Soul Pact

Three-quarters of an hour.

Ye Jinyu had never imagined that time would stretch on so slowly.

After speaking to Sima Ruiming, Divine Lord Mingyang stood with his hands behind his back.

"That's enough."

With a look of reminiscence in his eyes, as if sensing something in the the Unseen, he reached out his hand on his own.

Within three inches of the palm, a point of ultimate golden light slowly emerged.

The golden light was extremely pure and intense, yet it carried a hint of indescribable sorrow.

"This is the true essence of my spirit, and also the origin from which I comprehended and attained the Greater Yang Golden Core."

"Whether it's dealing with Sima Huanyu or reviving the Wei Imperial House in the future, you can rely on my power."

Ye Jinyu hadn't expected that Divine Lord Mingyang would bring this up himself.

"Is this gift from the Emperor a case of the true spirit possessing another's body?" Ye Jinyu asked.

Divine Lord Mingyang smiled.

That smile held the pride of Emperor Mingyang.

"Having lived for millennia, what haven't I seen? I understand the greed and selfishness of the human heart better than anyone else."

"In the past, I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me!"

Mingyang looked directly at Ye Jinyu.

"I am willing to make an exception for you; you seem different, with the melancholy downcast eyes of an old friend."

"You brat, I can't quite figure you out. Those I can't figure out are either good-for-nothings or chosen ones. You're not good-for-nothing."

He withdrew his hand, and the golden light hovered above his palm, trembling slightly.

"Besides, I had no choice."

"If we don't accept it, this wisp of true spirit will eventually dissipate."

Whether it's the Sima Clan or those greedy fellows, if it's given to you, perhaps this emperor feels there's still a glimmer of hope.

An old steed in its stall may still aspire to gallop a thousand miles; even in my twilight years, my heart remains full of youthful ambition!

Divine Lord Mingyang extended his finger again, hovering it three inches between Ye Jinyu's eyebrows.

The golden light swirling around his fingertips was as warm and smooth as jade, yet it sent chills down his spine.

Within his Dantian, the ticking of the system's countdown resonated deeply within Ye Jinyu's heart.

Even though the Emperor said so, one should still be wary of others, compared to the promises made by adults.

[Two quarters of an hour--]

[A quarter of an hour--]

[Half a quarter of an hour--]

Ye Jinyu is gambling.

I still believe in the system, rather than gambling on the intentions of this sliver of true spirit in Mingyang.

[Three, Two, One]

[Ding! System ready!]

In that instant, a sharp glint flashed in Ye Jinyu's eyes.

He raised his head to meet the outstretched hand of Divine Lord Mingyang, the panic and fear in his eyes completely gone, leaving only calm.

"That's how it is. Your Majesty has a request, Jinyu is willing to help."

The voice was steady, each word clear and distinct.

A slight smile appeared on Divine Lord Mingyang's lips as golden light emanated from his palm and shot towards Ye Jinyu's brow.

Mingyang's deep, abyss-like eyes narrowed slightly, a strange light flashing across them—suspicion!

"I will not be a puppet, Non-Self desire to be a pawn!"

Ye Jinyu looked directly into those eyes and said, word by word, "As long as equality is established, I, Ye Jinyu, will also play a game on the chessboard!"

The hall fell silent.

Sima Ruiming, who was in the distance, even forgot to struggle. He stared wide-eyed at the scene, his face full of disbelief.

He obviously didn't know exactly what had happened.

A mere Foundation Establishment dares to negotiate with the majestic and awe-inspiring Divine Lord Mingyang, a peak Golden Core cultivator?

Divine Lord Mingyang looked at Ye Jinyu and suddenly smiled.

That smile was so faint, yet it sent a chill down his spine.

"You dare to negotiate with me?" Divine Lord Mingyang withdrew his hand, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"For ten thousand years, you are the first to dare speak to me like this. Of course, for these ten thousand years, I have been incomparably lonely."

Ye Jinyu did not back down.

"This junior cherishes life and fortuitous opportunity. Who doesn't love the Greater Yang's brilliance? I love Mingyang!" Ye Jinyu looked directly at Divine Lord Mingyang at this moment.

"When the Emperor manifests, even a wisp of his true spirit can make the Sima Clan and all the heavens tremble with fear."

