Chapter 211

The news from the Shadow Hall was like a stone tossed into a lake, sending ripples through the upper echelons of the Guangtan Alliance.

Three days later, at the Ice Canyon. This is undoubtedly a trap, but also an unavoidable contact.

The other side holds crucial information, and may even possess valuable experience in opposing the False Emperor.

"We must go." Li Qingxuan's tone left no room for doubt, "but we must make full preparations."

Over the next three days, the entire Guangtan Alliance operated like a wound-up war machine, running at high speed.

The North Wind Outpost was further reinforced, equipped with more weapons targeting the Ice Wraiths and that green vein.

Guangtan Fortress, Anvilburg, and the Moonlight Ring began concentrating elite forces and stockpiling strategic supplies.

Li Feifei held the central hub, coordinating all sides, under immense pressure.

Li Qingxuan then used this brief time to fully digest the information fragments transmitted by the Ice Soul, and attempted to further master the power of the 【Weird Divine Realm】.

He faintly felt that, as his understanding of the truth deepened, his own spiritual power seemed to resonate more deeply with the so-called 'Dominant Seed', making his use of the divine realm increasingly adept.

The three-day deadline arrived in an instant.

The Ice Canyon, a strategic location situated between the North Wind Outpost and the Ice Tower Forest.

Both sides were ice cliffs hundreds of meters high, the valley floor narrow, with biting winds howling like the icy maw of a giant beast.

Li Qingxuan did not lead a large army here, for that would only provoke unnecessary conflict.

His retinue consisted only of Huang Rong, Li Jing, and ten of the finest warriors who combined dwarven toughness with elven agility—the 'Jungle Iron Guard'.

They occupied a defensible ice cliff outcrop, waiting for the other side's arrival.

As the appointed time arrived, the space in the shadow at the far end of the canyon rippled like water.

Immediately after, five figures shrouded in gray-black cloaks appeared silently.

Their appearance caused no energy fluctuations, as if they were already part of that shadow.

The leader, not particularly tall, but when he lifted his head, the eyes revealed beneath his hood were not human eyes—rather like the purest obsidian, deep enough to seem to swallow all light, yet within the depths a point of azure spark flickered—Li Qingxuan instantly recognized this as the entity he had previously communicated with, one of the leaders of the Shadow Hall!

"My name is Mo Ying." The leader spoke, his voice low and magnetic, carrying an ancient rhythm, "Representing the Shadow Hall, I greet the holder of the 'Seed'." His gaze fell on Li Qingxuan, carrying scrutiny and also an indescribable complex emotion.

"Li Qingxuan." Li Qingxuan gave his name calmly, "What is your 'sincerity'?"

Mo Ying did not answer directly, but slowly removed his hood.

The revealed face caused Li Qingxuan and those behind him to start slightly.

It was not a human face; the skin was a dull gray, with fine, rune-like natural patterns on the cheeks, and at the center of the forehead was set a fingernail-sized dark crystal that continuously rotated slowly.

His ears were long and pointed, similar to an elf's but more rugged.

This was a race never seen before!

As you see, we are not native to this realm." Mo Ying's voice carried a hint of self-mockery, "We are the followers of the Former Lord—namely the source of the power you have inherited—who crossed the Star Sea as the Star Spirit Race. Of course, in the mouths of the False Emperor and his lackeys, we are remnants, we are shadow.

Star Spirit Race!

Followers of the Former Lord!

This explains their mysterious origin and their understanding of the power of the Weird Master.

The Former Lord was benevolent, bestowing order and vitality upon this realm. Yet the False Emperor is vile, having slain the lord and usurped the throne, and smeared the Former Lord as the Weird Master, twisting his glory into a source of fear." Mo Ying's voice held the anger and sorrow of many years repressed, "He not only slaughtered my people, but also seeks to utterly erode and devour this realm with the Corruption Root, turning it into nourishment for the growth of his own divine kingdom!

