"This method is good, but... how can the National Preceptor guarantee that these demonic spawn will make a deal with me?"
The word "spawn" grated on Yan Ao Tian's ears.
A flicker of killing intent flashed in his seductive red eyes, but it returned to normal as he lowered his gaze.
"Your Majesty, with the grand display by Sect Master Gu today, I absolutely refuse to believe these people are here to die. They are not that foolish."
Unknowingly, he had already started referring to her as "Sect Master Gu."
The Emperor of the Empire did not notice his anomaly.
Meanwhile.
Gu Qian Ying had already received news from Leng Gui.
Putting down the teacup in her hand, she looked up at the Emperor of the Empire.
"Your Imperial Majesty, I am not here today to provoke you, but to make a deal with you."
The word "deal" was spoken first by Gu Qian Ying.
The Emperor of the Empire was somewhat surprised. "Oh? You people come to my territory, hold my princes and princesses hostage, and shamelessly declare you want to make a deal with me? Heh, what qualifications do you have to say such things?"
He already had a plan in mind.
The Emperor of the Empire decided to strike first.
It would be improper for him to propose the "deal" first, but if it came from the other party, it would be a natural progression.
"With these two items, I believe this sect master has sufficient qualifications!"
Gu Qian Ying raised her hand.
The maid Wu Zi walked out carrying a brocade box, and she opened it.
Brilliant light erupted.
Two beads of different colors, emitting a warm glow, spun above the brocade box.
Everyone was shocked.
"What... what is this?"
Someone among the crowd recognized one of the beads.
He exclaimed, "That is... the Spirit Transformation Bead!"
At this moment, the weak sunlight shone upon the "Sun-Moon Beads," and instantly, the Sun-Moon Beads became even more vibrant.
"A treasure that absorbs the light of the sun and moon to cultivate spirits. Could this be the Sun-Moon Beads hidden within the Demonic Order?"
Someone in the crowd also recognized the item.
The two precious beads represented two different dangerous locations.
Shock continued to appear on everyone's faces.
"Could these people be the ones who lingered in our tribal lands, turned our Yin Mountain upside down, subdued the Six Yin Mountain Sons, and defeated our Master Yang?"
"What? It's really them? How is that possible?"
"How could they be these demonic people?"
Everyone found it hard to believe.
A few days ago, they had heard some news about the sensational battle at Yin Mountain, which had caused a great upheaval in the Wu tribe, turning their ancestral land into ruins.
The highly skilled Six Yin Mountain Sons were subdued, then killed by the Twelve Beasts. The person who subdued the Six Yin Mountain Sons had even avenged them, annihilating the Twelve Beasts single-handedly.
It was heard that at the time, the companions of this person were also present and had all sustained injuries.
The sensational battle at Yin Mountain had spread throughout the martial world, in every street and alley.
It was the legend of a "god." The Six Yin Mountain Sons and the Twelve Beasts were all at the Spirit Condensation level of cultivation.
It was almost impossible to kill these divine beasts simultaneously, yet those people had succeeded.
Thus.
The people of the Empire never expected that the group of "gods" who had spread throughout the streets and alleys were actually these people before them.
And they were, in fact, the demonic people they looked down upon the most?
Their worldview was shattered, and some people's expressions changed.
Some were still deceiving themselves, telling themselves that everything was just a coincidence. Demonic people were filthy and could not see the light, so how could they be worthy of being legends!
Everyone's thoughts were in turmoil.
The Emperor of the Empire was also shocked, but what shocked him the most was that the Sun-Moon Beads and the Spirit Transformation Bead were simultaneously in the hands of this demonic empress, Sect Master Gu.
The greed in his eyes was evident.
As Wu Zi placed the two beads back into the brocade box and closed the lid, the Emperor of the Empire quickly said, "What deal does Sect Master Gu wish to make with me?"
"Allow our people to participate in the Divine Beast Contract Competition. Regardless of whether our people have the ability to subdue this Bai Ze divine beast, I will personally hand over these two spirit beads afterward. Of course, if Your Imperial Majesty does not agree, it is also acceptable. Today, consider this sect master to have issued a challenge. Within ten days, the Empire will be the territory of our Jue Sha Sect!"
The wind blew, and a head of red hair fluttered in the wind, displaying Gu Qian Ying's powerful aura to the fullest.
As soon as she finished speaking.
Several figures in black cloaks, unnoticed by the archers, covered their mouths, slit their throats, and killed the archers on the spot with movements as fluid as water.
The bows and arrows that the archers should have been holding all fell into the hands of these figures in black cloaks.
After completing this, they removed their hood caps, revealing their true faces. They were not faceless evil spirits, but faces that were flesh and blood, and unfamiliar.
The leader, Leng, dressed in a white cloak, walked in with a sword, knelt at Gu Qian Ying's feet, and reported, "Master."
He did not mention what he had done, but merely met his master, then stood up and stood behind Gu Qian Ying.
Leng's aura was comparable to that of the Flood Dragon A Mu, even more filled with killing intent than A Mu.
The white-clothed youth, with handsome features, exuded a chilling aura from hell.
Looking at the people on the city walls, who had all been replaced by the subordinates of the demonic empress, Sect Master Gu, the Emperor of the Empire's face turned grim.
General Han, the commander of the Imperial Guards, who followed behind him, was also the same.
As if provoked, General Han, disregarding the current situation, stepped forward to advise, "Your Majesty, these demonic people are too abominable. They have trampled on our empire's dignity. Your humble servant implores Your Majesty to issue a decree to fight these people to the death and uphold our empire's honor."
"Slap!"
The Emperor of the Empire slapped him: "Brainless fool, retreat!"
Changing his tone, the Emperor of the Empire compromised: "Sect Master Gu, I agree to this deal. However... looking at the sky, the Bai Ze divine beast will likely not appear today. How about this."
"Today, you shall settle in the Ling Shu Pavilion. Once there are signs of the Bai Ze divine beast appearing, I will send people to deliver the tokens for entering the Xuan Ling Gate, allowing you to participate in the Divine Beast Contract Competition along with the many Xuan Ling Masters of the Empire. What do you say?"
"That would be excellent, but... I am not accustomed to living in the Ling Shu Pavilion. There is a good inn in the imperial capital. For these two days, this sect master will stay there. I request Your Imperial Majesty to send the tokens for entering the Xuan Ling Gate as soon as possible."
With that, Gu Qian Ying gestured to her people, and several evil spirits complied, releasing the people in the Ling Shu Pavilion.
Gu Qian Ying stood up, pushed Nangong Mo forward a couple of steps, handed Nangong Mo to Du Chun, and instructed the two old men behind her to protect Nangong Mo well. Then, she turned her gaze, smiling at the Emperor of the Empire, "Your Imperial Majesty, I have quite a connection with your third daughter. Why not let your precious daughter stay with me at the inn for two days, so she can tell me about your local customs and traditions? Is Your Imperial Majesty willing to part with her?"