Chapter 871 - 681: Wedding Celebration
He had it all figured out clearly in his mind.
Going there would inevitably require a celebratory gift.
If the gift were too modest, it would disgrace the Tiger Whale Race and his own reputation as the Demon Emperor.
If the gift were too lavish, he would suffer significant losses.
Once the gift is given, there’s no reason to take it back.
"No need for a celebratory gift; your presence alone suffices, my friend."
Shen Xuan, as if seeing through his thoughts, maintained his smile.
"Hmph!"
The Tiger Whale Emperor feigned anger, his sonic waves causing the surrounding seawater to tremble slightly.
"I am not someone who cares about that kind of celebratory gift! The agreement between the Sea Race and the Human Race’s Divinity Transformation Celestial Monarchs has long been established, with mutual non-aggression. The Sea Race will not come ashore, and the Human Race will not venture into the deep sea. This is the rule!"
Shen Xuan’s smile remained unchanged: "At that time, Song Country’s top cultivator, Purple Maple True Monarch, will also be present in person."
"Oh?"
The Tiger Whale Emperor’s eyes showed a slight change: "And what of it?"
Jing Si Hai, who was standing by, sensed the hidden tension in the words exchanged between the two, feeling a rising anxiety within him.
Shen Xuan no longer circled the topic, going straight to the point: "Has the Tiger Whale Emperor ever considered, if my Starlight Island can collaborate with the Demon Race from Wilderness, why not with your Tiger Whale Race?"
"Collaboration?"
A hint of confusion flashed in the Tiger Whale Emperor’s eyes before quickly turning into a perceptive gleam.
"What do you want? My Tiger Whale Race hardly has anything that Human Race cultivators covet."
He paused, locking his dark golden eyes on Shen Xuan, slowly revealing the crux.
"Furthermore, what can you offer us?"
It must be admitted, those demon race experts who can transform always have exceptional wisdom.
The Tiger Whale Emperor’s words struck directly at the core.
Trade between the Human Race and Sea Race must bring tangible benefits to both sides, achieving mutual gain, as this is the foundation for large-scale sustainable collaboration.
Spirit Stones?
Certainly not feasible.
The depths of the sea are not lacking in Spirit Veins, but they are fundamental in maintaining the spiritual balance of the marine area and supporting the cultivation of the Sea Race, and cannot be mined freely.
Various Heavenly and Earthly Treasures nurtured by the sea?
Even less feasible.
These items are not only precious and rare, their value hard to estimate, but are also necessary for numerous mid to high-tier Sea Race members to break through their realms.
The Sea Race often struggles with internal distribution, and even if they occasionally flow out, it is limited to small private exchanges.
What Shen Xuan truly valued was a large mineral vein hidden deep within this sea area.
It produces high-purity deep-sea Profound Gold ore.
This is a Tier Two refining material, suitable as the primary material for Gold Attribute Magical Treasures, apt for Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators.
"Deep-sea Profound Gold ore? Is that all you want?"
Upon hearing Shen Xuan’s request, the Tiger Whale Emperor visibly relaxed slightly.
To their Sea Race, deep-sea Profound Gold ore is indeed like a chicken rib, with little practical use.
"Tell me, what do you offer in exchange?"
The Tiger Whale Emperor’s tone eased, revealing a negotiating stance.
Shen Xuan slightly smiled inwardly.
Clearly, the opponent was tempted.
As the top predator in this vast sea area, the Tiger Whale Race is undoubtedly the ecological dominator.
Since they have embarked on the path of cultivation, demon race experts similarly need "wealth, companionship, method, and land."
However, their "wealth" is not Spirit Stones, but ample and high-quality food sources.
As the ancestor of the race, the Tiger Whale Emperor naturally wishes for his tribe to prosper, producing more powerful individuals.
Nevertheless, each sea area’s ecological environment has a limit to how many top predators it can support.
To achieve a qualitative leap for the tribe, quantitative accumulation is required first.
"Our Starlight Island can join hands with your race to develop the deep-sea Profound Gold ore vein."
Shen Xuan proposed a plan.
"Your tribe only needs to ensure the security of the mineral vein area. All matters concerning mining, processing, and refining will be handled by my team. Profits will be split evenly between our sides."
He watched the Tiger Whale Emperor’s expression and continued: "If your tribe does not wish to receive Spirit Stones, my Starlight Island can use your share to establish breeding grounds for various sea plants, large algae, floating demon insects, and food supplies for fish and shrimp, injecting them into this sea area to improve the ecological environment and increase the base numbers of fish and shrimp."
"Alternatively, you can directly trade for specific demon beast meat, tamed and bred, that your tribe enjoys eating."
The Tiger Whale Emperor listened even more attentively.
They indeed do not need Spirit Stones.
Although tamed demon beast meat holds limited allure.
However, Shen Xuan’s suggestion for improving the sea area’s ecology truly piqued his interest.
If the biological mass of this sea area could be increased, it would have long-term benefits for the Tiger Whale tribe’s reproduction and survival.
"True Master Profound Ice, I do not understand those complex Human Race industries’ intricacies. Can you plainly say, is the method for improving the sea area truly feasible?"
The Tiger Whale Emperor asked in a deep voice, a flicker in his dark golden eyes.
Shen Xuan chuckled openly, with poised composure: "Tiger Whale Emperor, given our statuses, why dwell on such trivial matters with words of probing and deceit? Whether it’s feasible, results will show in due course."
"If the method fails, and results are lacking, the Tiger Whale Emperor may discontinue the collaboration at any time. Could I, in the depths of the East Sea, on your territory, still go against your wishes?"
The Tiger Whale Emperor pondered silently, contemplating.
What Shen Xuan said was true.
No matter the outcome, his Tiger Whale Race stands to lose nothing.
All that’s involved is some unutilized ore on the seabed.
And guarding the area?
In these waters where they reign supreme, it’s merely a trivial matter, nothing significant.
"Our Tiger Whale Race will not mine that deep-sea mineral vein."
The Tiger Whale Emperor stated.
It counted as tacit agreement to the preliminary cooperation intention.
"The Tiger Whale Emperor need not worry about this; mining matters will be handled by the Human Race sects experienced in this."
Shen Xuan’s smile broadened: "A month from now will be my wedding celebration; at that time, I hope the Tiger Whale Emperor will come to the island for a meeting. If the Tiger Whale Emperor does not trust me, Shen Xuan, surely one can trust the Purple Maple True Monarch!"