He pointed toward the depths of the canyon, as if able to see through the ice to the suppressed core: 'That Corruption Root is the False Emperor's tendril extended into this realm; its core contains part of his will and power. The Ice-Sealed Throne suppresses its main body, but power still seeps through, producing Ice Wraiths and corruption mats, continually weakening the seal.'

Is your driving of the Corruption Tide to attack my fortress also part of your sincerity?" Li Qingxuan asked coldly.

Mo Ying frankly admitted: 'It is a probe, and also a necessary sacrifice. We need to confirm whether you are merely another pawn placed by the False Emperor, or the true holder of the Seed, and whether you possess the potential to survive the future storm—and... the qualifications worth investing in.'

His words were cold and realistic, 'The facts prove you have passed the test. Moreover, you have gained the Ice Soul's approval, far exceeding our expectations.'

"So, what is your sincerity now?" Li Qingxuan remained unmoved.

Mo Ying raised his hand; a member behind him stepped forward and handed Li Qingxuan a black crystal emitting faint spatial fluctuations.

"This is a 'Shadow Leap Stone', containing a star map marking several locations within this star system where clues to the Primordial Rune or the Former Lord's hidden stellar coordinates may be found. This is what my people have discovered at great cost." Mo Ying said solemnly, "Furthermore, we can also provide information on the main force distribution under the False Emperor's command, the tactics and weaknesses commonly used by his lackeys, and... some ancient knowledge on how to more effectively utilize the Seed power within your body."

This sincerity is certainly not light!

Especially that star map and the knowledge concerning the Seed are of vital importance to Li Qingxuan.

"Then, what is the price?" Li Qingxuan asked in a low voice after receiving the Shadow Leap Stone.

He never believed that free lunches fell from the sky.

"The price is an alliance." Mo Ying's obsidian eyes locked onto Li Qingxuan, "Not as a vassal, but as an equal alliance against the False Emperor. We need you and your forces to restrain the False Emperor's attention in this realm, destroy the core of the Corruption Root, and prevent this realm from being completely devoured. Moreover, in the future, if you become strong enough, we need you to assist us in launching a counteroffensive against the False Emperor's divine kingdom!"

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of resolve: 'If you agree, all of the Shadow Hall's power in this realm will heed your command, cooperating with you to destroy the core. Furthermore, we will tell you all the information we possess about the Former Lord's fallen place; perhaps there lies the true key to opposing the False Emperor.'

The terms are clear and cruel.

Forming an alliance means being irrevocably bound to the chariot opposing the False Emperor, with no retreat.

But the reward is equally astonishing—the Shadow Hall's full support, and the key to greater power and truth.

Li Qingxuan fell silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over his loyal companions behind him, then toward the direction of the southern Guangtan Alliance, and finally his eyes returned to Mo Ying.

"I can agree to the alliance." Li Qingxuan said slowly, "but there is a precondition: before destroying the core, you must prove your sincerity—I need to know the exact location and information of the Black Blade and their commander behind them in this realm. Also, you must share how much you know about the clues to the Primordial Rune in this realm that the Ice Soul mentioned."

What he wanted was a genuine pledge of allegiance and immediately usable strength.

Mo Ying exchanged a glance with several of the Star Spirit Race behind him, as if conducting a silent communication.

After a moment, he nodded: 'Yes. The Black Blade, together with their rear commander, the Frost Bishop Carlos, have their lair deep in the ice caves of the Howling Wind Pass. This is the map and troop deployment. As for the Primordial Rune... according to our ancient records, a fragment of one of the Life runes likely fell together with the Elf Race's Life Mother Tree in this realm. That is also one reason why the Dark Elf Camp seeks Aister.'

He then handed over another crystal containing recorded information.

Li Qingxuan received the crystal, probed it slightly with his spiritual power, and confirmed the information was correct.

"Then, the covenant is established." Li Qingxuan extended his hand.

Mo Ying also extended his hand; two hands, one human, one Star Spirit, clasped tightly together in the cold Ice Canyon.

An alliance targeting the core of the Corruption Root and the terrifying entity behind it was quietly formed here.

The storm is about to descend in full force.

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