Chapter 289: Forming an Alliance with the Dragon Palace

The negotiations have now lasted for more than a month. During this time, the pulling, disputes, quarrels, attacks and counterattacks have made even many observers feel as if swords were clashing and crises were everywhere. A single moment of carelessness could result in irreparable losses.

But no matter how dangerous it has been, it’s nothing compared to the upcoming negotiation—Anyang is about to strike at the very root of the Jin Kingdom.

The negotiation hasn’t even started, and the atmosphere is already heavy. Sima Xuan stood like a statue, his expression stern; the surrounding audience also had their eyes wide open, not daring to miss a single detail.

In the back, Xie Yuhua gripped her hands tightly, her knuckles pale. As the president of the “Purple Bamboo Conference Center,” Xie Yuhua had been under tremendous pressure these past days. Countless things had happened every day, and during the negotiation, even a Golden Core–level official had fainted—a truly unimaginable situation. Anyang’s negotiation had set an example for many future negotiations—albeit a negative one.

Only the people from Anyang still wore relaxed smiles. Although Xu Ren and the others were tired, they looked energetic and full of confidence!

Seeing the confident Xu Ren, Sima Xuan’s heart sank deeper and deeper. Over the course of this month-long negotiation, Sima Xuan had been forced to retreat step by step by Xu Ren multiple times, unable to hold his ground.

Perhaps Anyang had been preparing for this negotiation for a very long time—maybe even before the war began.

Under the gaze of the public, Li Xian appeared once again; but today, someone was with him—Ge Zhengfeng! Having wrapped up his affairs, Ge Zhengfeng had finally arrived in Anyang.

After a brief self-introduction, Ge Zhengfeng joined the negotiation team, replacing a business representative who was no longer needed for today’s discussions.

As the negotiation began, the first words out of Xu Ren’s mouth stunned everyone: “Prime Minister Sima, we in Anyang would like to exchange a complete set of machine tools, along with the relevant blueprints, for all of Jin Kingdom’s battle formations. What do you think?”

They weren’t demanding them—they wanted to trade?! After being aggressive all the way through, Anyang was now suddenly “softening” at the final moment? Even Sima Xuan couldn’t quite believe it. Xu Ren hadn’t remained tough all the way through? Wasn’t this contrast too dramatic?

Seeing Sima Xuan’s wide eyes, Xu Ren suddenly smiled, “Prime Minister Sima, what’s with that expression?”

Sima Xuan hesitated, then opened his mouth with some uncertainty, “A complete set of machine tools… You’re willing to offer that?”

Not only Sima Xuan—even the surrounding delegation members widened their eyes in shock.

“Of course!” Xu Ren said decisively. “Anyang is centered on industry and commerce, and the core of that is ‘fairness, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation.’

Battle formations are the foundation of the Jin Kingdom’s national strength; industry is the foundation of our Anyang. If we exchange, then both sides possess two sets of foundational pillars.”

Sima Xuan, being the Prime Minister after all, finally came to his senses. “The situation has changed. I would like to return to our country and consult His Majesty.”

But deep inside, Sima Xuan sneered: Like I’d ever trust you.

“Alright.” Xu Ren immediately agreed after seeing Li Xian nod. Then, Xu Ren turned to Cheng Yunbo, “General Cheng, your son finally woke up this morning and is out of danger. He’s currently at the ‘Anyang Central Hospital.’ You may go visit him.”

“Ah…” For a moment, Cheng Yunbo didn’t know how to express his emotions. His son wasn’t dead, but the situation still didn’t sound good! Since the negotiations began, Cheng Yunbo had been worried, but didn’t dare ask—afraid it might affect the talks and put the Jin Kingdom at a disadvantage. Now, finally hearing news about his son, his expression shifted continuously.

Li Xian suddenly stood up, “Let’s pause the negotiations here for now. Finalize and stamp the agreements we’ve reached so far, and publish them in the newspapers. The exchange of battle formations and a full industrial machine tool set is a separate negotiation—more of a business negotiation.”

All the clauses were sorted, reviewed, and verified without issue, then signed, stamped, and compiled into a bound document for preservation. Arrangements were made for newspaper publication. The total number of words in the clauses exceeded 100,000—forming a thick book.

Finally, Xu Ren and Sima Xuan took a “group photo,” though Xu Ren was all smiles, while Sima Xuan’s smile was bitter.

Just when everyone thought that was the end and that various delegations could begin separate industrial and commercial talks with Anyang, Li Xian suddenly spoke up: “Ladies and gentlemen, there’s one more announcement today: Anyang is officially forming an alliance with the East Sea Dragon King’s Palace of Yingzhou.”

