"Very well, secondly, the authority of the Sumeru Palace Mini World - hand over half of it, and I will keep it for you. I’ll return it after one cycle of sixty years."

"Please know, Star Lord, that when the Palace Master left, he only left the young Palace Master with fifty percent of the Heaven and Earth Authority," Zhang Fei said. "The Palace Master took thirty percent of the authority himself, which is currently unaccounted for."

"Then hand over thirty percent, you keep twenty percent, and I will keep it for you for sixty years," Tianyang Star Lord said.

Haoyue already understood the intentions of Vice Palace Master Zhang Fei. Although angry, she no longer cursed.

She knew that cursing would be of no use.

"The young Palace Master will definitely hand it over."

"Thirdly, the control of your cultivation inheritance secret realm, Sumeru Cave Heaven, must be transferred to me for safekeeping. If anyone needs enlightenment, they can apply to me," he said.

"That’s necessary," Zhang Fei agreed again.

"Very well, fourthly, as per Brother Luo’s instructions, I will carefully nurture his daughter, Haoyue, until she reaches the ninth tier in cultivation. From today onwards, Haoyue will relocate to my Tianyang Star Hall Mini World in Haoyue Palace for secluded cultivation, and may leave after one cycle or upon reaching the ninth tier," Tianyang Star Lord said once more.

As soon as these words were spoken, Luo Haoyue, who had been forced to kneel, widened her beautiful eyes angrily, wanting to curse the old thief that was Tianyang Star Lord.

What secluded cultivation? This was clearly an act to imprison her for sixty years.

As for sixty years later, Sumeru Palace would have most likely forgotten about her, whether she lived or died, and no one would care!

This is not protection!

This is to sever the lineage!

Vice Palace Master Zhang Fei, who had been observing Haoyue the entire time, had long anticipated this. He immediately used Star Power to control Princess Haoyue and bowed his head in response. "Haoyue grew up in the Sumeru Palace and rarely left the outside world. Now that the Palace Master has passed, not only is the young Palace Master struggling in her homeland, but Haoyue, as the young Palace Master, also needs to oversee the relevant matters of Sumeru Palace.

We ask Star Lord for mercy.

Allow the young Palace Master to cultivate within Sumeru Palace until she reaches the ninth tier before leaving.

Whenever she wishes to go out, she will seek your permission, Star Lord."

Tianyang Star Lord frowned, not very satisfied.

Zhang Fei continued, "With the Palace Master’s recent passing, only the young Palace Master Haoyue can pass down various methods in the palace. If she leaves, I fear that Sumeru Palace may become a mere empty name. The prior conditions might not be fulfilled. We ask for Star Lord’s mercy."

Tianyang Star Lord frowned again at hearing the implied message.

Keeping the young Palace Master in the Sumeru Mini World was Vice Palace Master Zhang Fei’s bottom line.

After a moment of contemplation, the Tianyang Star Lord agreed decisively, choosing to obtain the inheritance first.

After gaining the inheritance, he could cultivate for a while to greatly enhance his powers, especially his Space Star Techniques, which were elusive. By then, he would no longer be constrained by Xu Jin.

First, agree to this; once the items are in hand, the fate of everyone in Sumeru Palace will be at his discretion.

"Very well, but your authority of the Star-picking Tower in Sumeru Palace must be handed over to me."

"Sure," Zhang Fei readily agreed. This was Tianyang Star Lord’s intent to control their contact with the outside world.

"So, let’s proceed with it now," Tianyang Star Lord said. As his voice fell, Zong Yan, a Seventh Tier Ninth Layer Peak knelt beside him, felt anxious and coughed lightly to draw attention while shifting his position.

This cough caught the attention of Tianyang Star Lord.

The Tianyang Star Lord pondered for a few moments, deciding that keeping Zong Yan, this internal infiltrator, would be useful. He could keep watch over Sumeru Palace in his absence.

"By the way, Brother Luo’s last wish was for his daughter Haoyue to marry my second disciple, Zong Yan, and together they would oversee the Sumeru Palace," the Star Lord added.

On hearing this, Haoyue widened her beautiful eyes in anger, glaring at Zong Yan. Vice Palace Master Zhang Fei also glanced at Zong Yan.

And suddenly, everything was clear.

No wonder the Tianyang Star Lord could slip in unnoticed despite the Star Gate being closed.

Turns out there was an internal traitor facilitating.

Naturally, Haoyue wouldn’t agree to this.

But Vice Palace Master Zhang Fei said, "If it’s the Palace Master’s last wish, it must be carried out. At that time, we would request the Lord to oversee the grand wedding ceremony.

