FIGHT BEGINS

Yan Mao was confident that as long as he could secure the resources within the Dou Zong's cave, he would have the chance to break through to the Dou Huang level! Thus, leveraging his strength as a nine-star Dou Wang, he formed a temporary alliance with other Dou Wangs and various small forces that had gathered to compete against the Lan Shan Empire's contingent.

"Brother Yan is right; you should rethink your offer," said Mo Kun, a six-star Dou Wang standing beside Yan Mao, his tone indifferent. Mo Kun was the leader of a faction and possessed a fifth-tier beast flame, making his fire control techniques feared within a hundred-mile radius.

"It seems we'll have to settle this with strength" the head of the Wang family remarked, glancing at Lan Cangshan, who was deep in thought.

"Damn it, enough of this nonsense! If we can't reach an agreement, let Grandpa Chu here deal with you!" roared Chu Zhengxiong, the head of the Chu family. He was a five-star Dou Wang known for his fiery temper, and he disliked pointless negotiations. As he spoke, he stretched out his hands, conjuring a large, crimson blade.

"Wait!"

An old but powerful hand stopped him. Its owner was none other than Lan Cangsheng, the Emperor of the Lan Shan Empire.

"I understand that each of you has significant backing, and my empire does not wish to make enemies of those powers." Lan Cangsheng said after a long pause. "Therefore, I am willing to give 40% of the resources in the Dou Zong cave as compensation for your long journey."

Lan Cangsheng's offer had been carefully considered, taking into account the powerful factions behind these Dou Wangs. As the ruler of an empire, he did not want to see his nation's foundation severely weakened by conflict. He also knew that they couldn't claim all the resources from the cave and that there might be hidden experts watching from the shadows.

"Only 40%? Impossible! We demand at least 70%, and we must be the first to enter and select the treasures!" a small, sinister-looking Dou Wang standing to Yan Mao's left shouted. "Otherwise, how can I report back to Lord Dou Huang?"

This man, known as the Vulture Dou Wang, was the only rogue cultivator among the four Dou Wangs and also the weakest. Yan Mao was a nine-star Dou Wang, while the other two were five-star and six-star Dou Wangs. The Vulture Dou Wang, on the other hand, had only reached the two-star level. He typically engaged in banditry, human trafficking, and bullying small clans to make a living.

Though he didn't actually know any Dou Huang experts, that didn't stop him from using the name of one to intimidate others.

"Exactly! A dead Dou Zong's possessions are limited to begin with, and you're only offering 40%? We might as well not have come at all!" sneered a man in a light green robe standing at the back of the group.

"The Dou Wang is right! Other than the lords in the sky, we, the rest of the crowd, deserve a share too!"

"Yeah, we want our share as well!"

"Don't forget about us!"

With the Dou Wangs backing them, the rogue cultivators and small factions on the ground began to voice their demands.

The green-robed man, Yan Ming, was a guest elder of a large sect who had traveled a great distance to find a way to break through his stagnant cultivation.

He had no concern for the rabble on the ground; he was only pretending to represent them to maintain appearances within the alliance. Besides, 40% was indeed too little—split among the four Dou Wangs, each would only get 10%, which was hardly worth the effort.

"What a joke! Our Lan Shan Empire discovered this site first, and the news spread because of us. Giving you 40% is already generous, considering you're Dou Wangs!" scoffed the head of the Chu family.

The sect master of Fengyue Sect, who was standing nearby, also spoke up, "Old Bear is right! Don't be too greedy!"

"And as for your excuse that you'll have trouble reporting back? If you really had a Dou Huang backing you, they would have shown up by now to take what they want!"

If the other side really had a Dou Huang, would they even be here negotiating?

"Hmph, who can say whether there's a Dou Huang or not?" The Vulture Dou Wang smirked darkly, realizing his bluff hadn't worked, but he didn't press the issue further.

"Enough talk. If they dare to threaten us, Your Majesty, let's just start the battle" the head of the Wang family, one of the two major families in the capital, said grimly.

Lan Cangsheng's brow furrowed as he weighed the pros and cons of the situation.

Just then, the void in the distance began to ripple, and a coldly handsome man, exuding an aura of regal dominance, appeared below. This man was none other than Xie Tianxiao.

"Just in time" Xie Tianxiao murmured, noticing familiar faces among the crowd. He spotted the young man he had encountered earlier in the magic beast Mountains range , now protected by his elders, nervously watching the confrontation between the nine Dou Wangs in the sky.

After scanning the group, Xie Tianxiao was slightly surprised. 'Interesting. Three Dou Huangs are hiding in the shadows. It seems they're waiting to profit from this struggle.'

"One of the Dou Huangs has notably weak life force and seems to be among the Lan Shan Empire's ranks. It must be their trump card."

At that moment, the experts led by Lan Cangsheng were all focused on the four Dou Wangs before them, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

Finally, Lan Cangsheng broke the silence. "Your appetites are too large. Since that's the case, I'll have to ask you all to stay here."

His face darkened as he spoke. The other side's demand for 70% of the resources was outrageous. Did they think he and the other Dou Wangs were made of clay?

If they had truly brought Dou Huang experts with them, it would be a different story, but since they were all Dou Wangs, why should he give up 70%?

He was willing to concede 40% of the resources to avoid weakening his empire's foundation, but that didn't mean he feared them. Even if they did have a Dou Huang backing them, he wouldn't be intimidated.

The opportunity in the Dou Zong's cave was significant enough that he had even called upon Lan Shan Empire's sole Dou Huang, the former Supreme Elder who had emerged from a life-or-death retreat, to prepare for any unexpected developments.

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END