In Xianxia With The Investment Return System, Starting My Journey by taking Demon Empress as a Disciple (Patreon)

Chapter 99: In the Next Life, Be More Careful 

As the Leng Family and the Moro Kingdom spread the news of Scarlet Cloud through various channels to the powers of the Northern Region, the entire region was thrown into an uproar!

"Establishing an Empress to rule the entire Northern Region!?"

"That Leng Yanran is indeed talented, but in terms of cultivation, isn't she only at the Seventh Layer of the Profound Sky Realm?"

"Even the Sect Masters of the three major sects in the Northern Region, who possess Extinction Realm strength, wouldn’t dare make such a bold claim!"

"Fellow Daoist, speak carefully. That demoness is known for exterminating entire clans. Be cautious and don’t invite disaster!"

"Not to mention, the messenger this time is a powerhouse of the Boundless Realm. The Northern Region can't afford to provoke them!"

The factions of the Northern Region were abuzz with discussion. Scarlet Cloud had given them only three days to respond, yet on the first day, not a single sect spoke up.

<+>

Jin Ding Sect

"Sect Master, we should avoid being the first to take a stand. If our sect agrees first, won’t we lose all the prestige we’ve built in the Northern Region over the years?"

"Exactly, Sect Master. Even if we agree to Leng Yanran becoming the Empress, we can wait for other factions to speak up first. We can pretend to deliberate for a while."

"Indeed. If possible, we might even negotiate and reduce the annual tribute from twenty percent to ten percent."

Hearing the elders voicing their opinions, Sect Master Yang Chun furrowed his brows tightly.

"Enough!"

"Have you all forgotten what happened to the Luo Heaven Sect?"

"Follow my orders. Today, we will declare our allegiance and recognize Leng Yanran as the Empress!"

Yang Chun’s furious outburst silenced the room.

Negotiations required strength. Right now, even disregarding the Boundless Realm powerhouse Scarlet Cloud, just Leng Yanran alone could easily annihilate their Jin Ding Sect.

Having personally witnessed the destruction of the Luo Heaven Sect, Yang Chun understood Leng Yanran’s terrifying power.

"This... fine!"

Reluctantly, the elders complied, for ultimately, Yang Chun's word was law in the Jin Ding Sect.

Though displeased, they dutifully conveyed the announcement:

"From today onward, the Jin Ding Sect acknowledges Leng Yanran as the Empress and is willing to pay a twenty percent annual tribute in exchange for her protection!"

The Jin Ding Sect’s declaration sent ripples across the region. No one had expected one of the three major sects to be the first to yield!

Subsequently, smaller factions aligned with the Jin Ding Sect quickly followed suit, also recognizing the Empress's position.

This caused other smaller factions to waver.

"Po Yuan Temple acknowledges the Empress's position and will pay tribute in exchange for her protection."

By the afternoon, following the Jin Ding Sect's declaration, Abbot Kong Kai of Po Yuan Temple made his decision.

Within a single day, two of the three major sects in the Northern Region had pledged allegiance to Leng Yanran and agreed to pay a twenty percent tribute.

By the end of the second day, nearly half of the Northern Region's factions had expressed their recognition of Leng Yanran's position as Empress!

The remaining factions were waiting to see the stance of the Hong Guang Sect, the last of the three major sects.

By midday on the third day, the Hong Guang Sect still had not responded. Meanwhile, an additional twenty percent of the sects and nations had declared their allegiance to the Empress.

<+>

Leng Family

"Sir, seventy percent of the Northern Region’s factions have now expressed their allegiance. What should we do about the remaining thirty percent?"

Leng Zhan entered the main hall and quietly asked Scarlet Cloud, who was meditating.

"Thirty percent, huh?"

"Is there a leader among them?"

Scarlet Cloud slowly opened his eyes, a trace of displeasure flashing across his face. To him, being able to align with the Heavenly Dao Hall of his master was a gift from the heavens!

And yet, a full thirty percent still failed to appreciate this favor.

If this matter couldn’t be resolved to satisfy his master, and he became the target of his master’s ire, it wouldn’t be a laughing matter.

"Although there is no clear leader among them, most of the remaining 30% are waiting to see the decision of the Hong Guang Sect."

"Of the three major sects, only the Hong Guang Sect has yet to respond. If this issue is resolved, the remaining factions likely won’t hesitate further."

Leng Zhan had thoroughly investigated the situation before reporting and provided his recommendation.

"The Hong Guang Sect, huh? Hmph."

"Lead the way. I’d like to see how many lives the people of the Hong Guang Sect think they have!"

Scarlet Cloud rose immediately, motioning for Leng Zhan to guide him. Without delay, they soared into the skies and headed directly for the Hong Guang Sect.

<+>

Hong Guang Sect, Main Hall

"Sect Master, we only have half an hour left. Are we really not going to respond?"

"I think we should announce our agreement quickly. Otherwise, the consequences might be more than we can bear!"

"Yes, Sect Master. A 20% tribute is steep but still manageable!"

The elders, anxious and worried, urged the sect master.

"Don’t panic, everyone. We still have half an hour."

"As one of the three major sects, our Hong Guang Sect holds considerable influence in the Northern Region. I predict that they’ll come to us in person to deliver their demands."

"When that happens, we can negotiate. Even if the negotiations fail and we end up paying the 20% tribute, it will still work to our advantage!"

"Jin Ding Sect and Po Yuan Temple have already exposed their weakness by responding early. Our Hong Guang Sect, on the other hand, has stood firm until the end."

"In the future, the various factions of the Northern Region will undoubtedly see us as the leader among the three major sects!"

The sect master’s eyes gleamed as he calmly analyzed the situation. However, the faint sheen of sweat on his forehead betrayed his underlying tension.

As the group waited in growing apprehension, a booming voice suddenly resounded through the sect:

"Vermin, get out here!"

The voice carried the fury of a Boundless Realm powerhouse, reverberating through the Hong Guang Sect. Those below the Profound Sky Realm felt their heads spin, many losing consciousness outright.

"Disaster!"

"Sect Master, they’ve come to us!"

Panic overtook the elders in the hall, but the sect master’s eyes lit up.

"Everyone, isn’t this the opportunity we’ve been waiting for?"

"Even if the negotiations fail, we can make a show of yielding afterward and issue our statement!"

"Follow me and stay calm!"

The sect master’s words brought some comfort to the anxious elders, though their nerves remained frayed as they followed him out of the main hall.

Before long, they arrived at the grand plaza, where Scarlet Cloud hovered in the air, glaring down at the group of troublesome “vermin” with undisguised displeasure.

"We’ve been expecting you, Senior. Please, don’t be hasty. Have a cup of tea while we discuss this matter," the sect master said respectfully, wiping cold sweat from his brow under the oppressive aura of the Boundless Realm.

"Discuss? With you?"

"What status do you have, and what status do I have?"

"I am but a servant of the Heavenly Dao Hall. Do you think you’re qualified to negotiate with me?"

Scarlet Cloud’s face darkened further. If the Hong Guang Sect had genuine difficulties or challenges, he might have been understanding. But it was clear they had been deliberately stalling, toying with him—mere vermin daring to play games with someone like him!

"This was our mistake. Senior, please don’t be angry. We are willing to recognize the Empress’s position. Let’s sit down and—"

The sect master tried to calm the situation, trembling as he pulled out the pre-prepared announcement from his robes.

"No need. In your next life... be more careful."

Scarlet Cloud’s voice turned cold as his anger erupted.