The Ghost Emperor's fingertips, pale and bluish, gripped the black scroll. Hearing Tsubasa say it would take three days, a hint of dark red flickered in her eyes. "Three days it is," she said, "but you take this contract scroll first—" She shoved the scroll towards Tsubasa, a sinister smile playing on her lips. " The Heavenly Dao Contract recognizes its owner. You've touched it. If you sign the contract after three days and then back out, the Heavenly Dao Contract will first entangle your luck, making it difficult for you to break through."
When Tsubasa accepted the Heavenly Dao Contract, his fingertips went numb, as if he had touched a block of ice. He rolled it up and stuffed it into his spatial ring. "Don't worry, if the human race agrees, they won't go back on their word."
The short, stout Ghost Emperor snorted beside him, his fat hand resting on the skull bracelet at his waist. "That had to be for the best."
"What's with your arrogance? Humanity won the last war." Tsubasa glanced at him, a smile still on his lips, but his eyes turned cold. "The ninjas of Konoha may be weaker, but they've only been around for a few decades, while you've existed for tens of thousands of years. What's there to be proud of about your strength? Don't let the ninjas you look down on surpass you."
The short, fat Ghost Emperor's face turned a deep liver color. He was about to retort when the Female Ghost Emperor glared at him. The Ghost Emperor Tsubasa nodded slightly to Tianyi, and her figure transformed into a wisp of black smoke, disappearing into the gate to Hell. The short, fat Ghost Emperor and the other two kings also vanished.
Tsubasa patted the scroll in his spatial ring, then turned and headed towards the Yan Nation's palace with Tian Flying Swallow. He also instructed someone to summon the Seven Shadows for a meeting, as this matter needed to be discussed quickly.
A day later, in the council hall of the Yan Nation's palace, the scent of sandalwood filled the room. Tian Flying Swallow sat in the main seat, her crown resting askew on the table beside her. She was holding the scroll of the Heavenly Dao Contract in her hand, turning it over and over, her brows furrowed.
Below sat the Seven Shadows, with Yang Shadow Tsunade on her hips, pointing at the demonic script on the scroll. "'Cultivating by borrowing the National Fortune on the night of the full moon,' the timing is quite clever. Does the National Fortune really have an effect on even Ghost Emperor powerhouse?"
Kazekage Nara Shikanei, sitting in the corner, said, "Each time is no more than three hours, which is acceptable. I've calculated it; the loss of fortune in three hours will at most deplete the National Fortune of Yan Nation for two days. Given the National Fortune generated by Yan Nation's population, this amount of depletion is insignificant."
Tsuchikage, the Orochimaru, grunted, "What I'm worried about is that 'never harm the Empress' statement. The Oni Clan ' mouths are deceitful; what if they're playing word games—"
"They wouldn't dare," Tian Flying Swallow suddenly spoke, placing the scroll on the table. The scroll unfurled with a "snap," and the ghostly script on it glowed faintly. "This is Heavenly Dao Contract, not some random talisman Hell. I examined it carefully just now; it carries the aura of the World Will. Breaking the oath will truly affect the emperors; in severe cases, it could even cause their souls to be scattered."
She paused, tapping her fingertips on the table. "Besides, they want to use the National Fortune to cultivate and break through. To put it bluntly, they are the ones who need our help, not the other way around."
Raikage Jiraiya, scratched his head and said in a loud voice, "So this is settled? I think it's a good idea! The resources and Soul Crystal in Hell are extremely important cultivation resources for us humans. It's a win-win situation for both sides, and I agree."
"There's one more thing," Tsubasa added from the side, " The Hell Ghost Emperor promised that if the cooperation goes through, they're willing to open up various sacred cultivation grounds in the Ghost Realm. Those are the places where the Ghost Emperor cultivate! For us human cultivators, they're the ultimate cultivation treasures. However, only one person is allowed to enter each sacred ground at a time."
Tsunade's eyes lit up. " The Ghost Emperor's sacred training ground? I'm curious about that and want to try it out. I'll be the first to sign up. This deal seems more and more worthwhile!"
