Chapter 849

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Xu Changqing

The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly solemn; Xiao Sha's killing intent collided with the Three-Eyed Clan's star pressure, and for a moment their auras confronted each other, neither yielding.

Chao Jin raised his hand and pressed lightly in the air; surging red flames suppressed both sides' auras, then he said: "Peak Master Xiao, please calm yourself. The Three-Eyed Clan has come from afar and stated they wish to discuss a major matter; we might as well hear them out fully before reaching a conclusion."

Great Elder Xuan Yan also nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Qiong: "Please state your purpose plainly, so that we may know what this so-called major matter actually is."

Qiong smiled faintly and spoke without beating around the bush: "Since Sect Master Chao and Elder Xuan are so straightforward, this seat will not mince words either.

As of now, the Tianyuan Realm's location has already been exposed in the eyes of many races from the Outer Realm; it is not only our Three-Eyed Clan that knows.

Even if it were not us who came today, before long other Outer Realm races would seek it out, coveting this place's spiritual energy and resources."

As he spoke, Lie beside Qiong raised his eyes, his tone carrying a touch of pride: "Our Three-Eyed Clan is the first Outer Realm race to find the Tianyuan Realm, which also counts as having a karmic connection with the Tianyuan Realm."

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces showed shock.

The thing everyone worried about most had still happened.

The Tianyuan Realm's exposure meant that in the future it would inevitably face the coveting and harassment of Outer Realm races.

"Who exactly leaked it?"

"Could it be the people who left?"

"This matter must be investigated to the bottom!"

For a moment, everyone discussed heatedly.

Xu Changqing, Chao Jin, and Xuan Yan — the three of them — exchanged glances quietly.

In fact, the first Outer Realm race to set foot in the Tianyuan Realm was not the Three-Eyed Clan, but the alien race from the Cangming Realm.

Only they had just sneaked in when Xu Changqing discovered them.

Three people died, two of them; now only one remains, imprisoned in the Hou Tu Peak dungeon.

However, the Three-Eyed Clan's words are not false; the Tianyuan Realm has already been exposed, and they know full well who the exposer is.

But the Three-Eyed Clan's intentions are unclear; rashly revealing the matter of the Cangming Realm alien race would only add variables; better to hold still for now and see what scheme they are really playing at.

Qiong did not notice anything amiss and continued, putting forward his proposal: "This seat knows you are wary of us, which is only natural.

Today's visit is truly made with sincerity.

Our clan is willing to form an alliance with the Dongting Immortal Sect; if you agree, we will proclaim to the outside that the Tianyuan Realm is already under the Three-Eyed Clan's protection.

Relying on our clan's reputation in the Outer Realm, it is enough to deter most covetous parties and guarantee the Tianyuan Realm a period of peace."

Xu Changqing raised an eyebrow: "A period?"

At this, Qiong's tone shifted: "Of course, there is no free lunch in the world; cooperation is the same.

Our clan's cultivation consumes enormously; the Dongting Immortal Sect must provide the spiritual treasures and other resources we need daily."

To put it bluntly, it is equivalent to "protection money."

The cooperation between the Three-Eyed Clan and the Dongting Immortal Sect: one side supplies resources, the other side provides protection by reputation.

At this, some people's faces showed temptation; if they could borrow the Three-Eyed Clan's reputation to fend off other Outer Realm races, it would indeed solve the urgent crisis.

But more people's expressions were solemn, clearly aware of the hidden dangers behind this cooperation.

It appears mutually beneficial, but in reality conceals a crisis.

The benefits are obvious: with the Three-Eyed Clan blocking outside, those even more powerful Outer Realm races might, out of face for the Three-Eyed Clan, not easily attack the Tianyuan Realm.

But the harm is even more fatal: the Dongting Immortal Sect supporting the Three-Eyed Clan is tantamount to inviting a wolf into the house, a de facto betrayal of the Tianyuan Realm.

Once this matter is exposed, it will inevitably trigger internal strife.

What's more, the Three-Eyed Clan's ambitions are unfathomable; today they can demand resources in the name of protection, tomorrow they may seize the chance to swallow the Tianyuan Realm.

When that time comes, the Dongting Immortal Sect will be the sinner of the entire Tianyuan Realm!

