The Pact

The spatial ripples slowly subsided, and five figures appeared outside the Ancient Realm's magnificent entrance, which radiated an aura of primordial antiquity.

At the head of the group stood Lin Hai, clad in black robes, his expression calm.

Behind him stood four men of differing appearances, all radiating an oppressive aura. As their eyes opened and closed, a terrifying presence that could burn mountains and boil seas faintly emerged, subtly distorting the space around them.

Almost as soon as they appeared, the space at the entrance to the Ancient Realm rippled, and a figure dressed in plain hemp robes yet exuding supreme majesty stepped out. It was Gu Yuan.

His calm gaze, which had held a hint of welcome, swept over the four men behind Lin Hai—and suddenly sharpened. A trace of unconcealable shock flashed deep in his eyes!

Four Seven-Star Spirit Saints!

The burly man who stood like a mountain was especially formidable. His aura had reached the late stage of Seven-Star Spirit Saint, making him nearly as powerful as any of the Three Immortals of the Gu Clan!

A lineup like this could become a force of tremendous importance even within the Ancient Clan!

It was one thing for the mysterious Lin Hai to possess unfathomable strength himself, but he had also hidden such a terrifying force under his command?

This was truly an unexpected boon! With this force joining them, their odds of standing against the Soul Clan would undoubtedly rise considerably.

Gu Yuan quickly suppressed the turmoil in his heart and wore an even more solemn smile. He cupped his hands and said, "Lord Lin Hai, we've been awaiting your arrival. And these gentlemen are...?"

"My attendants." Lin Hai kept it brief and offered no further introduction.

Gu Yuan understood and didn't press. He stepped aside and gestured invitingly. "Please, Lord Lin Hai. Please, everyone. The council chamber is ready, and the three Grand Elders have been waiting for some time."

The group passed through the powerful spatial barrier at the entrance to the Ancient Realm and entered one of the most renowned secret realms on the Spirit Continent.

The dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth washed over them, far richer than anything outside.

Along the way, they saw the Ancient Clan's magnificent buildings and its members' formidable auras. The clan's foundations were indeed profoundly deep.

Before long, they arrived at a grand, imposing hall.

Inside, three white-haired elders with auras as deep as the ocean were already seated. They were the Three Immortals of the Gu Clan: Gu Dao, Gu Zhen, and Gu Yang.

Their gazes were likewise drawn at once to the four Seven-Star Spirit Saints behind Lin Hai. Their aged eyes gleamed, filled with suspicion and scrutiny.

After exchanging brief greetings, the two sides took their seats, with host and guests arranged accordingly.

The four beast Spirit Saints stood silently behind Lin Hai like the most loyal of guards. Their invisible pressure made the atmosphere in the council chamber especially heavy.

As the one leading the meeting, Gu Yuan spoke first, getting straight to the point. "Lord Lin Hai, the Ancient Clan is ready to form an alliance. But persuading the Flame Clan and the Thunder Clan to join us in opposing the Soul Clan will not be easy. These two clans have long histories and have always been cautious. Without enormous benefits that can truly tempt them, they will never risk a war against a behemoth like the Soul Clan."

Gu Dao picked up the thread, his voice aged yet steady. "That's right. Appeals to righteousness and the threat of what may come won't be enough to persuade them. We need to offer something concrete—something they cannot refuse."

Lin Hai showed no change in expression, as if he had already expected this.

He lightly tapped the armrest with his fingertips and said evenly, "Something especially valuable, then... I wonder, would a Heaven-Rank high-grade spirit skill be worthy of that role?"

"A Heaven-Rank high-grade spirit skill?" the Three Immortals of the Gu Clan exclaimed almost in unison, their eyes blazing with astonishing light.

Even Gu Yuan's breathing faltered slightly!

Heaven-Rank spirit skills were already the stuff of legend on the continent. The appearance of even one was enough to unleash a storm of bloodshed.

And Heaven-Rank high-grade skills were legends among legends. Even powers like the Ancient Clan and the Soul Clan treated them as clan treasures, never passing them on to anyone outside their core bloodline!

Gu Yuan suppressed his shock and said gravely, "Are you certain, Lord Lin Hai? If you truly have a Heaven-Rank high-grade spirit skill to offer, Yan Jin and Lei Ying will certainly be unable to sit still! But... what attributes do these skills have? Are they suited to their clans?"

Lin Hai calmly gave two names. "One is called the Great Thousand Creation Palm. With a single palm strike, creation is born; its power is limitless. It leans toward no particular attribute, and cultivators of any attribute can unleash tremendous power once they master it. The other is called the Mysterious Underworld Heaven-Covering Seal. Its seal technique is profound, and it likewise has no attribute restrictions."

He paused, then continued, "Surely these two spirit skills are valuable enough to serve as the bargaining chips? So long as the Flame Clan and the Thunder Clan sign a bloodline-and-soul alliance pact never to betray one another and join forces against the Soul Clan, these two skills can be shared with them. As the alliance's initiator, the Ancient Clan will receive them as well."

Silence!

Not a sound could be heard in the entire council chamber.

Gu Yuan and the Three Immortals exchanged glances, each seeing the shock and elation in the others' eyes.

Two Heaven-Rank high-grade spirit skills! The offer was staggering—enough to drive any power into a frenzy!

But Gu Dao quickly regained his composure and raised a concern similar to the one Gu Yuan had voiced earlier. "Lord Lin Hai, Heaven-Rank high-grade spirit skills are priceless. Sharing them like this will certainly attract those clans, but it also carries considerable risk. What if spies from the Soul Clan manage to steal them? Or if someone in their clans carelessly leaks them later? Wouldn't that amount to arming our enemy? We would suffer a tremendous loss."