NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 110 Tribute
Red Star Imperial Palace.
After taking over control from Jiang Shengtian, Jiang Banzai, the former Imperial Teacher Zuo Wendao, and core members like Jiang Zhenwu, who had just finished reading the latest intelligence report sent over, all had a hint of solemnness between their brows.
"This Su Alkaid, is he really a member of the Moon Demon Empire like Blood Crier and Mo Huang from the Rebirth Society?"
"According to the information we currently have, Su Alkaid seems to differ from Blood Crier and Mo Huang. Based on the intelligence gathered at the risk of life from within the Rebirth Society, he seems to have encountered some problems during his infiltration of our world."
Jiang Zhenwu said, "However, this also corresponds with the information we have. Although the Moon Demon Empire has the technology to infiltrate our world and to grow a 'Demon Seed' within their bodies, they too must pay a significant price. A slight mistake can endanger their lives."
"That's not important."
Jiang Banzai waved his hand dismissively, "What is important is that we can finally see hope."
His eyes twinkled with confidence, "Over the years, we have continuously sent Martial Saints to sacrifice to the Five Emperors Furnace, hoping to nurture our own Artifact Spirit, but... the 'Divine' in the Martial Saints is too weak, so weak that no matter how many, they cannot serve as the core to cause a qualitative change in the Five Emperors Furnace.
Whether it's the Rebirth Society or Su Alkaid, they are essentially as powerful as Celestials or even Great Cultivators who have built their Dao Foundations. If we could feed them to the Five Emperors Furnace..."
"For over a decade, although we have nurtured the rudimentary form of an Artifact Spirit, it is still a bit short of truly controlling the Five Emperors Furnace... In other words, its essence has not yet reached the level of a Treasure Artifact Spirit. However, Su Alkaid and the Rebirth Society... are not weaklings.
Using them as the core to feed and cause a qualitative change, let's just hope they do not overshadow us by then..."
Zuo Wendao was somewhat hesitant.
"You worry too much, Teacher Zuo."
Jiang Banzai was full of confidence, "Zhenwu also mentioned that they must pay a price to infiltrate our world, and that price is that they need to grow anew from nothing. In essence, they may be comparable to Great Cultivators, but in terms of numbers, they may not surpass us by much. Qi Renjie's instruments have provided data on this."
These words somewhat alleviated Zuo Wendao's concerns.
Su Alkaid's Divine Intent strength was less than 12, which was a far cry from theirs.
Indeed, it was the strength of a newly risen Divine Intent Martial Saint.
Of course, the most critical problem was...
The situation was changing too rapidly, leaving them little choice.
"Then we proceed with the original plan. We continue to adopt a 'sit-on-the-mountain-and-watch-the-tigers-fight' stance, letting the Snow Dragon Federation, the Rebirth Society, and including Su Alkaid's Jishi Society believe we will sit back and not enter the fray while they fight to the death."
Jiang Zhenwu said.
Jiang Banzai smiled and nodded, "In reality, the moment any mysterious powerhouse behind Su Alkaid or the Rebirth Society is on their last breath, we will intervene in the battlefield with the Five Emperors Furnace and use the might of this Spiritual Treasure to completely turn the tables."
"A bunch of country bumpkins, how could they possibly compare with the heritage possessed by our Red Star."
Jiang Zhenwu echoed.
The core members exchanged glances and smiles appeared on their faces simultaneously.
"Victory will ultimately belong to our Red Star."
...
"The delegation from the Karl Federation attending the visit to Dayu Country will arrive today."
"The Prime Minister of the Ge Lan Kingdom will conduct a ten-day visit to our country."
"A prince from the Garzan Kingdom has been invited to participate in the thirteenth expo hosted by Dayu Country."
One piece of news after another was constantly reported from the television hanging on the wall.
Su Yaoqin glanced at it and seemed to realize something suddenly, "It feels like a lot of people from various countries have been coming to visit and invest in Dayu Country recently. It's almost as if Dayu Country is becoming the center of the world."
Su Yaoshuang, who was applying makeup in front of a mirror, making herself look cute and adorable, glanced at her and couldn't help but take a peek at the television.
She noticed it too.
Even on the main streets of the capital city of Tian Nan, there were considerably more foreign faces.
"Dayu Country has never been a weak country; its economic strength ranks in the top ten globally, and even its military might is among the top twenty nations. It's understandable that envoys from many nations are rushing to Dayu seeking cooperation due to external turmoil," she replied.
No sooner had she finished dressing up, it seemed like she was about to stand up.
Seeing this, Su Yaoqin couldn't help but frown, "Going to live stream again? Grandfather has been on television more than once receiving distinguished guests, including prime ministers and kings from various nations, but as a member of the Su Family, you're showing your face and attracting attention in a livestream, making frivolous gestures. Is that appropriate?
Aren't you afraid of embarrassing our family?"
"Showing off and attracting attention, making frivolous gestures?"
Su Yaoshuang laughed scornfully, "I dress up pretty every day, isn't it all for others to see? At least, I have something to show off, unlike some people..."
She cast a disdainful look at Su Yaoqin who didn't seem to grasp the aesthetics of front and back, "Some people completely lack the privilege to do so."
"Su Yaoshuang!"
Su Yaoqin stood up angrily, "You're simply a disgrace!"
