Seeing the arrows shot by the centaurs, Princess Shayan was startled, and the so-called Commandery Princess Yudie beside her was also startled.
The speed of these arrows was simply… far too fast.
They were at least several times faster than ordinary arrows, and every time one was fired, it produced a tremendous sonic boom.
Moreover, each arrow carried a dazzling light as it flew.
For the crystal-powered arrows, a distance of only a few dozen metres took less than 0.3 seconds. They arrived almost instantly.
Neither the Dragonhawk Knights nor the Black Blood Demon Riders were prepared for it.
Especially the Dragonhawk Knights. The moment they saw the arrows coming, they immediately drew their swords to block them, but it was already too late.
Their swords had only just been raised when the terrifying arrows had already pierced their chests, far exceeding their reaction speed.
Of course, every one of them was wearing sturdy yet lightweight armour.
However, the arrows fired by the centaurs were coated with black gold. They easily pierced through the armour and continued through their bodies.
The crystals that had not yet finished burning exploded directly inside their bodies.
“Boom, boom, boom, boom…”
A huge opening was blasted through the chest of every Dragonhawk warrior, penetrating from front to back. They died instantly.
More than eighty percent of the one thousand Dragonhawk Knights were killed on the spot.
The bodies fell like raindrops into the moat, while more than eight hundred Dragonhawk mounts fled in all directions.
These crystal arrows could kill the Dragonhawk Knights, but they could not kill the Black Blood Demon Riders.
The Black Blood Demon Riders could raise their swords to block them in time. Even if they were hit, they would not be harmed, because the protective qi surrounding their bodies could easily deflect the crystal arrows.
But…
These evil centaurs were shooting at their mounts, not at the Black Blood Demon Riders.
Moreover, every Black Blood Demon Rider’s mount was struck by dozens of crystal arrows.
This was a complete disaster.
All thirteen mounts of the Black Blood Demon Riders were killed. Although the Black Blood Demon Riders were extremely powerful and possessed Demon Sect level combat strength even without their mounts, they could not fly. They could only fall helplessly towards the ground.
“Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh…”
Before these people could even cry out in alarm, the second wave of arrows arrived.
The order to kill without exception really meant that no one would be left alive.
The two hundred Dragonhawk Knights who had been lucky enough to escape the first wave were now completely wiped out.
One thousand riderless Dragonhawks fled in all directions.
In an instant, the one thousand Dragonhawk Knights brought by Princess Shayan had all been killed, while the thirteen Black Blood Demon Riders had fallen helplessly to the ground, having lost their mounts.
Not only Princess Shayan and Princess Yudie, even the arriving Black Demon Banner Lord and Lord of Calamity Cave were stunned.
Lan Ling was truly crazy.
These were the guards of the Rakshasa Royal Family. Attacking them was equivalent to becoming enemies with the Rakshasa Royal Family.
Yet Lan Ling had actually ordered the complete annihilation of Princess Shayan’s guards.
Not only that!
“Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh…”
At this moment, the powerful centaur archers were still firing furiously, sending wave after wave of arrows into the air. However, this time they were aiming at the Dragonhawk mounts fleeing in all directions.
They did not aim for vital areas. Instead, they wounded the wings, forcing the Dragonhawk mounts to land.
One Dragonhawk mount after another was injured and fell to the ground. They would soon become Lan Ling’s prisoners.
Seeing this, Princess Shayan’s delicate body trembled, and the breath she exhaled seemed almost as if it were about to burst into flames.
She had never suffered such enormous humiliation.
It was no different from being slapped violently across the face again and again.
How dare Lan Ling? How could this lowly near-human dare?
She was a member of the most noble Rakshasa Royal Family, one of the eight great royal families of the Southern Wilds!
Was he really not afraid that the Rakshasa Royal Family would become enraged and send a huge army to slaughter his entire force?
At this moment, Princess Shayan truly wished she could immediately turn around and return to Rakshasa City, then bring several million soldiers to tear Lan Ling apart and wipe out all these centaurs.
However…
She forcibly endured it.
Since she had chosen a conciliatory approach, she could not give up halfway. However, in their first confrontation, she had been completely defeated.
At this moment, Lan Ling stood on top of the city wall and said, “Princess Shayan, if you want to talk, you can come in alone!”
