Chapter 1049: Not Bound by Trifles

"Very good. Arrange it just like that. Let the envoys of the Xiuluo Holy Star, with their laughable 'sense of superiority' and 'pity,' continue to scribble away on their assessment reports.

Once our strength has been accumulated, we will let them, let everyone, understand who the true master of this frozen star sector is!"

Inside the Conference Hall, all the Saikeshan nobles wore knowing smiles.

They felt no psychological burden about deceiving the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance; instead, they viewed it as proof of their own intelligence and superiority.

In their view, the caution and procedural justice of the Xiuluo Holy Star were merely expressions of weakness and indecision, which could be perfectly exploited by them.

Several days later, above the ice plains of the "Yongshuang" star.

At the request of Diplomat Li Fengmin, Aisi Wense "reluctantly" arranged for the delegation to head to the royal city of the Saikeshan race.

Inside the Thunderhawk Gunship.

Sergeant Safo was beside Li Fengmin.

"Sergeant Safo, what is your take on this Saikeshan race?"

Li Fengmin suddenly asked.

Sergeant Safo was silent for a moment before answering.

"Their grievances are logically clear. The life they displayed matches the characteristics of a civilization whose resources have been plundered. The threats they mentioned—the residual energy fields are indeed abnormal."

Safo paused and added.

"However, it is too perfect."

Li Fengmin tilted his head slightly.

"Oh?"

"Their sorrow, their fear, their humility... all seem carefully rehearsed. That Elder Aisi Wense, his emotional transitions were too fluid.

Furthermore, as a civilization capable of breeding in such an extreme environment, their resilience seems inconsistent with the fragility they have shown."

Li Fengmin nodded.

"The eyes of us diplomats must not only see what the other side says, but more importantly, what they do not say, and how they say it. The Saikeshan race... is very interesting. Continue to observe, especially in their royal city."

The Thunderhawk Gunship landed slowly on the designated landing pad on the outskirts of the royal city.

Compared to the remote ice valley outpost from before, this royal city indeed appeared much more "prosperous."

Ice crystal spires pierced the Tianqiong, huge arches and corridors were carved with frost patterns, Saikeshan people wearing ice-silk robes could be seen coming and going on the streets, and some hover vehicles driven by the energy of Condensed Essence Crystal Cores glided past.

But in Li Fengmin's eyes, the architectural style here was monotonous—nothing but ice crystals; the vehicle technology did not look advanced; although there were many people on the streets, the overall atmosphere still carried the dullness of a closed-off world.

All of this seemed to fit the image of a frontier civilization that had been suppressed for a long time.

Under the guidance of Elder Aisi Wense, Diplomat Li Fengmin, Sergeant Safo and his Dark Angels squad, and several accompanying diplomatic recorders passed through several arches guarded by tall Saikeshan guards wearing Crystal Ice Armor, arriving at the heart of the royal palace, the Linding Zheng Dian.

At the end of the great hall was a throne perched high above.

Sitting on the throne was the Frost King of the Saikeshan race, Ailamande.

Ailamande was draped in an ice-silk royal robe inlaid with countless tiny dark purple Crystal Cores, and the dark purple Crystal Core on his forehead radiated light.

On both sides below the throne stood over a dozen of the highest Saikeshan nobles, including Count Kainuo, Grand Duke Moge, and General Hanjian, all of them dressed gorgeously with solemn expressions.

According to the ancient traditions of the Saikeshan race, when meeting the Frost King, foreign envoys must perform the "Touch-Forehead Ceremony," bowing slightly and lightly touching their own brow with their right index finger to show respect for the royal power and the wisdom of the Saikeshan.

Before entering the great hall, Aisi Wense had already cautiously mentioned this custom to Li Fengmin.

When the ushering ceremonial officer chanted, "Envoy of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, Lord Li Fengmin, to see His Majesty the Frost King!", Li Fengmin did not hear the previous reminder at all, and completely ignored the gazes cast by the nobles on both sides.

Li Fengmin did not even offer the nodding greeting common in interstellar diplomacy.

He just walked straight ahead, head held high, with Safo and the other Dark Angels, to a suitable position below the throne, and then stopped.

The Dark Angels behind Li Fengmin stood on both sides, scanning the entire hall, especially Ailamande on the throne and the nobles on both sides.

Li Fengmin raised his head, his gaze calmly staring directly at Ailamande on the throne, and spoke in a clear voice, his tone flat yet carrying an unquestionable condescension from an envoy of a higher civilization.

"Ailamande. I, Li Fengmin, represent the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, and have come to hold formal talks with you."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell into an eerie silence.

The Saikeshan nobles on both sides showed suppressed anger on their faces.

The corner of Count Kainuo's mouth twitched, the brow of the steady and experienced Grand Duke Moge furrowed tightly, and General Hanjian's hand even subconsciously pressed against the ice crystal hilt at his waist.

On the throne, the light of the dark purple Crystal Core on Ailamande's forehead fluctuated slightly, and he squeezed out a somewhat stiff smile.

"Respected... Envoy Li Fengmin."

Ailamande deliberately omitted the "Xiuluo Holy" prefix, seemingly wanting to regain some ground, but his tone remained restrained.

"Welcome to Yongshuang Star. Since you have come from afar, there is no need to be bound by trifles."

Ailamande downplayed Li Fengmin's rudeness as "not being bound by trifles."

Li Fengmin did not buy it at all.

"Ailamande, we have conducted a preliminary investigation into some of your circumstances. Now, I need you, as the supreme ruler of the Saikeshan race, to clearly answer a few questions."

Li Fengmin did not give Ailamande any opportunity for small talk or to lead the topic.

"First, regarding your so-called 'submission.' The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance does not accept vague promises.

I need you to state clearly: is the Saikeshan race willing to unconditionally accept all the terms of the Star Alliance's 'Regulations on the Management of Subsidiary Civilizations'?

Including but not limited to: military command unified by the Star Alliance, complete abandonment of diplomatic autonomy, core technology and resources regulated and allocated by the Star Alliance, and culture and education incorporated into the Star Alliance system?"

The conditions proposed by Li Fengmin were extremely harsh, making the faces of the nobles on both sides even uglier; this was far more overbearing than the conditions of the Fengqi Star Alliance!

Ailamande pondered for a moment, weighing his words.

"Lord Envoy, we naturally respect the laws of the Star Alliance. It is just... our race's situation is special; could you provide a certain transition period or... flexible space for some of the terms? After all, sudden changes might trigger turmoil."

"There is no flexible space."

Li Fengmin directly interrupted Ailamande's words.

"Submission means comprehensive integration and obedience. Either accept it all to prove your sincerity, or maintain the status quo and wait for the reckoning. The Star Alliance is not short of a half-hearted, bargaining subsidiary civilization."