If the Way of the Greater Yang reappears in the world, I, too, may join its ranks, hoping to inherit Greater Yang Emperor's legacy, establish myself in the heavens, and find a place among the players in the chaotic world of Cangxuan.

"It's only natural that everyone gets what they need."

Divine Lord Mingyang remained silent for a moment.

"Hahahaha..."

"Ye Jinyu! The Ye Clan, you want this world too!?"

Mingyang seemed to want to see right through him, inside and out.

"If someone who holds power over the people and the world is in turmoil doesn't harbor such thoughts, I, the Emperor, simply don't believe it!"

Divine Lord Mingyang suddenly flicked his sleeve.

Between the two, a golden soul contract appeared, each word as scorching as the sun, its brilliant light hanging between their minds.

The script is ancient and profound, each character containing ineffable Daoist charm; just one glance is enough to sting the eyes.

[Heavenly Dao Soul Pact], a system-generated item, is guaranteed to be of the highest quality!

Deep within Ye Jinyu's soul, the system trembled slightly, and actually took the initiative to merge with the inscription.

Two streams of light appeared, one entering Ye Jinyu's brow and the other entangling the gradually transparent true spirit of Divine Lord Mingyang.

[Ding, contract achieved!]

The Way of Emperor Mingyang, [The Sovereign's Supreme Reign] [The Emperor's Descending Might].

Ye Jinyu closed her eyes and concentrated.

In that instant, countless pieces of information flooded into my mind—the operating method of the Mingyang Sword Intent, the secrets of the Emperor Sword fusion.

The cultivation secrets of the Greater Yang Dao Lineage's Divine Ability, the location and function of each restriction within the Suspicious Tomb, and more...

"Judging from your foundation, it is not the Cangxuan Method. [Bifeng Yin Fire] reminds me of the Three Calamities Nine Tribulations of High Antiquity; it is fate."

The voice of Divine Lord Mingyang rang in my ears.

"Using blood as a catalyst, you can unleash the Mingyang Sword Intent. When you cultivate to the Golden Core, I will personally impart the complete Dao of the Greater Yang to you."

He reached out and lightly touched Ye Jinyu's Dantian with his fingertips.

A surge of intense heat rushed in, and within his Dantian, the dark Bifeng Yin Fire suddenly surged, merging with the wisp of golden imperial fire.

The two forces intertwined, collided, and merged, ultimately condensing into a dark golden imperial rune on the foundation of the Dao.

The imperial emblem was ancient and majestic, with the outlines of the sun, moon, and stars faintly visible.

"I entrust everything to you." Divine Lord Mingyang withdrew his hand, his figure becoming increasingly transparent.

"Greater Yin, in the end, I have failed you."

He turned his head and looked at the dragon bound by the fishing line in the distance. Sima Ruiming trembled, his eyes filled with fear.

Divine Lord Mingyang flicked his finger, and the fishing line snapped in two.

Sima Ruiming fell from mid-air and crashed to the ground, scrambling backward, his former arrogance completely gone.

"Roll."

Divine Lord Mingyang uttered only one word.

Sima Ruiming felt as if he had been granted a pardon and staggered out of the palace.

But he didn't notice that when Divine Lord Mingyang's gaze swept over him, a faint golden mark appeared between his brows.

It is so faint and light that it is almost imperceptible unless you look closely.

That was the prelude left by Divine Lord Mingyang.

Once the tomb is opened, this mark will be the anchor point for his appearance in the world, and also the core of his manipulation.

"I will temporarily reside with you; this is our destiny." Divine Lord Mingyang looked at Ye Jinyu.

"I will appear once you enter the imperial mausoleum."

Ye Jinyu nodded.

Divine Lord Mingyang gave him one last look.

"Young friend Ye, this emperor awaits you."

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure vanished completely.

The confinement vanished, the wine in the vessel flowed again, and the palace resumed its normal operation. The river of time and the fishing rod, along with the true spirit, merged into Ye Jinyu's brow.

Ye Jinyu stood still, closing her eyes and concentrating.

After a long while, Ye Jinyu opened her eyes.

A fleeting glimpse of pale gold flashed in his eyes.

He took a deep breath, turned and walked out of the hall, his steps steady. The world spun around him, and he returned to the present.