Princess Yudie’s eyes narrowed slightly before she said, “This woman beside me must come in with me too.”
“Your Highness!” the leader of the Black Blood Demon Riders said.
Princess Shayan raised her hand and stopped him from continuing.
Even if Lan Ling had a hundred times the courage, he would not dare hurt Princess Shayan.
Lan Ling looked towards the so-called Yudie Commandery Princess. She really was a beauty. Her face was hidden behind a veil, so he could not see her features, but just that slender waist was enough to make a man lose himself.
Although Lan Ling liked women with more pronounced curves, a slender and charming beauty with a waist like a willow was truly pleasing to the eye.
“Black Demon Lord, Lord of Calamity Cave, please also leave the warriors of Calamity Cave outside. Do not cross the moat, otherwise I will order my men to attack immediately,” Lan Ling said. “The three of us can have a good discussion, with Lord of Calamity Cave acting as a witness. How about it?”
“Fine,” the Black Demon Banner Lord said.
“Fine,” Princess Shayan said.
“Creaaak…”
With a tremendous sound, the damaged city gate was slowly opened.
The Black Demon Banner Lord came before Princess Shayan and knelt on one knee. “Greetings, Your Highness!”
Princess Shayan looked at the Black Demon Banner Lord, her expression somewhat complicated. Before this, this heroic Black Demon Lord had been her father-in-law, but now…
“Nai Shu, return to Rakshasa City and find me,” Princess Shayan said. “I… killed him, so our two families can no longer become relatives by marriage.”
A painful light flashed through the Black Demon Banner Lord’s eyes, but his expression soon became resolute. “Good. I only hate that he did not take his own life. He disgraced the honour of my Black Demon family.”
Lord of Calamity Cave stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Calamity pays his respects to Your Highness!”
All the caves, mountains and other martial forces also recognised the Rakshasa King as their sovereign and were loyal to the Rakshasa Royal Family.
“Lord of Calamity Cave, you are welcome,” Princess Shayan said with a nod.
“Your Highness, please,” the Black Demon Banner Lord said.
Princess Shayan then walked at the front, followed by the so-called Yudie Commandery Princess. The Black Demon Banner Lord and Lord of Calamity Cave walked side by side at the back.
The four entered Black Demon City and headed towards the castle at the top of the mountain.
…
Inside the most luxurious room in the castle at the top of the mountain, only Lan Ling and Princess Shayan remained.
The two were just like they had been in Rakshasa City.
One wore a golden mask, while the other wore a false face.
This time, Princess Shayan carefully examined Lan Ling, wanting to see what was so special about him and how he had been able to create one miracle after another, rising so rapidly within just a few months and even capturing Black Demon City.
Normally, no one particularly outstanding could escape her notice. She should not have misjudged him the last time.
Therefore, Princess Shayan carefully examined Lan Ling this time.
But she was destined to be disappointed, because she still could not see anything extraordinary about him.
“Last time in Rakshasa City, you deceived me and tricked the Brilliant Star Tear out of my hands. That was actually a spiritual energy gemstone, wasn’t it?” Princess Shayan asked.
“Yes!” Lan Ling replied.
A murderous glint flashed rapidly through Princess Shayan’s eyes.
It was precisely because she felt deceived and insulted that she had agreed to Ninian’s request and voluntarily taken responsibility for the matter, sending her fiancé Nai Shu to lead the Silver Alliance army to exterminate the Flame Demon Tribe and kill Lan Ling.
And because of this, she had fallen into such a passive position today.
Taking a deep breath, Princess Shayan walked up the steps and sat down on the soft golden throne above.
Even in a private conversation, she still had to display her lofty status and maintain a strong position.
She slightly raised her chin and looked at Lan Ling from the corner of her eyes, displaying an air of arrogance.
“Lan Ling, do you know that you are already facing a great disaster?” Princess Shayan said coldly. “Do you know that the Rakshasa Royal Family could crush you to death with just one finger?”
Lan Ling smiled indifferently. “Go on.”
“You have an army of thirty thousand centaurs and a three-headed Chimera, but in front of the Rakshasa Royal Family, none of this means anything,” Princess Shayan slowly said. “We possess countless powerful demon armies, forces you have never even seen before. We could easily turn your army into ashes.”