Xu Changqing's expression was calm; he was merely the Acting Peak Master, not a sect high-level figure; this matter was of great importance and not for him to decide.

At this moment, Mu Yunsheng and Mo Qiu Shui gathered at his side.

Mu Yunsheng asked: "Brother Changqing, how do you see this matter?"

Xu Changqing countered: "What do you think?"

Mu Yunsheng said decisively: "I see the Three-Eyed Clan harbors ill intentions; supporting them is no different from raising a tiger to become a scourge — trouble will break out sooner or later; we absolutely cannot agree!"

Mo Qiu Shui shook her head lightly: "Valley Master Mu, the Three-Eyed Clan dares to put conditions on the table, which shows there is room for negotiation; they may not truly intend to swallow the Tianyuan Realm.

If we refuse directly, once they fly into a rage out of humiliation and turn around to ally with other Outer Realm races to attack, we would be hard-pressed to resist."

Xu Changqing pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly: "I feel the crux of this matter lies not in the Three-Eyed Clan, but in the Tianyuan Realm itself.

Even if we refuse the Three-Eyed Clan this time, next time there will be a Four-Eyed Clan, a Five-Eyed Clan coming; as long as the Tianyuan Realm's overall strength is not strong enough to withstand the invasion of Outer Realm races, it will be occupied sooner or later.

However, the cost of supporting the Three-Eyed Clan is too great, and the risk is also very high.

One misstep and we will be beyond all redemption."

For a moment, the three each expressed their own views.

Just as everyone held their own arguments, Chao Jin's voice rang out again: "Changqing, come over."

Xu Changqing heard this and was stunned, feeling surprised.

He was merely the Acting Peak Master; decision-making had nothing to do with him.

Though he had doubts in his heart, he did not hesitate; he immediately passed through the crowd and came before Chao Jin, Xuan Yan, and the Three-Eyed Clan members.

At close range, Xu Changqing truly felt the Three-Eyed Clan's extraordinariness.

Their figures were tall; even the females were nearly two meters.

Every person's surrounding Star Power was extremely vast, making one dare not look down on them.

Especially their tightly closed third eye on the forehead, even closed, one could sense the terrifying energy contained within.

Qiong slightly lowered his head, gaze carrying a few parts scrutinizing: "Sect Master Cao, this one is the Qingmu Peak Acting Peak Master you spoke of?

Looking at him, he seems ordinary!"

Chao Jin laughed heartily: "Though Changqing is Acting Peak Master, in planting and cultivation aspects, he is second only to the original Peak Master, which is his master.

With him here, the spirit plants your Three-Eyed Clan needs will certainly be satisfied."

As these words fell, a trace of surprise flashed through the eyes of both Qiong and Xuan and Lie beside him, their gazes once again landing on Xu Zhangqing, carrying a few more parts Recognition.

Li slightly raised her eyes, seemingly having a trace more interest in this cultivator who could obtain Chao Jin's high praise.

Xu Zhangqing's heart suddenly understood: "So it is like this."

Turns out, the Sect Master having me come over was not to make any decisions.

But to help these foreign clansmen plant and cultivate spirit plants.

Qiong's tone softened a few parts: "Since Sect Master Cao recognizes you so, this seat will trust you once.

The spirit plants my Three-Eyed Clan cultivation requires are not existing varieties in the Tianyuan Realm; as long as you can cultivate them out, there will certainly be rewards later."

The sound fell, he raised a hand and waved, a seed entirely crystalline white, entwined with Star Spiritual Light, appeared in his palm, then passed it to Xu Zhangqing.

Li at the side also raised her hand, immediately taking out three seeds of differing colors, likewise containing Star Power, the seeds faintly having Spiritual Runes flowing, clearly not ordinary spirit plants.

Xu Zhangqing did not rashly accept, but looked toward Chao Jin, waiting for the Sect Master's instruction.

Chao Jin slightly nodded, only then did he extend his hand; the moment the four seeds entered his hand, Star Power seeped into his body along his fingertips, his mind instantly trembling.

At this moment, all of Dongting Immortal Sect's people's gazes were concentrated on the seeds in Xu Zhangqing's hand, expressions thoughtful!