(Thanks to Heaven Will Daoist for the gift.)

– – – – – –

“I came to make a deal with you,” Huo Fenghuang said.

“Oh, I’m listening.”

“I want your source blood.”

Immediately, a terrifying killing intent emanated from Ao Tianyi’s body. All dragons race are highly particular about their source blood because of how precious any dragon bloodline is. However, he quickly calmed down.

“Instinctive reaction,” Ao Tianyi explained casually. “You do know how precious true dragon bloodline is. So, what do you want to exchange?”

“You can name your price.”

“You can be my woman,” said Ao Tianyi with a lascivious smile.

“If you don’t want to exchange, I can live.”

“What’s with the reaction? It would be your honor to become my woman.”

“Honor?” replied Huo Fenghuang with a sneer. “I’ve read about how arrogant you Innate Lifeforms are, but I did not think it was even worse than the scriptures described.”

“Innate Lifeforms? You dare compare my noble bloodline with these lowly things?”

“Is there a difference? In the end, the world is ruled by acquired lives. No matter how prideful you are or how much benefit your bloodline gives you, it does not change the fact that acquired lives rule this world.

“I can guarantee many of my ancestors have hunted your kind in the upper dimension.”

Ao Tianyi’s eyes turned red as he knew she was correct. This truth has been the bane of all races bred by Heaven and Earth. It did not matter they were the first creatures in existence, and it did not matter they were born noble and more powerful–they were no longer the ruler of the world.

Ao Tianyi wanted nothing but to pounce on the person before him. But he remembered where he was and his father’s mission. So, he took a deep breath to calm down.

Meanwhile, Huo Fenghuang secretly sighed in relief; she needed to be assertive in other for the negotiation to be relatively fair. She remembered the argument Wang Wei used in the evening and theorized their Ancient Clan still had some backing in the upper dimension in the form of the Heaven Opening Emperor, the Wang Clan’s ancestor.

And by Ao Tianyi’s restraint, her theory was correct; she had made the correct tactic for this negotiation.

“I hope you take this transaction seriously. Tell me if you don’t want to trade so I don’t waste my time.”

“Fine,” responded Ao Tianyi, calming down to ponder whether he would make the deal. A few minutes later, he said:

“I agree, but here are my terms. First, I want all the information you have on the trial’s participants and the Heaven Chosens of the Myriad Emperor World. I want the tiniest detail–even something as little as their favorite food.”

Huo Fenghuang frowned slightly, but she eventually nodded.

“The second thing I want is a promise.”

“What promise? I won’t agree to anything if you don’t specify,” she added.

Ao Tianyi did not immediately answer but took out a mirror, instantly alerting Huo Fenghuang and making her on guard.

“No need to be worried. I just don’t want anyone or anything to listen to our conversation.”

Then, he activated the mirror to block the room and prevent outside forces from spying. Huo Fenghuang remained on guard during the entire process, ready to call upon her Dao Protector at any moment.

“If you can prove the Dao, I want you to be an inactive Emperor,” Ao Tianyi said casually.

“What do you mean?”

“In simple terms, I want you to not accomplish anything as an Emperor. You can preach the Dao to repay karma, but there is no need to do anything more for the world.

“You can say in the Lower Dimension for as long as possible before ascending. And during this time, all you have to do is ensure nothing happens in the Myriad Emperor World.”

“I can’t do that,” she replied immediately.

“Why? I think it’s a fair deal.”

“I’m carrying the hope of my clan to revive them to the glorious time. Your conditions go against my goal for cultivation.”

“Then there is no deal.”

“Fine by me,” replied Huo Fenghuang.

“Do you think you can easily leave after coming to my home?” Ao Tianyi stood up, fully ready for a confrontation.

“And if you think I came here without being prepared, you’re a bigger fool than you appeared during today’s introduction.”

Ao Tianyi clenched his hand as he stared at her. But, after seeing her confidence and thinking about his father’s words, he decided to be cautious about the success of this mission. So, he let her leave.

After exiting the mansion, Huo Fenghuang looked back.

‘It seems these geniuses want to interfere in the Myriad Emperor World’s development.’

After looking for a few seconds, she flew home; she knew things were not over. She wanted that Primordial Dragon’s blood and was willing to offend him to get it; she did not care about the consequences since this might be the only chance she had at proving the Dao.

