Chapter 327: Chapter 313: Negotiation

The Golden Crystal is the hope of a nation, even a tribe.

The table in front and the two treasures slowly dissipate.

Light flows around, and in an instant, Zhou Leng returns to the original spot, standing atop the highest mountain.

Yet, no one is around.

He puts the Golden Crystal into the Magic Spirit Bag, receiving a message in his mind.

As the first of the Inner Sect in this trial, in addition to previously selectable treasures, he has gained a five-year qualification for “Observing Heaven Mountain.”

Now, the Martial Arts Will is connected to this highest mountain.

After advancing to Innate, the Martial Arts Will can enter here, observing the cosmic stars’ changes and comprehending the path of cultivation.

One hundred mountains, each ranked with different effects.

The first in the Inner Sect is located on the highest mountain, with the best effects.

Zhou Leng lifts his head, gazing at the sky.

In the center of the once bright sky, a black dot emerges.

The black dot spins and expands, in the blink of an eye, dyeing the sky black, and filling it with stars.

Countless stars press down from the heavens, like a waterfall of stars pressing close, as if right before the eyes.

An ordinary star floats in front to the left, motionless, closest to himself.

Above the star, flames erupt, magnificent and grand.

In the distance, peculiar cosmic materials scatter around a newly forming protostar.

The protostar forms a strong gravitational pull, absorbing these materials.

Under the influence of exotic power, these materials align on both sides of the protostar, from afar, resembling colorful butterfly wings.

A giant red giant star lets out a strange sound, its surface suddenly collapses, and the star slowly contracts…

A supernova flashes suddenly, erupting terrifying cosmic radiation storms, the light flow extends across countless light-years, destroying everything in its path.

Two white dwarf stars collide, divine light diffusely radiates, spewing countless dense matter, mutually spinning, mutually consuming…

…

Celestial wonders, cosmic mighty power, the remaining echoes of the great path unfold like a scroll.

Zhou Leng had seen some videos of the starry sky.

But when these magnificent scenes of the universe are visible to the naked eye, the indescribable shock erupts in the heart.

These changes of the stars seem to contain exotic yet untouchable force, making one engrossed and unable to extricate.

In the sky, occasionally, giant shadows flash and disappear instantly, seeming like an illusion.

A giant mouth swallows a sun.

A giant claw crushes a star.

A dense array of suns seems embedded on the back of a huge creature, sweeping through the deep space, like a whale swimming under a small boat.

The nearest ordinary star blinks…

Zhou Leng’s heart suddenly stops.

Darkness and light alternate before his eyes.

It’s no longer the highest mountain in Hundred Peaks Valley, but Pit No. 9 of Ancient River Ruins Research Institute.

Soldiers are lined up along the pit’s edge, with Ancient River Sect disciples from Hundred Peaks Valley nearby.

Fifty went in, now 43 remain.

“Zhou Leng!”

Zhao Nandi stands at the pit’s edge, quickly running over.

She grabs Zhou Leng’s arms, her beautiful eyes shining, asking, “How is it? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Zhou Leng replies.

Only then does Zhao Nandi realize her excitement, she sweeps back her long hair behind her ears.

“Will there be an investigation?” Zhou Leng looks around.

Zhao Nandi says, “Wait a bit, the Grandmaster Special Envoys are coming soon.”

Then, Zhao Nandi gives Zhou Leng a meaningful look.

Zhou Leng understands.

She implies, take care of yourself.

“Hmm? Elder Song, you…” Zhao Nandi looks at Song Juesi, wide-eyed.

Song Juesi was already quite young in the Innate Pavilion, but now even younger, his skin even more delicate than Zhao Nandi’s.

Song Juesi smiles and nods.

Zhao Nandi scans the crowd, smiles with satisfaction, saying, “Looks like you all have gained greatly, very good.”

Footsteps sound chaotically at the gate.

Everyone looks toward the pit edge.

Seeing one Grandmaster Special Envoy after another approach the pit, looking down.

Some have white hair, some black.

Some are extraordinarily tall, some petite and dainty.

Some are sturdy as oxen, some thin as rods.

Yet, without exception, they all exude an aura like fire, slight vibrations in the surrounding air, lined up like mountains.

“Good!” Chen Changyi praises loudly.

Wang Boxiong stands next to Chen Changyi, staring at Zhou Leng, nodding lightly.

Zhou Leng nods back in acknowledgment.

The other Grandmasters carefully scan the crowd, their eyes flickering.

Being Grandmasters, they can instantly see everyone’s martial arts cultivation here.

Everyone is still in the late stage of Life Force, but their aura and strength have already reached True Liquid Innate.

Martial Arts Index, all surpassed the Innate baseline of 12.

“Let’s go, let’s talk together.”

With the Grandmasters leading, Zhou Leng and the 43 others followed them into a medium-sized conference room.

The Grandmasters walked to the long table covered in red velvet, while the others went to the chairs on the opposite side of the table and sat down one by one.

The Grandmasters noticed that Zhou Leng naturally took the central seat, and everyone was looking at him.

After Zhou Leng sat down, the others took their seats.

This included Song Juesi and Zhang Xinglie.

The Grandmasters glanced at Chen Changyi.

Chen Changyi said, “Time is of the essence, let’s get straight to the point. Previously, the disciples from the Ancient River Sect revealed only some unimportant aspects. Now, Zhou Leng, as the senior disciple of the Ancient River Sect, what can you say, and what can’t you say?”

The Grandmasters’ gazes were either gentle, sharp, or indifferent, but all were fixed on Zhou Leng.

Zhou Leng was silent for a moment, thinking as he slowly said, “First, we are disciples of the Ancient River Sect, but we are also people of the Dragon Country and Blue Star.”