Mizukage Tian Yukihime sat next to Tsubasa and softly hummed in agreement. "As long as the contract is strict and can guarantee Flying Swallow's safety, it's fine. My Water Faction will be the first to sign up ten people to go to the Hell Holy Land for some adventure and training."
Hokage Hatake Sakumo rubbed his hands together. "We have no objections, as long as the second ten spots are given to our Fire Faction."
Uchiha Chiri sneered, "You two have really messed with me. Hell is the best place for our Uchiha Clan to train. Let our Yin Faction go to such a dangerous place!"
Everyone laughed, and Tian Flying Swallow breathed a sigh of relief. She picked up her pen and wrote "Empress Tian Flying Swallow of Yan Nation " in the blank space at the end of the Heavenly Dao Contract scroll, and then stamped it with the national seal of Yan Nation.
Just after it was signed, the Heavenly Dao Contract scroll suddenly floated up, spun in the air, and the ghost script and signature turned into golden light and disappeared into the scroll. The scroll instantly turned completely black, and it even felt warm to the touch.
"It's done." Tian Flying Swallow reached out and caught the Heavenly Dao Contract scroll. "Husband, go to the Yin-Yang Boundary and deliver the Heavenly Dao Contract scroll to the Ghost Emperor of Hell. Tell them that on the night of the full moon each month, I will personally go to the Hell Altar to set up an array, and they will only allow ten Oni Clan to use the Yan Nation's National Fortune to cultivate each time."
Tsubasa smiled and walked out with the Heavenly Dao Contract scroll in his hand. Just as he reached the palace entrance, Tsunade chased after him. "Wait! Lord Tsubasa, why don't you ask the Ghost Emperor about the secret techniques for cultivating the soul? You know about Dan Katō's Spirit Transformation Technique! Every time the soul leaves the body, it's extremely dangerous. If we could find a secret technique to strengthen the soul, that would be wonderful."
"You're such a love-struck fool; the first thing you think of when there's something good is your boyfriend." Tsubasa nodded with a smile, then turned and disappeared into the palace.
On the blood-red plains within the Gate of Hell, the Hell Ghost Emperor were already waiting. Upon seeing Tsubasa Hell, Ghost Emperor eyes lit up. "It's done?"
"It's done." Tsubasa handed over the Heavenly Dao Contract scroll. "Seven Shadows and the Empress have both agreed to sign it. Take a look."
The Blood Prison Ghost Emperor took the Heavenly Dao Contract scroll, flipped to the end, and a faint smile appeared on her face, a smile that even softened some of the sinister intent, "Good. We will abide by this Heavenly Dao Contract. Every full moon, I will send ten powerful Oni Clan members to the Gate of Hell to cultivate."
Ice Hell Ghost Emperor leaned over for a look and muttered, "If I had known it would go this smoothly and we would have so much interaction with humans, I wouldn't have killed those Konoha envoys last time—it's all so awkward now."
Tsubasa chuckled, "Next time you see a powerful human cultivator coming to your Hell holy land to cultivate, just take good care of them. Building good relations with humans might even get them to bring you many human specialties."
"Who wants that thing!" the Flame Prison Ghost Emperor retorted stubbornly, but his eyes lit up.
Ice Ghost Emperor glared at him, then looked at Tsubasa: "Regarding the Hell Ore, I've had a cartload prepared for you. It's over there at the Gate of Hell; you can go and get it."
"Thanks." Tsubasa nodded.
The Ice Ghost Emperor, clutching the Heavenly Dao Contract scroll, slowly faded away. "Pleasant to cooperate."
"It's a pleasure doing business with you."
Watching the Ten Great Ghost Emperors disappear into the black mist, Tsubasa turned back out of Hell and looked towards the direction of the Yan Emperor City in the mortal realm. The setting sun was dyeing the sky golden red. He touched his spatial ring, where the aura of the Heavenly Dao Contract still lingered, giving him a sense of familiarity.
This Heavenly Dao Contract has been signed, marking the first true collaboration between humanity and Hell. What will happen in the future is anyone's guess, but at least for now, he feels more at ease—after all, having Hell as a powerful ally is better than facing those alien Ōtsutsuki Clan enemies alone.