"The diplomatic letter—this Holy King has already read it. I'm also aware of the situation in the Dark Ring Realm. The army of the Dark Overlord, Sauron, has already reached your gates. He is ready to launch an extermination war against your kingdoms at any moment. The situation is dire, like fire and water, and disaster is imminent. Let me be frank: the Dark Ring Realm is indeed a target for Da Yi's conquest. If we wish to send troops, we can do so at any time."
Yi Tianxing looked at Gandalf and the others, nodded slightly, and spoke slowly.
The deeper meaning in his words wasn't hard for Gandalf to understand. Da Yi had clearly expressed its intentions: it desired the entire territory of the Dark Ring Realm under its dominion. How that goal was achieved didn't matter.
Da Yi could wait until Sauron destroyed all the kingdoms and factions and then make its move — appearing as a righteous force eliminating darkness and winning over hearts. Or it could act now, join forces with the local powers, and defeat Sauron's armies.
In the end, it was just a matter of choice — all dependent on Yi Tianxing's will and the interests of Da Yi.
But for Gandalf and the others, these words meant something else entirely:
If they agreed to Da Yi's terms, Da Yi would immediately dispatch troops. If they refused, Da Yi could wait until Sauron wiped them out, then come and clean up the mess. It would change nothing — only the timing.
And no one doubted Da Yi had that kind of power.
Having stayed in Da Yi for a while, they had learned much about its foundational strategy — the core of which was the Immortal Cities. As long as an Immortal City stood, no matter how desolate or dangerous the outside was, Da Yi could hold the region. The surrounding lands would naturally fall under Da Yi's control.
Each Immortal City was equivalent to a royal fortress — indestructible, protected by powerful defensive formations, and capable of housing millions. Once firmly established, destroying even one city was no easy task.
Even if Sauron took over the Dark Ring Realm, Da Yi could still come in afterward, deploy its cities, gather spiritual veins, purify the corrupted lands, and drive out the dark aura. It would take time, but within the cities, life would be unaffected. In fact, it might even be preferable — Da Yi would acquire a "clean slate," a realm wholly theirs.
Inside the grand hall, the ministers exchanged glances, amusement flickering in their eyes.
What had transpired in the Dark Ring Realm was no secret to Da Yi's high-ranking officials. Sauron was already dead — and he had died a rather pitiful death. His chances of returning were practically zero.
The emissaries from the Ring Realm, however, knew nothing of this.
It was a classic information gap.
With such an asymmetry of knowledge, negotiations would naturally tilt in Da Yi's favor.
But as long as they could secure the Ring Realm, all the maneuvering would be worth it. In matters of state, there is no such thing as shame — only success or failure.
Now that Sauron was dead, Da Yi's Immortal Cities had already begun to appear across his former territories, establishing control and relocating citizens.
The realm's fate was beginning to reflect back — the Destiny Dragon of Da Yi was growing stronger, feasting on this influx of destiny.
"Holy King Yi, we've come to request that Da Yi send troops to suppress the Dark Overlord Sauron and save the Dark Ring Realm from disaster. Furthermore, we have decided — if Da Yi will aid our peoples, then we of the Ring Realm are willing to accept Da Yi's rule. We would like to know, however, how Da Yi plans to accommodate the various races of our realm."
Gandalf took a deep breath and spoke solemnly.
This was the true purpose of their visit.
They had once held other ideas, but after witnessing Da Yi's prosperity with their own eyes, all those thoughts had vanished.
Now, the only question that remained was: what kind of treatment would Da Yi offer them?
"Titles and fiefdoms," Yi Tianxing said calmly. "Da Yi has always treated those who submit or join us with kindness. Within our territory, other races are not forbidden. Of course, we won't place them inside Immortal Cities, but we can assign them a region nearby to live and flourish. They may marry into our people — marriage between races is allowed. Once married, they can obtain Da Yi citizenship."
