vigor.

The closer they got to the area Su Yang sensed, the stronger the sense of power emanating from the commoners became. Mining didn't rely on tools; instead, groups of strong men would unleash a barrage of violent iron fists at the mountains, and any massive falling rocks were smashed to pieces with a single punch.

If the farmers and commoners at their initial teleportation location possessed the strength of the first level of Qi Refining, then the closer they got to the position Su Yang sensed, the strength of the people increased level by level.

Half a month later.

Su Yang and his group arrived at the area where the sensation was strongest.

It was a mountain range that wasn't particularly high but possessed a majestic Aura, resembling a massive beast crouching on the ground, colored a dark red.

In the center of the range, a massive fissure looked as if it had been carved open by a giant axe. Dense, heavy Spiritual Qi surged from the fissure, even forming a faint, earthy-yellow spiritual mist in mid-air.

“This is the place.”

Su Yang gazed at the fissure: “The other part of the abyssal legguards is deep within the Spiritual Vein in the heart of this mountain.”

However,

when they descended,

the scene before them made Su Yang frown slightly.

Around the periphery of the entire mountain range, flags fluttered and tents stretched out in succession.

Here,

a massive army was stationed!

A hundred thousand soldiers, each tall and strong, clad in golden armor and strictly disciplined; they were clearly battle-hardened elites.

Even more striking were the numerous figures sitting cross-legged in Cultivation throughout the mountain range.

Their Auras were restrained yet profound, with faint spiritual light shimmering around them.

Every single one of them was a Cultivator!

A rough sensing revealed no fewer than five thousand people.

Among them, over five hundred had reached the Nascent Soul level.

These Cultivators did not wear uniform Sect clothing, and their Auras and Cultivation Techniques varied, but they all maintained a peculiar understanding and connection with the army. They seemed to be allowed to Cultivate near this Spiritual Vein, and in return, they took on the responsibility of guarding the mountain.

“Such tight security,”

Lin Bingqing whispered. “The combination of the army and Cultivators has made this mountain as secure as an iron bucket. It seems the Kaiyue Empire places extraordinary importance on this place.”

“Let’s just fight our way in.”

“The highest of those Cultivators are only at the Nascent Soul stage, and the army is even more insignificant. Any one of us could easily wipe them out.”

Crimson Phoenix arched an eyebrow, a hint of eagerness flashing in her eyes.

Wen Yunyao also nodded: “That’s right, Su Yang. The sensation is so strong; the item must be within the Spiritual Vein. We’ll just take it and leave; they won't be able to catch us.”

Cold Moon curled her lip: “With these few Cultivators, we don't even need to lift a finger. A single breath could scare them to death. Husband, I’ll help you suppress them, and you can just go and take it.”

Hearing Cold Moon call him husband, Crimson Phoenix immediately pouted and shouted: “Cold Moon, can you have some shame? Since when did Su Yang become your husband? If anyone, he’s my husband! Don’t forget I was the one who used to call him husband!”

Cold Moon let out a sneer and instead linked her arm with Su Yang’s: “You said it yourself—that was in the past. Now, I am already Su Yang’s woman. Is there a problem with me calling him husband? On the other hand, you—tsk tsk tsk—aren't even Su Yang’s woman yet. What right do you have to be angry here!? Right, husband?”

“So what if I'm not his woman yet? Can't I call him husband? Husband, husband, husband~~~”

The Little Loli, Crimson Phoenix, also hugged Su Yang’s arm, shouting repeatedly, refusing to lose.

Su Yang wanted to rub his temples, but since his arms were being hugged on both sides, he could only feign seriousness: “Enough, enough! Stop arguing, you two! Is this the time for a fight? Focus your attention on the matter at hand.”

“Hmph!”

Both Crimson Phoenix and Cold Moon curled their lips and ignored each other.

Su Yang said: “Plundering is indeed the simplest and most direct method. With our strength, we could take the treasure in an instant, and no one in the Kaiyue Empire could stop us. But direct plundering is the worst possible strategy!”

Under the gaze of the women, Su Yang continued:

“The Magic Treasure that the abyssal legguards transformed into has been integrated with this Spiritual Vein for over thirty thousand years. The power escaping through the vein has nourished the entire Kaiyue Empire, creating a nation where everyone has a robust physique.”

“In a sense, this Magic Treasure is not just the armor component I am looking for; it long ago became the source of this country’s strength. You could even say it is the Foundation of the Kaiyue Empire.”

Su Yang pointed to the large-scale army and the Cultivators on guard.

Even a Sect’s Treasure Pavilion wouldn't have such a massive defensive force, which showed how much importance the Kaiyue Empire placed on this Spiritual Vein.

“If we seize it by force, this Spiritual Vein will inevitably be damaged. The physical quality of the entire Kaiyue Empire's people will likely decline, and the national Foundation will be shaken. Destroying someone’s Foundation is no different from creating a blood feud.”

“Furthermore, there are many Cultivators serving here who benefit from this. It would not be wise to make such a force completely hostile toward us due to our plunder, or even have them stand against us in potential future upheavals.”

Luo Luo was, after all, the Saintess of Wangxian Hall; she possessed a broader perspective.

She thought for a moment and said: “What Su Yang says makes sense. Seizing it directly is easy, but it could indeed add unnecessary enemies and variables. What we need now is not just to increase our own power; we need to integrate all forces that can be integrated, just like we did with the Demonic Path. The Kaiyue Empire is undoubtedly a good external force. Most importantly, having one more friend is far better than having one more enemy when the time comes.”

Su Yang nodded in deep agreement.

He said: “Forcible seizure will certainly offend the entire Kaiyue Empire and a vast number of Cultivators. But if we can utilize this power well, it will become an asset in the future.”

Cold Moon shrugged: “So? The logic is sound... but are we supposed to go and negotiate with that king or whatever? ‘Hey, dig up your national Foundation and give it to me’? There’s no way he’d agree.”

Su Yang smiled: “Things are done by people. At the very least, we can try to communicate first.”

“For the Kaiyue Empire to recruit so many powerful Cultivators to serve it, there must be a method of governance and a mode of interest exchange. We will first go see the King, state our purpose, and see if we can find a solution acceptable to both parties. If we really can't reach an agreement...”

A sharp glint flashed in Su Yang’s eyes: “It won't be too late to resort to the inferior strategy.”

After hearing Su Yang’s analysis, the women felt it was indeed reasonable.

Naturally, they said no more.

“Then let’s go see that King first,”

Wen Yunyao said. “I’ve heard that the Kaiyue Empire values martial prowess; the King probably won't be easy to negotiate with. You should be mentally prepared for that.”

“Naturally.”

Su Yang nodded and led them toward the capital of the Kaiyue Empire.

The capital of the Kaiyue Empire was very close—so close that they only needed to fly a bit higher to see the city and the towering, massive palace at its center.

Coming to negotiate, there was naturally no reason to fly directly into someone’s imperial palace.

So Su Yang led his group to land outside the capital.

From a distance, three bold, rugged characters were inscribed on the city gate—Gangyan City!