The Dao Children of the two domains' Immortal Orders had gathered.
There was none of the expected hostility. Instead, the atmosphere was remarkably harmonious. They discussed mysteries and debated the Dao, spoke of the past and the present, and made quite a lively gathering of it.
While the Dao Children toured the lakeside, the various Immortal Order delegations began negotiating in earnest.
Diplomatic ties, trade, potential alliances, treaties—the two sides fought over every point, occasionally breaking into furious curses and sharp retorts. It could not have been more different from the Dao Children's cheerful gathering.
Yet even for the Dao Children, that peaceful atmosphere could not last long.
"Fellow Daoist Black Tortoise,"
the Celestial God Daoist Heir said bluntly to Black Tortoise, who stood nearby, "would Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace be willing to merge into Celestial God Palace?"
"If so, Celestial God Palace would grant you the position of foremost inheriting disciple. You would lack neither precious treasures nor opportunities."
"I would also treat you with the courtesy due a younger brother. That would never change."
"Hahaha!"
"I'm afraid your words aren't very convincing, Fellow Daoist Celestial God."
The Black Tortoise Daoist Heir smiled. "I've heard the customs of Celestial God Palace are hardly admirable. Even blood brothers shed each other's blood when the Great Dao is at stake, let alone men who merely regard each other as brothers. That's nothing unusual."
"How many prospective Dao Children did you kill on your way to the position you hold today?"
For a Dao Child of Black Tortoise Heavenly Palace, the greatest opportunity was to kill and devour another Dao Child. It would send his strength and foundation soaring, bringing him closer to a true inheriting disciple of an upper-realm Immortal Order.
Nor would there be any hidden consequences, for the upper-realm