Manlu's expression changed drastically. He was about to deny it when Desterie continued, "You should understand that, given everything that's happened since I became a Sovereign, it's ultimately impossible for Lord Orloff and me to be completely close. Besides, now that I'm a Sovereign, I'm not the sort of person who wants to live under someone else's roof. I also need to build a team of Sovereigns of my own.
Don't rush to turn me down. The Sovereign of Death and I are natural allies. Likewise, I dare ignore the Sovereign of Destruction's orders.
And besides, joining me doesn't mean you have to declare your allegiance in front of the other Sovereigns right away. You can continue serving as a vassal of the Heavenly Realm, providing me with information when needed. I'll also help you whenever you need it.
More importantly, the birth and rise of a new power is bound to change the existing balance among the Sovereigns. That will inevitably create a few unlucky victims, just like Xingyi. But perhaps there'll be an opportunity for you among the unlucky ones in the future. Orloff, Augusta, and Karin would never do that for you, no matter what.
Conversely, once they've pushed you aside and left you isolated and without support, you might end up like Xingyi—a tool thrown away to die as the next sacrificial pawn.
Think it over carefully. Once you've made up your mind, come find me in the Mulan Material Plane."
Manlu opened his mouth several times, but never got a chance to speak. In the end, he fell completely silent—he was tempted.
After all, he was currently playing the role of that "sacrificial pawn." Xingyi's death had temporarily stalled the plan to lure and kill the Blood Peak Sovereign, but Manlu had no way of