Former Interstellar Mercenary In Urban Cultivation World
Chapter 1257: Shifting Power

Chapter 1257: Shifting Power

The exception was the ’A-Class’ members, the strongest people at the top of the Holy Gate of the Heaven and the Earth.

They represented the organization’s leadership and would occasionally meet in person for high-level discussions.

However, even among them, some of them chose to wear masks at all times, concealing their true identities.

"To prove you’re not lying, I still have to conduct a Soul Search. If you don’t want to end up brain-dead, follow my instructions. Do not resist my spiritual force. If my power encounters resistance, your fragile consciousness won’t stand a chance."

After Amalia finished speaking, she once again placed her hand on his head.

Mo Qingjie broke out in a cold sweat.

His anxiety skyrocketed.

What if she was lying?

What if he still became a fool even after obeying?

But he didn’t dare take the gamble.

If he did end up mentally shattered, there would be no turning back.

The moment Amalia’s spiritual force invaded his mind, Mo Qingjie instinctively resisted.

He had never felt this kind of intrusion before—it was as if every secret he had ever kept was being pried open.

His head throbbed with sharp, needle-like pain.

Just as he was about to collapse in agony, the piercing sensation suddenly vanished.

...

The negotiations with the alien royal family were scheduled for six days later, meaning that until then, they could arrange their time freely.

Amalia and Kenny Lin concealed their recent excursion.

When they met Minister Sharif, he informed them that their group wasn’t the only one attacked upon leaving the Crimson Moon Dynasty Palace.

All seven other star systems had also suffered ambushes.

Unlike their team, however, the others lacked cultivators of Amalia and Kenny Lin’s caliber, resulting in unavoidable casualties.

"Now, the seven star systems intend to use this incident to pressure the Crimson Moon Dynasty Royal Family so that when negotiations with the aliens take place, they won’t be in such a disadvantageous position."

"They approached you?" Amalia asked.

Sharif nodded with a smile. "We are the only star system that successfully captured an alien battleship. That alone is enough to make them take us seriously."

The current Erythar Star System was no longer the second-lowest-ranked star system it once was.

Their performance in the palace garden—one win and one draw—had already proven their strength.

No matter who was missing, Erythar Star System would not be left out.

"What’s your plan?"

"Although Erythar Star System suffered no casualties, we were ambushed just two days after arriving on Planet Omicron. Someone almost died. That’s a perfectly valid reason to leverage this situation—it might even bring us unexpected benefits."

Amalia didn’t hesitate. "Alright. When?"

"Today."

Amalia sent Rafael and Duan Yao to accompany Sharif to the Crimson Moon Dynasty Palace.

The eight star systems collectively pressured the Crimson Snake Emperor.

They had expected the Crimson Moon Dynasty to resist, but surprisingly, the Crimson Snake Emperor yielded faster than anticipated.

Amalia and Kenny Lin didn’t even have to step forward—yet they still got the outcome they wanted.

Most star systems received the answers they had hoped for.

The Noriev Star System, for example, had originally wanted the Crimson Moon Dynasty to deploy troops to help them repel the alien invaders and protect their territory.

Until now, the Crimson Moon Dynasty had remained noncommittal, but this time, they finally relented.

Other star systems also needed help against the aliens, but not all of them sought military aid.

Some were more interested in acquiring alien Cosmorite mecha technology.

The Crimson Moon Dynasty agreed to a compromise—not by handing over the technology directly but by allowing their mecha engineers to observe and study it.

As for the Erythar Star System, they wanted neither technology nor military support.

Their only demands were intelligence on the aliens and full participation in the negotiations six days later.

Once the envoys from the eight star systems left, the Crimson Snake Emperor entered the adjacent hall with a dark expression.

"Grand Elder, I don’t understand. Erythar Star System has powerful cultivator, so agreeing to their demands makes sense. But why must we also concede to the other star systems?" The Crimson Snake Emperor—who had always been aloof, proud, and above all others—now wore a rare look of frustration.

The young man before him, the Grand Elder of the Pleiadian Ascendancy, let out a soft sigh.

Although his appearance was youthful, the weight behind his sigh carried the weariness of an elder who had lived a century, evoking a deep sense of time-worn wisdom.

"My child," he said.

The moment he heard those words, the Crimson Snake Emperor’s rigid demeanor softened slightly.

The imposing aura of a ruler faded, replaced by the humility of a junior before his elder.

"Grand Elder, you haven’t called me that in many years."

"That is because you are the Crimson Snake Emperor of the Crimson Moon Dynasty. You are no longer a kid. Upon your shoulders rests not only the fate of this empire but the future of the entire Pleiades Star System. Every decision you make must be for the good of all." The Grand Elder sighed again. "I will not always be here to guide you. Nor will those around you always remain. One day, you will have to walk this path alone."

"The Grand Elder, what do you mean by this?" The Crimson Snake Emperor’s expression changed drastically.

"Immortality is not true eternity, and I told you this when I first taught you the ways of cultivation. Sooner or later, my lifespan will also reach its end."

After so many years, the Grand Elder had already come to terms with the inevitability of death.

"But you also told me that as long as one breaks through, they can live longer!" The Crimson Snake Emperor suppressed his voice as he spoke.

"Yes, I did say that. But I have not broken through in a very long time. Although the number of cultivators is increasing, I fear I may not live to see that future." The Grand Elder lightly patted the Crimson Snake Emperor’s shoulder. "The Crimson Moon Dynasty is strong now, but the present does not determine the future. No one can predict what will happen next. Every decision you make must be for the future of the Crimson Moon Dynasty. The power of star systems like Erebos Star System may not match the Pleiades Star System now, but if they unite, they won’t be weak. As for the Erythar Star System, not only must you avoid making an enemy of them—you must forge a good relationship with them. Do you understand why?"

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l