For the survivors of the subterranean world, Chen Yu’s development was undeniably and overwhelmingly superior.
He possessed substantial funds and, at his foundation, a city-state. Looking across the entire subterranean world, perhaps fewer than one-third of survivors overall had even encountered a city-state. Those like Xu Nuo and Jiang Yaqing, who had more ample advantages than other survivors from the early days in the subterranean world, only managed to spread their influence outwards to a limited extent. They had made contact with city-states but had not yet found a point of entry. Let alone owning one!
“Yaqing, don’t blame me for speaking frankly, but our situations are entirely different,” Xu Nuo murmured in the projection. “My family patriarch has been confirmed as my father. I am the only legitimate daughter, so everything in the family’s future will go to me. Now, think about your situation. What is it like?”
Jiang Yaqing, her lips pressed together, remained silent for a long time. She could not refute him.
Xu Nuo might not command a vast amount of resources, and she wasn’t well-known in the regional rankings. Her situation was mainly due to her family’s strategy differing from Jiang Yaqing’s family. Her family’s resources were concentrated under Xu Nuo’s father. The aim was to establish a foundation as early as possible, with core family members rallying towards his position. This family model had been established from the initial entry into the subterranean world.
Jiang Yaqing’s family situation was more peculiar. It was somewhat similar to the Dongguo clan. Her clan was a decentralized group. Besides Jiang Yaqing’s father, those holding real power included his uncles and aunts. Before entering the subterranean world, various factions within the clan were in a state of competition. This was because the clan’s elder was still alive, and the successor to the next clan patriarch was not yet clearly defined. This had led to Jiang Yaqing’s faction, with her at the forefront, receiving preferential treatment and resource allocation. With more resources came greater pressure.
“Don’t blame me for meddling, but I heard that the elder in your family is about to pass away,” Xu Nuo narrowed her eyes. “Your fourth uncle and second uncle are both developing quite well. You appear to control an ice mine, but its true value hasn’t been realized yet. This time, although you negotiated for equipment for the clan, your fourth uncle controls two elemental ore veins, and your second uncle commands six combat-type spirit beasts.”
“Stop talking!” Jiang Yaqing, clenching her fists, couldn’t help but exclaim. She was truly frustrated. Despite being the younger generation, due to her father’s health and his relatively weak personality, everyone in their faction had pinned their hopes on her. Logically, she had developed very well! She had a five-colored treasure chest and obtained a celestial-grade piece of equipment. Chen Yu had also provided her with some sets in the early stages, giving her an absolute advantage within her clan during the initial exploration. The elder had even considered designating her as the successor.
However, not long ago, her second uncle gained the favor of a terra-dragon. All six cubs were given to him. Her fourth uncle had somehow explored two elemental ore veins; although they were still being mined manually, they were a veritable goldmine. Most importantly, the use of elemental fragments was clear. Her ice crystal mine was not!
Although she often appeared carefree and relaxed in her daily life, the pressure she felt was greater than anyone else’s. If the position of patriarch truly didn’t fall to their faction, given the personalities of her second uncle and fourth uncle, they would undoubtedly crush all members of their faction. Even if not crushed, stopping resource support would be enough for them to suffer!
“Don’t be so vexed, I’m looking out for you,” Xu Nuo said softly, sensing Jiang Yaqing’s inner turmoil. “If you could truly form a union with Chen Yu, then there would be no surprises in your clan’s competition. Everyone would naturally lean towards you. You still hold an advantage. Your relationship with him is probably the closest among everyone in the subterranean world. If that woman, Jiang Lan, were to find out about Chen Yu’s existence, do you think you could compete with her?”
“You’re overthinking,” Jiang Yaqing said, shaking her head repeatedly. “Chen Yu and I are merely allies; it’s not as complicated as you think. As for my family matters, I know what I’m doing.”
“Others may not understand you, but don’t I understand you? Do you truly consider Chen Yu just an ally?”
For a moment, facing Xu Nuo’s questioning, Jiang Yaqing fell silent again.
“Putting that aside, I have a favor to ask you. Help me find someone,” Jiang Yaqing whispered. “Doesn’t your family have a widespread news network in the Batu Kingdom? Help me find someone named Su Zhan. I’ve already sent you the specific information.”
“Su Zhan.” Xu Nuo frowned as she looked at the message Jiang Yaqing sent. “Who is this? I don’t recall.”
“Chen Yu asked me to help find him. I don’t know the exact nature of their relationship. Haven’t you always wanted to befriend Chen Yu? If you can find this person for him, I’ll tell him truthfully,” Jiang Yaqing said. “Also, regarding that Ye City, tell your family to make a choice with Chen Yu.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ye City is Chen Yu’s adversary. In the early stages, Ye City schemed behind the scenes to suppress Chen Yu. Although Chen Yu hasn’t explicitly said what he’ll do to Ye City, I don’t think they can coexist.”
“Hiss!” To her surprise, Xu Nuo showed a hesitant expression. Making a choice between Chen Yu and Ye City, she couldn’t immediately make a decision.
“I need to consider this carefully,” Xu Nuo murmured after a long period of contemplation, her gaze fixed. “You know, Ye City is also developing well, and their family has always had a close relationship with mine.”
“Just don’t sell me out.”
“Don’t worry.”
After a bit more casual chat between the two best friends, the video call ended. As soon as the call was over, Jiang Yaqing seemed overcome with exhaustion, nearly collapsing in the vast expanse of white snow. Fortunately, before she fell, two adorable Emperor Penguins caught her.
“Thanks~” Jiang Yaqing said with a smile, stroking the penguins’ heads. The two penguins flapped their little wings, chirping as if inviting Jiang Yaqing to play.
“Sister doesn’t want to play, Sister feels a bit tired.” Sitting in the snow, Jiang Yaqing’s eyes were filled with weariness as she gazed at the surrounding snow.
Spirit beasts?! Mines?! If we’re talking about spirit beasts, the Eternal Ice Plains where she was located were full of them. As for mines, she had several ice crystal mines here that would last for hundreds, even thousands, of years. It was just that the ownership of the ice crystal mines wasn’t hers, and these spirit beasts couldn’t leave the Eternal Ice Plains with her. These couldn’t be counted as her achievements!
“Why, why?!” Jiang Yaqing, clenching her fists tightly, gritted her teeth. She didn’t understand why the clan would overlook her achievements and favor her second uncle and fourth uncle. She also didn’t understand why her best friend, Xu Nuo, advised her to rely on Chen Yu instead of believing in her own abilities.
‘Isn’t it good to be the master of the Eternal Ice Plains, to be the Ice Queen of the subterranean world?’ Suddenly, Chen Yu’s figure appeared in Jiang Yaqing’s mind, along with those low whispers echoing in her head, causing her to involuntarily look back at the ice plains.
Jiang Yaqing, even if you truly wish to stand by Chen Yu’s side, it should be as an equal. He doesn’t need a mere vase for him to admire!
Murmuring to herself, Jiang Yaqing bit her lip. Suddenly, as if she had made a decision, she looked at the Emperor Penguins still circling around her and took out a glowing crystal from her pocket.
‘Ding——’
‘Upon activating the Excited Ice Heart, you will face the final challenge from the Ice City Lord. If the challenge is successful, the Eternal Ice Plains will undergo a change of ownership. Do you wish to use it?’