Deal Reached

Qingxian Hall

Di Xin sized up the middle-aged man before him. His scholarly demeanor and aura made it hard to believe he was the fierce individual who dared to confront a Saint.

"Kong Xuan greets the current Human King."

Kong Xuan smiled faintly, his bearing calm and steady. The moment he entered the grand hall, he had sensed Di Xin scrutinizing him, and he had seen through Di Xin's every intention at a glance.

Above Grand Unity Golden Immortal, below Quasi-Saint…

In other words, he posed no threat whatsoever!

Strength was the foundation of everything.

"Your subject Bi Gan and Shang Rong greet the Great King."

"Royal Uncle, you must be tired from your journey. Please rest at your residence first. Fei Zhong, you may also withdraw."

"Great King, this Kong Xuan..."

"Indeed!"

Bi Gan had witnessed Kong Xuan's divine abilities and worried that Di Xin might be attacked. As soon as he spoke, Fei Zhong tugged at his sleeve from behind. Only then did he join Fei Zhong in a formal farewell and depart.

In the vast Qingxian Hall, only Di Xin and Kong Xuan remained. The silence amplified an indescribable, subtle charm.

"I imagined you would be a bit more imposing."

Di Xin suddenly spoke, gesturing to the jade table beside him, and sat down opposite Kong Xuan.

Within his sea of consciousness, the Kongtong Seal bobbed and floated, radiating immense light, concealing his thoughts among billions of the Human Race to prevent them from being discovered.

Kong Xuan was no easy opponent, and this was his first time transacting with such a being. Naturally, he would be cautious, play it safe, and probe step by step.

"Tea or wine? Though I only have common varieties here."

"Wine, please. Without activating my magic, it can still induce some intoxication."

Kong Xuan smiled, his voice as if conversing with an old friend.

"Since Pangu created the heavens and earth, the two most imposing figures were the Ancestral Dragon, the source of the Dragon Clan, and Emperor Taiyi. However, both have now merged with the Great Desolation. My cultivation is far from theirs, so naturally, I wouldn't dare to be imposing."

"Indeed, a king's ambition and dominion, if not backed by strength, will ultimately be but an empty dream."

Di Xin seemed to sigh with emotion. He reached out and poured the wine, then pushed the cup with his right hand. It slid steadily and stopped perfectly in front of Kong Xuan, not a single drop spilled.

Regardless of whether the strength was sufficient, the presence had to be there!

"So, it's better to be at ease."

Kong Xuan raised an eyebrow and lightly tapped the table with his finger. Ripples spread across the wine in the cup, like a gentle breeze.

He refused after all...

Di Xin picked up his cup and drank it down in one gulp. This old peacock had lived in the human world for an unknown amount of time; he was no match for him in schemes and stratagems.

Their conversation, translated, was:

Di Xin: Do you want to dominate the Great Desolation?

Kong Xuan: Those who tried to dominate the Great Desolation are all dead.

Di Xin: That's because their strength wasn't enough.

Kong Xuan: I won't do it!

Sigh! In that case, I'll have to use my "sincerity" to move this old peacock!

"To be honest, I wish to recruit you. Whatever you desire, you may state it directly."

-- Thump!

Kong Xuan's finger stopped on the tabletop. He looked up in surprise at Di Xin. He had dealt with many straightforward people, and he knew over a dozen Human Kings from past generations, but this was the first time he had met such a direct Human King.

"Why?"

How did you know I would accept your recruitment?

Di Xin poured himself another cup of wine, using the alcohol as an excuse for his "sincere outpouring":

"In the eyes of a being like yourself, I am no different from the guards outside the hall or the ants on the ground. Normally, you wouldn't pay attention to me, let alone come specifically to see me now?

The fact that you've come to see me means I have something you desire, and you are prepared to assist me for it.

However, I don't know what exactly I possess that would make you serve me. Therefore, you must state it yourself, so I can determine if I can offer it in exchange, and if your help is worth trading for it!"

"You truly see into people's hearts."

Kong Xuan then picked up his wine cup and drank it down. As the cup landed, he hooked his right hand, and a stream of clear spring water flowed from the wine pot into the cup, instantly filling it with the aroma of wine.

"Do you know who your opponent is?"

Di Xin smiled and pointed above his head:

"But in this era, the Human Race is the protagonist of heaven and earth. You should feel this more keenly."

"Indeed, the Human Race is the true darling of heaven and earth."

Kong Xuan drank again, his thoughts drifting back to the era when the Dragon and Phoenix fell and the Witches and Demons reigned supreme.

"I am Nuwa. Today, I created humans and became a Saint..."

"I am Grand Pure. I taught the Human Race and became a Saint today..."

"I am Jade Pure Primordial..."

"I am Ultimate Pure Heavens..."

It was precisely because the Six Sages became Saints that he later chose to integrate into the Human Race. By borrowing the Human Race's destiny to deceive the Heavenly Dao and conceal the karma and sin of the Phoenix Clan, he was able to cultivate peacefully and attain his current divine abilities.

But now, the Human Race was fractured, its destiny scattered and thin. The Heavenly Dao had locked onto him once more in the unseen depths. Thus, for ten thousand years, he had been stuck before the third corpse, afraid to take another step.

"If I help you, how far can you go?"

How far could I go?

Di Xin was stunned for a moment. He really hadn't considered this question before.

Sweep across the eight directions, unify the six directions, and re-establish the name of the Human King? Was this ambition a bit too small?

Or perhaps resist the Heavenly Dao with the Human Dao, transforming the favored children of heaven and earth into the masters of heaven and earth, with the four seasons rotating and life and death under their control? That seemed unrealistic.

After thinking for a moment, Di Xin raised his head and met Kong Xuan's gaze, saying word by word:

"Let the heavens return to the Heavenly Court, let the earth return to the Underworld, and between heaven and earth, let my Human Race be supreme!"

"Between heaven and earth, the Human Race is supreme? I thought you would say you'd pull one of those Six Sages down from their pedestal."

Kong Xuan grinned, but Di Xin's next words wiped the smile from his face.

"If we don't try, how can anyone know?"

"Hahaha! Di Xin, you are truly arrogant!"

Kong Xuan came back to his senses and threw his head back, laughing heartily. Interesting, this was truly interesting!

If you don't try, how can anyone know?

"Good! Until the day you die, I will stand by Chaoge's side forever. As long as no Saint interferes, I, Kong Xuan, will not retreat a single step!"

"Then what do you want?"

The Kongtong Seal appeared above Di Xin's head. The figures of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors all focused on this scene, and upon seeing Kong Xuan, they were all shocked.

"Kong Xuan? His divine abilities are likely not weaker than mine."

"Is he trying to recruit Kong Xuan? I couldn't do it back then. This little guy is truly interesting. If he succeeds, I'll bestow the Xuanyuan Sword upon him!"

"Then I'll give him my Dragon Horse too."

As the Human King Xuanyuan and the Earth Emperor Shen Nong spoke in jest, Kong Xuan spoke again:

"I want the Human Race to fully assist me in breaking through to the third corpse and achieving the fruit of a Supreme Being!"

"Agreed!"

"Accept it!"

"Promise him!"

The Three Sovereigns spoke in unison, their voices echoing throughout the entire great hall. Kong Xuan had been hidden within the Human Race for who knew how many years, and no one knew Kong Xuan's current combat strength better than they did!

This deal would not be a loss!

"Then it's a deal!"

Di Xin laughed heartily, raising his wine cup, waiting for Kong Xuan to seal the agreement.

"It's a deal!"

--Ding!

The jade cups lightly clinked, wine splashed, and Kong Xuan was taken in by Di Xin!