Chapter 1042: An Invitation from Mei Gongzi

After this battle, both demon and nymph spectators came to realize that the Blue Gold Trees could no longer be taken lightly. Even if Tang San failed to claim victory in the Battle for the Throne, his strength combined with the Scourge Dragon's was already at a level that could challenge the Emperors themselves. And that was not to even mention the Ancestral Tree behind him. Before anyone noticed it happening, the Blue Gold Tree clan had become a powerful force to be reckoned with.

Tang San swept his gaze around the dining hall. There were no open seats, but soon his eyes lit up as he spotted the person he most wished to see.

It was at a large table near the back that could seat eight. Only three seats were occupied—and wasn't that Mei Gongzi and her mother sitting there?

It seemed they too had arrived a bit late, which was why they hadn't gotten a private room. But why hadn't the White Tiger Grand Hotel arranged one for them? And why weren't they dining upstairs in their large suite?

Tang San was curious. But then, he saw Mei Gongzi had noticed his arrival... and she actually waved him over.

Tang San obviously blinked in surprise and pointed at himself questioningly.

Mei Gongzi nodded slightly.

Tang San's heart soared, his excitement barely hidden. He quickly made his way over.

"May I join you?" Tang San asked cautiously.

"Please, Clan Leader Jin, have a seat," Mei Gongzi said, nodding.

Tang San sat opposite her. Though Mei Gongzi still wore a veil, she'd lifted half of it to eat, revealing her soft pink lips.

Tang San couldn't help but glance at them. Mei Gongzi seemed to sense it instantly, and the temperature around the table dropped noticeably.

"Clan Leader Jin, please behave," she said coldly.

"Oh, oh, sorry! It was subconscious," Tang San said hastily, suppressing a smile.

"Did you want to talk to me about something, City Lord Mei?"

Mei Gongzi nodded lightly. "I heard the Ancestral Court approved your clan's neutrality today. I wanted to ask how you plan to approach this. Though we're far across the continent, our Kali City is still one of the main cities. I thought I'd ask for your views."

Tang San smiled. "City Lord Mei, if you're willing, I'll even marry into your clan."

Mei Gongzi froze, then her brows drew together in visible irritation. "Clan Leader Jin, please be serious. I'm here as the Lord of Kali City to discuss official matters."

Tang San knew she was suppressing her fury. Were it not for the Blue Gold Tree clan's life energy, an asset for anyone, she likely wouldn't have bothered with him at all. She'd probably heard about his neutrality request through the White Tiger Demon Emperor and was trying to smooth things over.

"I meant what I said. From the first time I saw you, I fell in love at first sight. Please don't be angry, City Lord Mei. I know I'm not worthy, and though I admit my heart is bold, surely you can't stop me from admiring you? If not for you, I wouldn't have risked joining the Battle for the Throne. I say this from the bottom of my heart," Tang San said, his expression open and sincere.

Well, of course his expression was sincere. Every word he uttered was the factual truth, though the juicier parts were left unsaid.

Mei Gongzi's face remained cold. "That's not what I wanted to discuss."

"I understand. You want my clan's neutrality to benefit Kali City's life energy development. That's no problem. I can promise you that right now. I will probably not be able to go myself since I might be kept at the Ancestral Court, but I will at least send a Great Nymph King to Kali City, or maybe even my little sister. She's not far from becoming a Great Nymph King herself and she's from the direct Ancestral Tree lineage just like me. How's that?" Tang San offered.

Mei Gongzi blinked, surprised by his easy agreement. She had expected some difficulty; after all, she had never been friendly to him, and her disdain was no secret. Yet he had promised more than she'd hoped.

Considering the Blue Gold Tree clan had only three Great Nymph Kings besides Jin Miaolin himself, it was remarkable he would allocate one to Kali City. She'd only hoped for a powerful Nymph King. As for Jin Miaosen, she was the clan leader's sister. Who would just randomly dispatch their family members to the literal opposite end of the continent?

"Thank you, Clan Leader Jin," Mei Gongzi said, her expression softening. "You haven't eaten yet, have you? Allow me to treat you tonight. Is there anything you'd like?"

Tang San smiled wryly. "I have no special requests. Just being able to dine with you is an honor. But I will say this: In our entire Blue Gold Tree clan, I am the only one who can truly channel life energy at the Ancestral Tree's level. If you truly want Kali City to thrive, you should consider marrying me. That way I can come to Kali City openly. Please don't be angry now, I'm simply stating a fact."

Mei Gongzi said coolly, "Clan Leader Jin, I understand that, but please also understand that's beyond what we can manage. We'll gladly accept the Great Nymph King, and we will welcome your sister with open arms should she come. My clan will form an alliance with yours for mutual support."

"Of course, of course," Tang San nodded, inwardly amused.

She totally intends to bring the Blue Gold Tree clan's elders to the Skytree Domain to aid humanity.

She had no idea this was Tang San's plan all along. That was, in fact, the most important purpose of the neutrality proposal: being able to send Blue Gold Trees to the new human territory without anyone thinking it was weird.

Seeing Tang San's meek demeanor, Mei Gongzi's coldness thawed slightly. She inclined her head. "Clan Leader Jin, I apologize for my earlier rudeness. I hope our clans can work closely together in the future."

"Of course," Tang San replied.

If this also lets me admire you openly, so much the better.

Mei Gongzi ordered several more dishes, and for the first time, shared a meal with "Jin Miaolin."

Luo Qingzhu asked, "Clan Leader Jin, I've heard you spent years traveling, and you even went to the Empyrean Dominion. Have you ever been to Kali City?"

Tang San smiled. "Of course. I vowed to see every corner of the continent in search of a future for my clan. I visited Kali City, and even glimpsed City Lord Mei's face once. That was when I fell in love at first sight."

Mei Gongzi frowned. "Can we please not revisit this subject?"

Tang San spread his hands in mock helplessness. "I couldn't help myself. But I'll stop, I promise."

"And what did you think of Kali City?" asked Luo Qingzhu.

Tang San replied, "More prosperous than I imagined. Your clan's management is exceptional, far beyond what we were able to do in our Skytree City. We have some valuable resources, but little else."