Chapter 1363 - 237: Cannot Agree

Chapter 1363: Chapter 237: Cannot Agree

Capital City.

Inside the Demon-Subduing Division.

Shen Changqing sat face-to-face with Gong Xuantian.

A person resembling a maid was attending to them, occasionally pouring tea for the two.

"This person looks somewhat familiar!"

Gong Xuantian looked at the maid with a faint smile on his face.

But his words contained a chilling coldness when they reached Qiushui’s ears.

"This is a new maid I recently recruited named Qiushui. Does Brother Gong know her?"

Shen Changqing smiled slightly.

Upon hearing this.

Gong Xuantian’s eyes flickered, then he laughed: "I don’t know her, just felt she looked familiar. Brother Shen has a keen eye to recruit such a maid."

Afterward.

He looked at the two teacups on the table and continued: "However, I believe another cup is needed. Coincidentally, there’s another person from my Heavenly Dao Sect who came along. Brother Shen won’t mind, right?"

As soon as the words fell.

A brilliance surged from his body.

In the next instant.

An elderly man with a kind appearance, wearing a Daoist robe, appeared in their sight.

"This is Dao Seal elder from my Heavenly Dao Sect."

"Dao Seal!"

Shen Changqing’s eyes narrowed slightly, understanding the identity of the person when he looked at them.

The Dao Seal!

Or perhaps it should be called the Heavenly Dao Seal!

Seeing the person for the first time, he already understood in his heart that this existence was stronger than Elder You from the Zhongshan Clan.

But Shen Changqing remained calm and subtly instructed Qiushui: "Add two more places."

"Yes!"

Qiushui complied and left.

Gong Xuantian was taken aback by the words: "Is there someone else coming?"

He deliberately had the Heavenly Dao Seal come out to give Shen Changqing a scare.

But to his disappointment.

The expected shock was not exhibited at all, as if he truly did not recognize the Heavenly Dao Seal.

This feeling.

Made Gong Xuantian feel like he punched air, with nowhere to exert force, quite uncomfortable.

Soon.

Qiushui returned with two more teacups, filling each with tea.

And then, Shen Changqing thought of an idea.

The blue outer garment originally draped over him vanished without a trace, transforming into a person, sitting to the side.

The sudden change made Gong Xuantian and Dao Seal’s expressions shift.

They had not realized from the beginning that the blue outer garment worn by Shen Changqing was also a Dao Arm.

Capable of transforming into shape.

At least Seventh Grade level.

"This is Qingyi, also a predecessor from my Imperial Court."

Shen Changqing introduced casually.

"I see!"

Gong Xuantian nodded, quickly regaining calm in front of Qingyi.

No matter how powerful Qingyi’s Dao Arms might be, it absolutely couldn’t compare to the Heavenly Dao Seal.

After all.

The latter was an Eleventh Grade Dao Arm, truly top-tier in the Central Profound Realm.

He did not believe.

The outside Imperial Court could possess Dao Arms of equivalent level.

No matter how strong Qingyi was, the power of the Heavenly Dao Seal was enough to suppress them.

Unfortunately.

Gong Xuantian did not notice that since Qingyi appeared, the expression of the Dao Seal elder transformed by the Heavenly Dao Seal was somewhat peculiar.

First showing doubt.

Then shock.

Finally turning into astonishment.

"Hello!"

Qingyi greeted.

The Dao Seal’s face stiffened, instinctively bowing, wanting to speak but the words seemed stuck.

On the other side.

Shen Changqing remained composed: "No need for further elaboration, let’s get to the main point. Brother Gong mentioned wanting to collaborate with my Imperial Court. How does he plan to cooperate?"

"Before discussing cooperation, let me first ask Brother Shen a question."

"Go ahead."

"Brother Shen, what you’re cultivating in now, is it the Ancient Immortal Dao System?"

Gong Xuantian spoke, his gaze towards Shen Changqing fervent.

Although he knew the answer in his heart, he still wanted to hear a confirmation from Shen’s mouth.

In the intense gaze, Shen Changqing nodded: "Indeed, what I cultivate is the Immortal Dao."

"Just as expected!"

Gong Xuantian could no longer contain his inner excitement, his body starting to tremble slightly.

Immortal Dao!

It truly was the Immortal Dao!

The strongest path of the Ancient Human Clan.

The current Divine Path in the Central Profound Realm was only a method chosen out of necessity when the Immortal Dao was impassable.

If given the choice, he would never walk the Myriad Clans Divine Path, only choosing the Ancient Immortal Path.

No way.

The Ancient Immortal Path is too powerful.

In the limited records inherited by the Heavenly Dao Sect, the Ancient Human Clan dominated the Heavens, intimidating the Myriad Clans with its unparalleled Immortal Dao system.

Now that the Immortal Dao has reappeared, how could Gong Xuantian not be excited?

However.

He is, after all, a Rule Divine King, having lived countless years, his character tempered to a high state.

After a brief excitement, he quickly regained his composure.

He coughed lightly.

Gong Xuantian said earnestly: "The Human Clan established the Imperial Court outside, offending the entire Central Profound Realm. Our Heavenly Dao Sect dispatched cultivators to stop them, representing not just the will of our sect, but the entire Central Profound Realm.

I admit Brother Shen’s strength is formidable, even in the Central Profound Realm, considered among the elite.

