Only after unifying the world did I realize that immortals existed in this world.

A menacing aura swept over him, and Xiao Zheng unconsciously frowned as soon as Ning Boxing asked his blunt question.

That's a reckless brute.

He had no doubt about the other party's hostility towards him. If he dared to disrespect Xie Cangrong, even though there was a difference between immortals and mortals, this person would probably attack him immediately.

The ministers in the hall had different temperaments; some were ordinary, some had a noble air, and some were menacing.

For example, the burly man who spoke up right now.

Xiao Zheng was completely convinced that this guy would fall into the demonic path of killing gods in the future.

"Bo Xing, how many times have I told you this!"

"Don't be impatient!"

Before Xiao Zheng could speak, Xie Cangrong glared at Ning Boxing, as if rebuking him: "I believe that you are a person of noble lineage and high moral character. You are not the kind of person who uses force to oppress others, slanders others at will, and is unreasonable and domineering."

One was rough and unruly, the other gentle and kind, yet they worked together seamlessly.

Despite being indirectly insulted, Xiao Zheng did not react. Instead, he calmly bowed to Xie Cangrong and said, "Your Majesty is wise; I had no such intention."

Xie Cangrong laughed and said, "I am a simpleton, so I hope you won't take offense, Immortal Master."

Ning Boxing cupped his hands in greeting at the opportune moment, his smile honest and simple: "Immortal Master, I have a quick temper, please don't take offense."

"General, you speak your mind freely. It's my fault for not explaining clearly enough, but it's alright!"

Xiao Zheng then steered the conversation back to the topic: "Your Majesty's unwillingness to form an alliance is also a concern of mine, as I fear that the vast territory and millions of people of Great Xia may be disturbed by evil spirits."

Xie Cangrong smiled and retorted, "When did I refuse your sect's request for an alliance?"

"Everything needs a plan. Since your esteemed dynasty has proposed an alliance with our dynasty, then let's be clear about what your esteemed dynasty can offer, and what it expects our dynasty to offer in return."

Xiao Zheng replied, "Our sect can establish a branch here, send cultivators to guard the Great Xia, help the Great Xia resist evil spirits, and protect the people. We ask nothing of the Great Xia, only that the Great Xia wholeheartedly support the righteous path."

Xie Cangrong raised an eyebrow and looked at him with great interest.

"Shelter? Nothing in return?"

He looked directly into Xiao Zheng's eyes, his expression still warm, but his words were direct: "Immortal Master, you are not sincere."

These words quieted the court somewhat.

This was the first time Xie Cangrong had torn away the formalities and directly addressed the conflict.

Xiao Zheng couldn't help but frown.

"Regarding the matter of asylum, I have already explained it to Envoy Lu, and I will not repeat myself."

"The Great Xia Dynasty no longer needs the protection of the Immortal Alliance."

Xie Cangrong sat upright on the throne, quietly looking down at him: "Immortal Master, what is right and what is wrong?"

"For a century, the vast land has been embroiled in conflict, the world is in chaos and decay, corpses are everywhere, and starving people are exchanging their own children to eat each other... Is such chaos any less than the chaos caused by demons? I have not seen the immortal sects assisting and the righteous path shining, but I have seen human desires surpass even those of demons."

Xie Cangrong raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials in the court before turning to the distance: "This empire was won by me and a host of brave and righteous warriors. This chaotic world was quelled by our own hands, at the request of the people. I have faith in my generals and in my soldiers."

"I only know that only those who are self-reliant can survive."

"I have never seen how ruthless the Demonic Sect can be, but I am willing to believe that my soldiers can protect the Great Xia."

Xie Cangrong's words were direct and sincere, so much so that the entire court, including officials and loyal ministers, felt their blood boil and their eyes redden.

Since His Majesty trusts them so much, how could they not be willing to die for them?

The entire hall seemed to change because of Xie Cangrong's words. The morale of the officials rose steadily, and the pressure on the cultivators increased.

Xiao Zheng frowned and said repeatedly, "Your Majesty, the evil of the demonic path is far more complex than you imagine."