"Well said," Xun Yu added. "Da Yi embraces all rivers. We do not discriminate based on race. Your people may enter our cities, open shops, trade freely. Any who marry into our race will be fully integrated. Leaders of any faction, regardless of race, may obtain Da Yi citizenship and noble titles. One count per race is permitted. So long as your people follow our laws, they may walk Da Yi freely. If you have talented youths, they can even be sent to study in our academies and schools."
This was the sincerity Da Yi had prepared to offer — a policy already decided beforehand.
If the emissaries still weren't satisfied with this, there would be nothing left to discuss. At worst, Da Yi would simply sweep through the realm by force — casualties meant nothing. Da Yi had never feared bloodshed. It was all part of returning to their Iron-Blooded Great Wall legacy.
"If any strong individuals from your races wish to, they may enter the Tongtian Pavilion or the Hunter's Hall. In Da Yi, there is always a place for the capable."
Yi Tianxing added again.
"Holy King Yi, are the Númenóreans considered part of the human race?" Aragorn suddenly asked.
"Of course," Yi Tianxing replied calmly. "All humans who enter Da Yi become Yi People. We are all human kin."
Though the Númenóreans were fair-skinned, Da Yi didn't reject them. Once they joined Da Yi, they became Yi People. And due to a certain law encoded into Da Yi's Heavenly Mandate, any interracial marriage — especially with Da Yi's yellow-skinned population — would gradually shift the bloodline toward the Da Yi norm.
By the second or third generation, differences in skin color would vanish completely.
Assimilation.
A silent process.
By the time people noticed, it would already be too late.
And once someone lived in Da Yi long enough, would skin color really still matter? If anything, they would desire integration.
This was an unspoken rule of Da Yi.
No matter how strange or exotic the race, if they joined Da Yi, they would be assimilated — unless Da Yi itself collapsed and its laws dissolved.
Otherwise, this law would remain forever.
Maintaining it did consume some of Da Yi's destiny power, but the benefits far outweighed the cost.
"Thank you, Holy King," Aragorn said with a deep breath. "In that case, we of the Ring Realm — the major kingdoms and factions — are willing to accept Da Yi's rule. Please dispatch your troops and suppress Sauron."
There was firm resolve in his voice.
Their emissary mission had always prepared for this outcome. Now, making the choice was not difficult — it might even lead to a greater world than before.
"Very good. Join Da Yi, and you shall be treated as equals," Yi Tianxing nodded with a smile.
"Reporting to the Holy King: an envoy from the Tongtian Pavilion requests an audience."
At that moment, a eunuch stepped into the hall.
"Let them in."
Yi Tianxing smiled and nodded.
Soon, several figures entered the hall.
They were none other than Sikong Zhaixing, Pei Shouyue, and Fu Hongxue, among others.
As soon as they appeared, many officials exchanged amused glances — especially upon seeing the four "Thieving Dao" masters. Some even subconsciously tightened their legs.
"My reputation is ruined…"Li Sansi turned pale, despairing for his future.
"Is my name truly tarnished now?"Sikong Zhaixing looked at his own hand. Damn this cursed hand…
These thoughts flashed quickly.
Reaching the center of the hall, the group bowed respectfully.
"Holy King, the Supreme Dark Ring and the eight Sub-Rings are all here for your inspection," said Chu Liuxiang and the others in unison, each holding a jade box.
"The Dark Overlord Sauron has fallen, though his altar escaped. We await your judgment."
Pei Shouyue and Fu Hongxue added.
"There's no need for such formality. Sauron's death is great news. As for the altar escaping — let it go. What matters is that you won against a superior foe. If the Dark Ring Realm is unified, your contributions will be first-class and richly rewarded."
Yi Tianxing laughed and opened the jade box.
Inside were nine rings — the Supreme Dark Ring and the eight Sub-Rings — each radiating a strange rhythm, as if casting an invisible charm to tempt all nearby.
"The Supreme Dark Ring…"
"The Dark Overlord Sauron is truly dead…"
Within the emissary delegation, a wave of shock erupted. Gandalf, Aragorn, and the others stared in disbelief.
None of them had expected that the great shadow hanging over them — Sauron himself — would be gone so suddenly.