"I can't be bothered with you."
Su Yaoshuang didn't want to waste her words, "Today is my second sister's birthday. Although she has no intention of holding a birthday banquet, with the influence my eldest sister currently wields in the capital city of Tian Nan, the local powerful have already taken the initiative to come over and curry favor. This small gathering is bound to be anything but modest.
If you start getting ready now, you'll make it in time. Don't turn up dressed like a non-mainstream punk, lest the uninformed think some little street hooligan snuck into a high-end event. At that point, I'd like to see who ends up being the embarrassment."
"You..."
Su Yaoqin wanted to say something.
But after "looking" at her own attire...
It was indeed filled with a "distinctive" style.
She originally adopted this look because she felt invisible in her family, and she wanted to attract attention through her appearance.
But now...
The entire Su Family had undergone drastic changes in just a few months.
Who used to be as inconspicuous as she was, was now approached by people actively demonstrating their warm hospitality, both at school and in public places.
Continuing with such attire seemed...
Childish and ridiculous.
She stood up and approached the mirror in the house. Looking at herself, she noticed no change in attire, but her demeanor was completely different.
"Really, it's different now."
When did these changes begin?
It seems...
it all started when that "bargain" brother, Su Alkaid, returned?
Although he never pampered them like the brothers in TV dramas, brimming with indulgence, in an intangible way, he continuously elevated the status of the Su Family, altering its whole on a grand strategic level that they couldn't possibly fathom, and even they, the invisible ones, became like treasured pearls held aloft by all.
This feeling...
far surpassed the so-called domineering CEOs' grandeur.
Even if she were to look back now at those TV dramas' CEO brothers...
she would find them far too childish.
"Although we've hardly met a few times, having a brother like this... seems rather nice."
...
Emperor Yu's Mountain estate.
Having finished his meditative visualization, Alkaid was sitting in a pavilion.
He was watching a brook flow tirelessly nearby while listening to Lei Yun's report.
"The gifts from the Karl Federation have been stored."
"Lihuo Country has expressed a willingness to acknowledge Dayu Country as the sovereign state, but their allegiance is not to Dayu, but to you, Young Master Alkaid."
"The gifts from Garzan are even more generous than initially planned, however, their prince hopes to meet with you, Chairman Alkaid, what do you think...?"
"Accept the gifts, no need for a meeting,"
said Alkaid, glancing at her, "Have all the gifts from the countries in Middle East Continent arrived yet?"
"Just six countries left..."
Lei Yun reported the names of these six countries one by one.
"Note them down,"
Alkaid instructed.
He might not give special treatment to the countries that sent gifts,
but for these six that didn't, he would surely make a statement when the opportunity arose.
After hearing the report and dismissing Lei Yun, Alkaid also focused his mind on the [Businessman] branch on the ancient tree.
During this time, the "tributes" from dozens of countries had caused the [Businessman] branch's experience to surge once again, directly catapulting its progress to 91%.
But...
91% was clearly the limit.
Unless more valuable treasures arrived, or he could force Red Star and Snow Dragon to offer up various divine weapons and medicinal materials as tribute, his progress wouldn't likely improve substantially for at least a year or two.
"I already control more than one country, yet the [Businessman] experience growth from this is not significant, it seems... Nations and lands, do they not count as income? Or is it because defending these lands requires a massive input of human resources, making this a very unprofitable deal for me?"
Alkaid pondered.
However...
The progress of 91%, although not enough to take that critical step, had allowed him to truly touch the domain of the Great Cultivators who were on par with constructing a Dao Foundation in the [Martial Path].
This profound realm...
All the relevant information almost unanimously referred to it as the Star Master.
"Martial Artists, Martial Saints, Celestials, and... Star Masters."
He quietly comprehended the characteristics that set the Star Master apart from other realms.
The Star Master, the true Unity of Heaven and Man.
In this moment, a cultivator's Life Force Field had been fully realized in the Martial Path, and with the understanding of the stellar forces...
which is the Stellar Power Field, their every action manipulated not merely the power of the body but that of heaven and earth, the vacuum, the Stellar Power Field.
Confronting such might, one was contesting a star.
And the power of a star...
How vast could that be!?
Even if Snow Dragon and Red Star detonated all their nuclear weapons at once, it couldn't even scratch the surface of the planet they lived on.
A Star Master able to wield such power would reach unfathomable heights of strength.
As cultivators further refine their abilities within this realm, supersonic flight and withstanding nuclear explosions with their bare bodies would be basic feats.
Cultivators who establish their Dao Foundation through Qi Refinement can, single-handedly with one sword, suppress an entire realm. Read exclusive content at empire
Martial Artists can do the same.
The title of Star Master is truly deserved.
"Truly... inconceivable."
For half a day, Alkaid remained immersed in the vast power attributed to the realm of Star Master.
Perhaps...
Only when one reaches such a level can one be truly considered powerful.
Only then can one feel that slight sense of security.
Unfortunately, based on the current trend, it would take at least another ten or eight years to achieve the Star Master.
This feeling of being so close yet so far was quite distressing.
It was then that Yue Xingzhou appeared not far from the pavilion, bowing and saying, "Chairman Alkaid, Princess Xie Yi'er has arrived. She brings the Divine Battle Armor sent by the Snow Dragon Federation, along with an additional gift."