"Heh~"

Xie Cangrong chuckled and steered the conversation back on track: "Your sect has sent cultivators to protect my Great Xia. I'd like to know, will the people your sect has sent obey my commands?"

"What if my decree contradicts the will of the Immortal Alliance?"

Xiao Zheng frowned upon hearing this, but did not reply.

Xie Cangrong continued, "Does the Immortal Master know what the deployment of military forces between nations signifies?"

Xiao Zheng hurriedly said, "Your Majesty misunderstands. Our Immortal Alliance is of the orthodox lineage and only seeks to spread the Dao. We have absolutely no intention of encroaching upon your territory. You are welcome to send an envoy to my Crane Cry Continent to investigate."

"Heh~"

Xie Cangrong chuckled lightly: "The Immortal Alliance asks for nothing, only the wholehearted support of Great Xia? That's tantamount to asking for everything!"

"The Immortal Alliance wants my people to support the demon-slaying campaign. Will I grant it?"

"The Immortal Alliance demands that I mine resources to support the demon-slaying campaign. Should I grant their request?"

"If the war between immortals and demons leaves my Great Xia Dynasty a scorched wasteland, who will I hold accountable?"

Xiao Zheng, who could remain calm even when being subtly insulted and mocked, finally turned pale when faced with Xie Cangrong's series of questions.

He couldn't answer Xie Cangrong's questions.

Xie Cangrong gradually suppressed his smile and quietly looked at Xiao Zheng: "I do not know what the people of the Demonic Sect are like, but I have heard with my own ears that Envoy Lingzong Shi disregarded the laws of our dynasty, bullied the weak and injured our citizens, and even attempted to use the law to disrupt prohibitions and resist arrest. May I ask, Immortal Master, if the cultivators of the Immortal Sect are like this, what should our dynasty do?"

Damn Shiyu!

With such a vivid example before his eyes, Xiao Zheng was rendered speechless by Xie Cangrong's rebuttal.

After all, it is a fact that Shi Yu injured someone.

As Lu Junfeng said, when they go out, they represent the face of the sect.

Shi Yu believed he was upholding the so-called sect, but in reality, he was only fighting for his own face and pride, completely abandoning the sect.

Xiao Zheng simply said with a stern face, "Your Majesty, Shi Yu is indeed a bad disciple who has not been properly disciplined. Once he returns to the sect, I, Xiao, will certainly punish him severely."

Xie Cangrong waved his hand: "Shi Yu has broken the law and should be sentenced to two years in prison. After that, the Immortal Master can take him back to the sect to be punished. I will not interfere."

"Two years?"

Xiao Zheng frowned deeply: "Your Majesty, how can our sect's disciples waste two years here?"

The conflict between the two sides has now become very acute.

This is also an opportunity.

He could use this opportunity to test the emperor's true strength and weakness.

Let's see what this person is hiding.

Does the other party really have the right to negotiate with him at the negotiating table?

If Xie Cangrong can't even withstand this test, then there's nothing more to talk about.

Xie Cangrong narrowed his eyes, his voice growing colder: "The laws of my Great Xia are unforgiving. Within the borders of my Great Xia, whoever breaks the law must serve their sentence! How dare you, Immortal Master, try to disrupt the laws of my Great Xia?"

Xiao Zheng didn't speak, but his eyes shot out golden light, becoming increasingly sharp as if they could see right through people.

He is a cultivator who has broken through to the seventh realm [Dharma Aspect]. If he wanted to, he would be fully capable of leveling this place to the ground.

Xuan Gu was taken aback: "Xiao Zheng, what are you doing?!"

To the naked eye, it was invisible, but Xiao Zheng's aura suddenly surged, filled with pressure, seemingly incredibly powerful.

In the eyes of the cultivators, a magnificent phantom rose from the ground, gradually solidifying behind it. A majestic giant looked down at the king on the throne.

His imposing aura pressed down on Xie Cangrong, his voice carrying a faint, echoing quality, as if he were a level above all others, exuding supreme grandeur: "Your Majesty, we disciples of the Taihua Sect should be..."