Chapter 200: Forceful Negotiation

The sudden news left you and the Fox Clan Empress quite astonished, and also gave you both a glimmer of hope.

The Nine Ancient God Clans sent a joint letter, requesting a visit to the Human Race.

Among them is the near‑extinct Elf Race.

This shows how much they value the matter.

The Fox Clan Empress smiled, "For us, this might be a good thing; each of their peoples has a Divine Lord, so they should know things we do not."

You nodded, "They once kept things hidden from us; now that they come to visit, they must be seeking something from us."

"Let us see what their purpose is."

You and the Fox Clan Empress now possess absolutely invincible power beneath the Divine Lord, and can retreat unharmed even when facing a Divine Lord.

Naturally, you fear no scheming of the Ancient God Clan.

You accepted the Nine Ancient God Clans' request.

Except for the Elf Race, the other eight Ancient God Clans each sent a Supreme Peak Saint to the Human Race's realm for a visit.

On the Human Race side, besides you, Chi, Hong, Xi, Cang, Yu and Yi—several Great Vehicle Phase peak cultivators—also took part in the talks.

The Fox Clan Empress naturally also participated.

Inside the hall, Yi's eyes fixed intently on the Supreme Saint of the Phoenix Clan.

Had it not been for your suppression, he would likely have immediately fought the Phoenix Clan's Supreme Saint to the death.

"Everyone, state whatever matter you have directly."

You sat upright on the main seat, elevated above, and naturally showed no need for a friendly demeanor toward the Nine Ancient God Clans.

If they cannot produce something that satisfies you, you do not mind keeping them here forever.

"Chuan Clan Leader, there is a matter we wish to ask of you."

The Dragon Paragon, acting as representative, spoke sincerely, lowering his bearing dramatically, a stark contrast to his previously lofty, unruly demeanor.

"Very well."

You smiled, "If it concerns the Ancient Gods, I am glad to help."

You hope to use this to find clues about Sangyu.

The Dragon Paragon said, "A few days ago, all of the Nine Ancient God Clans received bloodline messages from the Divine Lord."

"The Divine Lord told us that a crisis is approaching!"

"It is a world‑ending crisis; no living being in this world can escape it."

The Dragon Paragon's expression grew heavy.

You do not know how much of his words are true or false.

You asked, "If you want my help, first tell me about the Ancient Gods' predicament, and… where have your Divine Lords gone?"

The Dragon Paragon replied, "In the last war, we failed to seize the Holy Light Seed; the Divine Lords then departed."

"They seemed to have been forcibly summoned away by the will of the Ancient Gods, leaving little explanation."

"What is certain is that the crisis confronting the Ancient Gods is growing ever more severe."

"Even…"

At this point, the Dragon Paragon's eyes were filled with sorrow.

You furrowed your brow and pressed, "Even what?"

The Dragon Paragon sighed, "The Ancient Gods have fallen into calamity."

Your eyelid twitched, "How can you tell?"

The Dragon Paragon said, "Since that war, all the newborn children of our Dragon race have perished."

"At first I thought the Dragon race was cursed by some evil force."

"Later we discovered that those dead children had all had their qi and blood taken by the same mysterious force."

"Subsequently, more and more young Dragons, even adult Dragons, were affected."

"Our cultivation was suppressed, our qi and blood drained."

"If this continues, the entire Dragon race may be annihilated."

After the Dragon Paragon finished speaking, the other major Ancient God Clans voiced the same problem; the Elf Race was the sole exception.

"It seems something truly went wrong."

Your mood was heavy; although you do not care about the Nine Ancient God Clans' survival, you fear the Human Race may face the same fate.

In such times, a decisive choice must be made.

You remained calm and asked, "You ask the Human Race for help, but what solution do you have?"

The Dragon Paragon said, "Now that matters have come to this, we intend to risk everything, to find the place where the Ancient Gods reside; if we fail, we shall die honorably."

"Otherwise our bloodline will be cut off, our race will cease to exist, and our old bodies' mere survival would be meaningless."

You did not rush to decide, replying calmly, "You risk everything, yet you involve the Human Race? What benefit do we gain by helping you?"

The Dragon Paragon said, "Since the upheaval has already afflicted the Nine Ancient God Clans, the Human Race cannot ultimately escape it."

"Helping us is also helping the Human Race itself."

"Chuan Clan Leader, with your far‑sighted vision, you should have already seen through all this!"

"I hope you will act for the sake of the Human Race!"

The Supreme Saints of the other races also began to voice their requests.

Inwardly you hope to use the clues the Nine Ancient God Clans provide to locate Sangyu, yet outwardly you remain as calm as water.

You smiled lightly, "At least for now, the Human Race is not in danger, so there is no need to risk adventure together."

"If you wish the Human Race to act, bring enough sincerity."

"Do not threaten me with future circumstances; the Human Race has endured countless wars and has never feared."

You exude a rainbow‑like aura, your gaze sharp as a blade, making the Supreme Saints of each clan wear a sour expression.

This is the confidence of a great clan.

The Dragon Paragon has to step back, "Chuan Clan Leader, what do you want? We will certainly satisfy you."

"Let me correct that: it's not what I want, but what you should give, which belongs to the Human Race."

You extend three fingers, "First, you must open all territories, allowing the Human Race free passage."

"Second, regarding all information about the Divine Lord, you must tell me everything."

"Third, I will select one hundred spiritual treasures from each clan to soothe the heroic souls of the Human Race."

"Also! For any plan you propose, the Human Race will only hold the rear and assist, never rush into the front line!"

"The lives of my people are far more precious than yours."

Your words are full of humiliation toward the Ancient God Clan, yet they dare not retort; the Ancient God Clan once regarded the Human Race as ants.

Now! The ants' lives are even more precious than theirs!

The Ancient God Clan's Supreme Saints remain silent.

Yi laughed loudly, "Clan Chief, I have another request."

You glance at him, guessing Yi's purpose, and nod, "Speak directly, no need to worry."

Yi stands, his gaze sweeping over the Supreme Saints, finally resting on the Phoenix Supreme Saint.

"My demand is that all the strong ones of each clan who once invaded the Human Race must kneel before the Human Race's heroic tomb for seven days and seven nights!"

"After the kneeling, each shall then offer tens of thousands of li of territory to the Human Race!"

"If unwilling to cede land, we will also accept the offering of a few Supreme Saints' lives."

Yi's words suddenly tighten the atmosphere.

"You!!"

The Supreme Saints of each clan are about to erupt.

"That will be all."

You sit back on the chair with unparalleled authority, eyes half‑closed, calmly saying, "I give you time to consider; do not discuss conditions with me."

"If any condition cannot be met, then just leave outright!"