Lan Ling said, “Go on.”
Princess Shayan said, “Do you know that the new Queen Consort Meng Tuoluo has repeatedly insisted on using force to suppress you, destroy your army and your Flame Demon Tribe as quickly as possible, and tear you into pieces? She believes that the authority of the Rakshasa Royal Family cannot be violated. I am willing to give you a chance because I value your talent, or more accurately, because I have taken a liking to the thirty thousand centaur army, and you happen to be capable of commanding them. Therefore, I am willing to give you a chance to serve the great Rakshasa Royal Family.”
“An amnesty?” Lan Ling asked.
“Yes, an amnesty,” Princess Shayan said. “This is your only chance, and an opportunity you could never have imagined. You are a lowly near-human and normally would have no chance of serving the great Rakshasa Royal Family. But because you can command the centaur tribe, you have been granted this honour!”
Then Princess Shayan said, “Now, you can kneel down and kiss my boots.”
She extended her leg and raised her exquisite jewelled boot.
It was not that Princess Shayan deliberately wanted to act arrogantly. She simply could not allow Lan Ling to discover the truth.
Under normal circumstances, there should be no possibility of offering him an amnesty. After offending the Rakshasa Royal Family, there should only be one outcome, complete destruction.
The Heavenly Fiend King was ready to make his move, while the Rakshasa King was joining forces with the other six Demon Kings to establish an offensive and defensive alliance. The negotiations between the seven Demon Kings had already reached a critical stage.
All of these were top-level secrets of the demon race. Even the Black Demon Banner Lord knew nothing about them.
Therefore, Princess Shayan had to find a reasonable explanation for why Lan Ling was being offered an amnesty.
It was because she valued his talent, and because the Rakshasa Royal Family had taken a liking to the centaur army, the dominant land cavalry force.
Of course, this reason was also very reasonable.
Therefore, Princess Shayan had to display an attitude of granting a favour, an attitude of superiority.
“What are the conditions? If you’re offering me an amnesty, there must be some conditions,” Lan Ling said.
Princess Shayan said, “You have two choices. First, you lead the thirty thousand centaur army into Rakshasa City. We will appoint you as the commander-in-chief of the Blazing Fire Legion, and you will continue to command the thirty thousand centaur army. Second, we will appoint you as the leader of the Silver Alliance, and the thirty thousand centaur army will still be under your command. But whenever the Rakshasa Royal Family needs you, you must come and serve us!”
“That’s all?” Lan Ling asked.
“There’s more…” Princess Shayan clapped her hands. “Come in!”
At once, an extraordinarily beautiful and graceful woman entered.
Her face was covered by a veil, but her willow-like slender waist was particularly striking.
The beauty of her figure was simply impossible to describe in words.
“Yudie, lift your veil,” Princess Shayan said.
Yudie lifted her veil, revealing a delicate and exquisitely beautiful face.
A refined nose, charming lips and eyes that seemed to carry endless emotion.
Such delicate and beautiful features were truly extremely rare.
Princess Shayan said, “She is the daughter of my royal uncle, the Commandery Princess Yudie. I will grant her to you as your wife. From now on, you will be the son-in-law of the Rakshasa Royal Family. This is a destiny you could not obtain even if you begged for ten lifetimes. Kneel down and give thanks for this favour!”
Lan Ling was so angry that he laughed.
The so-called Commandery Princess Yudie before him was clearly a near-human woman.
In Rakshasa City, near-human beauties basically had only one status, female slaves.
Yet Princess Shayan was actually disguising a female slave as a commandery princess and marrying her to him.
Of course, near-humans formed the foundation of Lan Ling’s Flame Demon Tribe and were his most loyal people. Lan Ling naturally had no discrimination against them.
But what Princess Shayan was doing was not only insulting his dignity, it was also insulting his intelligence.
“Why aren’t you kneeling down to give thanks?” Princess Shayan said. “This is your only opportunity. If you refuse, I will leave immediately and lead the million-strong army of the Rakshasa Royal Family to turn you into ashes. Either kneel down and pledge your allegiance, or be destroyed. You choose!”
Lan Ling said, “Black Demon Lord, Lord of Calamity Cave, please come in!”
The door opened and the two entered.
Outside, several thousand powerful centaurs and thirteen Death Warriors surrounded the building completely.
