Devouring Evolution: I Reborn as an Arctic Wolf Chapter 1758: 988: Negotiating the Stakes!
Previously on Devouring Evolution: I Reborn as an Arctic Wolf...
The Heavenly Ghost ceased his mocking and fell into a momentary silence as the Demon Emperor’s Son projected his spiritual will with such unwavering conviction.
Every confidant present, including Su Lin and the Heavenly Ghost, recognized a leader who was wagering his very life and status to uphold the grand legacy of his father.
It was clear to all that the national strategy proposed by the Demon Emperor’s Son stood in stark opposition to the current established order!
The Ten Thousand Demon System had been severely crippled; the Lord of Ten Thousand Demons had perished alongside his elite legions, and the star core fragments and star stone veins amassed over countless eras were plundered in that final defeat.
Furthermore, a peace treaty had been voluntarily signed by the triumphant Black Sun Clan and the Demon Star Lord.
While this pact was intended to span ten eras, its activation was contingent upon the Demon Star Lord ascending as the Lord of Ten Thousand Demons!
In the wake of such a prolonged conflict where no side emerged truly victorious, few remained who supported the aggressive policies of the former Demon Emperor.
The Ten Thousand Demon System possesses a staggering foundation, boasting a nebula layer anchored by a Level 5 Late Stage life star, two minor constant stars, and thousands of secondary life planets.
The number of first-class life planets is nearly limitless!
Beyond the core, four Great Demon Emperors and more than twenty dukes hold sway, effectively consolidating the wandering experts, minor factions, and scattered stars within a twelve light-year radius.
Geographically, the Ten Thousand Demon System occupies a supreme position, dominating a massive territory free from immediate external threats.
However, under the previous Demon Emperor’s mandate, massive armadas had traversed the void to challenge the Black Sun Clan for the star core, only to face total annihilation.
Year after year of relentless slaughter had drained the Ten Thousand Demon System of hundreds of billions in ancestor-level military strength.
It could be argued that every tribe had grown to loathe the fighting, as many once-noble beasts had perished in the star core alongside the Demon Emperor!
The Ten Thousand Demon System and its Emperor had paid a staggering price in blood to support the Blazing Flame Clan and avoid being enslaved by the Black Sun Clan.
Consequently, with a long-term peace treaty on the table, it was unlikely any exotic beast in the system would voice opposition.
Thus, the "fifty-fifty" chance the Demon Emperor’s Son spoke of appeared more like thirty-seventy in the eyes of Su Lin and the Heavenly Ghost.
Nonetheless, the palpable resolve of the Demon Emperor’s Son kept the hall shrouded in a heavy silence.
Su Lin eventually broke the tension, asking: “Very well, Emperor’s Son. Since the situation is so dire, let us be plain. What price will you pay for us to crush the coup and military rebellion led by the Demon Star Lord?”
The Demon Emperor’s Son reflected briefly before responding to Su Lin’s spiritual will: “Brother Mo Peng, Brother Tian Gui, I cannot give a definitive answer yet. I can only promise that if you help me take the throne, the Ten Thousand Demon System will stop at nothing to provide whatever you desire for as long as our realm stands!”
“Hmph, anyone can make grand promises. Give us specifics! Since we have come this far, we intend to help, but your determination must be matched by a visible price!”
Su Lin countered with a mocking sneer.
He knew all too well that any ruler would offer such lofty rhetoric in a time of need.
Whether those promises would be honored once the goal was achieved remained a mystery.
Observing the Demon Emperor’s Son acting so submissively toward Mo Peng and Tian Gui while enduring such blunt questioning, his personal commander moved to protect his master’s honor.
But the moment he stepped forward, Su Lin released a brilliant flash of fluorescence, and a crushing wave of soul power pinned the commander to the floor of the great hall.
Fine cracks instantly spider-webbed across the entire Demon Hall.
The intensity of the shockwave caused the expressions of every creature in the room to shift in alarm.
Not even the Heavenly Ghost had anticipated that Su Lin would strike so suddenly.
“I am in a dialogue with your master; what right does a dog like you have to bark? Even a loyal servant must know his place. We are here as allies, yet is this the hospitality the Demon Emperor’s Son offers to those supporting him?”
A freezing aura radiated violently from Su Lin’s form.
This wasn't an attempt to break his pact with the Heavenly Ghost; rather, he had realized the Ten Thousand Demon System was in utter shambles.
Given the past conduct of 'Unmentionable,' a failure here might result in that taboo transmission paper being held against him as a debt.
Su Lin understood from his talks with the Heavenly Ghost that being backed by 'Unmentionable' made it nearly impossible to settle the score of favors.
The idea of simply paying off one's debts and walking away from 'Unmentionable' was nothing more than a fantasy.
As the current ruler of the Celestial Wolf System, Su Lin’s debt to 'Unmentionable' had lessened, and he was genuinely prepared to help the Emperor’s Son if the reward was high enough.
He sought two things: the acquisition of massive resources and the repayment of the favor owed to 'Unmentionable'!
Because he was serious about these negotiations, he would not tolerate a subordinate’s interference.
Witnessing Su Lin’s overwhelming display of power, the Demon Emperor’s Son stood up quickly and said with respect: “Brother Mo Peng, there are too many eyes here. Please, let us move this discussion to the inner hall!”