But for now, it could not be helped. He would make do, and deal with it when he had the time.
Pearson's celebration was scheduled for tomorrow, and today many people were busy in the royal square.
Xiao Xun had made a double guarantee. He had sent over a dozen elite guards disguised as local residents to help with the work, and then to lie in wait inside the square's platform.
When the situation became chaotic tomorrow, they would create a large amount of smoke and seize the Queen, forcing the King to comply and hand over the Tree of Life.
Xiao Xun's second plan was for Bai Yang to directly use spatial magic to abduct her.
The prerequisite for all of this was chaos within the arena. In addition to ill-timed smoke bombs, there would be water bombs from the high-altitude Zeppelin airships. The goal was only one: to abduct the Queen, force the King to submit, and hand over the Tree of Life.
The plan was proceeding very smoothly. The Queen was very beautiful. With such a Queen, they were not afraid that the King would not hand over the item.
Xiao Xun, with Bai Yang, swaggered before the King. "I want to make a deal with you."
The King quickly understood the entire situation. With a grim expression, he said to Xiao Xun, "Sven, I respect the status of Saint Roman, but this is Pearson's territory! Do you think you are qualified to negotiate terms with me?"
Xiao Xun was unconcerned. "Judging by Your Majesty's tone, you no longer wish to see your beautiful wife."
The King straightened his crown and stared at Xiao Xun. "Pearson and Saint Roman have been allies for generations. Ten years ago, I was received by Empress Sailerpei at the Fire Shield Divine King's Palace. Prince Sven, I do not wish to see war between the two countries, but you are now challenging the dignity of the King of Pearson!"
"What the relationship between Pearson and Saint Roman is, and what your relationship with the Empress is, is none of my business!"
Xiao Xun said coldly, "Since you are unwilling to negotiate with me, then I bid you farewell."
The King, devoid of regal bearing, was filled with anger. "Guards, apprehend Sven!"
No one responded!
"Guards!" he roared again.
"No need to call. I've already dealt with your useless guards!"
"Sven, what exactly do you want?" the King asked sternly.
"Don't worry, I have no interest in your beautiful Queen. My request is very simple; I only want the Tree of Life to resist the natural disasters." Xiao Xun's emphasis on the word "beautiful" was deliberate. He was convinced that the King before him must be a sentimental person, or at least a lecher.
The King stared at Xiao Xun without speaking, clearly contemplating his strategy.
"Your Majesty, please bring forth the Tree of Life!" Xiao Xun said. "Don't forget to return before sunset!"
After a while, a commotion arose outside, and sounds of fighting approached the center of the square.
Xiao Xun patted his forehead. "It seems the King of Pearson values his life more than his wealth!" He then said to Bai Yang, "Have them come down."
Bai Yang nodded, formed hand seals, and ten Zeppelin airships slowly descended from the clouds, hovering about a hundred meters above, obscuring the entire royal city of Pearson. They cast a dense shadow, allowing not a sliver of light to penetrate, exuding an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Xiao Xun waved his hand, and a person in a gray robe fell from an airship. He was bound by special chains, rendering him unable to break free.
Upon landing, he splattered into a pool of flesh and blood, his gore scattering everywhere.
Soon, the people of Pearson discovered that the clothes belonged to the King's Guard Captain.
The King also realized that his ministers and legion commanders were no longer by his side.
Xiao Xun connected the loudspeaker. The microphone was in his hand, and the speakers were on the Zeppelin airships in the sky. "Your Majesty, you must have noticed! Your ministers are on my ship. If you ensure my safety, I will let these ministers live. If your people take another step forward, I will make you a solitary commander."
"Sven, I have brought you the Tree of Life!"
The King, riding a magic carpet, slowly flew over.
Xiao Xun glanced at him; the King was empty-handed.
"Your Majesty, where is the Tree of Life?"
The King pointed to the sky. "It's with you!"
Xiao Xun looked suspicious. "Let's not waste time, Your Majesty. Please clarify."
"The Tree of Life is around the Queen's neck."
Xiao Xun gave Bai Yang a look. Bai Yang instantly disappeared and then reappeared beside Xiao Xun, along with the Queen, who seemed like an immortal descended to earth.
Upon seeing the King, the Queen collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face. "Your Majesty..."
The King extended his hand. "My dear, do not be afraid, they will not harm you."
Xiao Xun snorted, confirming his suspicions. He had not expected the King to be so fond of his Queen that he would even entrust their national treasure to her.
After the King spoke, Xiao Xun immediately thought of the dazzling diamond necklace around the Queen's neck.
Xiao Xun crouched down and looked at the diamond. "Is this the Tree of Life? Hmph! I don't believe it..."
"You don't believe me?" the King said coldly. "If you don't believe it, then so be it!"
Saying that, the King turned to leave.
"If you dare to leave, I dare to kill!" Xiao Xun said through gritted teeth.
"Sven, what exactly do you want?" the King roared. "I have brought you the Tree of Life. If you don't believe it, what other way can I prove it?"
"I want the Tree of Life, not a piece of transparent stone!" Xiao Xun said.
"Alas, Sven, this truly is the Tree of Life!" The Archmage Gusna also flew up.
Xiao Xun reached out to the Queen. The King nodded at the Queen. "Give it to him!"
The Queen took off the diamond necklace. Xiao Xun took it and then, with his bare hands, detached the diamond.
"You say this stone is the Tree of Life?"
Gusna nodded and pointed at the King. "The King and I both advanced to Archmage under the Tree of Life, ten thousand years ago..."
Xiao Xun frowned. "I don't have time for stories. Tell me quickly, how do I use this thing?"
The King said, "Find some soil, plant the Tree of Life, and then activate it with light magic. The tree will then emit power."
Xiao Xun stomped on the plaza tiles twice. "There's no soil here. How am I supposed to test it? What if it's fake?"
He had to be wary; there were too many tricksters nowadays.
Xiao Xun pondered for a moment, then smiled. "Two Archmages, with your strength, can't you create an environment for the Tree of Life to grow?"
The King did not understand Xiao Xun's meaning and asked, "How can we create an environment?"
Xiao Xun pointed at the floor beneath them. "Right here! Smash a brick, extract some soil, have one person support it with magic from below, and the other plant the Tree of Life!"
The King nodded. "Alright, I agree, but you release them first!"
Xiao Xun raised his index finger, shook it, and smiled. "I won't be so foolish as to release them now. In fact, what was thrown down earlier was just an ape-like creature. Your Guard Captain is still in the air. If you don't do as I say, I can't guarantee I won't get impatient and throw them all down together, see how many your magic carpet can catch."
"I will prepare immediately, but you must guarantee their safety!"
With that, Elizabeth and Gusna simultaneously channeled their magic, bringing up the soil.