Ultragene Warlord

Chapter 935: A Disguised Trap

The new king explained, "The fact that they rushed over here immediately after the black spirits were destroyed means that they're particularly invested in becoming part of our kingdom. They might appear to be here to thank us for what we've done, but it's all a ploy!"

"Continue," Zhang Lie instructed.

The new king replied, "The black spirits consumed large quantities of the world's energy from all the worlds that they invaded, leaving those worlds in ruins. Without the world's energy to support them, the soil will be barren and infertile, and it's only a matter of time before all that land turns to desert. They want to combine their worlds, which have been drained of energy, with ours in order to suck up some of our energy and transfer it to their own!"

"Very good. You identified the issue quickly and accurately. What else?"

"Master, were you already aware of this?"

Zhang Lie stretched out two fingers. "You missed two points. There are envoys representing two different types of worlds present right now. The first has been invaded by the black spirits, leaving few civilians behind, and a world devoid of any energy left. These alien races have had their population wrecked by the black spirits, and they don't have the resources to defend their world any longer."

The king seemed rather upset. "Master, if you're already aware of all this, why did you have me analyze the situation?"

Rather than responding outright, Zhang Lie continued, "The second type of world hasn't had their world's energy drained, but all their soldiers and fighting forces have been killed by the black spirits.

"Many of these worlds no longer have a king of the realm, and they can hardly muster up any resistance whatsoever. Perhaps there are other neighboring worlds around that are eyeing their resources, or enemies that the worlds made in the past that might seek vengeance now."

The black spirits had invaded a large number of worlds, but only to varying extents before they were slaughtered by Zhang Lie. The worlds which had been less affected by the invasion might now take this opportunity to attack their neighbors.

"While the black spirits were wreaking havoc everywhere, none of these worlds had the time to consider invading the others, but now that we've slaughtered the black spirits, these worlds are free to act. Thus, the envoys of these worlds have reached out to us, the world that managed to take down the black spirits, in hopes that they can shelter under our strength."

The king frowned. "Master, what do you propose?"

Zhang Lie asked directly, "Don't you want to take in these worlds?"

The new king replied, "Master, as I've said, these worlds were all invaded by the black spirits. They consumed large quantities of the world's energy from all the worlds that they invaded, leaving those worlds in ruins. Without the world's energy to support them, the soil will be barren and infertile, and it's only a matter of time before all that land turns to desert. They simply want to drain our world of its energy—if there were just two or three such worlds, I would be able to accept it, but there are at least a few dozen!"

The king continued, "Portioning out the world's energy over twenty or thirty worlds—well, at that rate, our world will end up a desert too."

There simply wasn't enough energy to go around,not among so many worlds.

Zhang Lie retrieved a coffin from his dimensional storage. "And if you had this?"

Zhang Lie removed the lid of the coffin to reveal a pool of concentrated world's energy. The will of the world resonated with the king, expressing its desire."

The king's gaze sparkled. "Master, you had so much energy to spare?!"

Zhang Lie replaced the coffin's lid. "I can't give you everything in here—at most half."

The king nodded. "Of course, Master, I understand! It's a precious resource."

Before he became king, the ninth prince didn't know what this world's energy was, nor why it was so precious. That was information he had only learned afterwards.

A world's energy was exceedingly rare, and a medium-sized world could only produce a fistful every year or so.

Once a world lost its energy, it would quickly start the process of desertification. The end of that process was a barren desert—much like the worlds that had been taken over by the black spirits. Not even weeds would grow on such land.

On the other hand, a world with concentrated amounts of energy would be bounteous, lush, and filled with spiritual essence. Its inhabitants would grow more quickly and develop more completely.

The world's energy was a rare and irreplaceable resource, which explained why it was so precious. The amount of energy within Zhang Lie's coffin could spark a war among countless worlds.

The king desired that energy like all others, but he still hesitated. "Would it really be alright to hand me so much of that energy?"

The energy present in Zhang Lie's coffin would be enough to keep the scaleman world thriving for thousands of years, and even half of that was an immeasurably precious fortune. Despite his desire, the king couldn't help but be wary. It was too precious a gift.

Zhang Lie caressed the king's head.

"What are you talking about? You're my disciple, after all."

At any rate, Zhang Lie had obtained this energy from the black spirits. Acquiring this fortune had been trivial, and Zhang Lie didn't feel particularly upset about giving it away.

He smiled. "Furthermore, I've already given you far more than the equivalent of half a coffin's worth of world's energy. What's some more?"

The king sighed. Zhang Lie had truly taught him far too much than he had any obligation to.

"This is why I'm unable to be independent, Master—I'll always act like a child in front of you."

Zhang Lie cocked his head. "You don't want this energy, then?"

The king patted himself on the chest. "No, I do! Thank you for your generosity, Master."

The king unraveled the private chamber, and his face turned serious again. Zhang Lie and the king returned to the great hall, and the king faced the envoys.

The envoys were visibly nervous; they glanced at each other. This was a matter that could affect the life and death of their world.

The king replied seriously, "I accept your request."

The envoys' eyes widened. They smiled with unbridled joy. "Thank you, your majesty!"

The envoys had received what they had come for. Official Qing was very confused, but he didn't speak—but the other officials began to panic, thinking that Zhang Lie had misled the king.

A white-haired official stepped away from his seat and bowed to the king. "Your majesty, if I may, I think it unwise to follow along with these envoys' suggestions so blindly. May we convene another session of court to discuss it?"

Of course, the official was wise enough not to point out the mistake directly. After all, the king had already agreed to the plan. Pointing out flaws in it now would irk both the king and the envoys.

The envoys all perked up, worried that the king would change his mind—but they had no reason to worry.

The king shook his head. "I understand what I'm doing. This deal will proceed."

The official eyed Zhang Lie suspiciously. "Your majesty, your master has saved our world more than once, but for such an important matter to be decided without further deliberation with the officials of court is a little..."