Making a Deal with a Tiger

"That old Bei Chi is so stubborn." After Star Lord Beichi left, Blood Orchid Ancestor returned to the 9th Stone Pillar Space, where she had dwelled for countless years.

Vines stretched hundreds of thousands of kilometers, their branches swaying to reveal the agitation and hesitation in Blood Orchid Ancestor's heart.

"Cultivation, cultivation. If hard work alone were enough, wouldn't I have already transcended reincarnation? Take Original Ancestor, for example. He reached the Tenth Order in such a short time. He'll probably transcend reincarnation with ease someday. If I had that kind of ability, would I still have only this much strength after cultivating for more than two Reincarnation Eras?" Blood Orchid Ancestor was bitter and furious. "That old Bei Chi isn't much stronger than me. He's probably dreaming if he thinks he can transcend reincarnation."

In the First Reincarnation Era of the Universe Ocean, there were countless Universe Supreme Beings who thought like Blood Orchid Ancestor. That had been nothing unusual, but ever since Original Ancestor appeared, he had truly shaken the confidence of many of the strongest beings.

At the thought, a trace of madness flashed in Blood Orchid Ancestor's eyes. She secretly sent a message to a Universe Master whose life was entrusted to her Miniature Universe.

Before long, a Universe Master under Blood Orchid Ancestor set out for the Miniature Universe of the God Eye Race's First True Master.

"So you're Lord Black Lotus? I'm Lord Anyong."

Outside the First True Master's Miniature Universe, a Universe Master with the phantom of a single eye behind him flew out. After teleporting dozens of times, he spotted a Universe Master dressed in robes patterned with lotus flowers.

"That's right. I represent Blood Orchid Ancestor, and I hope to cooperate with the God Eye Race." Lord Black Lotus's voice was melodious.

"Blood Orchid Ancestor..."

Lord Anyong's expression took on a meaningful look. The three Universe Supreme Beings who resided in the Black-Veined Stone Pillar Space were well-known throughout the Universe Ocean. Of the three, however, the God Eye Race respected only Star Lord Beichi. They didn't think much of Blood Orchid Ancestor or Rampaging Demon God.

But the God Eye Race was the God Eye Race, while Lord Anyong was only a Universe Master. He still showed respect for a Universe Supreme Being. "May I ask what Blood Orchid Ancestor wishes to discuss with our God Eye Race?"

Lord Black Lotus knew how haughty the God Eye Race could be, so she didn't waste words. "The God Eye Race must know that a rare Natural Beast God at the Universe Supreme Being level has appeared in this era of the Primal Universe. He's known as the 'Time Beast God.'"

"Our God Eye Race is naturally aware of that." Lord Anyong nodded.

Lord Black Lotus continued, "Our Ancestor has the Time Beast God's coordinates, and she's very interested in him. So she wants to know... is the God Eye Race interested in the Time Beast God as well?"

"..."

After Lord Black Lotus finished speaking, Lord Anyong didn't answer at once. Instead, he fell silent, clearly consulting God Eye True Master.

Lord Black Lotus wasn't in a hurry. Though the two of them were the ones negotiating, there was no doubt that the Universe Supreme Beings behind them were the ones who made the decisions.

"True Master, should we agree?"

"Not yet. First, see if her information is reliable." God Eye True Master sent a message to Lord Anyong.

After receiving the order, Lord Anyong asked, "The God Eye Race is naturally interested in a Natural Beast God at the Universe Supreme Being level. But the Time Beast God has never entered the Universe Ocean before, and Demon Ancestor Zhen of the Monster Race in the Primal Universe is extremely tight-lipped. How did Blood Orchid Ancestor confirm the Time Beast God's identity?"

Lord Black Lotus replied, "A few days ago, an unfamiliar Universe Supreme Being fought Rampaging Demon God in the Black-Veined Stone Pillar Space. Our Ancestor watched the battle and thought there was a good chance that the stranger was the Time Beast God."

"Oh?" Lord Anyong's mind stirred. He relayed Lord Black Lotus's words to the First True Master, then asked, "True Master, hasn't Lord Pure Eye been staying in the Black-Veined Stone Pillar Space? Perhaps we should ask him about it."

The God Eye Race's True Masters hurriedly contacted Lord Pure Eye, only to learn to their disappointment that he hadn't gone to watch the battle that day because he had been cultivating.

"Anyong, ask Blood Orchid Ancestor what terms she wants." God Eye True Master thought for a moment, then gave Lord Anyong the order.

"Our Ancestor also wants to uncover the secrets of the Time Beast God, so she hopes to cooperate with the God Eye Race. When we obtain the Time Beast God's corpse, she wants a two-tenths share." Lord Black Lotus stated the terms Blood Orchid Ancestor had told her in advance.

Lord Anyong relayed all of Lord Black Lotus's words to God Eye True Master.

"Teacher, Blood Orchid Ancestor wants two-tenths right off the bat? She thinks far too highly of herself. Our God Eye Race doesn't need her help to ambush the Time Beast God. As for the information, the Time Beast God is roaming the Universe Ocean. Our people are spread throughout the Three Great Forbidden Lands, so sooner or later we'll run into him."

Within God Eye True Master's Miniature Universe, all seven True Masters of the God Eye Race had gathered. More than half were Divine Power Avatars; only the First True Master and Second True Master had their Main Selves present.

It was the Sixth True Master who had spoken.

