Su Yuntao had finished speaking, but the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python remained silent for a long time. Clearly, the information packed into his words was simply too much, and what he had said was too shocking. Even they needed a long time to digest it.
"Human, why should we believe you?" the Sky Azure Bull Python asked.
"Sky Azure Bull Python, I don't want to offend the Soul Beast Clan either. If I did, I could simply go to the inheritance site and pass along your Lord's whereabouts to the Divine Realm. Imagine what would happen to your clan then."
"The fact that I came to the Star Dou Great Forest to speak with you is proof of my sincerity. Now I can tell you clearly: if one of you offers me a sacrifice, I will not only safely return Xiao Wu, but also keep every promise I've made!"
The Sky Azure Bull Python said gravely, "Human, I admit you're different from the others. But thinking you can become a god? That's pure wishful thinking!"
"Sky Azure Bull Python, I can tell that you're already wavering. I know you're thinking about sacrificing yourself. Xiao Wu is the most important person in your life, and your loyalty to the Soul Beast Clan goes without saying. Either one of those things would be enough to make you give up your life."
"Please believe me. If you sacrifice yourself for me, I'll keep my word. Once I become a god, I'll personally bring you back to life!"
"Human, what you're saying makes no sense. First, what makes you so sure we'll compromise? Second, even if one of us is willing to sacrifice ourselves, how can you be certain it'll be me?"
"Sky Azure Bull Python, so far you know almost nothing about me, while I know you inside and out. For Xiao Wu and the Soul Beast Clan, you and the Titan Giant Ape would absolutely be willing to give up your lives!"
"Second, you're already a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. After reaching that level, you're bound to face a great calamity within a thousand years, and I believe you have no confidence you can overcome it. In other words, neither of you has much time left!"
"That's exactly why I believe you'll sacrifice yourself. You're running out of time. Your brother, the Titan Giant Ape, has only a little time left, and he can protect Xiao Wu until then!"
"Big Brother!" the Titan Giant Ape cried. It had clearly realized that the Sky Azure Bull Python was considering a sacrifice, and was growing anxious.
"Silence!"
The Sky Azure Bull Python spoke in a low voice. "Human, it's true that if what you've said comes to pass, it would be enough to make me give up my life. What's more, if you were lucky enough to become a god, I could return to the world once more."
"But why should I believe you? After I sacrifice myself, you could leave the Star Dou Great Forest, break your promise, kill Sister Xiao Wu, and then contact the Divine Realm and leak our secrets. In the end, I'd have sacrificed myself for nothing!"
"I'm willing to sacrifice myself, but I don't trust your character. I can die, but I won't die for nothing! To me, an unjust death is the greatest insult!"
Su Yuntao smiled. "That problem isn't actually hard to solve. Sky Azure Bull Python, after you sacrifice yourself, your Soul Ring will merge into my body, but your Soul Bone can remain!"
"I believe your Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Bone is still worth more than Xiao Wu. Besides, because you sacrifice yourself, I'll be able to fuse with the Soul Bone directly. Life is the greatest miracle in the world. Thanks to your sacrifice, this Soul Bone—which I can fuse with directly—will be valuable enough to make me abandon Xiao Wu!"
The Sky Azure Bull Python nodded, apparently agreeing with Su Yuntao's reasoning. Setting aside the fact that Su Yuntao could fuse with its Soul Bone directly after the sacrifice, the Soul Bone alone was worth more than Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast too, but how could a Soft Bone Rabbit compare with a Sky Azure Bull Python in quality?
"There's still one more problem. If you get everything you want, how can you guarantee you won't expose us to the Divine Realm?"
Su Yuntao replied calmly, "I'm sorry, but I can only give you my word of honor."
The Sky Azure Bull Python scoffed. "Your word of honor? You expect me to trust the honor of you humans? Are you joking?"
Su Yuntao said seriously, "Sky Azure Bull Python, it's true that my honor is worthless in your eyes. But the fact is, often you have no choice. I swear on my honor that I'll keep my promises."
"Swear? You expect me to believe a human oath?" The Sky Azure Bull Python sneered. "You humans are the most despicable creatures in the world. Your oaths don't even mean anything among your own kind, let alone now."
Su Yuntao said gravely, "I admit that many humans are vile. But there are also people among us who would give their lives to uphold their promises!"
"I know that's not enough to convince you. But as I said, often you don't have much of a choice!"
"I didn't actually want to reveal your Lord's secret earlier. But without it, you wouldn't believe that I'd return Xiao Wu after obtaining the Soul Ring. Without any leverage, how would I dare come to the Star Dou Great Forest to take your Soul Bone?"
"Neither of us trusts the other. That's a deadlock, and it could easily send things spiraling in a direction that harms us both!"
The Sky Azure Bull Python's eyes narrowed, its expression growing more serious. It was true: this situation left both sides trapped in a dilemma.
"Unfortunately, I hold the upper hand in this deal, because I've long since stopped fearing death! As the saying goes, 'If you're willing to risk being chopped in two, you can drag the emperor off his throne!'"
Su Yuntao said mildly, "If I don't make it back today, Xiao Wu will die, and the Divine Realm will learn what happened. All you'll have gained is a single life that you consider worthless!"
"Sky Azure Bull Python, I've already sworn on my honor! Now you have only two choices. First, believe me. At the very least, Xiao Wu will be able to return to the Star Dou Great Forest, no matter what. You don't trust my promises, but between Xiao Wu's life and mine, I believe you'll make the right choice."
"The second choice is to let everything fall apart! Since I came here, if I don't get what I want, I never planned to leave alive!"
The Sky Azure Bull Python sneered. "Human, do you believe I couldn't make you wish you were dead, yet keep you from dying?"
"Sky Azure Bull Python, I believe you absolutely could. But can you really abandon Xiao Wu? I've held the upper hand in this deal from the very beginning, because I know you inside and out, while you know nothing about me!"
"I'm weak, because my strength is insignificant. But I'm strong, because I have a brave heart!"