In truth, once the name Jiang Chen appeared in the Huichun Island Domain, the choice became remarkably easy. One could say that under the current circumstances in the Huichun Island Domain, having a backer was itself something to be coveted yet nearly impossible to obtain. And Jiang Chen was without question the most ideal choice.
Many people in the Huichun Island Domain also knew that Prince Huo had repeatedly traveled to Dongyan Island bearing gifts, hoping to pay a visit to Young Master Jiang Chen.
However, most of them treated it as a joke. They didn't believe Prince Huo had any real chance, and they certainly didn't think Jiang Chen would waste his time lingering in a backwater like Dongyan Island.
So they never expected him to succeed.
But things had a way of defying expectations. Prince Huo had somehow pulled it off — he had actually managed to invite Young Master Jiang Chen.
This was no small matter.
If they could truly win Young Master Jiang Chen's favor, the implications would extend far beyond simply dealing with the Sancai Island Domain. It would be immensely beneficial to the future development of the Huichun Island Domain as a whole.
Therefore, once the Emperor set the tone, there was virtually no dissent.
"Brother, has Young Master Jiang Chen already arrived in our Huichun Island Domain?" the Emperor asked.
"Yes. I have already settled him in the Spring Spirit Court. Brother, once the court session ends, you should go meet Young Master Jiang Chen in person. We are a lesser domain — adopting a humble posture is no disgrace."
"Mm, mm. I shall go pay a visit to Young Master Jiang Chen myself." The Emperor was no rigid fool, and he certainly didn't dare put on airs before Jiang Chen, summoning the young man to come see him instead.
If he tried something like that, he would be a fool courting death.
The moment the court session ended, the Emperor departed with Prince Huo and headed personally for the Spring Spirit Court. It was clear the Emperor took this matter extremely seriously.
Upon learning that Jiang Chen's group had virtually annihilated twelve high-stage Heavenly realm cultivators in the blink of an eye, the Emperor felt every hair on his body stand on end.
Twelve high-stage Heavenly realm cultivators — that was nearly half the main fighting force of all the surrounding hostile powers combined.
And they had been wiped out with such ease.
This drove home to everyone in the Huichun Island Domain, from top to bottom, just how vast the gap between them and the true Ten Great Divine Kingdoms really was.
Outside the Spring Spirit Court, Jiang Chen made no show of arrogance. He received the Huichun Island Domain's Emperor and Prince Huo with perfect courtesy and warmth.
He made no mention whatsoever of what had happened at Dongyan Island.
The Emperor, upon seeing Jiang Chen's bearing and refinement, felt secretly delighted. He had feared that Jiang Chen might be an overbearing type who took the gifts but did nothing, or carried out his obligations half-heartedly.
But it was clear now that Young Master Jiang Chen was a thoroughly reasonable person.
That made negotiations far easier.
"Your Majesty, regarding the matter Prince Huo previously promised, you as the Emperor will need to make the final call. If you can confirm it, then it's settled." Jiang Chen's attitude was unequivocal.
The Emperor hastened to reply: "Confirmed! Absolutely confirmed! That island chain — rather than letting it fall into the hands of those brutes from the Sancai Island Domain, it's far better to gift half of it to Young Master Jiang Chen."
"Settled?"
"Settled!" The Emperor's tone was iron-clad.
Jiang Chen smiled faintly and rose to his feet. "Then let's go. To the Sancai Island Domain."
Seeing Jiang Chen act with such directness, the Emperor and Prince Huo exchanged a glance. But they were, after all, men of high station and quickly caught on.
"Brother, I'll entrust this matter to you entirely. Muster the troops and accompany Young Master Jiang Chen. Make sure the Sancai Island Domain is beaten into complete submission — leave them no possibility of stirring up trouble again!"
Jiang Chen, however, simply smiled with mild amusement. "No need for a large force. When two powers clash, taking out the head is enough. Why kill more than necessary?"