A full quarter of an hour later...
Only then did the Second Elder finally raise his head and say, "Ling Jianxing, you truly have some nerve. You alone have stirred up the entire Heaven-Soaring Imperial Family. Still, I've decided to agree to your terms—but Ling Yuyue must first..."
Naturally, he had meant to say that Ling Yuyue had to be lowered first.
But Sikong Jing cut him off without hesitation. "She is my guarantee. There is no way I will lower her first. But I guarantee that, whether this venture succeeds or fails, I will remove this great hidden danger for you, Second Elder."
At once, the Second Elder's expression shifted uncertainly again.
Leaving Ling Yuyue hanging here was simply too passive a position for him.
Ling Jianxing had seized hold of his weakness. Yet getting Ling Jianxing to put Ling Yuyue down was utterly impossible.
If he refused, Ling Jianxing would certainly rather let the fish die and the net split.
After another round of deliberation, the source of the void energy crystals ultimately gained the upper hand in the Second Elder's heart...
He was already very old. If he did not make progress soon, he might die.
With a large supply of void energy crystals, he could break through again, advance again, and extend his lifespan...
At last, the Second Elder agreed. "Fine. Let us discuss the details of our cooperation."
And so...
They truly began negotiating their interests.
What the Second Elder wanted was, naturally, control over the world within the void rift. Sikong Jing agreed to it outright, while continuing to insist... that all he wanted was to make contact with the Flame Prison Heavenly Emperor.
"Second Elder, you know my talent..."
"If I can truly become the Flame Prison Heavenly Emperor's disciple, then my future