Myriad Emperor World, Dao Opening Sect:

Wang Wei was reading about Gu Xuan’s life. He lived during the Middle Emperor Era. The records described him as a cunning and insidious person who feared death and wanted to become immortal.

After failing his Heaven Will Battle, he created the Deceiving Heaven Longevity Art. According to records, Gu Xuan lived over 100 million years before exchanging the scripture with an Emperor for a Dao Seed.

After that, he disappeared, most likely ascending to the upper dimension.

While Wang Wei analyzed the information he had, he suddenly received a communication talisman from Wang Wucheng. Then, he used his sect master token to teleport to a secret realm where Wang Wucheng waited for him.

As soon as he appeared, Wang Wucheng gave him another token.

“This will take you to a special place in the sect. Go immediately.”

“What’s going on?”

“You were supposed to take a trial once you reached Quasi-Emperor Realm before you could go that place, but now, the situation has changed.”

Wang Wei frowned.

“Remember, be respectful.” Wang Wucheng then disappeared. Wang Wei looked at the token in his hand for a moment before activating it. He then found himself in a large place with a pool.

In front of the pool were nine phantoms: three in the middle and six behind them.

The first phantom looked like him: young, handsome, with long dark hair and bright eyes. He had a gentle and reassuring smile.

The one to his right was a beautiful woman with a mole on her chin, a serious face, and eyes sharper than a sword.

Wang Wei recognized the one on the right as he saw him in the Battle Tower; he still remembered that sundering battle intent. Then, he glanced at the people at the back.

There was a middle-aged man to the far left; Wang Wei could see his muscle despite being a translucent fantom. Next to the muscular man was another middle-aged man wearing a turtle shell. Wang Wei refused to comment on this person’s fashion sense.

The person after that was an older man with long white hair and a beard, dressed in red. Somehow, Wang Wei could smell the scent of medicine from him.

The fourth person was a young man with golden hair; righteousness and cruelness perfectly describe his face and demeanor.

The fifth person on the back was an ordinary-looking young man. The only way to describe that person was ordinary; he had the kind of face that most people would not notice in a crowd–a very forgettable face.

Finally, the sixth person at the back was a lively, beautiful young woman with rainbow-colored eyes.

Wang Wei recognized these people since he had to worship them during Ancestral Worshipping Ceremonies he had attended during his childhood. So, he immediately bowed and said:

“Sect Master Wang Wei has seen the Ancestors.”

“There is no need for formalities,” said Qiyuan as he floated next to Wang Wei and helped him. He took a deep look at him.

“A Nine Extremity Foundation? A 4-Root as that? Worthy of my descendant.”

“It would have been better if it was a perfect 5-Root Foundation,” commented Sword Empress.

“Give the kid some slack. Achieving such a result in the unorthodox path and in such a short time is proof of his talent,” added the Battle Maniac.

“According to my calculation, there is a 99% chance he has found a way to push it to perfection,” said Miscellaneous.

“What is with the missing one percent?” asked the Rainbow Emperor.

“He is a Fateless. Even as a mortal, I have to consider possible deviation.”

“That makes sense.”

“I’ve heard many great things about you,” said Qiyuan Emperor to change the subject. “I’m glad you inherited my drive for innovation and progress.”

His eyes twinkled.

“I saw how well-developed the mortals in our territories are. Your use of construct, your views on education and knowledge, and the notion of advanced mortal civilization are fascinating; I cannot wait for you to spread your ideas throughout the world.”

“Thank you, Ancestor, for your praise.”

“I have a few questions I wanted to ask.”

“Brother Qishan, we cannot waste time,” suddenly said Battle Maniac.

“That’s right. Our presence could make the situation worse,” added the Sword Empress. “Let’s do what we came for and leave.”

“Alright,” Qiyuan replied with some sadness. He then looked at Wang Wei seriously: “We will all preach the Dao to you: teaching about the Dao and a detailed explanation of cultivation from Tier 1 to Tier 12.”

Wang Wei’s eyes immediately lit up after hearing this. With this process, not only will his understanding of Law and Dao reach another level, he won’t have to worry about finding methods to break through to the Empyrean and Paragon Realm in the future.

“Thank you for your guidance.”

“Let’s begin,” said Qiyuan with a smile.