Negotiations

This kid has a peculiar aura about him, one that even Di Tian can't figure out. Why is that?

Perhaps it's because of that Deity.

Di Tian naturally knew Ye Su, the Deity who claimed to be omniscient and omnipotent, the only true god on earth in millions of years.

It was hard not to know him.

Ripples spread across the Lake of Life in the core area of the Star Dou Forest, sunlight filtering through the gaps in the ancient, towering trees, casting dappled golden light onto the water's surface.

Di Tian stood by the lake, hands clasped behind his back. His dark golden dragon-patterned robes swayed slightly in the night breeze as he gazed at the boy opposite him, who barely reached his waist.

This Solomon, known to humans as the "Holy Son," met his gaze with eyes of gold that seemed to see through everything.

"May I ask why the Holy Son has come?" Di Tian's deep voice echoed through the forest. He deliberately emphasized the word "Sir," and a flicker of inquiry crossed his dragon's vertical pupils.

The aura emanating from this human cub was too strange; it was as pure as a newborn chick, yet possessed a depth that even he couldn't fathom.

Solomon smiled faintly, his golden eyes rippling with a watery sincerity.

He reached up and gently stroked the silver cross hanging on his chest. The sacred aura flowing from it caused the Soul Beasts hiding in the shadows to let out uneasy growls.

"Mr. Di Tian is too kind," the boy's voice was as clear as a spring. "I have come today hoping to reach a cooperation agreement with everyone in the Star Dou Forest."

Di Tian's brows twitched, dark scales faintly appearing on his neck.

He naturally thought of the Soul Beast Contract that had been causing a stir in the human world recently.

But he feigned ignorance, his tone laced with a hint of amusement, "Oh? What kind of cooperation can there be between humans and Soul Beasts?"

"Times are changing, Mr. Di Tian," Solomon said neither subserviently nor arrogantly. "The conflict between Soul Beasts and humans has lasted too long; it's time to find a new path."

"More importantly, the Lord is merciful and cannot bear to see humans and Soul Beasts slaughtering each other. This is the Lord's will, and we are merely executors." As he spoke, the sunlight overhead seemed to brighten, as if something above was indeed observing their conversation.

Hearing this, Da Ming, the Sky Azure Bull Python coiled by the lake, couldn't help but raise its massive head, its green scales glinting coldly in the moonlight. "Human, what do you mean by that?"

Solomon turned to Da Ming and said gently, "Da Ming, you should be well aware that the survival environment for Soul Beasts is deteriorating."

With a wave of his right hand, a three-dimensional map composed of light particles appeared in the air, marking the scope of human city expansion over the past century. "Human hunting and habitat reduction are undeniable facts."

Da Ming knew this; it had witnessed the mournful cries of Soul Beasts in the outer regions with its own eyes. Di Tian knew even better; in the eighty thousand years he had guarded this forest, he had personally watched the forest's borders recede by hundreds of miles.

The Black Dragon King's gaze sharpened. Thinking of the remains of his kin whose Spirit Rings had been stripped, and of the constantly felled ancient trees, his voice turned as cold as the profound ice of the far north. "So? What are you trying to say?"

"What I want to say is that the Lord is willing to provide shelter for Soul Beasts." Solomon's voice suddenly became ethereal, each word echoing as if carrying a Divine Oracle.

"The merciful and generous God is willing to shelter Soul Beasts and give them new choices."

The boy took a step forward, a six-pointed star-shaped light array blooming beneath his feet. "As long as the Star Dou Forest is willing to accept the Soul Beast Contract, we can designate special protected areas and prohibit humans from hunting Soul Beasts." He raised his left hand, and the light screen immediately displayed a projection of the forest enveloped by a Sacred Barrier. "At the same time, we can also help Soul Beasts improve their strength, and even help you break through the limit of one hundred thousand years."

"The so-called contract is nothing more than finding ways to make Soul Beasts your human slaves," Di Tian sneered, his dragon claws clenching as if grasping space itself, causing minute cracks to appear. "What's the difference between losing your freedom and the right to control your own life, and being dead?"

"Not so," Solomon said, unfazed by the approaching Dragon Might. The cross on his chest suddenly emitted a dazzling white light, nullifying the oppressive force.

The boy formed complex hand seals before his chest, and the contract rune instantly split into two. "This kind of contract is a reciprocal, equal contract; there's no such thing as one being a slave to the other."

"I swear in the name of the Lord!" Solomon's tone remained calm and gentle. "If there is even half a lie in these words, then let me fall into Hell forever, never to be freed!"

Solomon's oath echoed through the forest, startling countless golden light butterflies roosting in the treetops, forming a brilliant ribbon of light in the sunlight.

Di Tian's golden pupils contracted slightly. Swearing in the name of a Deity was an extremely solemn promise in the world of Soul Beasts.

"An equal contract?" Di Tian softly repeated the words, his tone laced with an indescribable complexity.

He thought of his wife who had perished under the Heavenly Tribulation, of his kin who had gone mad trying to break through their age limits, and even more so, he thought of his slumbering Lord at the bottom of the lake.

The Black Dragon King's sharp claws dug deeply into his palm, drops of dark red dragon blood falling onto the grass, instantly causing large patches of spiritual grass radiating Dragon Might to sprout.

Just then, a pink figure suddenly darted out from the woods.

"Uncle Di Tian!" Xiao Wu quickly stepped forward, her Soft Bone Rabbit's characteristic agility allowing her to instantly reach the center of the confrontation.

She held a snow-white Soft Bone Rabbit in her arms and said urgently, "What Brother Su said is true! Look at my Xiao Ba, even I can form a contract with a Soul Beast, look!" As she spoke, she displayed the rabbit-shaped mark flashing on the back of her hand, and the Soft Bone Rabbit nuzzled her cheek affectionately.

"Xiao Wu!" Da Ming suddenly interrupted, its massive snake tail slapping the water surface uneasily. "How can you be sure this isn't a human conspiracy?"

Er Ming also grumbled in agreement, "Yeah, Sister Xiao Wu, humans are the most deceitful!"

Xiao Wu stomped her feet in frustration. "Why don't you understand! Brother Su he..."

Solomon raised a hand, signaling her to calm down.

His gaze was as clear and steady as ever. He took a step forward. To be honest, he really wanted to deal with Di Tian severely right now, ah no, to contract him.

But the relationship between humans and Soul Beasts was already tense. If he acted like a bandit, he would definitely be rejected.

He had to take it slow.

He spoke gently, "Moreover, this is an opportunity for humans and Soul Beasts to change their interactions. I believe you, Di Tian, can understand that humans will never give up on becoming Spirit Masters. If we continue on the old path, the only way for humans to become Spirit Masters is to hunt Soul Beasts. And to survive, Soul Beasts will also hunt Spirit Masters. This is not good for either side."

He looked at Di Tian with a sincere tone, "Now that there's such an opportunity, why not give it a try?"

Having said that, his tone shifted as he looked towards the lake with its immense life energy. "Or perhaps, the Silver Dragon King hiding in the lake is unwilling?"