The God of Endings, Jessijonxi, and the God of Annihilation, Xietu, were both in disbelief.
"Goddess of Elves, are you truly intending to provoke a war?"
Upon hearing this, the Goddess of Elves turned to him furiously.
"Who exactly provoked the war? If it weren't for your two meddling and causing trouble time and again, how could this war have erupted?"
"Therefore, you should stop your incessant chatter. We shall now, as you wish, initiate a war."
Xiao Mo waved his hand impatiently, saying, "Stop your bickering and let's fight directly. Don't waste any more time. I've grown tired of waiting."
At this moment, however, the God of Endings, Jessijonxi, and the God of Annihilation, Xietu, began to tremble in fear.
Jessijonxi, the God of Endings, said with a pained expression, "If we agree to compensation, we are willing to pay you one hundred million Origin Crystals. Can we then avoid war?"
"After all, the current situation is very clear, and avoiding conflict is the best option for us."
Xiao Mo glanced at him and asked, "Oh? Then can you abandon your brother, the God of Extinction, Lairner?"
Jessijonxi's face contorted in anger.
"That is absolutely out of the question! You must hand over my brother!"
"This is our contract. You promised me that you would let me see my brother within seven days. Now, only three days remain. I hope the Lord of the Immortal-Demon Empire will keep his word."
Xiao Mo was almost amused to the point of laughter by Jessijonxi's shameless words.
"God of Endings, Jessijonxi, don't forget that our agreement was predicated on your non-interference with our Immortal-Demon Empire."
"Or have you forgotten what you've been doing recently?"
"Even after the seven days are up, I will not allow you to see the God of Extinction, Lairner, again."
Hearing this, Jessijonxi's face turned ashen.
"Is there truly no room for negotiation?"
Xiao Mo smiled slightly, "Of course, there is. As a loyal advocate for peace on the Primordial Continent, I too do not wish for war to erupt."
"Therefore, I am willing to resolve everything with Origin Crystals. If you can provide another fifty million Origin Crystals, you can then see your brother."
"Fifty million?!" Jessijonxi exclaimed incredulously, "Are you trying to rob us? Fifty million is an astronomical sum!"
Xiao Mo shook his head. "Oh? It seems that the God of Extinction, Lairner, is not that important to the God of Endings, Jessijonxi, after all."
"You're unwilling to part with even fifty million? How stingy!"
Seeing Jessijonxi fall into silence, Xiao Mo turned his attention to Xietu, the God of Annihilation, who was scowling beside him.
"God of Annihilation, Xietu, I will give your evil faction another chance. If you can deliver one hundred million Origin Crystals as compensation to our Immortal-Demon Empire, I will let this matter go."
Xietu frowned, an aura of dark, unapproachable pressure emanating from him.
"Your Majesty, Lord of the Immortal-Demon Empire, what do you mean by that? Shouldn't these one hundred million Origin Crystals be paid to you by all three factions simultaneously?"
"Are you suggesting that our evil faction, the God of Extinction Pantheon, and the Glorious Empire should each pay you one hundred million Origin Crystals?"
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Xiao Mo nodded without hesitation. "Naturally. You have all witnessed the power of my empire's defenses."
"However, your actions have damaged our imperial shield. Therefore, you should compensate us."
"Furthermore, an imperial shield is equivalent to a divine artifact. For you to purchase a divine artifact for three hundred million Origin Crystals, it seems like you're the ones profiting!"
"Moreover, I haven't even accounted for the emotional distress our Immortal-Demon Empire's citizens have suffered!"
"I'm already showing you considerable courtesy. I hope you don't overstep your bounds!"
Upon recalling the formidable power of the imperial shield, the individuals present felt that Xiao Mo's words were indeed accurate.
The three of them had indeed damaged the imperial shield. Paying three hundred million Origin Crystals, when viewed this way, did not seem so exorbitant.
In fact, it even felt somewhat like a bargain.
However, they were unaware that the imperial shield had not been destroyed. Its energy had merely been depleted, leading to its current state. With a simple activation from the Imperial Heart, Xiao Mo could restore its former might.
Xietu, the God of Annihilation, and Jessijonxi, the God of Endings, both agreed.
"I am willing to pay this one hundred million Origin Crystals!"
Jessijonxi felt that if he was going to pay one hundred million Origin Crystals, then paying an additional fifty million to save his brother was a negligible amount.
Thus, he declared, "Then I will give you one hundred and fifty million Origin Crystals, including my brother's share."
At this point, however, Hesiahdam, the Lord of the Glorious Empire, strongly objected.
"Lord of the Immortal-Demon Empire, this is not fair! Why should I also pay you one hundred million Origin Crystals?"
"Did I not already agree to stand with you against the evil faction and the God of Extinction Pantheon?"
"Since I am now on your side, surely I don't need to pay any Origin Crystals."
Xiao Mo shrugged. "Indeed. Didn't we agree to confront the evil faction and the God of Extinction Pantheon together?"
"However, Jessijonxi, the God of Endings, and Xietu, the God of Annihilation, have decided not to engage in war and opt for a monetary resolution."
"If you refuse, then you will have to face them alone."
"As long as you can drive off the evil faction and the God of Extinction Pantheon, you will not have to pay any Origin Crystals."
"Otherwise, you stand here for naught, causing destruction and yet refusing compensation. Do you find that fair?"
Before Hesiahdam, the Lord of the Glorious Empire, could respond to Xiao Mo's words, Xietu, the God of Annihilation, and Jessijonxi, the God of Endings, became enraged.
"There must be compensation! The destruction of the imperial shield was initiated by you! Why should you not have to pay?!"
The evil faction and the Glorious Empire harbored existing animosity. Seeing Hesiahdam, the Lord of the Glorious Empire, attempting to evade compensation, Jessijonxi and Xietu were the first to voice their displeasure.
While Hesiahdam, the Lord of the Glorious Empire, feared Xiao Mo, he did not fear Jessijonxi and Xietu.
"Are you in any position to speak now? Did you not hear what the Lord of the Immortal-Demon Empire said? If I drive you away, I will not have to pay."