However, with the Palace Master’s recent passing, as his children, we must first observe a three-year mourning period, which is a moral obligation. This grand wedding must be postponed for three years. We ask for Star Lord’s permission."

"A moral obligation; naturally, that’s permissible."

The Tianyang Star Lord wasn’t too concerned about this. His primary focus now was acquiring the Sumeru Palace’s inheritance.

Xu Jin’s mastery of space techniques combined with thunder star skills had invoked his deepest envy.

He believed that if he could master the Space Star Techniques, he could become like Xu Jin.

"Fine, but before that, I ask the Lord to uphold the previous agreement and swear a Great Dao Oath, ensuring that you will protect our Sumeru Palace for sixty years, prevent anyone from harming the young Palace Master Haoyue, and guarantee her continual residence in Sumeru Palace, along with her authority and freedom in the Sumeru Mini World," Zhang Fei finally voiced the condition.

The Tianyang Star Lord’s expression turned cold, glaring at Zhang Fei for a long time before speaking, "And what if I refuse to swear this Great Dao Oath?"

In response, Vice Palace Master Zhang Fei stood tall, looking back at the majestic and splendid Sumeru Palace behind him. Slowly, he placed his palm on the head of Haoyue, the young Palace Master, gazing at her full of doting affection,

"In life, the Palace Master adored our little Princess Haoyue the most, willing to give her anything and not letting her suffer the slightest bit. I watched her grow up, and naturally, I don’t want her to suffer in the future either."

As he spoke, silvery Space Star Power emanated from his palm, enveloping Princess Haoyue’s entire body. "If in the future she must endure suffering, then it would be better to send her off today to follow the Palace Master, it would be cleaner that way!"

"You dare!" The Tianyang Star Lord’s expression changed dramatically. However, Princess Haoyue, being wrapped in Space Star Power, it was too late, and he dared not make any reckless moves.

"Star Lord, in the entire Sumeru Palace, only Princess Haoyue has the freedom to impart the Sumeru Palace’s inheritance and open the Sumeru Space Secret Realm. Consider this," said Zhang Fei.

Having said this, Zhang Fei ignored the Tianyang Star Lord. The Space Star Power around him surged, with his Divine Thought in full alert, turning to look at Princess Haoyue with two streams of cloudy tears rolling down his cheeks.

"Haoyue, don’t blame your Uncle Zhang! I’ll send you to your father soon, and it won’t hurt, not at all," Zhang Fei said in a trembling voice.

Feeling the crisis, Haoyue’s delicate body trembled uncontrollably, yet she understood Zhang Fei’s intentions. This path of death was her only chance of survival.

To place oneself in danger for a chance at rebirth.

But Zhang Fei wasn’t joking.

If Tianyang Star Lord made any move, Zhang Fei would indeed kill her instantly!

This was the most brutal life-and-death gambit.

It wasn’t just mental fortitude.

The Tianyang Star Lord, such an old fox, wouldn’t be easily bluffing!

Only a real threat could maybe bring a shred of hope for survival.

Princess Haoyue, trembling all over, bit her lip until it bled, yet she nodded with determination.

"Uncle Zhang, I don’t blame... you, nor am I afraid!

You do it, I.... I won’t feel any pain!"

In an instant, the expression of the Tianyang Star Lord became extremely dark.

Zhang Fei, having reached the Late Eighth Tier but highly proficient in Space Star Techniques, had already set up his defense.

If he attacked with full force, at the fastest two strikes, and at the slowest three to four strikes, he could take down Zhang Fei.

But Zhang Fei needed just an instant to kill Haoyue.

The next moment, Tianyang Star Lord looked to his internal informant, Zong Yan, directly transmitting a question about the truthfulness of Zhang Fei’s words.

[It’s true! What Old Zhang said is true. I’ve learned the Space Origin Void Image, but I’m under a Divine Soul Sealing, and without the Palace Master’s permission, can’t teach it to anyone. The Sumeru Secret Realm should also be under Haoyue’s control.] Zong Yan confirmed.

[Useless!] the Tianyang Star Lord transmitted in anger.

"Haoyue, don’t worry. If you die, everyone within the palace will accompany you. You won’t be lonely on the journey," soothing Haoyue, Zhang Fei turned to the Tianyang Star Lord. "Star Lord, our lives and deaths are all in your decision.

If you swear the Great Dao Oath, we live.

If not, I’ll first send Haoyue off, and then join the others in death." Zhang Fei’s face was full of resolve, speaking with great serenity.

After a long while, the Tianyang Star Lord finally submitted.

"Very well, I will swear the Great Dao Oath."

Once he obtained the Sumeru Palace’s inheritance, these people, within the small world, couldn’t stir any waves.