Chapter 1048: Submission

The group arrived under a Frost Crystal Dome located deep within the ice valley.

Many Saikeshan were tending to crystal clusters growing in the ice sand, Aisi Wense introduced.

"Honorable Envoy, this is where we cultivate the Condensed Essence Crystal Core. They grow extremely slowly and require a specific psionic environment and our race's unique 'Frost Whisper' to guide them. The number of mature crystal cores that can be harvested each year is limited, but they do indeed contain powerful energy."

Li Fengmin picked up a piece of an immature crystal core handed over by a technician; it was piercingly cold to the touch, and the psionic fluctuations within could be clearly felt.

Li Fengmin nodded without speaking and handed the fragment to the accompanying recorder beside him for sealing.

Value, he saw it, but the yield was limited.

Meanwhile, on the Saikeshan home planet, Yongshuang Star.

The ice crystal architecture here was magnificent, carved with complex and ancient Runes, with flowing streams of deep blue energy inside.

Inside the "Lindong Yishiting" at the very heart of the palace, a secret talk involving only the highest-ranking Saikeshan nobles and royalty was being held.

Sitting in the main seat was the king of the Saikeshan race, Ailamande.

His physique was the most robust of all the Saikeshan, his snow-white long hair interspersed with a few strands of silver symbolizing age and wisdom, and the Condensed Essence Crystal Core embedded in his forehead was dark purple.

The voice of the Frost King Ailamande echoed within the Conference Hall.

"Everyone, Elder Aisi Wense has sent back preliminary news. The Xiuluo Saint envoy group, that human named Li Fengmin, and those tin cans beside him have already tentatively believed the 'story' we carefully prepared."

As soon as he finished speaking, a relatively young noble, Count Kainuo, laughed disdainfully.

"Your Majesty, these people from the Xiuluo Saint do not seem much smarter than those idiots from Fengqi.

A few complaints, a fabricated 'dead end', plus the 'poverty' and limited crystal core production we deliberately displayed, and they were fooled?

It is truly... disappointing indecisiveness."

Another older noble, Grand Duke Moge, slowly stroked his long, silver-bright beard and spoke.

"Kainuo, do not jump to conclusions too early. The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance can develop to its current scale, so it must have its superior aspects.

The indifference and scrutiny displayed by their envoy are not stupidity; perhaps it is just a kind of... overly rigid procedural justice.

They need evidence, they need evaluation, and this is exactly the result we want: time."

"Grand Duke Moge is right."

A noble dressed in gorgeous ice crystal armor, General Hanyin, said in a deep voice.

"What we need is time. The Fengqi Star Alliance suffered a crushing defeat on Shishan Star, and the southern defense line is empty and chaotic; this is a good opportunity for our independence!

During this period, we must not let any external forces, especially a force as powerful as the Xiuluo Saint, interfere with our plans."

The Frost King Ailamande nodded slightly, his dark purple crystal core flickering with a faint light.

"That is correct. The so-called 'submission' is merely a delaying tactic for us to buy time.

The Xiuluo Saint people pride themselves on order and enlightenment; for civilizations that actively surrender, as long as no clear hostility is discovered, they usually do not immediately take extreme measures.

This is exactly the point we can exploit."

Ailamande looked at the nobles around the round table, his blue lips curling up to reveal sharp Liaya.

"We show them poverty, backwardness, and oppression to win sympathy and lower their guard.

We offer the Condensed Essence Crystal Core to demonstrate value and make them feel there is profit to be made."

Count Kainuo sneered again.

"They really think our meager crystal core production is all there is? How naive! Our true crystal core veins and cultivation grounds have been operating secretly deep in the polar regions for over a hundred years!

The power accumulated by our Saikeshan race will far exceed their imagination!"

Grand Duke Moge added.

"Moreover, they seem to be genuinely considering 'accepting' us. This is simply ridiculous. We Saikeshan are born in extreme cold and raised in ice and snow; we are the natural masters of this star sector!

How could we sincerely submit to these short-sighted carbon-based organisms from the warm world?

Whether it is Fengqi or the Xiuluo Saint, they only view us as tools to be used or specimens to be studied."

General Hanyin clenched his fists.

"When our fleet sails out from the Bingfeng Chuawu, and when our 'Frost Warrior' legions complete their final arming, we will first seize the mineral planets occupied by Fengqi, and then... let the entire star sector be shrouded under the eternal winter of the Saikeshan!

The Xiuluo Saint? If they are sensible, perhaps they can become our next 'cooperation' target; if they are not... humph!"

The Frost King Ailamande raised his hand to suppress the discussion.

"Be careful with your words, my generals, my nobles. Before the plan is completed, we must continue to play the role of 'weak, pitiful, and helpless' supplicants.

Aisi Wense has done well; he successfully made the Xiuluo Saint envoy develop a mindset of 'sympathy' and 'evaluation'. Next, according to the plan, he will lead the envoy group to the 'Yongshuang Throne' for a so-called 'official audience'."

He looked around at everyone, his tone serious.

"At that time, you all need to attend. Remember, put away your pride and conceal your strength.

What we need to present is the image of a civilization that, while possessing ancient traditions and some unique technologies, is overall backward, bullied, and longing for the protection of a powerful suzerain.

Especially you, Kainuo, watch your mouth and your expression."

Count Kainuo curled his lips somewhat reluctantly, but still lowered his head and replied.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will be careful."

Grand Duke Moge pondered.

"Your Majesty, regarding the audience, should we display some... 'appropriate' technology or psionic arts? We cannot let them think we are worthless, nor can we arouse their excessive vigilance."

The Frost King Ailamande nodded.

"You may display some inconsequential ice crystal carving techniques, or some basic low-temperature psionic applications, such as maintaining the psionic extreme cold field of this palace. As for our true power, the ice-vein drive engines, absolute cold weapons, and the deep application of the Condensed Essence Crystal Core, not a single bit must be leaked."

General Hanyin added.

"I will arrange the palace's 'honor guard' using those most ordinary Frost Guards, and their equipment will also be replaced with old models.

We must never let the Xiuluo Saint people see our true 'Frost Warriors'."