Death... and me

Fuka and Nefere immediately replied.

"Wait a second! Are you planning to start a war with our help? Not gonna happen!"

Zuan laughed out loud as he said.

"It seems like our friends from Laan City don't fully understand how the world works yet. It doesn't matter where you go. You won't be able to take territory without a fight. It's always like this, and it'll always be. If you don't believe me, I'm more than willing to wait for you guys to go look for something by yourselves. Once you find out that I'm not lying, you can come back, and we can talk again."

Kocei Jialin pondered about the advantages and disadvantages of getting to expand Jialn's territory. On paper, the Jialin Royal Family was still the ruler of the country. The country's entire territory was shared between the five sects, but the Royal Family receives taxes from all of them. For the Royal Family, it would be a great deal.

However, that also meant that a new power called Laan would take that place. They had two Saint Realm experts, not to mention several more Soul Transformation Realm cultivators than them. They would definitely be on par with the Royal Family on their own.

Then again, having a bigger territory and so many new experts would also increase the country's power as a whole, making it more stable. It's just as Zuan mentioned in the past, all countries are always waiting for a chance to increase their territories. Jialin was obviously no exception.

Zuan then continued.

"Don't worry, if you think that we will have you fight in the frontlines while we watch, that won't happen. The expansion of the country's power is something that all sects and the royal family would love to see happening."

Zuan then looked at the others.

"Am I wrong?"

No one, even the Umbral Sect, denied Zuan's words. As much as a new power in Jialin would create problems, the truth was that increasing the country's size was an overall benefit for all of them.

Fuka and Nefere fell into contemplation. Finally, they looked at Zuan before asking.

"We are not saying that we believe all of your words. We will indeed go out to investigate other places to guarantee that you are not fooling us. However, let's consider that what you said is actually true. What would be the risks for us if we accepted this idea?"

Zuan then looked at Kocei Jialin.

"Well, the best person to talk about it would be none other than our Royal Family experts. Kocei, you go ahead and say what you think."

Kocei Jialin bitterly smiled, but it was indeed the country's rulers who are the ones who should have a better picture. Kocei then began to ponder about the chances, changes, the territory they would take, the possible retaliation, etc.

"I would say that the chances are quite good. Our Jialin Country has more experts to start with. It's just that if we decided to attack, the price might have been too high. Not to mention that while we're out fighting, other countries could be behind our backs and attack while our experts are out."

"However, with the addition of two new Saint Realm experts and so many Soul Transformation and Nascent Soul cultivators, we would be able to guard our backs while advancing."

"Of course, I won't say something as naive like there will be no losses and such. Any new conquest would have its own burden. However, this is not all bad. All sects and Laan City members' real talents would be screened out through real life and death situations. The same could be said for our Royal Family. But if we are talking about the high-level cultivators like us, Saint Realm ones, chances are that none of us would really die during it."

Fuka and Nefere had to agree that the proposal seemed feasible. They just had to take care so that they wouldn't be the only ones fighting. However, it wouldn't be too hard since they would be overseeing it. Besides, Kocei said something that greatly affected them. The fact that their Laan Cultivators were lacking in combat experience way too much. The only reason they could advance this far in cultivation was due to the extremely high-concentration of Spiritual Energy in Laan City.

However, such a thing was not available anymore. Laan City disappeared, and no one knew where it was sent to. Even if they knew, they were now considered banished citizens. They simply couldn't go back anymore. Proper cultivation and a steady income of Spirit Stones would be necessary from now on. But above all, battles would be the main driving force to bring out their members' real potential. In this case, even they, the Saint Realm Experts, were severely lacking compared to Zuan and the others.

Fuka and Nefere then asked something else that was bothering them.

"However, would the Empire allow its countries to fight each other? Wouldn't Cassen go and complain to the Imperial Family that we are trying to steal their territories?"

Zuan and the others laughed after hearing that.

"It seems like you guys had really lived in peace for way too long. Don't worry, the Imperial Family won't lift a single finger. In fact, they welcome these disputes. It's within these environments that the real experts of the Empire will rise. Overall, they consider it as getting rid of the trash that waste resources to train the experts that will defend the Empire in the future."

Although it seemed harsh, that was the formula for a long-lasting Empire. It was not uncommon either to see countries of different Empires fighting themselves. As long as it wasn't anything too big, the Imperial Families wouldn't intervene.

Fuka and Nefere nodded after hearing everything.

"Give us some more time. First, I'll have Fuka lead a group to investigate whether what Zuan said was true or not. If there is no free place for us to take, then we can discuss it once more. Besides, we need to talk with the rest of the Laan citizens about it."

Zuan then replied.

"Well, it's not like you won't find anything at all. However, the free ones are all barren lands with no resources whatsoever. Only small powers with at most a Core Formation or Core and Soul Fusion Realm cultivator would have taken root there. Suppose the low concentration of Spiritual Energy and severe lack of resources don't matter to you. In that case, you can simply pretend that I didn't say anything."

Zuan was very confident. Considering the high-level cultivation techniques that these Laan City members have and their above-average talents, they would definitely not choose to live in those places.

Fuka and Nefere nodded before returning to their group and beginning to discuss the Jialin Country's project.

As the Laan experts talked, Kocei and the other Saint Realm experts of Jialin also gathered to discuss this.

"I won't say that Zuan's idea doesn't have its merits. However, would it be okay to have one more power taking root in Jialin?"

Zuan shook his head.

"They wouldn't exactly take root in Jialin, but in the Cassen Territory. That's not a land that we possess at the moment, so it's not like we would be losing anything. Besides, helping them acquire it would also put us on friendly terms with those guys. After all, it would be the same as acquiring a nice home for someone without it."

Kocei nodded.

"They have the techniques and talents, but they lack the resources to make full use of it. Just like Zuan said, we all know that the only territories available are barren lands that are not worth anything to experts of our level. Let them investigate as much as they want. They will come to the conclusion that our offer is much better."

It was a rare moment that all sects and the Royal Family reached an agreement so quickly. It was just that advantageous.

Kocei then turned around and prepared to leave.

"Although I agree with the ideas, I have to report it back to the rest of the Royal Family. Xansio, you will stay here and act as our representative. Help the Laan citizens as much as they want while I'm out."

Xansio immediately nodded.

"Yes, Ancestor."

Zuan, Burin, Darnil, and the other Saint Realm experts also decided to do the same.

"Droman will go back with me. Tiria and Juvian will stay here to do the same thing."

Tiria and Juvian nodded.

"As for the twins, there is nothing for them to do here anymore, so you will come too."

Rean and Roan nodded, not minding it too much. Of course, they would first resolve a few things with Latalia and Rovan.