Uchiha Tenxiu and Uchiha Chiri slowly walked through the oasis environment transformed by the LouLan people.
Along the way, they saw many herdsmen, some riding camels, some driving sheep, living a peaceful life in this desert oasis.
After a period of travel, they finally arrived in front of the city of LouLan.
The city was tall and sturdy, its walls built from huge stones, and dozens of loyal, armored guards stood on the walls, holding long spears and vigilantly watching their surroundings.
"Who goes there?" When Uchiha Tenxiu and Uchiha Chiri approached, the guards immediately raised their spears and crossbows, aiming at the newcomers and shouting in unison, their voices echoing in the empty desert.
Because they were often attacked by creatures in the desert, the guards on the outer walls of LouLan's city were always armed, ready to deal with potential dangers.
Uchiha Tenxiu and Uchiha Chiri stopped, quietly watching the guards in front of the city gate.
When the guards' gazes fell on Uchiha Tenxiu, they were full of vigilance, but when they saw Uchiha Chiri, their expressions immediately changed, and Uchiha Chiri also spoke, "It's me, Uchiha Chiri, I've returned to visit the Queen!"
"Ah, it's Miss Zhili!" A guard said with a smile, his voice significantly gentler than before.
Uchiha Chiri smiled and nodded to the guards; she had visited the city of LouLan before and left a deep impression there.
It turned out that Uchiha Chiri not only helped LouLan slay the invading Desert Giant Spiders but was also commended by Her Majesty the Queen for it.
Her Majesty the Queen announced that the entire LouLan should treat Uchiha Chiri as a distinguished guest, granting her the highest courtesy.
It was precisely because of this that the guards on the outer walls showed such respect to Uchiha Chiri after seeing her.
"This is Lord Tenxiu, also a distinguished guest whom the Queen intends to invite, here for a visit," Uchiha Chiri introduced Uchiha Tenxiu to the guards.
"Oh, I see! Open the city gate..." The guard immediately nodded respectfully, then announced their passage.
"LouLan's population is roughly around eighty thousand, and its main biological resources rely on the materials naturally derived from this oasis transformed by the Dragon Vein.
This place is completely self-sufficient for a small number of people, and besides me, the most recent visitor was ten years ago, so it's a secret place to the Ninja World, with virtually no information spreading out!" Walking on the road to LouLan's royal palace, Uchiha Chiri began to introduce some things about the place, seemingly hinting at something.
"Mm!" Uchiha Tenxiu nodded and said, "No rush, let's first see the Queen's attitude! Although, no matter what, I must take the Dragon Vein, but since the Queen's attitude is to invite me, perhaps we don't need to cause much trouble!"
"Let's hope so!" Uchiha Chiri nodded, with some hope in her heart, yet not much confidence.
After all, LouLan in the desert has an oasis, and its life-sustaining needs are all dependent on the Dragon Vein, but now their goal is to take the Dragon Vein away.
How could the other party possibly be in a good mood?
Could it be that the other party would willingly hand over everything?
However, when Uchiha Tenxiu brought Uchiha Chiri before the Queen of LouLan...
"What, you said you would take us to retrieve the Dragon Vein!" Uchiha Chiri's eyes widened, looking at the Queen of LouLan in disbelief, momentarily forgetting her original plan.
What was this situation? Without the Dragon Vein, everything in LouLan, the vitality created here, would gradually disappear.
At that time, the entire kingdom of LouLan would lose its value for survival; without the resources and water produced by the Dragon Vein, how would these eighty thousand people of LouLan survive?
Had the other party not considered this?
Or was it that the other party simply didn't care about the people of LouLan?
No, when she came here, she could clearly see the Queen's love and compassion for her people.
Uchiha Chiri immediately ruled out that point.
Although she wanted to help Brother Tenxiu take the Dragon Vein, she had never thought of pushing these people into despair; instead, she planned to relocate them to the territory of the surrounding countries after taking the Dragon Vein.
This way, it would both increase the population of the surrounding countries and provide these people with a safe environment to grow.
But now, the Queen's attitude of completely giving away the Dragon Vein surprised Uchiha Chiri.
Was the other party so heartless?
Or was there another reason?
Uchiha Tenxiu, however, was not surprised; from the fact that the other party could foresee him, speak of the emperor from overseas, and the spirit of the Dragon Vein, there was a significant secret involved.
And now, to make such a move was not surprising at all.
Uchiha Tenxiu gazed at the Queen of LouLan opposite him; she was like a blooming flower, in the prime of her twenties, youthful and beautiful, with graceful charm.
Despite living in the vast desert of LouLan, she was like a pearl in the desert, completely unaffected; her skin was as white as snow, as warm and smooth as mutton-fat jade.
Her eyes were like torches, bright and piercing, full of sharp scrutiny, as if capable of seeing through everything, yet also revealing a light of pity and compassion, like the warm and gentle sun in winter.
Opposite, the youthful and graceful Queen of LouLan also bloomed with a gentle smile like a spring flower.
She parted her red lips slightly and softly explained, "I hope the two distinguished guests do not misunderstand; I absolutely do not disregard the people of LouLan.
In fact, it is precisely because I received important information transmitted to me by the Dragon Vein contained within LouLan that I deeply know this is undoubtedly the most appropriate arrangement for the people of LouLan!"
The Queen's words flowed like a murmuring stream, graceful and melodious.
She continued, "After all, if I were to resolutely refuse, would you easily give up this Dragon Vein?" With that, the Queen's lips curved slightly, revealing a hint of playful amusement.
She leisurely rested her fingers against her cheek, and with a half-smile, added, "According to the hints given to me by the Dragon Vein, even if I hadn't had Zhili send you a message earlier, you would surely come to take this Dragon Vein a few years in the future!
However, by then, I'm afraid we would have already lost the power to refuse! In comparison, by me proactively inviting you to come and take the Dragon Vein now, we can seize the opportunity to propose some conditions, which is already the best outcome for us LouLan."
"Then, what are your conditions, Queen?" Uchiha Tenxiu asked, "As long as the demands are not too excessive, I can guarantee to fulfill them; I never break my word!"
"Mm! I believe you, but I believe the Dragon Vein more!" The Queen of LouLan nodded, her red lips moving slightly as she said, "I have three conditions; if you agree, I will immediately take you to retrieve LouLan's Dragon Vein.
Of course, if you don't agree, I can't..."
"State your conditions!" Uchiha Tenxiu waved his hand, his expression calm, smiling as he directly agreed.
"Good! How straightforward!" The Queen of LouLan chuckled softly, a look of satisfaction in her eyes as she said, "My first condition is that after you take the Dragon Vein, you must treat our people of LouLan kindly, ensure their safety, and allow them to continue living in the Ninja World!"
"Second, if possible, please preserve the nation of LouLan and allow it to continue to exist.
After all, LouLan has existed for hundreds of years, and if it just disappears like this, we, as the royal lineage, will always feel a little uncomfortable!"
"Of course, if you cannot do it, I will not force you; I only hope you can find us a new land to live in.
As a future Emperor, you should be able to do this!"
At this point, the Queen of LouLan couldn't help but once again scrutinize Uchiha Tenxiu's expression to make her judgment.