"Bi Yan is right, Teacher. Blood Orchid's strength is mediocre, and she has no powerful Supreme Treasures. What makes her qualified to cooperate with our God Eye Race? Besides, her information may not even be reliable." The Fourth True Master voiced his agreement.

But after a moment's thought, God Eye True Master said, "I think we should agree to Blood Orchid Ancestor's proposal for now."

"Teacher, why?" the Sixth True Master asked at once.

God Eye True Master replied calmly, "Blood Orchid Ancestor wouldn't have said that unless she were already near the Time Beast God. If we refuse her, she might deliberately cause trouble and tell the Time Beast God what our God Eye Race intends to do."

At God Eye True Master's words, the other six True Masters exchanged glances. For a moment, none of them had anything to say.

By taking the initiative, the God Eye Race had a good chance of cornering the Time Beast God. But if he became wary beforehand, cornering a Universe Supreme Being would be exceedingly difficult. The God Eye Race's Universe Masters might even suffer heavy losses.

"Anyong, agree to cooperate with Blood Orchid Ancestor." God Eye True Master sent a message to Lord Anyong, then cut off the connection.

His gaze swept over the other Universe Supreme Beings of the God Eye Race, and a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes. "We can cooperate with Blood Orchid to ambush the Time Beast God, and we can give her two-tenths of his corpse. But... she'll need to be capable of taking that share away."

"Lord Anyong, since God Eye True Master has agreed to cooperate with our Ancestor, please have the God Eye Race's seniors hurry to the Black-Veined Stone Pillar Space in the Universe Boat. Our Ancestor will be waiting there. Remember, the sooner, the better." Lord Black Lotus repeatedly urged him.

"Of course." Lord Anyong nodded lightly, then teleported away.

"..."

Once they were alone, worry appeared on Lord Black Lotus's face. "Our Ancestor is practically making a deal with a tiger by cooperating with the God Eye Race. They've always been overbearing. When have they ever been so generous...?"

Lord Black Lotus's life was entrusted to Blood Orchid Ancestor's Miniature Universe. If the other fell, Lord Black Lotus would die as well.

As a being of the First Reincarnation Era, Lord Black Lotus wasn't opposed to taking a risk. But she didn't think the corpse of a Natural Beast God could do anything to help with Transcendence of Reincarnation. In her view, Blood Orchid Ancestor was taking this risk because the pressure of her impending end had driven her to madness.

Even if the God Eye Race was just as mad, it had the strength to afford it. Blood Orchid Ancestor didn't.

"Alas..."

With a long sigh, Lord Black Lotus left helplessly. She couldn't stop Blood Orchid Ancestor, so all she could do was pray that her Ancestor would gain something from this—and at the very least, make it out alive.

After Lord Black Lotus and Lord Anyong reached an agreement, Blood Orchid Ancestor, who was in the Black-Veined Stone Pillar Space, soon received the message.

"Excellent."

Blood Orchid Ancestor's vines and leaves, which had stretched for hundreds of thousands of kilometers, retracted until they were fully drawn in. Before long, a towering figure appeared, surrounded by countless blood-red flowers that coiled around her like an imposing suit of armor.

"With the God Eye Race's speed, they'll probably get here within seven days. I'll wait at the edge of the 15th Stone Pillar Space, so the Time Beast God can't escape." Blood Orchid Ancestor made up her mind, soon left the 9th Stone Pillar Space, and arrived outside the 15th Stone Pillar Space. She sat down cross-legged.

All the powerful beings in the Black-Veined Stone Pillar Space were currently gathered at Star Lord Beichi's place, while Rampaging Demon God was nowhere to be seen. As a result, no one noticed Blood Orchid Ancestor leaving the place where she had dwelled for so long.

"Phew..."

The 15th Stone Pillar Space.

Shi Yan slowly opened his eyes. It was now the fifth day since his battle with Rampaging Demon God. Of course, under the 60,000-fold Time Acceleration in the Black-Veined Stone Pillar Space, he had actually cultivated for more than eight hundred years.

He had fully digested everything he'd gained from his battle with Rampaging Demon God, along with the scattered insights he'd gained from studying the Black-Veined Stone Pillar. He had also completely perfected the Secret Technique he'd modified during the battle.

Shi Yan felt that the accumulation he had built up since his birth, over countless eras, had been completely exhausted. From here on, making further progress in his understanding would require patient, gradual effort.

"My earlier feeling was right. Given my accumulation, it was only natural that my insights into Chaos Evolution would let me break through to the Eighth Order." Shi Yan sighed, then stood and surveyed his surroundings. "The Black-Veined Stone Pillar Space is indeed a treasure trove. But I've spent most of my time cultivating in seclusion. Now it's time to take a risk."

Becoming an Eighth-Order True God had been Shi Yan's primary goal in coming to the Black-Veined Stone Pillar Space. Now that he had achieved it, he naturally wouldn't keep staying here.

With a single Teleportation, Shi Yan appeared at the edge of the Black-Veined Stone Pillar Space. Wisps of white mist already swirled around there. Beyond them lay an area where Teleportation was impossible, so he would have to fly out.

The Silver Skiff flew out of his body and quickly grew larger. But just as Shi Yan was about to board it, another figure suddenly appeared behind him.

"Friend, why are you in such a hurry to leave?" Shi Yan paused at the voice and turned around. It was Blood Orchid Ancestor.

"Blood Orchid Ancestor? May I ask why you stopped me?"