The elders discussed for a while, uncertain about whether to immediately halt the Genetic Store's activities on Purple Origin Star, so they turned to Gustone for advice.

"Gustone, you've been stationed on Purple Origin Star for many years, do you think we should continue servicing those primitive tribes, or temporarily cease our services?"

Gustone thought for a moment and replied:

"I'd like to ask the five elders, do we maintain a neutral stance among the various empires on Witch Star with our Genetic Store?"

"Of course, our Genetic Store doesn't involve itself in the conflicts between any empires, serving them all equally. When our Gustone ancestors established the Genetic Store, it was with the conviction to serve all of Witch Star, not a single empire.

Precisely because of our neutral policy, we've avoided getting entangled in the empire's conflicts, which in turn has led to the prosperity of our Genetic Store.

Since the establishment of our Genetic Store millennia ago, the powerful nations on Witch Star Continent have undergone several cycles of rise and fall, yet our Genetic Store has remained unaffected.

This is because of our neutral policy: we help no one and offend no one. Everyone needs us!"

Gustone nodded and said:

"The elders are right. Since our policy is neutral, providing services to the primitive tribes on Witch Star doesn't violate our neutrality policy, does it?"

"This?"

The elders exchanged glances and then smiled faintly.

"Gustone's words are spot on, hitting the essence of the issue."

"Indeed, doing business with the primitive tribes on Purple Origin Star does not violate our principle of neutrality."

"Although the primitive tribes have had some unpleasantness with the Great Dragon Empire, that's their matter, not ours."

...

An elder shook his head and said:

"I feel there's something wrong."

"What's wrong?"

"There's nothing wrong with serving the people of Witch Star, but the people of Purple Origin Star are not Witch Star people. To us, they are foreign tribes. If we help the primitive tribes on Purple Origin Star evolve, what if they turn into threats to our Witch Star's safety?"

The other four elders nodded in agreement, acknowledging the point.

Gustone was taken aback; he hadn't considered this aspect either, and it seemed reasonable.

The elders again turned their gaze to Gustone.

Gustone quickly said:

"Based on my decade-long experience on Purple Origin Star, even if the primitive tribes there reach the same level of genetic evolution as us on Witch Star, they still can't contend with us."

"Why?"

"The reason is simple. Currently, there are only a few hundred thousand primitives on the entire Purple Origin Star, not even a million. Think about it: the capitals of the Great Dragon Empire, Youming Empire, and Flying Leopard Empire each have populations exceeding ten million.

Witch Star has billions in population; how can primitives compete with us?"

"Hmm, Gustone's point is convincing. I agree."

An elder nodded in agreement.

"Moreover, there's a very crucial point: although Purple Origin Star is rich in Purple Crystal Stones, these can't be directly used. They must be converted into Genetic Potions to enhance genetic evolution.

Purple Origin Star lacks the technological capability to directly convert crystals into Genetic Potions. If our Genetic Store cuts off the supply, the primitive tribes will immediately lose their energy source for development,

so personally, I believe the primitive tribes of Purple Origin Star won't pose a threat, even if they produce a few Emperor Level Evolvers among them."

The five elders nodded, acknowledging Gustone's judgment.

"What do you think of the current opposition between the Great Dragon Empire and the primitive tribes?"

Gustone smiled slightly:

"It's simple. Yang Xiao leveraged the conflicts between the Flying Leopard Empire and the Great Dragon Empire, joining forces with the Flying Leopard and Youming Empires to suppress the Great Dragon Empire's development.

In other words, if not for the joint suppression by the Flying Leopard and Youming Empires, the Great Dragon Empire would have long sent troops to annihilate Yang Xiao's primitive tribes.

In the end, it's still a battle for interests among the three major empires on Witch Star. Yang Xiao is merely a sideshow in this."

"Hmm, with Gustone's analysis, we all agree. The Genetic Store should continue its services as usual, but you must closely monitor the development of the primitive tribes and report any major events to the Elder Court at once."

"Yes, esteemed elders, Gustone will closely observe the primitive tribes' development and report promptly."

"Alright, go back to work diligently. Gustone, I see potential in you. Work hard, and the future is bright."

An elder said, smiling warmly.

Gustone, hearing this, was overjoyed and quickly bowed, saying:

"Serving the Genetic Store and the esteemed elders is my pleasure."

"Haha, good, young man, you have a bright future!"

...

As Gustone stepped out of the Elder Court, a cool breeze blew, making him feel a chill down his spine. Unbeknownst to him, he had broken out in a cold sweat.

To be honest, Gustone was very worried the elders would order a halt in service to the primitive tribes. If that happened, he, as the person in charge of Purple Origin Star, would be marginalized, putting his future prospects in jeopardy.

Thankfully, he convinced the five elders, but now, thinking back, he felt a bit frightened.

...

In the Great Dragon Empire Palace, the Emperor and the War God were chatting privately.

"Brother, you were looking for me?"

"Yes, second brother, I wanted to talk to you privately about assassinating Yang Xiao."

"Are you not confident in me, brother? Worried I might repeat Long Kui's mistake?"

The Emperor of the Great Dragon Empire sighed and said:

"I am indeed a bit worried. If they can defeat Long Kui, they might defeat you as well, right? What if..."

"Hehe, brother still doesn't trust me. Actually, I've already inquired about the situation from several guards close to Jino and Long Kui. Honestly, Long Kui wasn't wronged in his death."

"Hmm? What do you mean by that, second brother?"

The Great Dragon Empire looked at the War God in surprise.

The War God said:

"Long Kui was always conceited and arrogant. He was supposed to assassinate Yang Xiao on Purple Origin Star, but ended up turning it into a great duel, one person against Yang Xiao's nine elders and a thousand Demon Beasts of the Empire Level Realm.

With such a powerful team battling Long Kui in turns, can you really expect him not to be defeated?"

"Alas, Long Kui is otherwise fine but too arrogant. His downfall this time is due to his arrogance. In my opinion, blend into the crowd quietly, wait for an opportunity when Yang Xiao is unguarded, strike suddenly and kill him in one blow, then high-tail it out of there. He wouldn't even know who killed him."

The Emperor of the Great Dragon laughed and said:

"If you're willing to stoop low, then I'm relieved!"

"Haha, brother, don't you know me yet? I can use any means to achieve my goals. If playing the fool helps assassinate Yang Xiao successfully, I can play the fool."

"Haha....."

The Great Dragon Emperor laughed and then asked:

"When do you plan to go to Purple Origin Star?"

"No rush. I reckon Purple Origin Star is heavily guarded now; ordinary people won't even get a chance to see Yang Xiao. They'll think I'll rush there for revenge immediately, but I won't go now.

After a month or two, when everyone assumes we won't retaliate against Yang Xiao anymore, I'll suddenly appear on Purple Origin Star, kill Yang Xiao in one fell swoop, and leave everyone in shock, how about that?"

"Brilliant, brilliant. Your plan is truly ingenious, second brother!"

"Haha, brother, how about teaming up with me to play the fool for a bit?"

"How do we play the fool?"

"Tomorrow, publicly in front of all the soldiers, I will pretend to be afraid of the primitive tribes on Purple Origin Star and refuse to assassinate Yang Xiao.

You can express understanding of my view and state the assassination requires further consideration.

We'll project a weak image to the outside world. This way, the Flying Leopard Empire will surely tell Yang Xiao that we don't dare seek revenge anymore,

When Yang Xiao lets his guard down, I'll have my chance to strike."