"We can help you take the lead, attract a large number of conglorates to settle in the Ice Extre Pass—they co to invest in building the city, you can earn tax revenue, and it can drive the developnt of your base; in terms of policy, with the Zhuge Clan and Dongfang Clan backing you, all your subsequent approvals and procedures will surely go smoothly without anyone troubling you."
After speaking, Dongfang Haoyue looked at Qin Tian and asked, "Do these points move you?"
Qin Tian’s expression remained calm, without responding imdiately. Instead, he posed a sharp question, "What you’ve ntioned, other forces can provide as well. How are you different from them? Moreover, you are just a side branch of the Dongfang Family; on what grounds do you claim to represent the will of the Dongfang Family?"
This question was direct, striking at the core.
Zhuge Yu, being a direct lineage of the Zhuge Clan, representing the family was not surprising; however, for Dongfang Haoyue, a mber of the side branch, to claim the ability to mobilize the resources of the Dongfang Family was uncharacteristically abnormal.
Qin Tian’s gaze was fixed earnestly on Dongfang Haoyue—he had always had a doubt in his mind, how could Dongfang Haoyue, being rely a side branch, make even Zhuge Yu, a direct lineage, willingly follow him and refer to him as "young master".
Moreover, the assassination attempts Dongfang Haoyue faced were more nurous than those faced by Dongfang Mingyue, yet he remained unhard to this day.
His identity and abilities were definitely not as simple as they appeared.
Maybe from Dongfang Haoyue’s response, the mystery that had entangled him for so long could be unraveled.
Faced with Qin Tian’s blunt and near offensive questioning, Dongfang Haoyue maintained a gentle smile, his expression unchanged as he slowly spoke in a calm tone, "Though I am a side branch of the Dongfang Family, over the years, I’ve made several key contributions to the family, and the Elder Council sowhat acknowledges my abilities. As long as you nod in agreent to collaborate, I am confident I can persuade the Elder Council to mobilize the family’s resources to fully cooperate."
Qin Tian’s eyes flickered slightly; Dongfang Haoyue’s answer seed reasonable but actually avoided the crux.
The Elder Council of the Holy Blood Clan had always been cautious and would never easily grant authority to mobilize core resources just because of "past contributions" to a side branch mber.
Clearly, Dongfang Haoyue was not being truthful.
"As for why you should choose us..." Dongfang Haoyue’s tone shifted slightly, and his gaze beca sharper, "Qin Tian, you should know that the rise of any power cannot be separated from the ruthless struggle for interests. Once the developnt plan for Mingwang Planet is announced, this planet, and your Ice Extre Pass, in the eyes of various forces is like a piece of fat that everyone wants a bite of. With your current strength—even with the backing of Marshal Lin—those established families and conglorates may not take you seriously."
"When strength is unequal, the position in collaboration can never be equal. The developnt of Mingwang Planet is set; it will not change because of anyone’s will. Even if you are unwilling, you will be forced to give away interests, and might even lose control."
He paused for a mont, his tone softening, "But we are different. The Dongfang Family and you have a cooperative foundation—the collaboration on the Youth Potion has always been smooth, without any disputes; A Yu is also your friend, and we co with utmost sincerity. In terms of cooperation conditions, we will never let you suffer a loss and can even offer better terms than other forces. Are you satisfied with this answer?"
Qin Tian took a deep look at Dongfang Haoyue. Even before they sought him out, he had been contemplating cooperation.
His imdiate superior, Marshal Lin, was his first consideration. Being one of the Empire’s top ten marshals, with profound roots in the military, political, and business sectors, with his participation, the resources and support Ice Extre Pass could secure would be unmatched by others.
The second consideration was the Dongfang Family.
Just as Dongfang Haoyue said, he had a good cooperative foundation with the Dongfang Family, and the partnership on the Youth Potion greatly benefited both sides.
Additionally, the Dongfang Family is part of the Holy Blood Clan. If he could tie them to his "chariot," it wouldn’t just solve the technical problem of Cold Tree cultivation but also deter potential enemies like the Luoho Clan, killing two birds with one stone.
He had initially thought to connect through Dongfang Mingyu or Dongfang Mingyue, not expecting Dongfang Haoyue to proactively reach out.