But one person’s power is ultimately limited. According to our Heavenly Dao Sect’s understanding, the external Human Clan is still weak. Apart from Brother Shen, there are few strong enough to resist the many forces of the Central Profound Realm."

He first elaborated on the powerful strength of the Central Profound Realm, aiming to dissolve the psychological defenses of Shen Changqing.

But after he finished speaking, the other party’s expression did not change much.

Seeing this.

Gong Xuantian wasn’t anxious either.

A truly strong person can remain unperturbed even if a mountain collapses ahead, making it extremely difficult to discern any clues from their facial expression.

Yet.

He wasn’t anxious.

Instead, he paused, then continued from his previous discourse.

"I have already witnessed Brother Shen’s strength, but there are entities stronger than me within the Central Profound Realm, and among the many forces like the Five Sects and the Twelve Palaces, each force possesses some powerful trump cards.

These trump cards can easily bring a Fourth Realm God King to their death.

Of course, given Brother Shen’s strength, even if the Five Sects and Twelve Palaces act, it would be difficult to kill you.

But Brother Shen, have you considered? While you might escape unscathed, can the vast Imperial Court do the same? If the situation truly escalates, it would be a bloodbath scenario.

The heavens hold a virtue of good life, and I absolutely do not wish to see such things happen."

Gong Xuantian spoke compassionately.

Shen Changqing lifted his teacup, sipped lightly, his expression unchanged: "It seems the Central Profound Realm’s strength is indeed formidable, but how does Brother Gong plan on cooperating, and would my Imperial Court’s cooperation prevent the bloodbath?"

"That is naturally so."

Gong Xuantian smiled slightly, his face showing a slightly proud expression.

"Though our Heavenly Dao Sect may not be the strongest force in the Central Profound Realm, it is among the elite. Not all of the Five Sects and Twelve Palaces are enemies of our Heavenly Dao Sect.

With Brother Shen’s strength, combined with the forces of our Heavenly Dao Sect, I believe it would be sufficient to intimidate other sect forces. In that case, if they wish to act against the external Human Clan, they’ll have to seriously weigh their actions."

"So then, what price must my Imperial Court pay?"

"It’s simple. Brother Shen only needs to share the Immortal Dao methodologies and release our Heavenly Dao Sect’s Holy Son... Additionally, we require half of the external Human Clan’s faith!"

Gong Xuantian spoke solemnly.

He believed he hadn’t pushed the other too hard, leaving some room for retreat.

Immortal Dao methodologies.

Even if handed over, it won’t cause the external Human Clan much loss, at most a sharing of resources.

As for releasing Ji Ying, that is a given.

The remaining half of the faith also poses no major issues.

From Gong Xuantian’s observation, the external Human Clan does not follow the Faith Divine Path, and collecting faith serves no purpose whatsoever. Sharing half of the faith simply wasn’t a major problem.

"Brother Gong’s conditions seem fair..."

Shen Changqing finished the spiritual tea in his cup, and Qiushui refilled it timely.

He looked at Gong Xuantian for a long while, then shook his head.

"What a pity... the Imperial Court cannot agree to this."

The Immortal Dao methodologies are the true catalyst for the Imperial Court’s rise.

The martial arts compendium circulating outside now only reaches the Immortal Golden Body Realm; the methods of the Cave Heaven Realm are still in the hands of the Demon-Subduing Division.

Compared to the Central Profound Realm, the Imperial Court’s foundation is weak.

If the Immortal Dao methodologies fall into the hands of the Central Profound Realm, then their power growth is certain to be faster than the Imperial Court’s.

In that case.

The Imperial Court will find it increasingly difficult to balance against the Central Profound Realm.

Moreover—

Shen Changqing looked at the Gong Xuantian before him, his heart cold.

The Central Profound Realm views the external Human Clan as ants, and this negotiation is entirely due to his strength.

If the day comes when they are confident in suppressing the Imperial Court, then they would not hesitate to turn hostile.

To this.

He had no doubt about his conjecture.

The previous conduct of the Central Profound Realm already reveals some things.

Especially since there is a Divine King of the Heavenly Dao Sect who fell at his hands.

The hatred of a fallen Divine King cannot be easily appeased.

As for releasing Ji Ying, there’s no problem with that.

The Heavenly Dao Sect’s Holy Son has divulged almost everything he could, and remaining in the Imperial Court serves little purpose.

But splitting half of the faith cannot be accepted.

No other reason.

Though the Imperial Court does not follow the Faith Divine Path, the growth of Legacy Dao Arms relies on Faith Divine Power.

For Shen Changqing, the growth of Legacy Dao Arms largely determines his future realm breakthroughs.

Splitting half the faith.

What’s the difference from digging out one’s own foundation?

Thus.

Of the three conditions Gong Xuantian mentioned, besides the second one that could be negotiated, the other two have no room for discussion.

"Well... Brother Shen is indeed serious!"

Gong Xuantian thought the other was about to agree, but upon uttering a single word of approval, he immediately realized what was happening.

Instantly.

His expression turned grim, a cold gaze fell upon Shen Changqing, his tone chilling: "Brother Shen, you must think carefully, acting rashly is not a good thing. If not for yourself, then consider others.

If our Heavenly Dao Sect does not intervene to stop them, what kind of situation will arise when the strong from the Central Profound Realm arrive one day? I don’t need to elaborate further."