Everyone was stunned. Although it had been somewhat expected, hearing the formal announcement still left them shocked. Anyang had truly allied with the sea tribe—and not just any group, but the Dragon Palace!

Seizing the moment, Li Xian continued: “Anyang’s development is centered on industry and commerce. Therefore, we are willing to befriend any person or power in the world.

Now, please welcome Princess Ao Qingxue of the East Sea Dragon King’s Palace of Yingzhou.”

The conference room doors slowly opened. Noble, elegant, graceful, with a hint of aloofness and celestial aura, Ao Qingxue walked in slowly, accompanied by two beautiful young women—one holding the Coiling Dragon Sword, and the other holding the Swimming Dragon Imperial Seal.

Everyone was captivated by Ao Qingxue’s beauty. Her cloud-like hair swayed gently, like flowing water; the golden and faint purple dragon scales on her brow were both a symbol of status and a decoration. Two barely noticeable, translucent, crystal-yellow dragon horns peeked out from her hair, exuding a noble yet playful aura. Her hands were clasped at her small abdomen, and a graceful yellow shawl wrapped around her slender waist and arms, softly hanging by her side. Beneath her feet, there seemed to be water ripples or mist swirling, enhancing Ao Qingxue’s fairy-like appearance.

“How beautiful!” Many girls couldn’t help but exclaim in awe.

Many people seeing Ao Qingxue up close for the first time had a moment of dazedness in their eyes.

Ao Qingxue slowly walked up beside Li Xian, turned around gently, and faced the crowd. Her ruby lips parted slightly, and a voice, both like pearls and jade and slightly deeper, flowing like a gentle stream yet carrying an air of authority, resonated, “The East Sea Dragon King’s Palace of Yingzhou, Princess Ao Qingxue, greets all fellow Daoists.”

Although she said “greet all fellow Daoists,” there seemed to be a hint of disdain deep in Ao Qingxue’s gaze, and she made no movement. Only her soft words echoed in the hall. It seemed that her words carried some magical power as well.

“Transformation stage?!” Someone gasped.

He Zhiguo, the Chancellor of Qi, narrowed his eyes slightly. “It’s not the transformation stage, but a divine ability inherent to the dragon race. The dragon princess should be at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage. Dragons are naturally more powerful than other races, possessing the bloodline of divine beasts.”

Ao Qingxue did not respond but merely cast a faint glance at He Zhiguo. Just that one glance made He Zhiguo take a sudden step back, his face turning pale. After steadying himself, He Zhiguo actually bent at the waist and cupped his hands, no longer speaking.

He Zhiguo was also at the Nascent Soul stage, as was Ao Qingxue, but the gap between the two was enormous. A single glance—just a glance—was enough for Ao Qingxue to frighten He Zhiguo into retreat. If she were to get serious, perhaps that glance alone could severely injure He Zhiguo.

The surrounding crowd immediately grew serious, their eyes narrowing slightly. The way they looked at Ao Qingxue changed from admiration to fear. Is this the power and divine ability of the dragon race? Is this the strength of divine beast blood?

Ao Qingxue’s lips curled slightly, a mix of disdain and a faint smile, and after slowly scanning the room, she spoke again, “My Dragon Palace collaborates with Anyang because we agree with Anyang’s commercial development philosophy.

Traditional methods of expansion have created too much bloodshed and too many crimes. And as for Yingzhou, since the era of kingdoms began, no country has been able to expand its territory to 30,000 kilometers, or 60,000 miles.

Actually, it’s the same for both land and sea.

When a nation’s territory cannot expand, its luck runs out, cultivation slows down, and ultimately, time is wasted.

But Anyang’s approach gives me new hope.

Especially the development of industry, which seems unique. Li Xian once told me, and he has told many Nascent Soul cultivators: Ascending is too troublesome. The ultimate goal of Anyang’s industrial development is to use stronger flying machines, among other things, to directly send cultivators to the Immortal Realm.”

Gulp… The sound of people swallowing saliva filled the air. Sending people directly to the Immortal Realm? Although this idea has been discussed many times before, hearing it from a dragon princess made everyone take it more seriously.

When they thought of Anyang’s latest subsonic aircraft, they immediately believed it more. Considering that even the Dragon Princess said so, they believed it even more.

Li Xian, standing beside them, couldn’t help but feel secretly pleased. He hadn’t expected that Ao Qingxue would also give him a huge gift—Ao Qingxue was practically the spokesperson. Her words would bring unimaginable benefits to Anyang.

Finally, Ao Qingxue made a definitive statement, “From now on, Li Xian will also be the ‘Xian Wang’ of the East Sea Dragon King’s Palace of Yingzhou.”

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