Death Warrior Chiyan also entered and stood beside Lan Ling.
Meanwhile, Khan Xie Li once again held a blade against Huofeng’s neck.
The negotiations between the three parties officially began!
The outcome of this negotiation would determine the fate of everyone present.
Would they compromise with each other, or would they all perish together?
…
Lan Ling said, “I already understand the conditions of the Black Demon Banner Lord and Princess Shayan very clearly. I will repeat them.”
“The condition of the Black Demon Banner Lord is that I give up Black Demon City, and he will grant the Silver Alliance to me. Otherwise, we will perish together, correct?” Lan Ling asked.
The Black Demon Banner Lord said, “I said I would confer it upon you, but if you want to call it giving it to you, that is fine too!”
Lan Ling continued, “Princess Shayan’s condition is that I surrender and pledge allegiance to the Rakshasa Royal Family, giving up Black Demon City. The Rakshasa Royal Family will confer the territory of the Silver Alliance upon me and marry the Commandery Princess Yudie to me. Otherwise, you will send a million-strong army to completely destroy me, correct?”
Princess Shayan said, “Correct. You have no choice!”
Lan Ling looked towards the two of them. “Then I will state my conditions.”
At once, Princess Shayan and the Black Demon Banner Lord listened attentively.
Lan Ling said, “Princess Shayan, Black Demon Banner Lord, Lord of Calamity Cave, how do you think my martial cultivation is?”
“Very poor!” Princess Shayan said.
Lord of Calamity Cave said, “Your physical strength is acceptable, but your qi cultivation is extremely weak, almost non-existent.”
The Black Demon Banner Lord said, “My son Nai Shu can kill you instantly.”
Lan Ling said, “Do you think it is possible that I have been hiding my strength?”
“Heh!” Lord of Calamity Cave scoffed.
“Hmph!” Princess Shayan snorted.
The Black Demon Banner Lord gave no response.
Both Lord of Calamity Cave and the Black Demon Banner Lord were super-powerful experts. Trying to hide one’s strength in front of them was simply ridiculous.
To put it in the most direct way, even Lan Ling’s breathing could reveal his true level of cultivation.
As Lord of Calamity Cave had said, his physical strength was acceptable, but his qi cultivation, which was the most important aspect for a powerful martial artist, was extremely poor, even worse than that of a high-level Demon Warrior.
If a martial artist did not cultivate qi, how could they break through to the Demon Sect realm? No matter how powerful their physical strength was, they could never cross this crucial threshold.
Whether a martial artist could break through to the Demon Sect realm was not determined by physical strength, but by their qi cultivation.
And at this moment, Lan Ling’s qi cultivation was roughly… at the level of a second-level Demon Warrior?
In terms of qi cultivation, even the fake Commandery Princess Yudie beside Princess Shayan could kill him instantly with a single finger.
Lan Ling said, “Black Demon Banner Lord, I formally challenge you! Forty-nine days from now, you and I will fight to determine who owns the territory of the Black Demon Banner! If you win, I will naturally die without a burial place, and I will unconditionally give up Black Demon City and the entire territory of the Black Demon Banner. If I win, the territory of the Black Demon Banner will completely belong to me. How about it?!”
As soon as these words were spoken, they were like a bolt of thunder, completely stunning everyone present.
They simply could not believe their ears.
Had Lan Ling gone mad?
No. Even a madman would not say something like this.
In terms of martial cultivation, Nai Shu could kill Lan Ling instantly.
Huofeng could kill two or three Nai Shus instantly.
As for the Black Demon Banner Lord, he could kill his wife Huofeng instantly.
So how great was the difference in cultivation between Lan Ling and the Black Demon Banner Lord?
It really… could not even be compared, because there was no precedent for such a comparison.
Then Lan Ling turned towards Princess Shayan and said, “Of course, you and I also have a wager! Forty-nine days from now, I will fight the Black Demon Banner Lord. If I lose, I will naturally be destroyed, and the entire centaur army will withdraw from the territory of the Black Demon Banner, and I will even give up the Silver Alliance. But if I win, don’t bring this fake commandery princess to brush me off. The woman I want to marry is you, and the woman I want is also you, Princess Shayan!”
Lan Ling used the most blunt words to insult the noble Princess Shayan.