As for the Zhuge Family, that was a completely pleasant surprise.
Although the Zhuge Family is not a Holy Blood Clan, it is one of the top Golden Clans within the Empire, coupled with the Zhuge Great Elder holding the chief seat in the Political Council, few families could rival its power.
More importantly, the Zhuge Family excels in strategy and celestial plotting, playing an essential role in the future developnt planning and risk avoidance for the Ice Extre Pass.
The developnt pie of Mingwang Planet is too large; Qin Tian never intended to monopolize it—what he lacks most now is not money, but connections and influence.
Bringing more powerful forces on board can not only share the pressure but also leverage their resources and status to quickly elevate the standing of Ice Extre Pass, granting him more say in the Empire’s strategic ga.
"I see your sincerity," Qin Tian raised his head, his gaze falling on Dongfang Haoyue and Zhuge Yu, speaking solemnly, "I agree to the cooperation. But regarding the specifics, like the proportion of resource input, benefits distribution, and the division of rights and responsibilities, we still need to discuss them slowly."
Hearing these words, Zhuge Yu imdiately laughed, "Details are easy to discuss, we have plenty of ti."
Dongfang Haoyue also smiled, nodding, "No problem, we can draft a preliminary plan for you to review and see what needs adjusting; we can refine it step by step."
The atmosphere inside the ice house instantly relaxed, the previous probing and maneuvers gradually dissipating, replaced by anticipation for future cooperation.
"Qin Tian, there has been a question I have wanted to ask you for a long ti."
Zhuge Yu sipped his tea and curiously asked, "How did you cultivate? In just over a year, you’ve broken through to Tier Six?"
Zhuge Yu still rembered during the Qingmu Genius Battle, Qin Tian’s Spiritual Ability Level wasn’t even on par with his; despite his formidable combat prowess, it relied heavily on that Soul-Devouring Demon Vine to turn the tide at the last mont.
However, in just over a year, he himself, leveraging the various resources of the Royal Military Academy, quickly advanced to Tier Six, whereas Qin Tian, who initially had a lower Spiritual Ability Level, had not only successfully broken through to Tier Six but was considered a strong presence within Tier Six, even able to spar a few moves with the Tier Seven powerhouse that had attacked Dongfang Mingyue at that ti.
This almost unreasonable growth rate challenged his comprehension.
As soon as he voiced this thought, even Dongfang Haoyue, beside him, raised his head, a glint of inquiry flashing in his eyes—he also had researched Qin Tian’s profile, finding Qin Tian’s growth rate unnervingly more impressive than that of Holy Blood Descendants.
Indeed, it defied conventional understanding.
Qin Tian listened to Zhuge Yu’s words, his hand paused montarily on the teacup, then he replied with a vague smile, "By sheer luck, sheer luck."
He was acutely aware that as he beca more conspicuous on the Imperial stage, this astonishing growth rate would undoubtedly attract more attention—so, like Zhuge Yu, purely curious, while others might harbor malicious speculations from the shadows, possibly even drawing the covetous eyes of so forces.
This scrutiny was the inevitability he had to confront by stepping onto the stage; it couldn’t be dodged or evaded.
The only thing he could do was to break through at a faster pace, growing into a true strongman who would intimidate those with ill intentions from rashly provoking, soone capable of protecting Ice Extre Pass and those around him.
Only by standing high enough could he completely stamp out these potential risks underfoot.
"Alright, I was just asking out of curiosity,"
Zhuge Yu acknowledged it was Qin Tian’s secret and refrained from pressing further.
Qin Tian smiled, "The hotel has arrived; I’ll host you two and the fourteen people you brought for a good al at lunch. Snow Beast at has a unique flavor."
"Fourteen? I only brought thirteen people?" Dongfang Haoyue frowned, puzzled.
Upon hearing this, Qin Tian’s brows furrowed imdiately, extending his perception, confirming once more that there were indeed fourteen people.
Seeing the sudden change in Qin Tian’s expression, Zhuge Yu and Dongfang Haoyue also sensed sothing was off. After exchanging a glance, their expressions subtly shifted, seemingly realizing sothing.
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