The expressions of the Grandmasters slightly relaxed, and Chen Changyi gently nodded.

“Second, our understanding of the Ancient River Sect is far from sufficient. To avoid divine retribution or breaking sect rules, we must proceed cautiously.”

“Third, the Ancient River Sect needs to pass on its legacy, humanity needs the Stellar Inheritance. We need the Ancient River Sect, and we also need humanity and the nation.”

All the Grandmasters’ eyes lit up.

“Fourth, balancing the Ancient River Sect with humanity and the Dragon Country is extremely challenging and requires careful planning.”

“Fifth, this matter must remain confidential for the time being. If my identity is leaked, I can only assume that someone intends to disrupt the cooperation between the Ancient River Sect and the Dragon Country and humanity. In that case, I will have to protect myself at all costs.”

Some of the Grandmaster Special Envoys seemed thoughtful, some furrowed their brows, and some gently nodded.

However, none of them spoke presumptuously.

“Sixth, our primary task at this stage is to study and organize the content obtained from this trial. Once we’ve assimilated it, we’ll have the capacity to engage in other activities.”

“Seventh, after we’ve organized and digested the inheritance of the Ancient River Sect, we will recruit a batch of outer sect disciples in the Dragon Country and teach them the Ancient River Sect technique.”

With this statement, the room was astonished.

Not only did the pupils of the Grandmaster Special Envoys quiver, but even the disciples of the Ancient River Sect behind them were surprised by the extent of Zhou Leng’s authority.

This indicated that Zhou Leng’s status within the Ancient River Sect far exceeded their previous estimations.

“Eighth, the so-called Ten Realms Youth Battle is essentially a trial ground of the Ancient River Sect, known as Hundred Peaks Valley. It was previously damaged, but is now repaired. It will open every five years, and only Ancient River Sect disciples can enter.”

The Grandmaster Special Envoys were not surprised, having long suspected a connection between the Ancient River Sect and the youth battlefield.

“Ninth, among the first batch of disciples, I hope to select some who have not yet begun cultivating techniques. Part of them will be geniuses, as you decide, while the other part will be ordinary children selected locally in places like Rucheng, to test the difference between the Ancient River Sect technique and ordinary techniques.”

“Tenth…”

Zhou Leng slowly spoke of the information he could share, without deliberately concealing anything except personal information.

Once Zhou Leng finished, the Grandmaster Special Envoys did not speak.

They all perceived that Zhou Leng, despite appearing ordinary, was in fact a formidable figure.

Moreover, he seemed to have a strong confidence, showing no fear even facing so many Grandmasters.

Some Grandmasters reflected that a child possessing a Stellar Inheritance is indeed different.

If an ordinary person had spoken so boldly, they would have already rebuked them loudly.

But long ago, they had discussed various possibilities, and this situation was entirely within expectations.

Everyone looked towards Chen Changyi and Wang Boxiong.

Chen Changyi and Wang Boxiong had been in contact with Zhou Leng multiple times, making them the most suitable intermediaries.

Chen Changyi said, “What you said first is the best and most sincere statement. On behalf of all people of the Dragon Country, all humanity, I thank you.”

Zhou Leng’s expression slightly changed.

When he shared knowledge of the Divine Text after emerging from the Dwarven treasure, Chen Changyi had expressed similar words.

Those words were both an appeal to duty and a genuine sentiment.

Chen Changyi continued, “Whether it’s the Dragon Country or humanity, we uphold the freedom of martial artists. Your unwillingness to cooperate is your freedom; your willingness to cooperate is our honor.”

“There may be things we cannot say or do, but please remember, whether it’s the nation or Blue Star, we respect your personal freedom and will not compel you to do anything under any guise.”

“If you feel coerced, please contact me, contact all our envoys, identify the problem, then resolve it.”

“You may not trust some scoundrels, but please trust us veterans who have walked through mountains of demon and monster corpses.”

“We will never hand over the country and humanity to them.”

“Our battle with them has never ceased.”

Many Grandmasters slightly turned their heads, looking elsewhere.

Chen Changyi’s words seemed to say nothing, yet were extremely explicit to them.

He wasn’t speaking to Zhou Leng, but rather to the Grandmasters and those present.

Chen Changyi was the first representative of the Demon City Army on this occasion.

His words could represent the entire Demon City Army, at least here.

Wang Boxiong followed, “I am your Hall Master, and I bear more responsibility and will hold you to stricter standards. However, I will respect your personal wishes.”

Some Grandmaster Special Envoys looked elsewhere again; these words were not directed at Zhou Leng either.

The Demon City Army and the Martial Guard Department maintained a consistent stance.

After some exchanges, Zhou Leng recounted some experiences in Hundred Peaks Valley, but did not mention being Guan Canglong.

When discussing the deaths of all Sea Sirens, Beastmen, and Demons except Deep Dark Fury, the Grandmaster Special Envoys either couldn’t control the twitches of their eyes or the corners of their mouths.

Even though they were all seasoned, their expressions changed.

It was a mix of horror at the unknown terrifying power and joy at the great loss to the Demon Alliance.

This round of the youth battle at least cut off the futures of fifty enemy Grandmaster prospects, possibly more, including Martial Saints.

The Barbarian Star Axe indeed possessed the potential of a Martial Saint.

Nobody thought such a talent would fall in battle.

In past youth battles, such geniuses rarely died.

“Good!” multiple Grandmaster Special Envoys praised.

“Right, please allow us some time now. We need to record the high-level body protection divine skill of the Ancient River Sect as soon as possible to avoid unforeseen incidents.”

“You can record it here, and we will all leave.”

The Grandmaster Special Envoys started leaving one by one.

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