Chapter 905: Communication

"Thank you for your encouragement, Your Majesty, but I feel that I'm still far from becoming an Emperor. Achieving that might be..."

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor said, "We will give you support in this regard, as I am sure will the Ancestral Tree. Our Solstice Empire needs an Emperor like you. Only by becoming an Emperor can you properly harness the power of life energy and make truly great contributions to our country."

Tang San's heart stirred as he realized something and quickly replied, "If the day comes when I do become an Emperor, I will never forget Your Majesty's kindness. Whatever you need, I will give my all."

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor stood up, walked over to Tang San, patted him on the shoulder, and then moved to the window, turning his back to Tang San. "You are aware of the recent fall of the Crystal Demon Emperor, aren't you?"

"Yes," Tang San also stood up and turned to face him.

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor sighed. "At our age, most of our concerns revolve around our lifespan. In this regard, we plant-based beings have an advantage. The Crystal Demon Emperor had many fortuitous encounters, and only because of that was she able to live over three thousand years. Every Emperor craves life energy, and your Blue Gold Tree clan possesses the purest form of it. This is why your clan has faced so much oppression. Even if you become an Emperor in the future, it will be difficult to fully protect your people. Do you have any plans for that?"

Tang San nodded and replied, "I do have some thoughts. I believe that it's actually better to go with the flow rather than resist it. If people want us to give them life energy, then... I am thinking of giving them life energy. My own purpose in coming to the Ancestral Court, apart from undergoing evaluation, is to have this matter discussed. In practical terms, I want my clan members to go to all main cities of the continent, establish bases there, and provide life energy for the cities. Of course, our Solstice Empire will take priority."

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor turned sharply, his eyes blazing as he stared at Tang San. "That's a bold idea. Tell me more."

Tang San spoke solemnly, "I'm fully aware of the issues facing our Blue Gold Tree clan—problems even the Ancestral Tree couldn't solve in the past. With the Ancestral Tree's revival, we are able to gather life energy more efficiently and we have life-bestowing abilities. Our people, especially those at the Nymph King level and above, possess a remarkable ability to concentrate life energy. If a major city has one of our gods stationed there, they could gather the surrounding life energy into the city, benefiting all the city's inhabitants.

"The stronger our people are, the more vast and powerful the life energy they can gather, potentially even drawing the plane's primal life energy to elevate the life levels of those who absorb it. Of course, this is not entirely selfless; this life energy will also enhance our cultivation. I brought thirty-six elders with me, each of whom possesses this ability. Main cities could easily have multiple elders stationed there, leading to even more concentrated life energy."

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor pondered aloud, "Your idea is quite interesting. But, as you said, your clan is like a treasure trove of natural resources in itself, so ensuring safety would be a problem. And if your Nymph Kings all leave, then what about Skytree City? What position would your clan hold in the future?"

Tang San answered without hesitation, "None. We would simply be a part of each main city in the Solstice Empire, and if you permit, even cities within the Empyrean Dominion. We could go to every city and town, and we wouldn't interfere in their affairs. Each of our people who goes to a city would be protected by that city's own authorities, while they focus solely on gathering life energy.

"I've thought a lot about the challenges our clan faces, and as you said, even if I become an Emperor, I wouldn't be able to protect every single clan member. To many races, we are seen as nothing more than a resource. So instead of putting a wall around the treasure trove... what we should do is make sure that the treasure trove is a bottomless one, from which benefits can be extracted indefinitely. Only by doing this can our clan endure for eternity.

"This approach may not yield the short-term benefits you'd get from simply extracting our energy, but I refuse to believe every single demon or nymph powerhouse is this short-sighted. The longer we persist, the greater the life energy we can provide, and the long-term benefits will be unimaginable. Moreover, we would spread the Ancestral Tree's influence across the continent, letting its light shine further. At the same time, this would allow the Ancestral Tree's power to be dispersed, helping the entire continent gather the plane's life energy. As for Skytree City, we would leave part of our clan there; as long as the Ancestral Court permits, the city will stay under our control as a sacred site. The Ancestral Tree is there, after all."

This time, the Sunborne Nymph Emperor did not respond immediately but seemed to fall into deep thought, turning back toward the window. Through the window, one could see the Ancestral Court outside, with a sweeping view from above, giving a broad perspective.

After a long moment, the Sunborne Nymph Emperor finally spoke, "And what about you? When the time comes, will you choose to stay in Skytree City, or will you remain in the Ancestral Court?"

Tang San replied, "If every main city has members of my clan gathering life energy for it, then as the core of the entire continent, how could the Ancestral Court be lacking? If I become an Emperor, I am willing to serve as the life core of the Ancestral Court, gathering life energy for it. I would provide the purest life energy to all Your Majesties, helping to resolve your issues with life energy. I believe that as my control over life energy improves, I can help extend Your Majesties' lives significantly."

"What do you gain from this? If it's really as you say, then you might never be able to leave the Ancestral Court again. You will be bound to this place," the Sunborne Nymph Emperor said in a deep voice.

Tang San nodded and replied, "That's true. But this is the best choice for my clan to truly walk in the sunlight. I believe you know that the Ancestral Tree has not truly awakened. In fact, it has already merged with the plane, and even though it has in fact gained some measure of sentience, it's nothing more than that. I have gained the Ancestral Tree's approval, and this allows me to use its power to a certain extent, but only within a limited range. The Ancestral Tree's radiance is not enough to protect our clan across the continent.

𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"However, if I can become the life core of the Ancestral Court, then the attitude of all the Emperors toward my clan will surely change. Our safety would be assured. Moreover, as the core of the continent, if I can continuously absorb life energy here, it would not only help the Ancestral Court but also greatly benefit my own growth. Perhaps, in the future, I could even become a second Ancestral Tree, and my lifespan would be extremely long."

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor nodded as well. "Your plan is bolder than I expected. To be honest, I had initially intended to suggest that you stay in the Ancestral Court, but I hadn't considered that your Blue Gold Tree clan could become a neutral guest of all major cities. Speaking of this, however... If we support you in becoming an Emperor, what benefit would that bring to the Solstice Empire? Being truly neutral means you'd have to treat the Empyrean Dominion the same as us."

"That's only in principle," said Tang San. "After all, our Blue Gold Tree clan is still a plant-type nymph clan, and there's no such thing as being perfectly neutral. If the day ever comes when the Empyrean Dominion and the Solstice Empire reach a point of irreconcilable conflict, drawing back life energy to the Solstice Empire wouldn't be impossible. In fact, if this happens far enough in the future that we're well and truly settled there, then... our clan's migration could shake their very foundation."

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor's eyes lit up. "I like your way of thinking. Planning for a thousand years ahead. Very well, I acknowledge your neutrality. But getting the Empyrean Dominion to accept it won't be an easy task."