Chapter 970: I'm Just a Young Blue Gold Tree

Tang San said, "Since that's how you feel, if I promise to return the Radiant Dragon Spear to you after the matchmaking tournament, at the same price I bought it for. Would that satisfy you, Brother Xu?"

Xu An'yu was stunned. He hadn't expected such a response from Tang San. Before coming to see him, Xu An'yu had braced himself for refusal and prepared all sorts of arguments, both threats and enticements, to persuade Tang San. But he hadn't anticipated this.

Tang San sighed. "Brother Xu, you're the leader of the Radiant Dragon clan, the future master of Crystal City. The blood of a dragon is as precious as amethystine; how many bloodlines are as powerful? You've always been a favored child of heaven, and among your peers, you stand at the very top. But the Blue Gold Tree clan is different. Although we have over forty people at the tenth order or above, which is a formidable number for any clan, we're not skilled in combat. Before I became clan leader, to avoid being hunted, our people didn't even dare to leave Skytree City's inner district. Not even our gods were allowed to leave. That's a tragic fate, wouldn't you agree?

"Since the Ancestral Tree's awakening, we've finally had a chance to step out, but I know we still can't escape being viewed as resources. What can we do? All I can do as clan leader is to carve out a little survival space for my people. That's why I've petitioned the Ancestral Court to allow the Blue Gold Tree clan to become a neutral clan—one that can travel to all big cities to help channel and purify life energy, supporting all races. Only then can we gain enough value to avoid being slaughtered outright, while still satisfying those powerful races that covet us."

As he spoke, there was a trace of helplessness and sorrow on his face that even stirred Xu An'yu's own blood.

The law of the Daemon Continent had always been the law of the jungle; the weak were nothing but prey. Xu An'yu knew the Blue Gold Tree clan's plight well, and he was aware that even the dragon race had a hand in their decline, much like every other major race.

"Neutral? You mean..."

"With the Ancestral Tree's awakening, it has left its imprint on our people, especially those at the tenth order or higher. With this imprint, as long as we're rooted in a city, we can channel and refine the life energy in and around that city, elevating it to a higher level. This benefits all life within the city, and the resources it produces can be shared."

"That's a good thing!" Xu An'yu exclaimed, clearly moved by the idea.

Tang San nodded. "It is. And with the Ancestral Tree's imprint, we don't have to fear persecution anymore. Because if someone kills a clan member with the imprint, that imprint can trigger self-detonation. Not only will that cause massive destruction, but it will be immediately sensed by the Ancestral Tree. The Ancestral Tree would then see the killer's clan as an enemy and strip their life essence, leading to decline. Now, of course, nobody wants that to happen; we're not suicidal. But neutrality is our future. With this status, the great cities wouldn't just stop persecuting us, they'll even protect us to ensure their own growth. Mutual benefit is the only path to long-term stability."

Xu An'yu regarded Tang San thoughtfully. He had to admit, he was impressed. If this could really be realized, it would be a tremendous boon to any main city's life energy reserves.

Tang San continued, "I won't hide it, Brother Xu. The life energy of the Daemon Continent is ultimately finite. Though we're at the center of the world now, truly high-tier life energy is still limited. It takes a long time to refine ordinary life energy into something higher-level. The earlier we start, the better. There are over a dozen main cities, plus the smaller ones."

Xu An'yu was no simple man, and he understood the implication. Tang San didn't need to say anything out loud.

"Clan Leader Jin, you're hoping I'll support your clan's neutral status?"

Tang San smiled. "If you're willing to help, that would be best. After all, I believe you'll be the future master of Crystal City."

Xu An'yu said solemnly, "If you're willing to return the Radiant Dragon Spear to me now, I can promise that if I do control Crystal City, even if the Ancestral Court doesn't formally recognize your neutral status, the city's gates will be open to the Blue Gold Tree clan, and the dragon race will guarantee your people's safety within the city."

He was a decisive man, and he made a clear promise even though he wasn't yet the city lord.

Tang San sighed again. "Brother Xu, you still don't understand my point. Do you think I wanted to get the Radiant Dragon Spear? Whatever would I need it for? The only reason I bid on it was because you're too strong. In the matchmaking tournament, your strength would be a threat to other contenders. I promise you, after the tournament ends, I'll return the Radiant Dragon Spear. But I also hope you'll support the Blue Gold Tree clan's neutral status in the future."

Xu An'yu nodded. Tang San's meaning was plain: purchasing the Radiant Dragon Spear wasn't for his own benefit, but rather for the benefit of the Solstice Empire. As a member of that country, what could he do? After the competition, it would no longer matter—hence the earlier question about whether the spear mattered for the competition or for the Radiant Dragon clan itself.

He took a deep breath, and his eyes flashed with a decisive light. "I understand now. Thank you for being honest, Clan Leader Jin. I'll think about what you've said."

With that, he gave Tang San a slight nod and turned to leave.

Watching Xu An'yu's back as he walked away, Tang San's lips curved slightly. No wonder Crystalline had a good impression of him—he truly was an impressive figure. Once he understood the situation, he didn't press further, knowing that given the clash between the Solstice Empire and the Empyrean Dominion, Tang San couldn't just hand the spear back now. The Blue Gold Tree clan was just a pawn in the struggle, and given their combat weakness, even the Empyrean Dominion couldn't do much to change that. Moreover, Tang San had made it clear what the Blue Gold Tree clan wanted for the future, and what their value could be. Xu An'yu would need to weigh all of this carefully.

"Letting me take the blame again, are we? You really know how to make use of others. Poor Xu An'yu has no idea how devious you are."

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor's amused voice echoed in Tang San's mind.

Tang San gave a wry smile.

"Your Majesty, you wrong me! What else can I do? I'm just a young Blue Gold Tree!"

Of course, he knew full well the Sunborne Nymph Emperor had been listening in on his conversation with Xu An'yu. He'd deliberately let the Emperor hear it.

"Hmph."

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor snorted but said no more.