[Author's Note: The gap in wealth between a top 20 quadrant and a top 10 to 3 one is that large.]
It was no wonder Dyon was overflowing with more money than he knew what to do with. As things stood now, he only had to support a single universe. On top of that, the singular universe he was supporting wasn't even filled to capacity like much of the top tier quadrants experienced.
In addition to this, there were only about 8-9 more months before the Dark Ocean was completely sealed off, which would cause Dyon's wealth to reach an unimaginable level. And this was even before phase three was implemented!
Yet, he was asking for 30%!
This was shocking enough already, but Dyon and his Demon Generals knew something Aritzia and the Sapientia did not. While the Sapientia controlled 70% now, who was it that controlled 30%? Was it not Dyon's very own wife, Clara? If they signed over 30% to Dyon now, it would be the equivalent of handing 60% of the Sapientia Network to the Sacharro Clan! By then, their fates would be sealed.
"This… That's quite an ask." Aritzia hollowly chuckled. In any other circumstance, she wouldn't have even flinched at such a high asking price. Instead, she would smile and laugh, maintaining proper decorum. But, unfortunately, Dyon had thrown her mind out of focus, forcing her into a state where she couldn't control her own emotions.
"Is it? I don't think so. I was actually planning on asking for 50% originally." Dyon responded. "The fact you feel this way only means that you definitely do not understand the value of my knowledge."
Dyon shrugged. "I don't blame you. You don't seem to have much knowledge of what it means to be a Moon Lord at my age."
Aritzia's brows twitched, not liking what Dyon was insinuating. "Are you aware of how much the Sapientia Network is worth? Are you aware of why it's called the Sapientia Network to begin with? Do you believe my clan to be so narcissistic that it would slap its name onto an invention created by Comet Lord Gallagher?"
"Mm." Dyon nodded. "You're saying that the Network only has value because the people trust your clan. Except, you're wrong.
"I guarantee you that neither the Star Clan, the Sprite Clans, nor the Dragon Clans, trust your Sapientia Clan even the smallest bit. In fact, just listing 3 is a bit of an understatement, in my view. Yet, did they not also begin to use your Network?"
Aritzia began to feel like she was losing control of the conversation. It wasn't in her or her Clan's best interest that such things became public knowledge. They relied too much on laymen blindly believing in their integrity.
"Let's leave that alone for a moment. Let me ask you some questions instead." Dyon smiled. Seeing Aritzia sigh in relief, he knew he had firmly gained the upper hand. "Are you aware of what the celestial deer corner sells? Are you aware of the revenue it generates? Do you believe that we need it?"
Dyon's words struck Aritzia one after another, leaving her speechless.
"We only sell pills that Sapientia don't monopolize the market on. Do you really believe that I don't have superior recipes to pills you already sell? Or is it that you believe we are afraid of a Clan of Librarians?"
Those watching Dyon's mighty display couldn't help but intake a sharp breath. Afraid of the Sapientia Clan? How could a Clan capable of breeding a genius like Dyon be afraid of such a thing?
"If I so chose, the Sapientia wouldn't be able to sell a single pill, weapon, or array to anyone. I could suffocate you to the point of bankruptcy with a single thought."
Dyon's words grew more imposing, a calm Presence wafting out from within him as the flickering lights of moon qi slowly rose into existence.
"But," Dyon's imposing aura vanished in an instant, "I have no desire to do such a thing. The only reason I began selling pills in celestial corner to begin with was to reaccumulate the Faith my Sacharro Clan has been sorely lacking.
"But now, you've come to me, asking for my knowledge. And yet, you have no concept of what that knowledge it worth.
"You tell me, Lady Aritzia Sapientia, how much is everything the Sapientia have built to now worth? How much are your alchemy, formation, and weapon's master guilds worth?
"Since you've decided to piss me off, how much do you think your Sapientia Clan's place in this martial world is worth?"
Dyon didn't seem to care for Aritzia's response. For the first time in her life, Aritzia felt completely ignored. Could it really be that Dyon didn't care for her or her emotions at all?
"Begin!" Dyon's voice roared like thunder. "I've heard that quite a few individuals have been running their mouths. Let them know who the Demon Generals are."
In that moment, the deadpan Demon Generals roared into the skies, Presences of untold magnitudes layering atop each other to quake Central City itself.
The 2000 Demon Generals behind Dyon surged forward, leaving only himself and the 11 Vice Commanders. Those around watched in shock as they headed toward the doors, not just because of their powerful display, but also because not a single one approached a door ranked below Emperor!
The crowd couldn't believe what they were seeing. Weren't Dukes supposed to be rare? And if Dukes were rare, what did that mean for Kings? And if it meant that for Kings, then what about Emperors?!
Dyon knew the reality of the matter well. A large majority of his Demon Generals had only completed King trials, with only the Vice Commanders having completed Emperor trials.
So, despite this, why was it that they all swarmed the Emperor grade door? It was simple. King wasn't their limit!
One had to remember that much like Dyon, his Demon Generals took their trials with their cultivation sealed! However, unlike Dyon, they didn't have the innate comprehension of array alchemy needed in order to perfectly clear the second trial, nor did they have the Demon Sage's blood essence to rely upon to strengthen their bodies. Many of the Demon Generals weren't body path cultivators, or, at the very least, it wasn't their absolute focus. Yet, they were all forced to rely on nothing but their bodies to pass their trials!
One might think that Dyon was at a disadvantage during his trials, but the reality was that his Demon Generals were handicapped even more so!
